Minutes of the Parish Council 25 November 2008 held at Copythorne Parish Hall (7:00pm - 9:44pm)

 

25 November 2008
PDF file size 15 Kb

 

PRESENT:

 

Cllr Lady Kara Hawks (Chairman); Cllr G James, Cllr I Mansell, Cllr M Moriarty, Cllr J Samways and Cllr G Stenson

County Councillor Mrs K Heron - by invitation
District Councillor L Puttock - by invitation
PC M Bemand - by invitation

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Good, Tipp and Kendal

 

308. MINUTES

 

The minutes of the meetings held on 28 October and 4 & 11 November 2008 were approved by the Council and signed by the Chairman.

 

309. MATTERS ARISING

 

(a) Grants for Parish Hall lighting and internet connection:

 

The new lighting proposals could possibly be funded jointly by NFDC and Councillor Heron’s devolved budget, depending on cost and other commitments. The internet connection could then be funded from the District Councillors’ rural assistance grants. Clerk to pursue further.

(b) Flooding issues:

 

Mr John Goodwin has supplied a copy of his letter to the National Park Authority on flooding matters in the context of the National Park Plan consultation. Agreed, copy of letter to be sent to the Environment Agency.

(c) War memorial – additional inscription:

 

An existing inscription would need to be moved to accommodate the missing inscription. However, the Regiment for the new name could be abbreviated to match other entries.

 

310. COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS

 

The following matters were discussed with Councillor Mrs Heron:

Winsor Village 30 scheme:

 

Repeater signs were precluded because of the street lighting scheme. Cllr Puttock suggested that temporary signs could be erected for a limited period. Clerk to pursue with Surveyor.

Footpaths:

 

There were still inadequate resources allocated for footpath maintenance. If necessary, Cllr Heron could help find volunteer labour to carry out works. Maintenance of certain paths, e.g the Vicarage Lane path, could be pursued through Safer Routes to School (via the school, not the Parish Council). Agreed, Council to review the current condition of paths at the Planning meeting on 9 December.

 

311. DISTRICT COUNCIL MATTERS

 

Councillor Puttock reported on the following:

- Holly and Ivy Fair at Appletree Court, Lyndhurst on 7 December

- a presentation by the Police on the community reassurance vehicle (parishes were to be offered similar presentations)

- the need for parishes to contain precepts in the current economic climate

Members also raised the following matters:

Cllr Samways:

 

Incomplete delivery of New Forest News in the Copythorne area. Cllr Puttock to pursue further

Cllr Moriarty:

 

Inadequate supply of recycling bags. Cllr Puttock to pursue.

 

312. CORRESPONDENCE

 

(a) Local crime:

 

PC Bemand presented the October crime figures for the Copythorne area and referred to further local burglaries. A crime prevention talk had also been arranged for 27 November at the Parish Hall.

PC Bemand also reported on the following highway matters:

- a sightlines issue at Cadnam Garage

- investigations into on-road parking in Winsor Road

- Police to make presentations to parishes on speed enforcement issues

- use of SID facility in Southampton Road, Cadnam

(b) Direct elections to National Park Authorities:

 

A consultation paper from Defra dealt with possible direct elections to English National Park and Broads Authorities. Members viewed the response from NFDC which supported the concept in principle but expressed particular concerns, including the problem of duplication/confusion with other local government elections and the risk of encouraging individuals with narrow personal goals. Agreed, that the response of NFDC be supported, subject to any further comments submitted to the Chairman or Clerk.

(c) Other matters:

 

Members also noted the following:

- a note from Hampshire Highways advising that data from a recent pedestrian/vehicle survey did not justify a pedestrian crossing (Agreed, Clerk to request detailed analysis)

- a note from Natural England on the lack of progress with management initiatives for Copythorne Common

- other correspondence as shown in the list accompanying the agenda

 

313. MATTERS PENDING

 

Members reviewed the outstanding items list and noted the following:

468 (Parish web site):

 

Approval of NFDC required for web changes. Request made to Camera Club for new photographs

471 (Potholes near Newbridge cattle grid):

 

Trial has begun involving use of repair material along the edge of a Forest road – site will be monitored to assess results. Consent still awaited from other authorities to trial use of other materials

490 (Footpath 501 (Newbridge – missing sign):

 

Change description to Footpath 502

497 (Road drainage, Chinham Road/New Inn Road):

 

Surveyor arranging further gulley clearance

 

314. FINANCE MATTERS

 

(a) Finance Committee:

 

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Finance Committee held on 19 November 2008, shown as appendix 1 in the minute book.

The minutes included proposals for the 2009/10 budget, as revised by the Committee. In addition, it was noted that, in view of an error in the estimates spreadsheet which understated next year’s expenditure by £500, Committee members were recommending that the shortfall be met by removing the £500 contribution to the Maintenance Fund next year.

The Council agreed that, subject to removal of the £500 Maintenance Fund contribution, the minutes be received and the recommendations adopted.

(b) Current balances:

 

Deposit A/c £8859.21

Current A/c £663.78

(c) Payments:

 

The following expenditure was approved:

 

Cheque
675	M Derrick (Clerk’s salary and expenses – November)	£453.67

 

315. STANDING ORDERS

 

Standing Order 4(ii) was invoked to allow the meeting to deal with the business in hand.

 

316. MEMBERS’ REPORTS

 

Councillor Stenson:

 

Chain link fencing in front of Robinsbrook Farm, Newbridge – agreed, refer to Surveyor

Councillor Moriarty:

 

Flooding – Halcrow report refers only to blocked drains and culverts. Clerk to request copy of recent and previous reports and associated maps

Councillor James:

 

Land at junction of Salisbury Road/Romsey Road (Netley Marsh parish) extremely untidy. Agreed, seek improvements in the context of the land being an entrance to the National Park

Councillor Samways:

 

Fence alterations adjacent to the highway at the Empress of Blandings still outstanding. Agreed, add to Pending list

Councillor Lady Kara Hawks:

 

Hedge at former Central Stores, Old Romsey Road requires trimming. Alterations to entrance undertaken at Poona Lodge, possibly using highway land. Agreed, refer both items to Surveyor

 

317. PLANNING MATTERS

 

(a) Current planning applications:

 

Members agreed to comment as follows:

 

08/93557 Sidley, Southampton Road, Cadnam (House; outbuilding (demolish existing dwelling)). Object (4)

 

08/93561 Bramble Wood, Copythorne Crescent (Outbuilding). Support (3)

 

(b) Decisions etc:

 

Members noted planning application and appeal decisions and details of a new Tree Preservation Order, as shown in the list tabled at the meeting (appendix 2).

 

(c) Paultons Park – planning application:

 

Members received details of the presentation at Paultons Park on 12 November on a proposed planning application for entrance improvements. The presentation had been attended by Councillors James, Mansell and Samways and the Clerk.

 

CHAIRMAN

DATE

 

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