Minutes
Page last updated on Friday, November 18, 2011
ASHURST AND COLBURY PARISH COUNCIL
AT THE CHURCH ROOMS COLBURY
Present:
Cllrs S. Arnold (in the Chair), D. Bryant, M. Coaker, C. Hubbard, K. Kershaw, P. Sopowski and A. Sturgess.
In Attendance:
Parish Clerk L. Griggs, County Cllr. K. Mans, District Cllr L. Puttock and 10 members of the public.
Apologies:
District Cllr Tipp
1. DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST IN AN AGENDA ITEM
The Chairman reminded Councillors that if there was any item on the agenda which would warrant a Councillor submitting a Form C they should do so now.
The Chairman also reminded Councillors that if any item arose during Public Participation which warranted a Form C they should declare it immediately.
POLICE REPORT
The Chairman invited PC Andy White to give details of the Beat Report. Copies of the report can be seen in the Notice Boards and on the Web Site.
2. MINUTES
The minutes of the last Meeting, which had been circulated to all Councillors, were approved and signed.
Matters arising
Safer New Forest. There were no additional points to raise under this item.
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A resident asked if the Blue Bus company could consider allowing the service which now stops at Cockley Down before returning to Totton could do a loop through Ashurst thus providing residents with a half hourly service to Totton. Cllr Kershaw said he was trying to get a meeting with the company on a number of issues and would include this in the discussions.
4. HIGHWAYS MATTERS
a) Parking charges. The Chairman noted that the latest NFDC Forward Plan showed Ashurst car park by the Hospital entrance was included in those under consideration for introducing charges.
Cllr Puttock said this had been forced on NFDC because central government had re-rated car parks which will cost the council £180,000 a year. Considerable discussion followed regarding the effect of car drivers seeking alternative space in nearby village streets, the cost and practicality of effective monitoring of this small parking area by Lymington based wardens, doubts on the income likely to be received against the cost of installing and maintaining the ticket machines and the need to have a standard policy for all three parking areas in that area.
There was also the need to ensure that any charges did not adversely affect the business of nearby local traders. The Clerk was asked to write to Paul Vickers at NFDC proposing that, if charges had to be introduced, all three areas should be covered and that free parking of one hour be permitted, subject to displaying a ticket to avoid abuse, to allow people to use nearby local businesses, followed by charges for longer periods.
b) Cllr Kershaw reported that he was seeking a meeting with the Blue Bus management following the new time table and in order to make progress on issues such as the effect on residents and houses of double decker buses racing through the village.
There were also issues raised by residents of the inability to board buses which were full on arrival in Ashurst. Similar problems had been reported in other villages on the bus route. HCC had been involved but had now said they did not have time to deal with these matters.
5. RECREATION GROUND
a) Cllr Bryant reported that a quotation of £215 had been received from NFDC to deal with the bamboo issue and they would start the work shortly. The branches brought down during recent high winds had been dealt with and the Notice Board would be re-installed shortly now the FoP project was nearing completion.
(b) Friends of the Park project. Cllr Coaker (Chairman of the Friends of the Park) reported that the final works were almost complete but the fences round the new turf would remain in place for some weeks as a protective measure. The fencing damage noted by a resident had been dealt with. The Chairman added that residents were most helpful in bringing to the council’s notice matters which needed attention and that was greatly appreciated.
6. PLANNING
a) Cllr Sopowski gave a report on planning activities since the last meeting.
Cllr Puttock said a new central government department had been introduced to deal with Environmental Health issues which in his view was best left to local decision makers particularly now the Localism Bill had received Royal Assent.
b) The Clerk gave a report on the Licensing issue which indicated that Temporary Events notices were issued by NFDC but the department had no authority to reject the application or place conditions thereto providing the administration procedure had been followed. The only people who could raise objections were the Police. If Road Closures were required that was a matter for the Transport Department.
7. ACCOUNTS
a) The cheques issued since the last meeting were approved.
b) Oakhaven Hospice Trust. This item was deferred to the Precept meeting.
c) The request to join the Hampshire Playing Fields Association was denied.
d) Possible SID acquisition. Following a short discussion the Council authorised Cllr Kershaw and the Clerk to investigate this matter further with a view to reporting at the January meeting.
8. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Cllr Hubbard attended the Remembrance Service and a Village Design meeting
Cllr Coaker attended the A&CCG meeting
Cllr Bryant attended the NF Consultative Panel meeting which was again poorly attended by those who should be reporting to the Panel. A `Talk on the History of the NFCP reminded those present that its purpose was to debate relevant issues but, as this and previous meetings showed, this was not achieved as the Agencies who should be attending and raising issues were absent.
The NFDC tour of the forest had been held on the 11th November and reports received indicate an excellent tour with many people expressing surprise at how much they did not know about the forest.
Cllr Arnold attended the Remembrance Service and a meeting on the Village Design document.
County Cllr Mans said a meeting with the Verderers should have taken place recently on the siting of Grit Bins. He would report on that at the next meeting.
9. COMMUNITY PLAN
a) Cllr Coaker attended the A&CCG meeting and notable items were:-
- a request that now an updated Welcome Pack was available an entry should be placed in the Newsletter asking residents to make new arrivals aware that the pack can be obtained free of charge from the Clerk or the Chairman.
- the Apple day had been a success and raised sufficient funds to repay the loan for purchasing the apple press.
b) Steering Group for review of the Parish Plan. Cllr Coaker advised that the first meeting would be held at the Colbury Memorial Hall on 14 November.
10. VILLAGE DESIGN AND CHARACTER APPRAISAL
Cllr Hubbard reported that work on implementing the NPA recommendations was underway. The suggestion that the public be further involved would be met by an article in the Newsletter indicating the purpose and content and seeking input from residents
11. NEW FOREST KEEPERS
The Council noted the response from the Acting Deputy Surveyor.
12. WOODHAVEN CLOSURE
The Chairman reported that our MP Julian Lewis requested a parliamentary debate on Mental Health issues such as this which was agreed. The subject will also be discussed tomorrow evening at the Netley Marsh Council meeting when a representative of the NHS will be present to answer questions. She hoped councillors would attend the meeting.
County Cllr Mans reported that Julian Lewis and he had attended three meetings on this issue and a fourth was still to be scheduled. The point they had raised were that providing Community Care in the home had not been tested as to its efficiency and cost. Making the change without knowing it would work means the issue had not been properly thought through.
A pilot trial should be held and if it worked well reduced occupancy would follow thereby supporting the closure proposal. However if it did not work then the need for Woodhaven would be clear.
Following some discussion it was agreed that the letter written to the NHS on behalf of the Council should be sent to local newspapers.
13. QUEEN’S JUBILLEE
The Chairman read out the exchange of emails with Richard Barnett, who organises the Big Lunch each year and which was also scheduled for the 3rd June. (see addendum to these minutes) In that it had been agreed that a joint venture would be a good idea but until the Chairman had received funding and then put a proposal to the Council the actual details could not be settled. In response to Mr Barnett’s suggestion that, as in previous years, residents bring their own lunch, the Chairman had indicated that she hoped funding would be available to provide a buffet for all residents.
Considerable debate followed without reaching any further conclusion.
14. CAROLS EVENING
The Chairman noted that this event would be on 16th December at 7pm and again held outside the Happy Cheese. She also noted this was the 10th year of the event and thanked David White and Reg Bascombe for their help in Marshalling traffic for many years but which was no longer required at the new venue.
15. OTHER ITEMS WHICH THE CHAIRMAN DEEMS IMPORTANT
The Chairman reminded councillors that the Precept meeting would be held on 22nd November at 7.30pm.
18. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THE NEXT MEETING
None
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.20 pm
Signed S. R. Arnold – Chairman
Dated 20th December 2011
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