Minutes
Page last updated on Friday, February 19, 2010
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 19TH JANUARY 2010
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 D. Tipp and 14 members of the public.
The Chairman opened the meeting and said Good Evening to you all, we hope you all had a pleasant Christmas and on behalf of the Parish Council wish you a very Happy and Healthy New Year. Before we commence the agenda ,and with the consent of the Council, I wish to bring forward agenda item 6c.
The Council agreed and the Chairman continued, I welcome Mr. David Hewitt Chairman of the Friends of the Park Committee to give a report.
Mr Hewitt reported that the Community Spaces Grants Panel had approved Stage 1, being the basic concept, and their Representative would be attending the site in February. The key elements to address would be:
- Appointment of an Open Space Co-ordinator
- Proof of the groups identity
- Site details
- Land owners permission
- Planning permission if required
- Accountable body (which would be the Parish Council)
The project would have three stages, levelling, pitch marking and flowers and fauna. No stage would commence until full funding for that stage was in place. NPA had said no planning permission was necessary but he was chasing to get that in writing. The area to be levelled was approximately 35m x 70m.
In response to questions from the Council Mr Hewitt said there was no intention of having any regular football matches it was solely to make the area better for those who wished to kick a football around or play other games on a level surface.
Cllr Sopowski expressed concern that once pitches were marked out there may be requests for changing facilities etc. Cllr Frost expressed concern that the various schemes being put forward could, if implemented, change the character of the area.
The Chairman thanked Mr Hewitt and his team for all their hard work but asked him to ensure that the Council was kept fully informed at every stage of the scheme as it was Council property and consent would be required at every stage.
Apologies had been received from District Cllr Puttock.
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.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A resident asked if in view of the absence of gritting lorries in the village, grit bins could be restored to locations in the village in view of the problems caused in the recent adverse weather. The Chairman said that this matter had been raised by Cllr Coaker and it would be on the agenda for February. Cllr Sopowski reported that following phone calls to NFDC and HCC a gritting lorry had been routed along Whartons Lane but instead of continuing through the village had just turned round and gone back onto the A35. He wondered if a request for a diversion of the gritters through the main road of the village would be better as bins had been damaged previously.
A resident said he had noticed oak tress in the copse being lopped and when he phoned NFDC they said no permission was required. He expressed surprise that oaks could be lopped without permission. Cllr Bryant confirmed that was the case
POLICE REPORT
The Chairman said that Pc White and PCSO Quinn had given their apologies so she would make the report for them.
[1] Store in Ashurst had a bottle of champagne stolen
[2] Three men were arrested following an incident at the same store on suspicion of going to the store equipped to steal.
[3] A house was broken into in Ashurst while the occupants were on holiday. Various items were stolen.
[4] Mountain bikes were stolen from two separate garages.
I have learned from PC Andy White that Sergeant Brian Goodall has joined another station. On behalf of the Parish Council I wish to thank him for his assistance and support throughout his time serving in our areas. Brian was very active for Ashurst & Colbury and always on the end of the line for help.
HIGHWAYS MATTERS
a) Flooding problems. Result of site meeting.
The Chairman reported on a constructive meeting with Southern Water and Environment Agency. From this meeting emails have been sent to appropriate departments for action. Cllr Coaker said he and Mr White were planning to walk the area to identify ditches that had been filled in or were in a bad state. Mr White added that having all parties together in the same room had certainly helped to get everyone keen to resolve the problems.
b) Potholes in Wood Road.
The Chairman said she asked for this to be put on the agenda simply to express appreciation to HCC who acted promptly within 3 days. However in their reply it was indicated that this road is on a list to be permanently repaired but they will need a road closure order as the pot holes are in the middle of the road.
c) Street name plates . The Clerk reported that NFDC had now placed the order for the name plates.
d) Dibden Container Port project. Cllr Coaker said having worked there for many years he was in favour of the project as it would bring much needed employment and other benefits to the area. Other Councillors were concerned about the volume of heavy traffic which would be continuously passing close by and possibly through the village. After further discussion it was agreed that the Council would oppose the project. The Clerk was asked to look out the documents from the original APB proposal for the Council to see its original response.
e) To consider applying to HCC for a 20mph speed limit for parish roads north of the A35. Cllr Kershaw said this was raised in the Parish Plan and was now becoming a standard requirement in villages. He asked the Council to support the change. After discussion it was agreed the Clerk should write to HCC accordingly.
RECREATION GROUND
Cllr Bryant said the latest Inspection Report had just been received and everything was in order. He also reported that the final tender for the possible timber trail had only just arrived. He would call a meeting of the Committee to review the quotes and report to the February meeting. Cllr Frost again said he was concerned that the character of the park should be maintained. The Chairman said the Council would be making the final decisions on all proposals.
PLANNING
Cllr Sopowsski reported on planning activities since the last meeting.
The Chairman added, as Councillor Sopowski rightly reported the extension of building and the car park at Oaklands Nursing home has been granted by the Government Inspector. I would advise all resident to take care when this is being built and when completed as you will have cars coming out right across the cycle path. The National Park, the residents, District Councillor Derek Tipp and I fought hard for our community to have this application refused. Policy NF-H3 and DW-E1 clearly states design and bulk of roof alterations would result in an unsympathetic addition to the existing building which would be visually intrusive to the character of the area, and yet a Government Appeal Inspector can grant this application with no concern for local views whatsoever.
She added that the Planning Committee had received a request from the developers to lift its opposition to the age requirement for 84 Lyndhurst Road and would be considering this request. A report would be made at the next meeting.
ACCOUNTS
On a proposal by Cllr Hubbard, seconded by Cllr Sturgess the accounts paid since the last meeting were approved.
GRANTS
The Clerk reported that at the next meeting a request from New Forest Citizens Advice Bureau would be presented.
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Cllr Hubbard had attended a meeting of NFALC
Cllr Coaker would be attending a Transport Forum on Friday if any resident wished him to raise any issues.
Cllr Arnold attended the following:
17th December – Meeting of NFALC. The main items were:
- to confirm the amendments to the Constitution
- to agree the Business Plan produced by Ringwood Town Council
- to consider the manner of nominating NPA members and Executive Committee Members
- to consider approaching NPA for funding
- to consider a tree maintenance scheme
18th December – Carol evening and once again we thank our Clerk for coordinating this special time in Ashurst.
11th January – Meeting with Southern Water and Environment Agency [see report under Highways]
15th January – Meeting with John Cockram giving the update on the book for Ashurst and Colbury during WW1 and WW2
The Chairman thanked Mrs White for making her home available for the 11th January meeting.
District Cllr Tipp said the Council was pleased with the way the freezing conditions had been managed. In particular NFDC had supplemented the rubbish collections which were now virtually up to date again. He added that NFDC strongly objected to the Dibden Port proposal.
CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk reported that only three items had been received which were NFDC Open Spaces Maintenance Procedures, NFDC Forward Plan and Community First Newsletter. They were available for anyone to see.
COMMUNITY PLAN
Cllr Coaker said he would report after the Groups meeting on 2nd February.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
The Clerk reported that there had been a very good turn out on a very cold evening and the collection for Help4Heroes raised £146. He added that there had been several requests to change the venue which was noisy and also to consider changing the evening as the shops feel their trade is adversely affected.
He asked the Council to consider these issues and make a decision at the February meeting
OTHER ITEMS WHICH THE CHAIRMAN DEEMS IMPORTANT
None
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THE NEXT MEETING
Grit bins
Village fete Committee
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.40 pm
Signed S. R. Arnold - Chairman
Dated 16th February 2010
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