September 2011 Bulletin

Change of Parish Council e-mail address

 

From 2 September 2011, the Parish Council is changing its broadband and telephone service to BT.  As a result, the Council’s e-mail address will change to the following:  copythornepc@btinternet.com

 

New speed limits

 

The proposed new speed limits recently published for Copythorne have now been approved for implementation.  The principal changes are:

30 mph:  A336 Southampton Road, from Cadnam roundabout to just beyond the Haywain junction

30 mph:  A31 Romsey Road, from Cadnam roundabout to just beyond the Pollards Moor Road junction

40 mph:  A31 Romsey Road, from Pollards Moor Road to the Barrow Hill Road junction
There are other consequential changes to 30 and 50 mph limits affecting both Copythorne and the adjoining Netley Marsh parish.  All the new limits are expected to be in place within the next three months.

 

Ragwort

There is usually much concern about the presence of ragwort at this time of year because of its reputation for dangers to both animals and humans.  However, official sources say that the risks are not as great as publicised.

Contrary to common belief, a significant quantity of ragwort needs to be ingested by an animal before poisoning occurs.  Horses also generally avoid the weed except where it is dried in hay where it becomes more of a problem.

Equally there appears to be low risk to humans from handling ragwort although protective clothing should be worn when handling the plant.  Contact with the skin can cause allergic reaction for sensitive people.

Another misconception is that landowners have a duty to remove ragwort from their land.  There is no automatic responsibility for this albeit Defra can require action from a private landowner if thought appropriate.  There is also no requirement for a local authority to remove ragwort from roadside verges, although highway authorities will have their own policies for dealing with ragwort generally.

A complicating factor is that at least thirty species of invertebrates are totally dependent on ragwort as a food source and many other species require its nectar and pollen.  The loss of habitat is a major problem for UK wildlife.

Notwithstanding the above, there will remain a general distrust and concern about ragwort.  An important point is that toxins in ragwort are not destroyed by cutting, pulling, digging up, spraying or drying. 

 

Ragwort becomes much more palatable following cutting or treatment as the bitter taste is lost after drying.  In particular, horses lose the ability to detect it and are therefore likely to eat it readily.  Forage should always be examined for poisonous plants and animals should never be allowed access to plants which have been treated or removed from pasture.

 

Don’t lose your vote in 2012

 

As voter registration forms begin dropping through letterboxes across the New Forest, residents are urged to return their forms as soon as possible to ensure they can vote in any elections held next year.  The first ever elections for Police Commissioners are due to be held in May 2012 and to participate in these your name must be on the register of electors.

NFDC will be sending forms to households from 26 August to compile the electoral register.  Simply update the form with details of everyone in the household who is eligible to vote and return it straight away.  If your details haven’t changed you can also reply on-line or by telephone.  It is also important to remember that you have to register every year even if you haven’t changed your address or your details are the same.

On your electoral registration form you can opt to have your details excluded from the edited register.  This will mean your details cannot be bought by individuals and commercial organisations.

 

Number plate thefts warning

 

New Forest drivers are urged to improve their car security as number plate theft is on the rise.  Following reports of car registration plate thefts from parked vehicles in Lymington and New Milton, police are advising that special clutch head screws are fitted to secure them.  These are inexpensive, simple to fit and widely available from motor parts retailers.

If your number plates are stolen, the DVLA advises owners to report the theft to the police.  If you receive fines or correspondence after the theft, you should return them immediately to the issuing authority with an explanation and any documentary evidence.  If your plates are stolen you can request a new number from the DVLA.

It is an offence to display the wrong vehicle registration mark on a vehicle, with a maximum penalty of £1000.

 

Broadband at the Parish Hall

 

Residents are reminded that the Parish Council has installed wireless broadband at Copythorne Parish Hall both for its own purposes and for use by bone-fide hall users.  If you would like to use the facility please contact the Parish Clerk for further details.

 

Local policing

 

The local Safer Neighbourhood Team covers the parish of Copythorne as well as Tatchbury, Bramshaw, Brook, Fritham and Minstead.  Here is a summary of the July crime statistics for the area:

 

Assault	2
Dwelling burglary	1
Non-dwelling burglary	3
Criminal damage	4
Theft from motor vehicle	9
Theft	18
Theft of motor vehicle	2
Road traffic incidents	6
Anti-social behaviour	7

PC Dee Faulkner continues to hold beat surgeries at various locations in the area.

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 at the start of the meeting.

The dates of the next few meetings are:

 

Tuesday 13 September 2011 Planning
Tuesday 27 September 2011 Council

Tuesday 11 October 2011  Planning

 

An item on the switchover to digital tv will also feature on the 11 October Planning agenda.  A representative of Digital UK will be attending the meeting to provide more information on the switchover which will affect Copythorne householders in February/March next year.  Local residents are invited to attend the meeting to hear more details.

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@btinternet.com

Web site: www.copythorne.org.uk

 

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