News
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The Council discussed several concerns resulting from the recent diversion caused by emergency roadworks on the A337. There was significant damage done throughout Sandy Down and Royden Lane due to vehicles mounting verges to avoid on-coming traffic. The Council agreed to write to NFDC to request that they repair a damaged ditch in Royden Lane. Hampshire County Councillor Michael White provided feedback on behalf of Hampshire County Council. It was agreed that the damaged caused was not acceptable. HCC will be requesting Southern Gas Networks to repair the damage done throughout the diversion route.
The Council highlighted to Cllr White that communication about major road closures is poor and has become worse since NFDC relinquished a co-ordination role. Cllr White agreed and agreed to provide feedback on this and other longstanding highways issues to Hampshire Highways. It was also suggested that Highways should review their diversion routing and consider introducing one way flows on narrow lanes to prevent congestion.
The Council was pleased to approve a payment to restore the footbridge that used to be next to the cattle grid between Portmore and Norley Wood. This will allow the footpath that runs from the forest gate up towards Portmore to be used to cross the stream without having to walk along the busy B3054.
The Council approved a grant to St. Johns at Boldre towards the upkeep of the graveyard there. With COVID this year, income to the church has been significantly impacted.
There have been vacancies on the Council for some time. Recently, there have been a number of interested applicants. The Council was pleased to co-opt Debbie Ware into one of the vacant positions and look forward to welcoming her to our next meeting.
The date for the next Parish Council meeting is January 11th. This will be an online meeting and details will be made available for the public to join.
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Over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays, there are some changes to collection days for household rubbish, recycling and glass in the New Forest district.
The changes to rubbish and recycling collection for Christmas 2020 and the New Year 2021 are:
Black rubbish sacks and clear recycling sacks: collections due on Friday 25 December 2020 and Friday 1 January 2021 January will be collected on Saturday 2 January 2021.
Glass box: collections due on Friday 25 December 2020 will be collected on Saturday 2 January 2021. Collections due on Friday 1 January 2021 will be collected on Saturday 9 January 2021.
Garden waste: There will be no garden waste collections between Monday 21 December 2020 and Sunday 3 January 2021.
All other collections are unchanged.
Normal collections will resume 4 January 2021.
Details of these changes will be delivered to every household in the New Forest week beginning 14 December
Recycling Christmas waste
All greetings cards, sweet and biscuit tins, and cardboard packaging can be put in the clear recycling sack.
If gift wrapping paper cannot be reused it should be put into the black rubbish sack.
The majority of wrapping paper cannot be recycled because it is mixed with plastic or foil.
Christmas tree recycling
From Saturday 2 December 2020 to Sunday 17 January 2021 real Christmas tree can be dropped off for recycling at selected car parks across the district. The collected trees will be chipped and used as mulch. (Please note there are some changes this year and some sites previously used are no longer tree drop-off sites)
- Blackfield, Gang Warily Community Centre car park SO45 1GA
- Burley, coach park BH24 4AP
- Fordingbridge, A338 slip road car park SP6 5JA
- Hythe, New Road car park SO45 6AQ
- Lymington, Bath Road car park SO41 3SE
- Lyndhurst, Village Centre car park SO43 7BF
- Milford, Hurst Road East overflow car park (by Sturt Pond) SO41 0PY
- New Milton, Crossmead Avenue car park BH25 6NF
- Ringwood, The Furlong long stay car park (follow signs to the designated area) BH24 1AT
- Totton, Rumbridge Street car park SO40 9EA
All decorations must be removed from the tree before taking it to a drop-off point.
Tree must be left in the designated fenced bays only, and placed at the back to avoid blocking the entrance for others.
Customers who subscribe to garden waste collection service can recycle trees under 6 feet, cut up and placed in the garden waste bag between 4 - 18 January 2021.
Residents are asked not to leave Christmas trees in car parks that are not on the above list, or outside of the designated fenced bays, in disabled parking bays, on footpaths, by litter bins or recycling banks. Trees left in these locations will be treated as fly-tipping, an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Offenders can face an unlimited fine, a criminal record and a prison sentence.
Note that in a change from previous years the following car parks will not be used for as Christmas tree drop off points this year;
- Brockenhurst, Brookley Road
- Lymington, St Thomas Street
- Totton, Westfield
Full details are available at https://newforest.gov.uk/christmasrefuse
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Households across Boldre will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021.
The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.
It will be the first run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets.
“A successful census will ensure everyone from local government to charities can put services and funding in the places where they are most needed,” Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics, said.
“This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools and new transport routes. That’s why it is so important everyone takes part and we have made it easier for people to do so online on any device, with help and paper questionnaires for those that need them.”
Census day will be on March 21, but households across the country will receive letters with online codes allowing them to take part from early March.
The census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.
For more information, visit census.gov.uk.
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Dear residents and friends of Boldre Parish,
Have your voice heard by completing a short, anonymous, online survey about the future use of Pilley play park and Pilley recreation ground…
You may be aware that the Pilley Community Shop is expected to relocate to the current playground area, next to the Boldre War Memorial Hall [BWMH], by spring 2022 – with the playground itself being re-located beforehand to make way for building work. However, as the play equipment there is approximately 20 years old, this is the perfect opportunity not just to re-site and rejuvenate the play equipment, but to re-imagine both the junior play environment and the Pilley recreation ground as a whole.
Lymington Town Football have contracted to use the pitches behind the BWMH, and Lymington Town Sprites youth teams have been playing there since September – with great success! Sprites see this partnership as long term and the revenue from their contract helps with the upkeep of the grounds.
There is, however, still a lot of non-football space and Boldre Parish Council [BPC] would like to develop an “end-state” plan for both the Pilley play and recreation grounds – one that sees the grounds enjoyed by more of the residents and friends of the Parish than is currently the case. BPC will share plans and progress with the community as things develop.
Whilst there is a deadline that needs to be worked to, BPC are keen to hear from as many of you as possible via a quick, online survey (link below) on your views about what would make a great leisure space at Pilley for you and your family. This is your space – take part and help shape how it is used!
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QZ97VFV
Thank you,
BPC.
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Boldre Parish Council November 9th 2020
The Council received an update from the working group looking to renew and relocate the current play area next to Boldre War Memorial Hall. This is necessary so that a play facility can be maintained during any construction that may take place to allow the Pilley Community Shop to relocate to the Hall premises. In addition, some of the play equipment is starting to show its age and needs renewing. The new site will be adjacent to the existing play area so it’s not moving far! The working group will be making a survey available online and at the village shop for your ideas. There have been meetings with several equipment suppliers to discuss feasibility and budgetary costs as well as site surveys. The Council will be funding some of this work but will be looking for grants and donations to meet additional costs.
The council was pleased to grant £380 towards the upkeep of the phone box next to Pilley Community stores. The book exchange hosted there is very popular and the Council was glad to support this community project.
The council discussed the draft waste management strategy announced by NFDC this month. There is a public consultation on the strategy and you are recommended to have your say by filling in the online survey here: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/wastestrategy. The Council welcomes attempts to improve recycling rates but will be raising questions regarding how the proposed strategy works in a rural environment. Issues such as bin storage, long driveways and the visual impact in the Parish were discussed.
With all the recent rain, the Council would like to remind Parishioners of the need to clear ditches of the Autumn leaves and other blockages. Water on the highway can obscure hazards and water flowing over roads can lead to potholes and other damage to the road surface. The below from Hampshire County Council provides guidance on ditch ownership.
Also remember to report damage to the road surface directly to Hampshire Highways for repair. The Council continues to work with Hampshire Highways to highlight key problem areas and we welcome information from parishioners on high priority issues.
The electoral window for the two vacancies on the Parish Council has closed and the Council will now be looking to co-opt members. We would very much like to encourage people to contact us if they would like to join the council. Joining the Parish Council is a great way to contribute to our community and new ideas are always welcome.
The date for the next Parish Council meeting is December 14th. This will be an online meeting and details will be made available for the public to join.