Present:
Mr J Wilding (Chairman)
Parish Councillors
County Councillor M Kendal
District and Parish Councillor Mrs P Wyeth
18 Members of the public
Dr D Balfour and Mrs P Coen (representing New Forest PCT)
1. APOLOGY FOR ABSENCE
An apology for absence was received from Mrs B Radcliffe.
2. NEW FOREST NHS PRIMARY CARE TRUST
Dr Balfour explained that he and Mrs Coen would be giving the meeting an idea of where we are in the New Forest in terms of health care. There had been an amalgamation of several primary care trusts who look after the health care of 180,000 people in the New Forest consisting of hospital services and GP practices.
The aim was to provide hospital services locally rather than commission them from other areas. There will be a new hospital in Lymington – a diagnostic treatment centre and the New Forest is the only primary care trust in the country to provide acute medical care. There is a strategy for community hospitals which means they are unlikely to remain as they are at present. Lymington will have a wide range of services.
With regard to the GP service, the new contract from 1st April will see the biggest change since 1948. All GPs will opt out of the out of hours and Saturday morning cover and instead their would be out of hours centres in the New Forest and the concept of a family doctor would disappear over the coming years.
Mrs Coen explained that the New Forest PCT is part of the National Health Service, which in turn is part of the strategic health system. Healthfit is the local strategy for health service in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. There are aspects of health care that need to be delivered from a central location. There are new ways of working for some staff.
New technology has to be taken on board. Out of hours centres would be at Hythe, Lymington and Fordingbridge. There will be locality teams in community care for local people. This will get them out of hospital more quickly. Ideas for modifications to the Fenwick Hospital would be given.
Mr Alexander asked if there would be a casualty service at Lymington Hospital and Dr Balfour explained that the service would survive but would be staffed by specialist nursing staff (minor injuries service).
Mrs Wyeth asked what would happen to people who didn’t have cars to travel to the out of hours centres. It was explained that there would be a visiting doctor service for out of hours service and staff might be provided.
Mr Charlesworth thought there would be a need for a paramedic service, particularly for older patients. Dr Balfour said there was a need to have the maximum staff who can deal with the problem appropriately and Mrs Coen stated that paramedics would be placed in treatment centres.
Mr Alexander asked if the Fenwick Hospital would be used for rehabilitation and Dr Balfour said this was likely as continuing care was a big issue. With regard to the Day Centre Mrs Coen stated that community hospitals play a big part in rehabilitation and social care but the Trust would have to consider whether it should be at the Fenwick Hospital or elsewhere.
Concern was expressed as to whether manpower was in place for out of hours centres. Mrs Coen stated that they did not want to take staff from other places but would try to use shift patterns, etc to work with the system.
Mr Herbert stated that first responders were there for an emergency situation.
The Chairman thanked Dr Balfour and Mrs Coen for attending the meeting.
3. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Chairman reported that there were twelve councillors and a new clerk, Mrs M Weston had been appointed on 1 September to succeed Mr R Butcher who had retired on 30 September, having given 23 years of loyal service. Mr Galton and Mr Woolley had resigned as Councillors and Mr Newport and Mr Drew had been appointed.
Thanks were given to the following Committee Chairmen for their work during the year:
Mr M Abbott (Planning Committee), Mr F Alexander (Amenities Committee), Mr G Bisson (Recreation Ground Committee), Mrs A Butcher (Allotments Committee) and Mr J Charlesworth (Bypass Committee).
During the year the local skateboarders had attended Parish Council meetings on several occasions, the Parish Council were now responsible for the Remembrance Day Parade, parish walkabouts had been organised.
Thanks were expressed to PC Ennew for producing the crime summary and holding regularly monthly surgeries at the Community Centre. NFDC had set up a website for the Parish Council but more work was needed on this project.
A grant of £5,000 had been given to Lyndhurst Infant School towards the refurbishment project.
The precept for the year had been set at £18,500 and it was noted that out of the 37 Parish Councils in the district Lyndhurst is in 30th position.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Committee Chairmen presented their reports as follows:
(a) Planning Committee
Mr Abbott stated that the Planning Committee consisted of Mr Bisson, Mrs Butcher, Mr Gailor, Mr Gammon, Mr Wilding and Mrs Wyeth. Meetings were held on the fourth Tuesday in the month in Lyndhurst Community Centre.
The Chairman tried to visit all sites and talk to neighbours regarding planning applications. Press and the public are welcome to attend meetings although dates and times should be checked first.
There had been 73 planning applications and the largest had been the proposed redevelopment of the former AI Centre, Le Poussin and South View Hotel in Gosport Lane.
(b) Recreation Ground Committee
Mr Bisson reported that the Committee consisted of Mr Drew, Mr Newport, Mr Rollé and himself. The Recreation Ground should be regarded as an expensive but valuable asset. Maintenance had been necessary – the junior play area has been resurfaced at a cost of £1,200, vandalism had cost a great deal of money, particularly with regard to fencing.
A safety audit had been carried out of the trees with the Forestry Commission and necessary work undertaken. The Junior Football Club hoped to provide an additional pitch. The Parish Council and Football Club have applied for grant aid from the Football Foundation for an extension to the pavilion but it was understood that finances were not available at present.
Mr Bisson stated that the Remembrance Day Parade was a very important part of the village which the Parish Council intended to continue.
(c) Cemetery Committee
Mr Wilding said this consisted of himself, Mr Charlesworth, Mr Newport and Mr Gailor. A safety audit had been carried out on 30 June and general conditions were found to be satisfactory. The porch gate of the chapel has been adapted for increased security and restoration of the chapel is well in hand.
The present general cemetery maintenance agreement will continue for a further two years. Grasscutting in the form of two cuts per summer has been undertaken by NFDC. Cemetery charges will be increased in August 2004 and income for the previous year was £4,400. The budget has been set for £5,200 for the forthcoming year.
2. Recreation Ground
Mrs Butcher stated that the Committee consists of Mr Alexander, Mr Bisson, Mr Drew, Mr Gammon, Mr Wilding and herself. The Committee are trying to get all the allotments back into use.
Plots will be cleared and another 11 will become available. The cost is £18 for 20 rods and £9 for 10 rods. The “No Dogs” signs will be replaced. The budget had been set at £650 and £700 would be forthcoming in rent.
3. Amenities Committee
Mr Alexander reported that this Committee consisted of Mr Charlesworth, Mr Rollé, Mr Wilding, Mrs Wyeth and himself. It had been necessary to paint out graffiti on the bus shelters and specialist cleaning and removal work has sometimes been necessary.
Polycarbonate has been replaced on one bus shelter. It has been decided not to allow any more seats at present due to maintenance costs. Bulbs have been planted and more will be purchased this year. Two of the main noticeboards will be replaced. The grass at Gales Green is being cut up and a watching brief will be kept on this situation. A new dog bin has been provided in The Meadows.
4.
Bypass Committee
Mr Charlesworth explained that this newly formed committee consisted on Mr Alexander, Mr Rollé, Mr Wilding, Mr Woolley and himself. A document had been sent to 37 parish and town councils and meetings had been held with Totton Town Council, Brockenhurst Parish Council and Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council.
The Residents Association were supporting the Committee. Mr Charlesworth stressed that this was all about a Forest and not a Lyndhurst bypass. Thanks were expressed to Mr Woolley who was not a Parish Councillor but had offered his services to the Council.
5. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
County Councillor Mel Kendall presented his report as follows:
Wide ranging issues included waste disposal, the Colbury right turn, a decision regarding Dibden Bay expected shortly, report on New Forest National Park this summer.
Local issues included the new cycle route and education. Fewer primary school pupils so schools in the Waterside are merging. Lyndhurst Infant School has been improved structurally. The museum and library will be opened by the Lord Lieutenant shortly.
6. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
District Councillor Mrs P Wyeth presented her report as follows:
The district local plan is now with the Inspector and a decision should be made known in September. Care Homes policy is under revenue.
The government is producing a paper of new planning system. Transport issues will have to be fed into the south east plan. Transport is a major issue in the Forest and resulting pollution is unacceptable. Mrs Wyeth is a member of the New Forest Transport Strategy Group.
The Highway Management and Road Safety Committee is targeting child safety. The cycle path should be implemented shortly. With regard to planning there has been no improvement at Stag Yard and other issues had included South View Hotel, the old bus depot, Beechen Lane and the recently granted planning permission at Le Poussin which would provide a boost for the tourist trade.
A grant had been received from DEFRA for flood alleviation in Romsey Road. NFDC had given a £500 grant and the Parish Council has been asked to come back with any ideas. Mrs Wyeth had suggested play equipment.
7. PAROCHIAL CHARITIES
Mr Herbert and the Clerk gave details of the following charities:
| Lyndhurst Welfare Charity |
| Income including balance brought forward |
£13,194.52 |
| Payments |
£7,216.88 |
| Balance carried forward 31.03.03 |
£5,977.64 |
| |
|
| Saltarn Treat Fund |
|
| Income including balance brought forward |
£2,359.42 |
| No payments |
|
| Balance carried forward 31.12.03 |
£2,359.42 |
8. RESOLUTIONS
No resolutions had been received.
9. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Hollingdale asked why the proposed Ashurst to Lyndhurst cycle path could not be put on the south side of the A35. It was stated that a decision had not been taken on this matter yet and HCC would be visiting the April Parish Council meeting.
However, there were ecological restraints on using the south side and safety issues in using the north side.
Mr Herbert stated that the road sweeper was doing an excellent job and should be congratulated.
Thanks were expressed to Dr Balfour, Mrs Coen and members of the public for attending the meeting.
The meeting closed at 9.30 pm. |
