Minutes of the Meeting of Beech Parish Council

held in the Village Hall on Monday, 18 July 2011

 

        PRESENT: 

         

                   Councillor David Woodroofe (Chairman)

                   Councillor Geoff Cruttenden

                   Councillor David Fazakerley                                                  Mr Nick Hazlitt, Forestry Commission

                   Councillor Bryan Harrison                                                      (Public Question Time only)

       Mrs Sheron Gillard – Clerk to the Council                              Mr Stephen Thistlewood, Parish Plan

 

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME:

Chairman David Woodroofe welcomed Mr Nick Hazlitt, Area Manager for the Forestry Commission.  Mr Hazlitt

began by appraising those present of the circumstances surrounding the Government’s recent ‘U turn’ to sell off

land currently managed by the Forestry Commission.  It was his opinion that the large public outcry to this

proposal was due to the restrictive scope of the consultation document.  Looking ahead, a new programme/policy

for the future of forestry/Forestry Commission is to be developed by an independent panel made up of

representatives from organisations with interests eg. RSPB, Woodlands Trust, Wildlife Trust, Ramblers

Association together with trade and commercial bodies.  To date, the Parish Council had not received details of

the current consultation – Nick Hazlitt to provide details.  Given that any future role for the Forestry Commission

is unknown, their long term strategy is on hold.  This included increasing strategic reserves of timber, restoring

ancient woodlands and sustainable management for recreation, biodiversity and nature conservation.  In terms of

Bushy Leaze, Nick Hazlitt wants to encourage as much diversity of varieties and ages as possible.  Young

plantations of larch and/or Corsican pine (8-9 years old) predated the move to broadleaf planting and any new

conifers will not be eradicated if they naturally regenerate, although any deliberate planting will be of broadleaf

trees and conifers regularly harvested.  Global warming was putting a number of tree species under threat as they

become more susceptible to disease.  Along with Chestnut, larch in the SW (and small areas locally) have been

devastated by a pathogen.  The next harvesting in Bushy Leaze would be mainly of the red cedar blocks along

with a block of oak and some larch.  Forest tracks will be widened in an attempt to give structure to planted areas

and to keep them drier.  Public access will need to be restricted during these works and warning notices would be

posted in good time.  With regard to increasing public use of the woods, Nick Hazlitt was keen to clarify

access for horse riders.  Currently, riders can use any bridleways through the woods but use of other areas

requires riders to have a permit, which were formerly issued by the Forestry Commission.  In future, the Toll

Riders Off-road Trust (TROT) would issue permits for a charge, with areas that can be used by horse riders

clearly identified.   TROT will be responsible for publicising the scheme and encouraging its use.

Following the proposed reductions in public expenditure, the Forest Enterprise South East England Forest

District is to be reorganised and the western part (which includes Beech) to be managed by the New Forest

District.  Fortunately, Mr Hazlitt and his team are currently unaffected by these changes.

Mr Hazlitt finished his report by advising that there could be opportunities for members of the public to get

involved with projects in the woods, eg. coppicing, nature conservation, assisting with additional planting, etc

and that he would be pleased to discuss further with any interested groups.  

After being thanked for his attendance by the Chairman, Mr Hazlitt left the meeting.

                  

11.28  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

           Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor Ian Gibson.

 

11.29  CO-OPTION OF ADDITIONAL COUNCILLOR       

           Since no bye-election had been requested by electors, Council hoped to co-opt a seventh member as soon as possible.

          

11.30  CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

  The Minutes of the Council meeting held on 20 June 2011, copies of which had previously been circulated, were

  confirmed.  Chairman David Woodroofe signed them as a true record.

 

11.31   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

            There were no declarations of interest.

 

11.32   REVIEW AND APPOINTMENT OF PANEL MEMBERSHIP

            Postponed until seventh member co-opted.

          

11.33  REPORTS FROM ADVISORY PANELS AND ITEMS FOR REFERRAL

           I)     Development & Planning Advisory Panel

                    a)      The Council considered 2 applications.  Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED that the comments of the

                        Council be confirmed/forwarded to EHDC as follows: 

                        i)   28390/012  116 Medstead Road  Two storey and single storey extensions to side.      NO OBJECTION

                        ii)  26991/009   Southbank, 95 Medstead Road   Lawful development certificate for an existing

                                                         use – continued use of land as residential garden.                            NO OBJECTION

                    b) Previous applications – EHDC Decisions NOTED:

                        i)   31814/010   Wyards Farm   New oak framed outbuilding for garden storage/workshop and garaging with

                                                         ancillary staff accommodation above following demolition of outbuilding            PERMITTED

                             ii)  31814/11   Wyards Farm   Demolition of outbuilding                                             PERMITTED

                    c) Open Geo-Information Solutions – Cllr Ian Gibson had completed survey on Maps for Parishes

                        on behalf of Council.

                    d) Government guidance on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) (previously circulated) NOTED.

                        Chairman David Woodroofe reported on a meeting with EHDC officers and representatives from

                        Bentworth, Lasham, Shalden and Holybourne Parish Councils at which details of the new style

                        Community Forums were discussed.  Along with changes to the membership of the forums (to include

                        representatives from Parish as well as County and District level) a central data base was to be created

                        which would record all project proposals received at District level.  This would combine with other

                        data from Parish Plans, Village Design Statements, etc to enable Planners and neighbourhood groups to

                        identify and prioritise community needs and wants, allowing effective budgeting, strategic planning and

                        appropriate allocation of S106 Developers’ Contributions.  The new format of these Forums would be trialled

                        to late 2011/early 2012 and then confirmed.  Cllr Bryan Harrison to attend the next Community Forum on 19 July. 

                        A letter from District Cllr David Parkinson regarding this restructuring was NOTED.

                     

            III)   Highways and Footpaths Advisory Panel:

                    a) SLR Update

                        Medstead’s clerk had confirmed that funds would now be made available from HCC to significantly

                        assist the finance cost of SLR purchase and installation in all 3 villages and would be proceeding with

                        SLR order.

                    b) Temporary Road Closure – details NOTED.

                   

11.22  PARISH PLAN

           Cllr Bryan Harrison provided an up-date on the Plan’s progress.  To date, 270 survey forms had been returned which

            represented approximately 55% of electorate.  It is hoped to improve on this return rate over the coming weeks.  This

            information is now being collated for analysis and topic groups, which will consider matters in greater detail, have been

           established, as follows: Telecommunications; Housing & Development; Rural Environment; Roads & Transport; and

           Social & Community Life.  Mrs Stella Charman has been appointed as Project Manager of these groups.  Cllr Harrison

           encouraged everyone to enter the photographic competition entitled ‘Life in and Around Beech’.

 

Standing Orders were suspended to allow Mr Stephen Thistlewood of the Parish Plan Steering Group to assist with this report.  They were reinstated for the remainder of the meeting.

 

11.23  TRAINING   

            a)  Cllr Geoff Cruttenden and David Fazakerley reported that they had found the Hampshire ALC’s Core Skills

                 for Councillors training helpful and enjoyable.

           b)  EHDC Code of Conduct training:

                 Cllr Bryan Harrison reported that he had not found this session of particular value.

                 Cllrs Geoff Cruttenden and David Fazakerley had been unable to attend.

           c)  EHDC Planning training:

                 Cllr Geoff Cruttenden attended session on Saturday, 9 July and although limited, was useful.

                 Cllrs David Fazakerley, Peter May and Clerk to attend session in Alton on Saturday, 23 July.

                                                                                                        

11.24  EHDC POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW

           Council were not aware of any issues that should be brought to EHDC’s attention.

          

11.25   HAMPSHIRE ALC AND REPRESENTATIVES

            a)  The District Association had forwarded the East Hampshire Community Partnership Newsletter to raise

                 awareness of this organisation.  NOTED.

 

11.26   FINANCE

            a)  Summary Receipts & Payments for 1st quarter to 30 June 2011 presented to Council showing bank reconciliation NOTED as follows:

                            Current Account                                £764.55

                            Less Cheques drawn but not

                            Debited at 30.06.11                          (£248.48)

                            Money Manager Account                £7,298.30

                            High Interest Bonds                      £40,864.08

                            Balance carried forward to 1.7.11 £45,934.46    

                 Councillor David Fazakerley initialed bank statements to confirm reported figures.

            b)  Payments authorised:                                            

                 Proposed Bryan Harrison and Seconded by David Fazakerley:

                 RESOLVED:    i)     Mrs Sheron Gillard: Clerk’s Net Salary, All’w & Admin Exp (July 11) £472.88

                                         ii)    Hampshire Pension Fund (e’ers & e’ees contribution for July 2011) £113.28

                                         iii)   Mr D Fazakerley – mileage claim (core skills training 25/6)                 £14.40

                                         iv)   Hampshire Association of Local Councils (Core Skills 25/6)               £60.00

                                         v)    The Hampshire Playing Fields Association – annual subscription        £40.00

                 For payment 15 August 2011:

                                         vi)   Mrs Sheron Gillard: Clerk’s Net Salary and Allowance (Aug 11)       £436.13

                                         vii)  Hampshire Pension Fund (e’ers & e’ees contribution Aug 11)           £113.28

           

11.27   CORRESPONDENCE

                   HCC Update on Minerals and Waste Work in Hampshire (June 2011)

                   Digital UK – Digital Television Switchover community Outreach Pack

                   HCC Small Grants Scheme Newsletter

                        Community First Fact Sheet        

                  

11.28   NEXT MEETING

            Confirm date of next scheduled Council meeting as Monday, 19 September 2011 at 7.30 pm with public question time

            starting at 7.15 pm.  However, it may be necessary to call a meeting in August to deal with any urgent matters such as planning.

 

CLOSURE OF MEETING      

Chairman thanked all present for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.58 pm.

                                                        

 

 

 

 

signed: ...........................................................

                                                                                                         Chairman Beech Parish Council

date: 31 August 2011