Present:
Mr G Bisson (Chairman)
Parish Councillors
County Councillor M Kendal
District and Parish Councillor Mrs P Wyeth
18 Members of the public
John and Jaki Brown representing TLC Online
The Chairman, Mr George Bisson, introduced himself and welcomed everyone present. He introduced the Councillors present – Mark Abbott, Frank Alexander, Jim Wilding, Dennis Newport, Ted Gailor, Mark Rollé, John Charlesworth, Anne Butcher, Mark Gammon, Pat Wyeth (District and Parish Councillor) and Mel Kendal (County Councillor).
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no written apologies for absence.
2. PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE PRESENTATION
Jaki Brown of TLC Online explained that she and John had recently been appointed to design a website for Lyndhurst Parish Council.
This had been designed in consultation with Councillor Mark Rollé and the Parish Council Clerk, a domain name obtained, www.lyndhurstparishcouncil.org.uk and was now fully operational.
From the outset it had been clearly understood by all parties that the website would serve the whole community and not just act as a vehicle for the Parish Council.
Initially pages had been set up to contain such items as information about the Parish Council, past copies of agendas and minutes, details concerning local organisations and a village diary.
Members of the public were invited to send contributions to the web team for inclusion on the website. At the end of the meeting those present were asked to view the website live on a laptop computer.
3. MINUTES OF THE LAST ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 16 March 2004 were approved.
4. MATTERS ARISING
None.
5. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Committee Chairmen presented their reports as follows:
(a) Planning Committee
Mr Abbott explained that this Committee consisted of Mr Charlesworth, Mr Gailor, Mr Gammon and Mrs Wyeth, with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Parish Council also invited to attend. Meetings usually took place on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7.15 pm in the Community Centre.
75 applications had received the Committee’s consideration since the date of the last Annual Meeting and 12 had been received in May 2004 alone. The two largest applications had concerned South View Guest House where proposals had included demolition of the existing building and building of nine apartments (refused) and proposals at 56 High Street and adjoining properties in Gosport Lane.
A special meeting, attended by members of the general public and agents acting on behalf of the developer, had been held to consider this application. Refusal had been recommended. The proposed development at Beechen Lane would be heard on Appeal on 20 April at Appletree Court. Mr Abbott thanked the Committee and the Clerk for work undertaking during the year.
(b) Recreation Ground Committee
Mr Rollé explained that he had taken over as Chairman of this Committee in June. The land was very wet at present but the fallen tree had been removed. Vandalism had been evident on the skateboard ramp as well as fencing surrounding the children’s play area. Unfortunately this meant that money used to repair damage caused could not be used to improve facilities.
We had tried to obtain access to the Recreation Ground from the A35 but this had not proved possible. The new filtration pond should help alleviate flooding and safety measures had been implemented at this point.
New No Dogs signs were now in place. Our lease of the land with the Forestry Commission was due to be renewed shortly and it was understood that they were pressing for a 100% increase.
(c) Allotments Committee
Mrs Butcher, as Chairman of the Committee, explained that members were John Drew, Mark Gammon and Frank Alexander. She reported that there had been an improvement in the condition of the allotments and the trees in the south east corner had been removed. No Dogs signs had been erected.
Two copies of the allotment agreement are now sent to allotment holders when they renew and one copy must be signed and returned to the Clerk. The tractors have also been removed.
Drainage setts will be added at the top end of the track leading from Pikes Hill. Work is progressing with the ditches and hedges. The Parish Council is facing legal costs due to a new lease.
From October rents will be increased to £10 for 10 rods and £20 for 20 rods. It is hoped to introduce smaller plots (5 rods) and these will also cost £10.
At the present time we have 12 vacant plots (not workable). The noticeboard has been refurbished and reinstalled by Messrs Kitcher, Timmis and Peckham and thanks were extended to these gentlemen for the work involved.
(d) Cemetery Committee
Mr Wilding, as Chairman of the Committee, stated that the committee consisted of himself and Mrs Butcher, Mr Gailor, and Mr Newport. They met as a committee approximately four/five times a year.
A safety audit had been carried out and there had proved to be no great concerns. Four new LPG heaters had been installed in the Chapel, making a significant difference. The grasscutting had been completed successfully by a joint partnership of NFDC/TVBC for a fee of £1,762 and the work had been put out to tender for the coming year.
Revenue from the cemetery amounted to £4,600 (approximately £600 less than in the previous year). In the Roman Catholic section a new path had been created. The lych gates had been removed and repair or replacement would take place in the near future. A key to access this gate had been supplied to a disabled pensioner.
Tree husbandry had taken place which involved the removal of one tree and other work. Consideration was being given to computerisation of the cemetery records and it was hoped to provide lighting in the Chapel, a safety cage for the LPG bottles and repainting of names on the war memorial.
A price would be sought for the installation of mains water or replacement of the existing water pump. Previously the war memorial has been maintained by volunteers but it is now the responsibility of the Parish Council. Last year £227 was spent on high pressure jet cleaning.
Thanks were extended to Don Bond, who has cut the grass and Edna and Tony Chilcott, who have placed flowers on the memorial.
(e) Amenities Committee
Chairman Mr Alexander explained that this committee consisted of Mrs Wyeth, Mr Charlesworth and Mr Rollé. Two new oak noticeboards had been purchased and erected at Bank and Emery Down.
Unfortunately the noticeboard at Emery Down had already been damaged. It had been decided not to allow any new seats for the foreseeable future but this does not prevent maintenance and replacement of existing seats, which had received treatment to prevent green algae.
60kg of daffodils had been purchased and planted and these would be followed by another 60kg in the Autumn. Graffiti had not proved a great problem but was always removed as soon as possible. The cost of emptying three dog bins amounted to £250 per annum.
(f) Bypass Committee
Mr Charlesworth said that the Bypass Committee consisted of himself and Councillors Wilding, Rollé, Alexander as well as Malcolm Woolley and Professor Keith Barber. He explained that the village has a major problem with traffic.
In 1983 the enquiry was lost because of lack of support from our MP, in 2001 the High Street was narrowed for the benefit of pedestrians, in 2002 Mill Lane, Emery Down was narrowed in help their villagers and in 2004 Ashurst and Lyndhurst have a problem caused by the right turn at Colbury meaning more lorries at the bottom of the High Street.
Mr Charlesworth said the Committee had spoken to many groups and MPs who also think that action should be taken and the Parish Council are determined to pursue a solution to the Forest congestion problem.
We are now wondering how the National Park status will affect the village and Mr Charlesworth felt that tourism would increase. We have to look forward and are now going to talk to the New Forest Transport Strategy Group. Both the Chamber of Trade and Residents Association are in favour of a bypass.
(6) CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
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 M Rollé (Recreation Ground Committee), Mrs A Butcher (Allotments Committee) and Mr J Charlesworth (Bypass Committee).
With regard to the Fenwick Hospital the Chairman reported that the NF PCT had made a presentation to the Parish Council. The Chairman, on behalf of the Parish Council, had sent a letter to our local MP and we will be actively following this matter up. The letter can be found on our website. The cycle track is on target.
A campaign has been launched to encourage local residents to become fire fighters and Station Officer Steve Pegler will be giving a talk to the Parish Council. They would like to recruit retained fire fighters.
Support has been given to local organisations such as the CAB, infant school, Decorations Committee, Victim Support, Junior Football Club and Community Centre.
Representatives on other bodies include Mr Drew – CAB, Mr Abbott (reserve Mr Gailor) – New Forest Consultative Panel, Chairman – Twinning Association, Mrs Butcher – School Governor, Mr Abbott – Transport Representive, Chamber of Trade/Community Association – Mr Charlesworth.
Mrs Wyeth will serve on the National Park Authority although our Parish Council nomination was unsuccessful.
The Parish Council aims to have greater contact with the public.
There are many ways to achieve this including the website, noticeboards, letters to and from the public, telephone and answerphone, see a Councillor, email.
We now have a faults log and the public can contact the Clerk if they see a fault around the village. Rectifying overgrown hedges adjacent to the highway are now our responsibility. Pollution levels are now being monitored in the village.
All this costs money and this comes from our precept which is now £1.42 per elector.
7. OPEN VILLAGES AND GREENS
These are situated at Shrubbs Hill, Pikes Hill, Southampton Road, Gales Green. Particular concern was expressed regarding the condition of the grass at Gales Green and the bottom of Pikes Hill. A ditch had previously been dug at Gales Green but had been filled in due to complaints. Dragons teeth had been considered and a suggestion was made that a car park should be considered.
8. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
County Councillor Mel Kendall presented his report as follows:
Councillor Kendall extended thanks to the Clerk, Chairman and Councillors for their work during the past year.
He stated that with the regard to the newly formed National Park, he had nominated Mrs Wyeth to become a member and he had been nominated by the Leader of the County Council. The National Park is responsible for safeguarding conservation.
The County Council had opened the first of its 500-bed hospitals aimed at reducing bed blocking in the NHS. Hampshire County Council had appointed four pilot schemes for accredited Community Safety Officers.
400 new affordable homes, available to key workers, would be built in the next five years and these would be partly funded from money raised from a reduction in discounts for Council Tax on second homes.
The new incinerator at Marchwood was now operational and would deal with some of the waste that is at present going to landfill sites. The road network sub-committee’s task is to look at the road network in the New Forest as a whole.
The size of the budget required will depend on how the solution is funded but the aim is to prevent bottlenecks elsewhere.
With regard to flooding policy, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Councils have, for a long time, had a local flooding defence committee. This no longer exists and their work has been taken over by a regional committee.
9. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
District Councillor Mrs P Wyeth presented her report as follows:
Since the date of the last annual meeting many issues are still with us and new ones have arisen.
Decisions have been reached on appeals regarding the TETRA mast and Stydd Close but decisions are awaited for the mast at the telephone exchange and the proposed development in Beechen Lane.
The new houses on the old bus station site are nearing completion and two will be very much needed affordable housing. The proposed development of Stag Yard has been refused.
With regard to the National Park, NFDC has produced a leaflet available from their offices and libraries. The National Park will attract more visitors and therefore more traffic.
Lyndhurst High Street has failed DEFRA air quality regulations and the Church and Lyndhurst Park Hotel will now also be taken into account.
With regard to the New Forest Road Safety Committee 30 mph signs will shortly be placed in Chapel Lane/Shrubbs Hill/Gosport Lane.
Pavements are still a cause for concern as well as overgrown hedges. Thanks were expressed to Dave who keeps our pavements so clean.
The parking clock system is working well and now includes Sundays and Bank Holidays. In 2006 residents will be consulted to see if they would like a residents’ car parking area. The aim is to keep Council Tax as low as possible.
10. PAROCHIAL CHARITIES
Mr Herbert and the Clerk gave details of the following charities:
| Lyndhurst Welfare Charity |
| Income including balance brought forward |
£11,912.76 |
| Payments |
£3,514.50 |
| Balance carried forward 31.03.03 |
£8,398.26 |
| |
|
Saltarn Treat Fund |
| Balance at 31.12.03 |
£2,359.42 |
| Interest received on deposit account |
£98.26 |
| Balance at 31.12.04 |
£2,457.68 |
11. CRIME REPORT
PC Ennew reported the following crimes committed within the Parish during the previous twelve months.
| Non dwelling burglaries |
19 |
12 from commercial premises |
| Dwelling burglaries |
7 |
from private houses |
| Assaults |
47 |
8 at the Police Station |
A robbery had taken place at Lloyds Bank, there had been 31 car crimes (not including at various car parks, but 4 in the High Street car park) and 41 thefts.
It had been noted that burglaries from dwellings were mainly on the one-way system. The Pub Watch system has just started – “barred from one: barred from all”. Licensing laws would be changing in the coming year.
Latest monthly crime reports are available.
12. RESOLUTIONS
No resolutions had been received.
13. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Oliver asked when the pub watch scheme would start. PC Ennew replied that it had commenced in January and included all public houses within the Parish. Alcohol would not be sold in off licences to individuals under 21 years of age.
Mrs Howes asked if anything could be done about the rats in Gosport Lane. Mrs Wyeth said she had reported the problem to NFDC. It was the responsibility of whoever owned the land on which the rats were observed to deal with the problem.
Mr Chilcott said he was concerned about the obstructing of the pavement in the High Street.
RESOLVED: That this matter be added to the agenda for the next Parish Council meeting.
The Chairman thanked John and Jaki Brown and members of the public for attending and the meeting closed at 9.15 pm. |
