Our October Parish Council meeting proved to be both lively and informative.
We started with a presentation from Mr Barrie Foley, the Interim Chief Executive of the New Forest National Park Authority.
His is visiting all Parish Councils to keep them fully informed regarding “where the NPA are at the moment” and emphasised that they will be consulting fully with all interested bodies in the future and there will be an opportunity for us to voice our opinions on the Management Plan outlining the vision and objectives to guide the NPA for the next 20 years and secondly, the Core Strategy, setting out the Authority’s planning policies.
The Recreational Management Plan will be available for consultation in early 2010.
By the time you read this the Parish Council will have held Committee meetings to discuss budgets for the forthcoming year.
I will then be able to update you on how and where our budget will be spent in the financial year April 2010 to March 2011.
That seems a long way ahead at the moment but Councillors do realise that in these difficult times it is very important to account for every penny and to spend our residents’ money wisely.
I would emphasise though that the best way for you to keep in touch is to come along to Parish Council meetings and have your say during our public participation agenda item.
We had our allotment collection evening on 2 October.
Thank you to everyone who came along—it proved to be a good evening.
Ann Butcher was on hand with tea, coffee and biscuits to make everyone feel welcome and thanks must also go to Rob Dewey, one of our allotment holders, for his assistance with refreshments.
This year we decided to hold a competition for the best allotment and prizes were awarded as follows:
1st Prize—David Webb,
2nd Prize—T J Winkworth,
3rd Prize—Andy Knowles.
All prize winners received a hamper, carefully chosen by our new Allotment Committee Chairman, Helen Klaassen and the first prize winner also received a rather splendid plaque which will be displayed on his allotment.
This was very kindly donated by J Sturney, Funeral Director and presented by Charlie Keane.
After the collection of monies and prize giving had taken place we had a question and answer session which gave the Parish Council plenty for the agenda of the next Allotment Committee meeting.
Thanks must also go to our Parish Council Chairman, Mark Rollé, who came along to answer questions—all adding to our quest to become a more approachable council.
I did see Councillors Mark Böckle and Paul Boyes mingling with our allotment holders too.
One thing that came out of the evening was that the allotment holders would like regular meetings to voice their views and this is something the Parish Council have taken on board.
We do have a few allotments vacant at the present time.
This is mainly due to the fact that quite a few new allotment holders have asked to take on small plots.
To meet this demand we have divided some of our larger plots up and are very pleased to see that residents are being realistic about the amount of time and energy they have available to work a plot.
It is amazing how much produce and enjoyment can be forthcoming from just a small piece of land and you can always “graduate” to a larger plot.
Remembrance Sunday will be on the 8th November this year.
More details of the Parish Council’s Remembrance Day Parade are available as a PDF.
If anyone has any views as to whether we should hold a service at 11.00 am on Remembrance Sunday at the war memorial itself could you please get in touch with me.
Margaret Weston,
Clerk to the Council,
Woodlands,
Fritham,
Lyndhurst,
Hampshire
SO43 7HJ
Tel: 023 8081 3218
Email: lyndhurstpc@woodlands.mail1.co.uk.
Please note that it would be appreciated if telephone calls could be kept to office hours as much as possible. |
