Minutes - 16th December 2008
Page last updated on Thursday, 29-Jan-2009
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16th DECEMBER 2008
AT THE CHURCH ROOMS COLBURY
Present:
Councillors S. Arnold (in the Chair),
D. Bryant,
R. Judd,
K. Kershaw,
P. Sopowski and
A Sturgess.
In Attendance:
Parish Clerk L. Griggs,
District Councillors L Puttock,
D. Tipp and
28 members of the public.
Apologies
Councillor A. Holdsworth.
The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone and, in particular, our special guests who, come rain or shine, deliver the Newsletter each month.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST IN AN AGENDA ITEM
The Chairman asked if there was any item on the agenda which would warrant a Councillor submitting a Form C. Councillor Kershaw submitted a Form C in regard to a Planning Application relating to his home. The Chairman reminded Councillors that if any item arose during Public Participation which warranted a Form C they should declare it immediately.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The Chairman said she had been asked to raise an issue by a resident who, while intending to be present, might not be able to get here in time for this agenda item. The matter related to the constant parking of vans and lorries on the verges in Peterscroft Avenue. Could the Council ask Hampshire County Council to look at the condition of pavements, verges and kerbs in this area? The Clerk was asked to write to Highways.
A resident said that a fence had collapsed on the path from Whartons Lane to the main road and was dangerous and the laurel hedges were also overgrown. Could the Council have this seen to? The Chairman said it was the residents responsibility but the Clerk would write to remind them.
A resident said the minutes of the last meeting are not accurate as there is no mention of the discussion on adopting the Community Plan. The Chairman reminded him that there had not been any real discussion as the matter had been deferred. However if he waited for item 14 he would hear of the current position.
The Chairman of Lyndhurst Parish Council congratulated the Council on continuing the excellent tree lights which brightened up the festive season. The Chairman thanked him and said the Moviola Committee had donated £100 towards the cost of illuminating the tree for which she and the Council were very grateful.
PC Andy White, the local beat officer gave a report on the incidents over the last month.
MINUTES
The Chairman asked if the minutes were a true record and Councillor Judd asked for them to be amended by the inclusion at the end of item Highways (iii) of the following words “and with reflectors”. The Clerk duly amended the minutes.
On a proposal by Councillor Bryant, seconded by Councillor Sturgess, the minutes of the meeting held on 18th November, which had been previously circulated to all Councillors and as now amended, were approved unanimously and signed by the Chairman.
HIGHWAY MATTERS
a) Barriers by the railway bridge
The Clerk reported no response as yet from Highways.
b) A35 Crossing
The Chairman said that those present at the November meeting had the opportunity to view the plans which have been submitted by HCC to the NPA for approval. She added appreciation must be given to County Councillor Kendal for all his help in this matter and for making it his priority.
c) The Chairman reported that some of the Councillors had walked around the village with Rob Millar of Highways and identified work that needed to be done.
RECREATION GROUND
Councillor Bryant said the maintenance work was ongoing but he felt the ground now looked reasonably tidy. He hoped for warmer weather soon so that the grass seed which had been sown would start to grow.
PLANNING
Councillor Sopowski gave a report on planning issues since the last meeting.
ACCOUNTS
On a proposition by Councillor Sopowski, seconded by Councillor Bryant, the list of cheques paid since the date of the last meeting was approved.
The Clerk reported that he had just received the Annual Report back from the Audit Commission and again the accounts had been given a clean certificate. Notices were in the notice boards regarding residents’ rights to view the Annual Return and accounts.
NEWSLETTER
The Chairman referred to the letter from the Editor which had been read at the last meeting and invited Councillor Sopowski to comment.
Councillor Sopowski said that the Editors letter did not accurately reflect his comments as he had not said the Chairman’s article was political. He had only referred to the District Notes which he felt were political. He said that quoting the local MPs comments against the NPA were in his view political.
The Chairman outlined the dates of Council Meeting minutes which had confirmed the Editors editorial authority and also the decision not to allow inserts both of which Councillor Sopowski had endorsed as a Councillor. His insertion of his document, which itself was a political document, was a contravention of Council policy. The Council had now reiterated its full support for the Editor and her right to decide what was printed although any contentious articles were referred to the Newsletter Committee. In response to a question from Councillor Sopowski she confirmed that the Newsletter Committee had seen and approved the article.
GRANTS
The Council considered a request from New Forest North CAB for a grant and after considering the documents provided by the Clerk agreed to a grant of £150.
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Councillor Arnold had attended the following:
1st December walk round the village with Highways (reported under Highways) 8th December attended NALFC Executive meeting 8th December attended the Lyndhurst Parish Council meeting. I feel this is a good path to follow so we can support each other in village matters 13th December Village History Exhibition at St. Josephs. Attendances were down due to the weather but those who made the effort to attend felt that St Josephs was so appropriate for an exhibition of this kind. My thanks go to the Fathers and Brothers who gave their continual assistance all day. I have sent a letter of thanks to them.
District Councillor Puttock said that at a full meeting of the NFDC it had been agreed to adopt the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change. This was one of seven key steps in reducing carbon emissions. The discussion went on quite a while and it was a majority decision with a number of people expressing concerns.
CORRESPONDENCE
The list of correspondence had been circulated and copies were available at the meeting. The Chairman read a note from Burley Parish Council, following the matters raised at the last meeting. It said that their surgery and dispensary were no longer under threat and thanking the Council for its support on this issue.
JUBILEE TREE PLAQUE
Councillor Bryant had been unable to obtain the wording for the plaque and the matter was to be removed from the agenda.
WEB SITE MANAGEMENT
The Clerk reported that there had been delay in moving the domain from NFDC was now resolved and the new site should be set up fairly soon.
COMMUNITY PLAN
The Chairman read from the minutes of the NAFLC meeting:
“As the statutory body for the village the Parish/Town Council is controlled under Section 137 under The Local Government Act for spending, and therefore it is vital that all policies are accepted before any action can be taken”.
Policy 1.4 which although issued as an authoritative document was in fact only a draft. NFDC have just issued a revised document as a consultative document. As this is later than promised by NFDC the consultation period has been extended by 15 days to February 15th. Once that document has been approved by NFDC, taking into account comments from Councils, it will be formally issued and this Council will then reconsider adopting the Community Plan.
HCC CONSULTATION DOCUMENT – HAMPSHIRE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S PLAN 2009-2012
The Chairman asked the Council if they were content with the draft response prepared by the Clerk. Councillor Judd asked for an addition to the final question on the document. That was agreed and the Council then agreed that the Clerk should submit the revised document as the Councils Response.
MODEL PUBLICATION DOCUMENT
The Council considered the draft prepared by the Clerk and agreed that the Model Publication Document issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office, with the source and cost detail as inserted by the Clerk, be and is hereby adopted. The Clerk was instructed to submit the adopted document to the ICO.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS BY THE TREE
The Chairman reminded everyone that this was on Friday at 7 pm supported by the New Forest Brass Band.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THE NEXT MEETING
a) Presentation by the Community Plan group on their proposal for a Fitness Trail in the Recreation Ground.
b) Discussion with Gordon Richardson (Community Action Hampshire) and Chris Buchan-Hepburn (Hyde Housing Association) regarding two possible Affordable Housing Sites in Ashurst.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.05 pm.
Signed S R Arnold
Dated 20th January 2009
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