January 2011 Bulletin

Highway update
Good news for those who feel that a lowering of the speed limit in Southampton Road, Cadnam is a good idea. The highway authority has announced a proposal to reduce the existing 40 mph limit to 30 mph on the A336, from the Cadnam roundabout eastwards to the existing 30 mph limit at Netley Marsh. The proposal is being brought forward from the A & B road speed limit review as a priority.

 

Formal proposals for the speed reduction will be published shortly for consultation and, subject to the outcome, are scheduled for implementation in the spring.

 

Residents will also be aware of the road lining changes at Bartley crossroads, introduced early last year. There have been concerns that the new arrangements are confusing, with motorists uncertain where to position themselves for right-hand turns.

The trial period for the new linings has now expired but the highway authority has decided to leave the changes in place for the time being. Their view is that the new markings have resulted in drivers taking more care and time at the junction, one of the aims of the experiment. While the new lines have been in place, there have been no injury accidents, in contrast to the numerous accidents in the previous three years. The highway authority is therefore reluctant to make any further changes at this time.

 

New Core Strategy for the New Forest
The New Forest National Park Authority has now adopted a new core strategy for New Forest planning purposes. A few of the main effects are:

• outside the four defined villages (Ashurst, Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst and Sway), replacement dwellings should be of no greater floorspace than the existing dwelling
• outside the ' defined villages', extensions must not increase the floorspace of the existing dwelling by more than 30%. The floorspace of the original dwelling no longer includes floorspace within outbuildings, including those attached to the dwelling
• proposed conservatories are now treated as an extension and are included in the 30% floorspace calculation
• greater emphasis on conserving and enhancing local distinctiveness
• support for home working (in outbuildings) which does not involved a material change of use
A copy of the new strategy can be found on the National Park website at www.newforestnpa.gov.uk.

 

A Plea for Foster Carers
Hampshire County Council's Fostering Service is asking for help to find extra foster carers to look after vulnerable children and teenagers. For many reasons, some young people cannot live at home with their own families and need foster carers to look after them and help them to learn, grow and achieve. In some cases, fostering is a temporary solution to allow families overcome upheaval or change. A number of children are fostered in the longer term.

If anyone can help with this important task, they are asked to telephone 0845 6035620 or contact the fostering team through the website at www.fostering.hampshire.gov.uk.

 

Local policing
The local Safer Neighbourhood Team covers the parish of Copythorne as well as Tatchbury, Bramshaw, Brook, Fritham and Minstead. There were 82 reported crime incidents in the Team area in November, with the following incidents occurring in and around Copythorne:

Assault: A nine year old boy was bitten by a dog in Bartley and suffered facial injuries. A local woman is helping police with their enquiries. Two incidents occurred at a local residential establishment.

Criminal damage: A vehicle parked in Bartley had three tyres punctured and a vehicle parked in Cadnam was damaged. Five small window panes were damaged at a pub in Bartley.
Burglary: Unfortunately, there was an increase in burglaries in November (a total of four). Most of these incidents occurred during the day while the occupants were not at home. In two cases nothing was stolen but in the other two, items taken by the thieves included jewellery, cameras, laptops and furniture.

Burglary – non-dwelling: Two local stores were targeted by thieves and cigarettes and tobacco were stolen. Elsewhere, a quad bike was stolen from a garage in Winsor. A local amusement park had reels of armoured electrical cable stolen during the afternoon of 23 November.
Road traffic incidents: There were two incidents on the B3078 in Cadnam which resulted in animal injuries.

Beat surgeries: Local beat surgeries continue to be held at various locations each month. For details, please contact the Parish Clerk.

 

Parish Council
The Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7 pm in the Copythorne Parish Hall (rear extension). Members of the public are very welcome to attend the meetings and speak on any matter of concern during the first five minutes of the meeting.
The dates of the next few meetings are:

Tuesday 11 January 2011 Planning
Tuesday 25 January 2011 Council
Tuesday 8 February 2011 Planning

 

A reminder that there will be Parish Council elections again in May this year, with seven Council places to be filled. Elected councillors will serve a four-year term until May 2015. If you would be interested in becoming a parish councillor, please contact the Parish Clerk for further information. Candidates will need to submit formal nomination forms in March/April.

The Clerk to the Council (Mike Derrick) can be contacted at

3 Chichester Close,

East Wellow,

Romsey

SO51 6EY.

 

Telephone and fax 01794 322080

e-mail copythornepc@tiscali.co.uk

Web site: www.copythorne.org.uk

 

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