Present:
12 Parish Councillors
Mrs M Weston, Clerk to the Parish Council
13 members of the public
PC Andy White and PCSO Lisa Quinn
Press representative
The Chairman, Mr Mark Rollé, introduced himself and welcomed everyone present. He introduced the Clerk, Margaret Weston, County Councillor Keith Mans and District Councillor Pat Wyeth (also a Parish Councillor).
(1) APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None.
(2) MINUTES OF THE LAST ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 16 March 2010 were approved.
(3) MATTERS ARISING
None.
(4) COMMITTEE REPORTS
Chairmen of Committees presented their reports as follows:-
(a) Planning
Mr Mark Abbott, as Planning Committee Chairman, introduced the Committee and said that the Chairman also attended as an ex officio member and Mrs Pat Wyeth attended to give advice but did not take part in decision making or voting as it could prejudice her position as Chairman of the Planning Committee of the NFNPA.
The Committee had met eleven times since the last Annual Parish Meeting and had dealt with 74 applications, compared with 60 in the previous year. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7.15 in the Community Centre and members of the public are welcome to attend, although they are limited to a maximum of five minutes in which to speak.
It was hoped that two large applications had finally been settled but South View had been turned down following a further application in which social housing and been left out and Banner Homes had relinquished the Stag Yard development.
Building is now taking place at Coxlease School. Important applications dealt with during the year included a new vehicular access to the west of St Michael and All Angels Church, together with a pedestrian access to the east, 38-40 High Street, which had been empty for a considerable length of time, was now Costa Coffee.
The owners of Springwood Cottage, Bank had applied for demolition and replacement with a new cottage. The Parish Council had supported this application but it had been turned down by the NFNPA under newly introduced policies.
A decision is awaited regarding an application for a new 50 bed care home at Hill House. The owners of the Forest Lodge Hotel have made another application, this time to extend office space in the Lodge.
The Committee were unhappy with the application as it might lead to more parking and pressure on adjacent trees.
Mr Abbott extended his thanks to members of the Committee, to Mrs Wyeth for advice on technicalities and to the Clerk.
(b) Recreation
Mr Mark Rollé presented his report on progress in the Recreation Ground. The year had seen consolidation with the remainder of the fence between the Recreation Ground and Holmfield being renewed.
Maintenance work had taken place to the existing play equipment and a regular programme grasscutting was now in place. As in the previous two years a new item of play equipment had been added in the form of an aerial runway.
This had been aimed at older children and was situated with the skateboard ramp. Although there had been initial teething problems the equipment was now running efficiently and, most importantly, safely.
The Committee would be exploring the possibility of more equipment in the coming year and hoped to purchase play equipment for very young children and a basket swing for older children. Mr Rollé expressed thanks to the Committee, the Clerk and the Police.
(c) Cemetery
Mr Paul Boyes introduced himself as Cemetery Committee Chairman and the members of the Committee. He reported that the budget requirement for the Cemetery would remain at £6875.
Any extra work such as repair of roads, paths, car park, removation of collapsed graves, re-erection of headstones and memorials, etc is paid for from fees received from use of the chapel, purchase of plots and burials and is not a burden to the local taxpayer.
The refurbishment of the chapel is almost complete and its usage is increasing each year.
The theft of plaques in 2010 had been a sad experience and regrettably the culprits had not been found. However replacement plaques in slate and granite are being purchased.
Safety work continues to be carried out in accordance with the Ministry of Justice directive – Management of Safety of Burial Ground Memorials.
Mr Michael Grant continues to survey and mark out the cemetery in order to make grave identification easier. This is an enormous task and appreciation and thanks are due to Mike for his voluntary work.
Volunteers are always welcome. Thanks also go to those who look after the graves of their loved ones as more and more people are cleaning and tending graves.
With regard to the future the road needs repairing and resurfacing, work will continue on renovation of graves and paths within the cemetery will be repaired.
Mr Boyes thanked the Clerk and also thanked the families of Councillors for their support.
(d) Allotments
Mrs Klaassen introduced the members of the Cemetery Committee and thanked them for their work. Allotment inspections had been introduced in 2010 and would continue in 2011.
They gave the Parish Council and allotment holders the opportunity to meet on site to discuss matters concerning specific plots.
The allotment competition saw Adrian Wiltshire as the prize winner for the best allotment and a new category was introduced – best newcomer.
This was won by Anne Turner.
J and L Sturney had donated a plaque to the best allotment prize winner.
It had been decided that the vermin situation needed to be addressed. Ringwood Pest Control had undertaken the work and had proved to be very successful with their regular visits and baiting procedure.
Hot spots had been identified and dealt with. A new gate had been installed at the Fenwick end of the allotment gardens. This area was particularly important as it lay on the edge of the open forest.
A new path had been relaid on the main track through the allotments and grateful thanks must go to the band of allotment holders who had undertaken this work voluntarily.
Collection of rents had taken place in October, together with prizegiving and a meeting for allotment holders to air their views. Looking to the future drainage is a problem and will need to be dealt with.
(e) Amenities
Mr Mark Böckle reported that work had started at Great Mead, resulting in a new fence and gate, together with access path, at the Gosport Lane end. Bulbs had been planted at Swan Green, three benches and one shelter had received maintenance work.
A new bench had been purchased for Clayhill and the shelter had been upgraded with a new seat.
The Parish Council had purchased a telephone kiosk at Silver Street, Emery Down and local residents have plans for its future.
One problem was that many of the Amenities Committee's sites are open or Forest access and the Parish Council have to take obtaining permissions before undertaking work seriously.
During the forthcoming year maintenance work would continue as part of the four year plan. There would be a seat replacement opposite Wellands Road this month and more bulbs would be planted.
There would be more use of external funding.
The path between Silver Street and Blackwater was virtually impassable in places. The Parish Council were actively seeking to establish a public right of way on the part of the route that did not already have one.
75% of the required funding for a path upgrade could be obtained from external funding.
With regard to Great Mead, the next step was to create a rural path and dog waste free area.
The Parish Council had donated a tree to the Twinning Committee which had been planted on Great Mead.
Consultations were in progress regarding drainage. Consultation was taking place regarding a new shelter outside the village school.
Mr Böckle thanked his fellow committee members, councillors, the Clerk and external financiers.
(5) CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Mr Mark Rollé introduced himself as Parish Council Chairman.
He reported that there would be no increase in this year's precept for the coming financial year. This had been achieved by reducing grant aid (Section 137).
In the current financial year £4000 had been given to the Scouts and £1000 to Lyndhurst Youth and Community Club by way of grant aid and the Parish Council had also paid for the Twinning Association tree.
Next year's grant aid would amount to £554.
Grit bins had been placed around the village. These were provided by HCC although the Parish Council had supplied information as to where they would be the most appropriately utilised. Residents were asked to inform the Clerk if they knew of an area that would benefit from a grit bin.
With regard to the fault log, Councillors now have an area to report and the Parish Council were now using photographic evidence to support requests to Hampshire Highways and other organisations for faults to be rectified.
During the year the Parish Council had welcomed Alison Barnes, NFNPA CEO, Vicky Myers, Vice Chairman NFNPA, Adrian Grey and Tim Lawton from HCC.
Mr Rollé stressed that the Parish Council were here to serve the best interests of the village and had written to Dr Julian Lewis, MP regarding the Government's proposal to sell off the New Forest.
Plans were in hand for a new logo and the Parish Plan was also in hand, which had taken a lot of work to prepare. Residents could be assured that the precept was wisely used.
Mr Rollé thanked PC Andy White and PCSO Lisa Quinn for attending the meeting and for their support throughout the year. He also expressed thanks to his fellow Councillors and to the Clerk.
Mr Herbert asked if the fault log could be placed in the Noticeboard.
(6) DISTRICT COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
District Councillor Pat Wyeth reported that traffic issues continue to dominate the village. The large lorry detection unit was in place and allows the left hand filter to remain on for longer periods. Other trials are progressing and further tests regarding moving the traffic lights further back are on going.
Requests have been received for lower speed limits in residential areas. The County Council will be looking at the picture across the County, prioritising areas before making their decision, rather than taking roads in isolation.
With regard to planning South View has already been mentioned this evening, Banner Homes are now back in the frame for Stag Yard and Mrs Wyeth hoped enforcement action can be taken to tidy the site and hoardings.
Car parking and destruction of verges on the A35 was an issue as the problems caused by decommissioning at Roberthsaw House.
With regard to the NFNPA the Core Strategy is now in place.
The NPA faces a 10% cut in their budget, although the shared services in the Town Hall at Lymington will assist.
Regarding NFDC, there will be no increase in Council Tax and the Council is debt free. There will be no cuts in front line services although there will be a loss of 40 jobs.
Mrs Wyeth's Rural Grant had gone to the Scouts, Youth Club and Fenwick 2.
Refuse collections had been completely redesigned for efficiency, resulting in savings of around £80,000.
Mixed colour glass collection had been introduced.
Lessons learned in the bad weather of 2009/10 had been taken forward.
(7) COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
County Councillor Keith Mans reported that at the beginning of this year it was clear that whoever won the general election would have to make deep cuts in public expenditure because the country was spending £4 for every £3 raised in taxation.
The new government had immediately imposed a £6b a year cut with a proportion of that amount being borne by local authorities.
The County Council had agreed a conservative budget in 2010/11 which meant that in year cuts could be absorbed. A freeze was initiated on new recruitment, followed by a review of council activities resulting in a cut of 25% in senior management posts and 1000+ staff leaving through natural wastage and redundancy.
Effort has been made to protect front line services although some have been rationalised. Council tax has been frozen for the coming year.
Locally much time has been spent on traffic issues. The 30 mph speed limit is now in place on the A35 approach road from Ashurst. This road has also been resurfaced with smaller chippings which, together with the reduced speed, should reduce the level of noise from lorries.
Councillor Mans would shortly be meeting with a representative from the Highways Department regarding other traffic issues in the village.
£500 of Councillor Mans delegated budget was given to the Scouts as a contribution towards their new scout hut.
(8) PAROCHIAL CHARITIES
Mr Herbert and the Clerk gave details of the following charities:
(a) Lyndhurst Welfare Charity
(b) Saltarn Treat Fund
(9) VILLAGE FETE
It was agreed that a village fete would be welcomed and that local groups should be approached to see if they would be willing to support the idea.
(10) RESOLUTIONS
No resolutions had been received.
(11) POLICE REPORT
PC Andy White stated that he had been assigned to the Lyndhurst area for four years and PCSO Lisa Quinn had been here for 3 years.
In general crime rates were down this year although theft from motor vehicles in forest car parks continued to be a problem.
The most disturbing crime this year had been the theft of the plaques from Lyndhurst Cemetery. Lead had been taken from roofs and catalytic converters had been stolen from cars.
There had been more non-dwelling burglaries.
Two new computer systems had been introduced – Crime Report UK and Safety Net.
PCSO Quinn was in the process of establishing a "No Cold Calling" zone in the Meadows.
Another issue had been rowdy behaviour and the Chamber of Trade would be funding CCTV in the High Street.
Mr Cornell asked if there were statistics for detection rates and PC White replied that there were statistics available.
The Chairman thanked PC White and PCSO Quinn for attending the meeting and for their continued support.
(11) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Wyeth stated that a company had approached NFDC with a view to setting up a car wash operation in the main car park. It is understood that the village Scouts organise car washing once a year and that this date should be kept clear.
Mr Charlesworth asked that thanks be minuted to the Chairman and the Chairmen of the Committees for their efforts.
The Chairman thanked members of the public for attending and closed the meeting at 9.05 pm. |
