May 2011 Bulletin

BT red telephone boxes

Several red telephone boxes in Copythorne are due to be removed by BT through lack of use.  The three boxes under threat are in Winsor Road, Pound Lane and Newbridge Road.  

 

BT has offered to sell the boxes for a nominal charge to the Parish Council who are then responsible for future maintenance. 

 

After transfer of ownership, BT removes the telephone equipment and the electricity supply so there are limited options for future use. 

 

For this reason, and the maintenance liability, the Parish Council decided not to proceed with the purchase.

However, a group of residents from Winsor has come forward offering to look after the Winsor Road kiosk. 

 

The aim is to preserve the iconic structure for the benefit of the parish and to put it to some practical use. 

 

As a result, the Council has decided to adopt the Winsor Road box and then sell it on to the residents who will take on future maintenance. 

 

A visit to the site will show that the residents have already fitted a new door and re-painted the kiosk which now looks extremely smart. 

A further update will be given as the project progresses.

 

Parish Council elections

Parish Council elections are due to be held on Thursday 5 May. 

 

However, only residents in the North Ward will be voting as the South Ward candidates have been elected unopposed (four nominees for four seats). 

 

In the North Ward, there will be five candidates for three seats.

Also on 5 May there will be elections for New Forest District Councillors and the referendum on the voting system for UK parliamentary elections.

 

Beware rogue callers

Hampshire Trading Standards has warned that householders are receiving calls from a number of companies regarding grants from home insulation and cavity wall insulation. 

 

The companies use the offer of a government backed grant to gain your interest and arrange a visit from one of their surveyors. 

 

Residents should be aware that even though these grants do exist they are not cost free as householders have to meet 20% of the total cost of the work. 

 

This is not explained until the salesman is in your home.

Residents are asked to be on their guard about these types of cold callers and to telephone Trading Standards on 01962 833666 if there any concerns.

 

Want to be a voluntary driver?

A recruitment campaign is being launched this month to attract voluntary drivers to join local Neighbourcare groups.  The pilot covers the whole of the New Forest by Community First, Hampshire County Council and the Good Neighbour Support Service.

Anyone with some free time is being encouraged to spare a few hours assisting the most vulnerable members of the community, taking them to hospitals, health care appointments and to visit partners in care homes. 

 

There is no regular commitment – just as and when you are free to help.

For more information, please contact the Community First Volunteer Centre on  01425 482773.

 

The Parish Council Planning Role

Residents are reminded that the Parish Council has a consultative role in the planning application process. 

 

The Council discusses all applications affecting the parish and is able to submit comments to the relevant planning authority (either the National Park Authority or New Forest District Council). 

 

It’s important to point out that the Council is only a consultee so it can’t make final decisions on the applications. 

 

However, its views are taken into consideration by the planning authorities when applications are determined.

If you are in way affected by an application, the Council welcomes your views so these can be taken into account. 

 

These can be sent to the Clerk in writing or by e-mail, or residents can attend the Parish Council meeting in person. 

 

Parish Council meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month in Copythorne Parish Hall (7 pm, rear extension). 

 

A list of applications to be considered at the next meeting can be found on the parish council website (see Parish Council below).  Just click on Planning on the top menu.

Residents are also encouraged to write directly to the planning authority if they have any objections or concerns on an application. 

 

If you live near the planning site, you should be notified by the planning authority about the application. 

 

Please be aware, however, about the situation where an application is withdrawn and a fresh one submitted. 

 

Any comments on a withdrawn application are disregarded, and need to be submitted again on any new application. 

 

This is because generally any fresh application will contain different proposals.

 

Local policing

The local Safer Neighbourhood Team covers the parish of Copythorne as well as Tatchbury, Bramshaw, Brook, Fritham and Minstead.  There were 71 reported crime incidents in the Team area in March,  with the following incidents occurring in and around Copythorne:

 

Assault	4	Dwelling burglary	1
Non-dwelling burglary	2	Criminal damage	4
Theft from motor vehicle	3	Theft	2
Theft of motor vehicle	0	Road traffic incidents	8

Once again, the Police ask the public to report any suspicious behaviour or vehicles.  Reports and information from the public are valuable and can help target police patrols effectively. 

The Police are also promoting a purse awareness scheme. 

 

Shoppers in the New Forest and being encouraged to keep their purses safe to prevent losing cash and credit cards to opportunist thieves. 

 

The Safer New Forest Partnership is funding security clips for shoppers to attach to their handbags. 

 

The colourful lanyards are given away free along with advice on keeping purses safe when out and about. 

 

The clips are still available from local police stations or by contacting Stephanie Bennett, community safety co-ordinator, on 023 8028 5148.

 

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.

The dates of the next few meetings are:

Tuesday 17 May 2011	Annual General Meeting*
Tuesday 31 May 2011	Planning*
Tuesday 14 June 2011	Planning

*Please note that, in May, meetings will be on the third and fifth Tuesdays due to parish council elections.

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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