TOTTON AND ELING TOWN COUNCIL ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

Held in the Council Chamber, Totton and Eling Civic Centre at 7.30 pm. on Thursday 23 rd May 2013. ------

PRESENT There were 15 local government electors present including the following Town Councillors: Councillors: N.S. Penman - Chairman Mrs. D.M. Brooks, Mrs. S. Brown, I.C. Coombes, G.F. Dart, A.H. Davis, D. Harrison, C. Lagdon, D.J. Russell

Officers present : The Deputy Town Clerk and Executive Officer.

APOLOGIES : Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J.L. Arthur, D.A. Britton, Mrs. J.A. Bushrod, T.M. Bushrod, Miss. S.D. Churchill, L.E. Harris, B.D. Lucas, I.R. Molyneux, M.J. Molyneux, R.F. Scrivens and A.Weeks.

MINUTES Those present had before them a copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Annual Town Council held on 11 th April 2012. All present being in favour, the Chairman signed the Minutes as a true record.

A one minute’s silence was held for Drummer Lee Rigby from the 2 nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers who died on Wednesday 22 nd May 2013.

COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ REPORT

County Councillor C. Lagdon reported to the meeting on the following subjects :- That he was hoping the flooding problem in Calmore had been resolved, and he would be monitoring the situation. That HGV restrictions on Salisbury Road and Ringwood Road were imminent. That he had contacted Hampshire County Council in relation to obtaining a reduction in the speed limit to 30 mph on Ringwood Road and was awaiting a response. That he was campaigning for the removal of the dead-end junction in Calmore Drive due to the many near accidents that had occurred. That he could confirm he was going to become a member of the New Forest National Park Authority and the Hampshire Fire & Rescue Authority. He apologised for the shortness of his report, owing to the fact he had only been elected as a County Councillor on 2 nd May 2013.

County Councillor D. Harrison congratulated Councillor Lagdon on his election as a County Councillor, and reported to the meeting on the following subjects :- That Council Tax has risen slightly, but due to a government grant this had been kept down to a minimum. That although the standard of service in Hampshire had suffered due to cuts in funding, 83 childrens’ centres were still open. Additionally the Harbour and Patchwork Sure Start Centres in Totton had been managerially merged and were now run by a charity. That libraries had seen their opening hours reduced, and a reduction to the book fund and mobile service. That the HGV problem in Totton would now be reduced and that he anticipated a decrease in further traffic congestion in the area on the completion of the Wharf development as this would give direct access from the A35 to the Wharf. That he was campaigning for improved quality from contractors with regard to road repairs, thus rendering the service more cost effective. That he was hoping to improve Totton’s drainage problems with the installation of grids on grass verges, However, budget restrictions would govern how extensive this project would be. That Hampshire County Council did have funds to improve disabled access, signage and travel information for the train station. That a new Health and Well Being group had been formed. That he was still campaigning against adding fluoride to tap water That he aimed to inform the Historical Society of the 13 air raid shelters in the Totton area, with a view to perhaps opening one to the public. That he had been involved in organising expenditure for new Christmas lights and a lantern parade for the Town. That he was a member of the New Forest National Park Authority and the Hampshire Fire & Rescue Authority.

Finally Councillor Harrison thanked his fellow Councillors, all the present staff at the Council and those who had recently left the Council’s employ.

TOWN COUNCIL REPORTS The Chairman of Totton and Eling Town Council, Councillor N.S.Penman began by welcoming everyone to the Meeting, and made particular reference to the Council being able to maintain, and indeed, increase its services without raising the Council’s Council Tax. He was also pleased to confirm that after discussions with the precinct owners Totton precinct would have new lighting for Christmas 2013.

Councillor R.F.Scrivens, Chairman of Planning and Transportation Advisory Committee was unable to be present at the meeting and Councillor C.Lagdon read to those present a report on the following subjects:- That there had been a considerable number of planning applications, including controversial applications on behalf of Macdonalds and Costa Coffee. That the Council were continuing to support the local link bus service. That the Council were still providing free parking by way of the subsidy paid to New Forest District Council. That the new parking restrictions in the War Memorial Car park were put in place to support shopping in the Town and use of the Community and health facilities.

Councillor Mrs. D.M. Brooks, Chairman of Amenities Committee reported to the meeting on the following subjects :- That £56,000 had already been granted with regard to the lottery application for and the Eling Experience; the Council should know by mid 2014 if the bid for the remainder of the original application amount of about £1.2 million had been awarded. That the Council had recently taken over ownership of the Cricket Club at Southern Gardens and the Totton & Eling Football Club. These would be subsequently leased providing revenue for the Council and facilities for residents. That the Council were looking to obtain the maximum benefit for the local population from the remaining developers’ contributions. That a sports wall had been installed at Testwood, which was proving to be very popular, and that two others were to follow. That a 14% return on capital investment had been recorded at the end of the first year for the Solar PV panels fitted to Council properties. That Thermodynamic panels for low cost water heating were due to be installed soon at West Totton Centre with a projected payback of approximately 5 years. That planting had taken place on the Asda roundabout and new welcome signs were soon to follow. That landscape works were in progress including a new footpath along the school boundary at New Forest Park. That the skate ramps at Bartley Park had been refurbished.

Councillor D. J. Russell, Chairman of Policy and Resources Committee reported to the meeting on the following subjects :- That he was pleased to report that the Council Tax had been maintained at its 2007/08 level without having to cut services. That he was concerned for people on fixed incomes and although he considered it more difficult to keep precepts at their present level in future, any increase would be kept to the absolute minimum. That he would continue to monitor developers’ contributions to ensure, where possible, projects were completed without any charge to the Council Tax. He also congratulated the Chairman of Totton & Eling Town Council, Councillor Neville Penman, for his efforts on obtaining the union jack flags for shops in the Town in honour of last year’s Jubilee and Olympic celebrations.

QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS The following questions were put by the electors present and Councillors answered questions where possible. a. Mrs Harrison had concerns with both the flooding at Calmore Road and also over the parking with regard to people using the college.

Councillor C. Lagdon responded that a questionnaire had been sent out to local residents with regard to college parking with a view to implementing some parking control. He could confirm that as a result of the questionnaire yellow lines would be placed outside residents’ homes and notification of this would be sent out to all relevant residents. In addition, he advised that they would also be instigating some traffic calming to address the speeding issue. Councillor G.F. Dart added that this had been the second questionnaire sent out in approximately 7 years, and although yellow lines had not been a popular choice in the first survey, it did show that this Council had prevailed to find a solution to the problem. Councillor C. Lagdon responded to Mrs Harrison’s first concern with regard to flooding by explaining that flooding issues has arisen due to non-permeable coverings on residential drives, which did not allow the water to sink in. He was aware that various tasks to resolve the flooding problem had already been carried out, by clearing of the flooding ponds, drainage works by both Town and County Councils, and that an alternative drainage concept allowing it to go straight into the canal may be possible if the problem was still evident, despite the works already completed. b. David Ollie : Had concerns over the increase in the rat problem in Montgomery Road and surrounding area since the pest control budget had been cut. He appreciated that due to this residents would incur costs to alleviate the problem, but the costs seemed to be applicable to home owners, as housing authority residents, also on the estate, did not seem to be sharing the burden of the costs. Additionally, Mr Ollie showed the Councillors a sample of what he thought was unsatisfactory road works that had been carried out in Montgomery Road by contractors approximately three years ago. Parts were now breaking off causing a traffic hazard and he questioned as to what procedures were in place for checking the quality of contractors work? Councillor N. S. Penman responded that unfortunately pest control was the responsibility of the New Forest District Council and that road works were a Hampshire Highways matter. He added that Rob Miller was responsible for contractors’ quality control. Councillor C. Lagdon said that he would talk to Rob Miller at Hampshire County Council regarding the road works issue. The Deputy Town Clerk suggested that Mr Ollie contact the housing authority with a view to the shared responsibility for pest control costs. Councillor D.J. Russell said that he would investigate the rat problem with the New Forest District Council environmental department. c. Mahmoud Kangarani : Had several concerns as follows: That there were no signs to areas of interest and beauty and no parking for visitors at these areas. That there were numerous cigarette ends in the high street, and that he had not seen anyone remove them since last year. That the steps were too narrow leading to Lloyds Pharmacy. That repairs to the road in Water Lane had been carried out in a different colour tarmac than the original. That at the last town Meeting he had asked about Costa Coffee coming to Totton at Rushington and was told there was no such application, yet permission had now been given for Costa coffee in Totton Precinct. Councillor C. Lagdon responded by informing Mr Kangarani that it was standard practice to repair the roads with black tarmac, and that the correct colour tarmac would be put down once the repair had settled. He added that at the time of the last Town Meeting he could confirm they had not received a planning application for the Costa coffee shop at Rushington, but had since received an application for Costa Coffee in the precinct and that it had been recommended for permission as it was believed it would encourage people into the Town and subsequently benefit shops and businesses. They had however, recommended refusal for Costa Coffee at Rushington. Councillor D.J. Russell advised Mr Kangarani that it was difficult to answer his questions as these were not Totton & Eling Town Council’s responsibilities, however, he would look into the Lloyd Pharmacy step situation.

At this point the Chairman of the Council concluded the meeting by thanking everyone for their attendance.

The meeting closed at 8.50 pm. 1