Minutes - 20th October 2009
Page last updated on October 26, 2009
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 20TH OCTOBER 2009
AT THE CHURCH ROOMS COLBURY
Present:
Councillors S. Arnold (in the Chair), D. Bryant, M. Coaker. P. Frost, C Hubbard,
K. Kershaw A. Sturgess and P. Sopowski.
In Attendance:
Parish Clerk L. Griggs, District Councillor L. Puttock and 23 members of the public.
The Chairman opened the meeting and said Good Evening and welcome to you all. First I have the pleasure to introduce to you your new Councillors, Councillor Caroline Hubbard and Councillor Peter Frost who have been co-opted onto this Council. On behalf of this Council I welcome you both and I am sure we will receive as much interest in our village from you as we hope you will from this Council.
Apologies:
had been received from District Cllr Tipp
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.
MINUTES
The minutes of the last Meeting, which had previously been circulated to all Councillors, were approved unanimously and signed by the Chairman.
VILLAGE FAIR
The Clerk reported that no one was available from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance to attend this evening to receive the cheques totalling £1,200. They had invited representatives of the Council to go to Thruxton Racecourse where the helicopter was based to be shown around the facility and present the cheques with picture opportunities with the helicopter.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A resident said that more 30 mph signs were required as vehicles coming through the village from Lyndhurst direction were speeding up after passing the pedestrian lights and racing through the village.
The Chairman commented that HCC had advised that repeater signs were not erected in 30 mph areas.
The resident also said the steps from the bridge down to the station were in a dangerous condition and needed repair.
Also that the area at the bottom of the steps was covered in litter and dog mess. It seems that this area was not on the NFDC route for cleaning. The Clerk was instructed to write to the appropriate authorities.
A resident said he had heard that Ashurst Station was to be a Transport Hub. Bearing in mind the probable development of the site, and the already limited parking for commuters, more buses queuing for access would make congestion even worse.
Cllr Kershaw (Transport Representative) said he had heard nothing of any plan at the meetings he had attended. District Cllr Puttock said that apart from the bus link to Lyndhurst he knew nothing of any proposal.
HIGHWAY MATTERS
a) Parking restrictions around the school.
Cllr Kershaw reported that HCC had now agreed to install dragons teeth along the North side of Foxhills. He also said that parents were still parking on the double yellow lines but that Police had already taken action against transgressors.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Kershaw for his commitment to this matter and read the following letter from the Chairman of the Action Group:
“On behalf of the Foxhills Action Group I would like to thank you and your Council for the very positive and active support you gave us over the parking issues in Foxhills.
We are very pleased with the proposed action and believe it will
[1] go a long way towards improving safety
[2] improve relations between schools and residents and
[3] help maintain a pleasant appearance to the lane”.District Cllr Puttock suggested a follow up in six months to ensure compliance with the proposals.
b) Other parking issues.
The Chairman reported that one of the shopkeepers in the Parade had expressed concern about the parking for Ashurst Hospital. She said that the works currently being undertaken at the Hospital may enable staff and patients to park within the hospital grounds thereby freeing up spaces in the parking lot just outside the hospital entrance.
Cllr Bryant said that the area opposite the Happy Cheese should be made into proper parking spaces and time limits put on that and the parking lot.
The Clerk pointed out that the only area with time restrictions currently was the Parade and that was not effective as it was not economically viable to have a Warden regularly policing such a small area.
To enable a visiting Warden to be more effective it would be necessary to have tickets to indicate how long the vehicle had been parked which meant paying to park.
After discussion it was agreed to wait and see how the Hospital works affected the parking but that the Clerk should ask for the area opposite the Happy Cheese to be made a proper parking area with time limits.
c) The Chairman said that the damage to the street name sign by Alldays had been reported on 21st September but as at 18th October nothing had been done. The Clerk said that NFDC had advised that the lead time from the manufacturers was a minimum of 4-6 weeks.
RECREATION GROUND
a) Cllr Bryant reported that the latest Inspection Report had been received which showed that only minor works were required. Everything else in the park was in good order.
b) Timberline project.
The Clerk said that it had not proved possible to provide a comparison of prices from various suppliers as the types of equipment varied both in style and size. He therefore recommended that the Recreation Committee be asked to prepare a proposal and report back to the Council.
Following the precept meeting it would now be necessary to obtain a grant for any equipment which was agreed to purchase.
PLANNING
a) Cllr Sopowski gave a report on planning applications processed since the last meeting.
b) The Chairman said that as a planning application had been made to NPA for installing a Dental Surgery and Holistic Clinic at The Willows, Lyndhurst Road, under the name of a new resident she had taken along one of the new Welcome Packs only to be told by upset and disappointed owners that the buyer had pulled out on the very day of completion.
The planning application had also been withdrawn.
c) The Clerk reported that an email had been received from Simon Barker of Longdown Management regarding the application to build a two bedroom house in the grounds of 29 Foxhills. It was decided that the Planning Committee should consider the email following the meeting.
ACCOUNTS
On a proposal by Cllr Sopowski, seconded by Cllr Bryant, the accounts paid since the last meeting were approved.
GRANTS
a) Toddlers Group.
The Clerk had circulated copies of all the papers provided by Mrs Jenkins in support of the request for funding. There was considerable discussion between the Councillors and members of the group seeking clarification and understanding of the details provided and issues arising therefore.
Finally it was decided that Mrs Jenkins should seek to resolve the issues raised so that the Council could make a decision at the next meeting.
The major items which need resolution were:
1) The PCC would meet on November 3rd to consider the Group’s request to use the Church Rooms and the related cost. Mrs Jenkins to notify the Council of the decision.
2) The safety issue of pushing buggies along Deerleap Lane which had no pavements and often fast moving vehicles. Is this location the most suitable for the meetings?
3) The draft agreement with Longdown Trustees specifies a wooden shed but the Group seeks funding for a metal shed. There is also the question of planning permission from NPA.
4) Although the Group say the Ward has 192 under fives they could not define the Ward area. The number in this parish is unknown. It was suggested to the Group they should seek to more closely define the need in this parish as Grants are primarily to help activities in or relating to this parish. If the need covers other parishes then maybe a joint venture with them is appropriate.
This is an important point as the figures provided suggest that a regular attendance of 20 is the minimum necessary to meet the standing costs for the second year (subject to the answer to point 1 above).
Cllr Kershaw reminded the group that even if the Council wished to support the Group money may not be available as many grants had already been made this year and the budget for next year was quite tight.
b) Community Plan Action Group
The Council agreed to grant £75 for the Group for administrative costs and, if litter pick materials were not provided free by NFDC, to cover cost of £114 when requested.
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Cllrs Bryant, Coaker, Kershaw and Sturgess had attended the HCC meeting at Minstead on Community Led Planning.
Cllr Arnold had attended the following:
16th September – Meeting with Foxhills Action Group and Kevin Fuller HCC. The outcome of this meeting has already been reported.
17th September – NFALC
18th September – Interview candidates for Council
21st September – Newsletter Committee Meeting
23rd September – Brockenhurst Parish Council – Councillor Sturgess and I attended this meeting. It came under the heading of National Training Strategy for Town and Parish Councils. This is a national scheme commenced in 2000.
The power of well being is the informal name given to the statutory power enabling a local authority to do anything which it considers likely to achieve the promotion or improvement of the social well-being of their area. It can relieve a Parish of the ruling on S137.
By attending this meeting it means that this Council can go forward for certain grants that may have been a closed shop. Parishes can use this accreditation jointly with other Parishes.
24th September – NFDC Liaison Meeting. – Time was taken over the noise and night flights for Bournemouth Airport. I have written a statement and will ask the clerk to copy and send to each Councillor.
29th September – Minstead Village Hall - Suggested Launch of the Community Led Planning Committee. I was very proud to see that Ashurst had the largest Parish attendance, represented by Councillors Bryant, Kershaw, Coaker and Sturgess plus myself.
Some District Councillors left the meeting feeling it had been a complete waste of an evening. Yet we receive a news item that it was a success and will go ahead. There was no request for a vote and none was taken.
Surely by just attending a meeting they cannot assume that we are all in agreement I would have thought that a vote would have been necessary for such a launch and not just going on the amount of people that turned up.
Those present heard Steven Lugg (CE of HALC) say how much he was against this new committee and to the word LED. The Community Officer gave a false impression of parish plans in her report by showing as successes of parish plans
[1] The Marchwood Flood system which in fact was set up by HALC and not entirely led by the Community Officer
[2] The same applied to Milford Village Hall
[3] Ashurst Farm Shop was another example. Ashurst Farm is a private dwelling and the shop referred to is a commercial venture run by the Manager of Longdown Farm.
I have spoken with Steven Lugg of HALC over this and he fully agrees that I send a report of this meeting to County Councillor Mel Kendal who led the meeting.
I have also sent my views to District Councillor Barry Rickman and Chris Trealeaven, also our own two District Councillors. District Councillor Derek Tipp agreed with my views.
I have received a reply from Cllr Kendal who says that in the event they receive a direct approach from any group we would refer them to their local councils as appropriate.
I have no hesitation in reporting my appreciation of the work that parish plans can achieve and have achieved, but it ruins their identity when examples are shown that are untrue.
4th October – Delivered the first Welcome Pack to our new residents
13th October – Precept meeting
District Cllr Puttock said although he had been unable to attend meetings recently he had been kept informed by Cllr Tipp and things seemed to be running as smoothly as ever in Ashurst and Colbury. He said he had attended 25 events since the Parish Council last met. He continues to be amazed at the variety of events which take place in the New Forest.
The NFDC Strategy on Social Housing had been approved by the Government Inspector so more social housing would be built in coming days.
Because of the credit crunch the Council was looking for savings of £4.5 million so cuts were likely next year. If money is not available it must be done. It was hoped to hold the Council Tax at about the level of this year.
Cllr Sopowski asked if the cuts were because services were not required or because money was not available. Cllr Puttock said it was right to be prudent and there maybe ways to reduce the number of full-time workers.
CORRESPONDENCE
The list of correspondence had been circulated and copies were available at the meeting.
The Clerk drew special attention to the two seminars listed in the agenda and said if anyone wished to attend to let him know so he could make the bookings.
The Clerk also asked if the Council wished to nominate Cllr Arnold to continue as the Executive Member of NFALC. Cllr Sopowski said she had put considerable time and effort into the NFALC and should continue.
That was agreed by all and the Clerk was asked to take the necessary action.
COMMUNITY PLAN
a) The minutes of the meeting on July 7th were noted.
b) Cllr Coaker said he had reported at the last meeting and it had been agreed that two Cllrs should attend all the meetings and that two representatives from the Council and from the Group should meet prior to the main meeting to look at the Actions and report to the main meeting.
COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE REVIEW
The email from Rosemary Rutins, NFDC, on this subject had been circulated prior to the meeting. The Clerk pointed out that the areas listed which came under such a review were all items on which the Council was currently satisfied.
The Council agreed and the Clerk was asked to advise NFDC that it had no requirements for a Review
OTHER ITEMS WHICH THE CHAIRMAN DEEMS IMPORTANT
The Chairman said that for the minutes she reported that those present at the Precept meeting had agreed that the HCC Survey should be completed by the Clerk and the Chairman.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THE NEXT MEETING
The Chairman asked the Council to consider for the next meeting which charity it wished to support with the proceeds of the carol concert
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.05. pm
Signed S. R. Arnold - Chairman
Dated 17th November 2009
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