Minutes - 17th November 2009
Page last updated on Saturday, December 19, 2009
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17TH NOVEMBER 2009
AT THE CHURCH ROOMS COLBURY
Present:
: Councillors S. Arnold (in the Chair), D. Bryant, M. Coaker. P. Frost, C Hubbard,
A. Sturgess and P. Sopowski.
In Attendance:
Parish Clerk L. Griggs, District Councillor D. Tipp and 12 members of the public.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the November meeting of the Parish Council.
Apologies:
had been received from Cllr Kershaw and District Cllr Puttock.
POLICE REPORT
The Chairman asked PC Andy White to give his report in order that he could resume his beat duties.
The two major issues were people gaining access to houses by claiming to be water board or electricity representatives. Elderly people were asked to be very careful and also residents with elderly neighbours to watch out for such people at their neighbours premises.
The other was the theft from car boots. It appears that one member of the gang is observing, from a distance or in nearby bushes, cars being parked and the occupants putting valuables in the boot. Police are taking very active steps on this problem but people are again reminded not to leave any valuables anywhere in parked cars.
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. The Chairman reminded Councillors that if any item arose during Public Participation which warranted a Form C they should declare it immediately.
Cllr Coaker said he would be reporting on the foul drain flooding issue which was on the agenda but the Chairman said a Form C was not required.
MINUTES
The minutes of the last Meeting, which had previously been circulated to all Councillors, were approved unanimously and signed by the Chairman.
GRANTS
Toddlers Group.
Confirmation had been received that the Christ Church Colbury had agreed to run the Toddlers group. No charge would be made for the use of the Church Rooms and a storage cupboard for toys would be provided.
Cllr Coaker reported that the Community Plan Group meeting had been advised that funding from NFDC of £800 would be available together with small donations from elsewhere.
Mrs Jenkins on behalf of the group said the NFDC contribution would be £500 and that a shed would still be required. After further discussion Cllr Sopowski proposed that a sum of £250 be set aside by the Council and drawn down for specific requirements made to the Clerk by the Group. That was agreed unanimously
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The Chairman said she knew there were people present who wished to talk about flooding in Peterscroft Avenue but as that was next on the agenda she would invite them to speak then.
The Chairman also said speaking on behalf of a resident who reported the following
[1] Shrubs and Bracken on the North side of the A35 between Whartons Lane and the Colbury Roundabout are over grown.
[2] Road sweeper along the A35 but missed out Boakes Place
[3] North side of the A35 between the top and bottom of Hunters Inn Hill the ‘romance sign’ has been taken down but still parts of it are lying in the hedgerow.
The Clerk has reported this to the appropriate authorities.
The Clerk reported that items 1 and 3 were being processed by HCC Highways. In regard to item 2 NFDC advised that the A35 was swept more often than the side roads so it was quite possible that Boakes Place would not have been swept at the same time as the A35.
HIGHWAYS MATTERS
a) Cllr Coaker referred to the drainage issues in Peterscroft Avenue, distributed some photographs and said there are 2 issues;
1) Storm drains
From photos of Sunday 1st and Friday 13th November there was serious flooding outside Numbers. 21/23/25/27 Peterscroft Avenue. I called Southern Water Authority (SWA) in first instance and although given a reference number nothing happened.
On the second occasion I called HCC at 0915 and a truck arrived 0945 and 2 operatives declared although they have been called on several occasions before they had never seen the extent of flooding.
A tanker /rodding machine called and spent 3 hours sucking and rodding till flood water cleared and judging by the root debris in the pit that could have been part of problem. Heavy rain since but no further flooding.
2) Several residents have experienced foul drain backing up causing some issues of overflow of foul drain/inability to use downstairs toilets after periods of heavy rain. See photograph of 21 Peterscroft shower /outside drain.
Several residents have written to SWA, some to no avail, some supported by Cllr Sally Arnold have had Non return valves fitted which although fitted do not totally solve the problem but just push the problem back down the line quicker.
In light of the above I carried out a survey of the street and the result is;
Of 44 dwellings
9 (20%) Have serious problems with foul/storm drains
15 (34%) Have regular problems with drains i.e. at least annual rodding
10 (23%) No known problems .Some were newcomer
10 (23%) Residents not in on 2 occasions I called.
It is high time the relevant authorities overhauled the drains in this area (some parts of Woodlands Road are also affected but have not sought any feed back yet).
I would like to understand the track of the foul drain for if it is intended to add further affordable housing to the system then serious consequences are inevitable.
A resident confirmed that this problem had been known for many years and despite attempts by the residents and the Council the basic problem was not being tackled.
He said it was not possible to use the toilet on occasions which was doubly embarrassing when you had visitors plus the worry of wondering what state you could find the place in when you returned from a holiday or a visit to friends.
Southern Water agrees the system is inadequate but say the work would require substantial funds.
Cllr Tipp said there were Engineers at NFDC with responsibility for drainage issues who may be able to help.
Considerable discussion followed, particularly with the issue of further properties being built or existing properties being enlarged with no infrastructure improvement, and it was agreed the Council should take the matter up with all the authorities involved particularly the Environment Agencies in view of the possible contamination of Bartley Water.
b) The Chairman said notice had been received from HCC about Temporary Road Closures. There were several in this area but the most affected was Woodlands Road between its junction with A35 and its junction with Bartley Road.
No dates for the work had been given other than between 1st December 2009 and 30th November 2010. We will receive notice when the work is scheduled.
RECREATION GROUND
Cllr Bryant reported that NFDC had carried out the second annual survey which had shown no major works required. In regard to the Timberline project he apologised that due to work commitments he had not been able to organise a meeting of the Committee but would do so and report at the December meeting.
The Chairman said as it was not an urgent item, and the Christmas meeting was usually a short meeting, the report should be submitted to the January meeting.
PLANNING
Cllr Sopowski gave a report on planning applications processed since the last meeting.
ACCOUNTS
a) On a proposal by Cllr Sopowski, seconded by Cllr Sturgess the accounts paid since the last meeting were approved.
b) The Clerk reported that the precept for 2010-2011 had been agreed at £25,000 which was the same as the current year.
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Cllr Coaker gave the following report on the Community Group meeting on 3rd November which he attended with Cllr Bryant.
Chapel, ongoing issue and asked that PC keep Group updated as to latest position with visible confirmation of actions.
Toddler Group Caroline Jenkins Commenced with attack on council including submitting a formal complaint but did not say to whom so MC/DB not in a position to respond. She has secured £800 funding from NFDC for toys + £100 from pub /£50 from Co-op.
Arthur Jeffrey arrived late from PCC meeting where it had been decided to welcome and support Toddler group with Insurance and rent plus resolved storage but could be for 6 month period which will give them time to secure more permanent storage with Barker Mills /shed if necessary.
DB advised to use time to prepare Barker Mills application. Church will also provide volunteers to assist in tea making etc
Welcome pack. Some doubt as to whether completely new or parish plan brochure. If new could sample be made available for all to see. (The Chairman interceded to say a complete Welcome Pack had been given to Bryan Pass).
Allotments. Brian Pass reported back with ongoing issues however there is an area leased to HCC
a) Could PC request if could be released from HCC
b) PC view on garden sharing
Litter Pickers. Six have been provided by NFDC which will be spread in pairs to focal addresses for random picks as necessary. They are short bags/gloves and if unsuccessful in obtaining we have pledged PC support.
Right of way alongside New Forest Hotel. SH has forms from chairman, will check with clerk for Community Group to action
AOB Could DB provide an update on tree preservation orders and could PC request from NPA an up-to-date map of preserved trees. Several volunteers to monitor any tree work seen to be taking place in village.
Cllr Coaker had also attended an HCC seminar on Transport issues with Cllr Kershaw at which it was noted that the bus routes were up for tender and he expected to receive the outcome in January. The 56 and 56A route provided a good service to the village but the tender exercise may influence timetables
Cllr Bryant said in regard to allotments Bryan Pass had been in touch with Longdown Management to see if the former allotments in Pound Lane could be made available. He hoped to attend a meeting on that site to ascertain what condition they were now in and how much work/cost would be required to get them back into shape. As regards the area adjacent to the existing allotments in Foxhills the Clerk was enquiring who currently owned the ground.
Cllr Sturgess attended the planting of a tree in the park in memory of a resident grand daughter and would be attending the ceremony on 26 November to present the cheque to the Air Ambulance arising from the village fete.
Cllr Sopowski had attended the NFDC Consultative Panel meeting. The Deputy Surveyor said that over 2000 responses had been given to the Study of the Public Forest Estate and a report would be forthcoming shortly.
An ecologist, Simon Weymouth, gave a presentation on the SSSI Restoration works carried out by the Forestry Commission since Life3 finished. One of the main problems was that drainage channels ran in straight lines so that a lot of rubbish was swept along by the force of the water causing blockages. The next stage would include making such channels to meander thus slowing the flow and avoid the blockages.
Cllr Arnold reported as follows:
30th October – Meeting with John Cockram the author of the War Memorial Book for Ashurst & Colbury.
12th November - Meeting with the NPA
Steve Avery opened the meeting and informed the members present that they have until the 10th December to put forward views of the Parish Councils.
Chapter 7 is the most important for Councillors to read.
Chapter 2 sets out the special vision for the National Park and Chapter 4 the enhancing of the landscape and coast.
Steve Avery said that the National Park wish to prevent sub-urbanizing villages.
They will be sending out a local plan similar to NFDC in early spring 2010, showing the policies to include parking strategies and open space.
If there is any development it will be 50% affordable housing and not all open market. Ashurst asked for the true meaning of affordable housing as this was not clear. What is affordable for one person is not affordable for another. Ashurst ask if the NPA could make arrangements so that these affordable properties are earmarked for rent only, and not put on the open market.
This was noted and Mr. Avery informed those present that it was not a problem and can be done.
Replacement dwellings will be like for like on footprint but the height can be changed.
If you replace a dwelling you could not add any thing to the replacement when it was first erected. Steve Avery then went on to say that the owner would be able to submit plans once the building had been erected and apply for the 30% extension at a later date, which makes the ruling pretty irrelevant.
The National Park are targeting for 11 houses per year spread across the whole of the Park.
A long discussion over the term ‘defined villages’ took place. But feel that the Park has already ticked the box on this matter. Several suggestions were offered, but Mr. Avery said that changing this could be detrimental to other villages. The four villages being represented today felt that planning policies should be able to control such problems.
The maps and boundaries will stay the same.
Brockenhurst said there were no policies on signage but was informed this was controlled by Government. Brown signs are in the Management Plan.
Brockenhurst felt there was little mention of cycle routes, but we have to look under ‘non motorised vehicles ‘ and this they have taken into account. Cycle paths are the responsibility of HCC.
Retail in defined villages must be 50% shops. This does not include Banks, betting shops etc.
Brockenhurst felt the need for more support for commoning in the National Park
On the question of controlling the erection of any more holiday homes. The Government has said this cannot be done.
It is still the same policy for 5 caravans on one site; without planning permission; for 28 days.
Ashurst mentioned preservation orders on hedge rows but this is not possible.
District Cllr Tipp said he had just received a booklet on the financial outcomes for NFDC in 2008/9 which was interesting. For example the cost of concessionary travel had been budgeted at £1.7m but the actual cost had been £978k whereas the income from Land Charges had been budgeted at £218k actual income had been only £90k.
CORRESPONDENCE
The list of correspondence had been circulated and copies were available at the meeting.
COMMUNITY PLAN
This had been covered under a previous agenda item
CHRISTMAS MEETING AND CAROL CONCERT
a) The Chairman reminded everyone that the December Christmas meeting was on 15th December when as usual we would be inviting the Newsletter Distributors to attend and join in the refreshments. The carol concert would be on 18th December.
b) The Clerk advised that the licensee of the Happy Cheese had invited the Council to hold the Carols evening in their premises. A resident had also asked if the event could take place in the Recreation Ground where the atmosphere was so much better when it was held there some years ago
After much discussion it was agreed to stay with the carols round the tree this year but consider alternatives for 2010.
c) Cllr Sopowski said he wished to nominate the Help the Heroes for the proceeds of the carols collection. After considering options that was agreed.
OTHER ITEMS WHICH THE CHAIRMAN DEEMS IMPORTANT
None
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THE NEXT MEETING
None
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.02. pm
Signed S. R. Arnold Chairman
Dated 15th December 2009
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