Councillor James Hoare continues as Town Mayor
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The Town Mayor, Councillor James Hoare, taking part in the tree planting at Woodside Park with Lymington Infant School earlier this year.
As a result of the Annual Meeting held on the 11th May 2022, Cllr James Hoare has been re-elected at the Town Mayor for Lymington and Pennington Town Council for a further year.
The Mayor gave a short speech of acceptance on the night.
“Thank you very much for choosing me to be your Mayor for a further year. It will be a particular privilege to represent Lymington and Pennington during the year of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. I know that a number of residents plan their own street parties and other celebrations. As you all know this Council together with Rotary and Lymington Community Association are holding a Picnic in the Park on Sunday June 5th. This has involved much planning led by Cllr Corbridge and our Events and Projects Manager Luan Dray. Thank you very much to them. I am sure it will be a memorable occasion with the only variable being the weather.
Looking ahead to the next 12 months, we need to build on the good work that has been done on the Neighbourhood Plan during 2021/22. It is now important to draw together the various strands of this effort to bring a draft document to public consultation, which I fervently hope will be later this year. I would like this to be a priority for this Council as it will give all our residents a voice in shaping our community and prioritising what matters to them. The final Plan will then proceed to a Referendum for approval or otherwise.
While we are all pleased that the rigors of the pandemic are largely behind us, I am very conscious of the financial pressures facing some sectors of our population. Like other Councillors here with me, I spend some time with the Lymington Larder and New Forest Food Bank. It is distressing to see the queues of those seeking assistance grow longer. We are fortunate in having the Food Bank and other organisations ready to assist, but it is important that we all keep our ears to the ground in order that we can signpost those in need to places they can obtain help. I know that you all already have this approach, but it is going to become increasingly important during the next 12 months.
The loneliness experienced by some during the pandemic, and now the stresses associated with financial hardship have caused a greater incidence of mental illness in its many different forms across our community. With this background, my charity this year will be Compass Counselling. This local organisation does excellent work in providing counselling services to those who may not be able to afford it, or are unable to access the care they need easily through the public sector. Compass Counselling is not as well-known as some of our local charities, so I hope you will all be able to learn more about their excellent work during the year.
It is a relief that we can celebrate Her Majesty’s Jubilee without the shadow of the pandemic looming over us. However, we must be on our guard in case a new variant emerges later in the year. At least this Council has a template for providing assistance to our residents and is flexible in adapting it to the circumstances presented. Let us all hope that we do not need go down this route again.
Thank you all very much for asking me to lead this Council again next year. I look forward continuing as your Mayor, and to the work that needs to be done.”
Donating to Ukraine crisis
/Lymington and Pennington Town Council stands united with the people of Ukraine during this ongoing crisis.
At a time when the ongoing violence is causing people to flee their homes and take refuge in its bordering countries, we ask ourselves what can we do to help.
The number of people making donations has been momentous, with distribution centres across our country overwhelmed with gifts in support of people now temporarily or permanently displaced.
Charities such as The Red Cross and Oxfam are responding to the crisis, working closely on the ground with local aid agencies to purchase items, including medical supplies, sanitary items and hygiene equipment. They are able to move quickly, purchasing locally without shipping delays and stimulating the local economy with a lower environmental impact. That's why making a cash donation is one of the most effective ways to give your support.
Links to charities:
If you may be able to offer a home to refugees, the government has set up a new Homes for Ukraine scheme, for more information and to register and interest visit Homes for Ukraine
Picnic in the Park - Celebrating the Queens Platinum Jubilee
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Press Release
18 January 2022
Picnic in the Park - Celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the Country, Lymington and Pennington Town Council, in collaboration with the Lymington Community Centre and the Rotary Club of Lymington are organising a FREE “Picnic in the Park” event at Woodside Park, Rookes Lane, Lymington.
The aim of the event is to bring together the local community and families. Cllr Anne Corbridge, chair of the Events sub-committee, commented “We are very proud to invite people of Lymington and Pennington to Picnic in the Park, celebrating the wonderful occasion of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. This will be a great day out for all the family, honouring Her Majesty whilst having fun in our beautiful Woodside Gardens.”
The event is in the early stages of planning, but alongside having your picnic in the park, it currently includes:
· Organised fun sports and games day
· Dog show
· Amusements
· Live music
· Hot and cold food
· Community stalls
· Children’s entertainment tent
· Raffle
Picnic in the Park is a free event that will take place on Sunday 5th June 2022 from 11am – 4pm.
End
Lymington Charter Market - Open New Years Day
/Saturday 1st January 2022
Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR)
/PKF Littlejohn have now completed their audit of the AGAR for 2020/21 . Lymington and Pennington Town Council are now publishing The Notice of Conclusion of Audit along with sections 1, 2 and 3 of the AGAR – Annual Governance Statement 2020/21 (Section 1), Accounting Statements 2020/21 (Section 2) and External Audit Report 2020/21 (Section 3).
Lymington High Street - Parking Meters
/Hampshire County Council put on an exhibition providing information on the parking meter proposals for Lymington High Street. This was on display at St Barbe Museum from the 20th – 24th September 2021.
Details of the Exhibition are available here…
There is still time to fill in the surveys online and have your say. The link is https://forms.office.com/r/atTpqFXMKR. This link will close on 11th October 2021.
In addition to the public exhibition of proposals, local residents will have the opportunity to make formal representations to the County Council once proposals are advertised as part of the Traffic Order process.
The Town Council remains opposed to the parking meter scheme. Any parking system that is created must be of benefit to the High Street.
Grant Aid 2021
/Lymington & Pennington Town Council is pleased to announce that applications for Grant Aid may be submitted between
13 September 2021 and 13 November 2021
Grant awards will be made in December 2021.
If your Organisation’s objectives are to benefit the residents of Lymington and Pennington, you are encouraged to apply for a Grant.
Please click here or email info@lymandpentc.org.uk to obtain a Grant Application Form.
Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR)
/Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR)
The Local Audit & Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts & Audit Regulations 2015 set out the responsibilities of all local councils in respect of their accounting and auditing procedures.
Each year, the Council’s financial accounts and statements must be examined by an independent internal auditor appointed by the Council. For the year 2020/21 Hampshire County Council were appointed under the operational name of Southern Internal Audit Partnership.
The Council is also required to complete an Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) which includes the findings of the Internal Auditor, together with Governance Statements and Financial Statements. The AGAR is then submitted to the independent external auditor appointed by the Audit Commission for examination.
A summary of this year’s audit process is detailed below, together with copies of the relevant documents.
Year Ending 31st March 2021
The Council’s Financial Statements and Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) submission for the year-ending 31st March 2021 had been checked by Southern Internal Audit Partnership and subsequently approved by the Full Council at its meeting held on 23rd June 2021.
The completed AGAR, together with the relevant supporting documentation, has now been submitted to the external auditor, PKF Littlejohn LLP who are required to complete their review by 30th September 2021.
Following this submission, Lymington and Pennington Town Council are publishing the Notice of Public Rights and Publication of the Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return along with sections 1 and 2 of the AGAR –Annual Governance Statement 2020/21 (Section 1) and Accounting Statements 2020/21 (Section 2) with the Summary of Your Rights stating that any person interested has a right to inspect and make copies of the accounting records for the 2020-21 Financial Year. This will run for a period of six weeks commencing on 1st July 2021 to 11th August 2021. Any person who wishes to review the documentation is advised to contact the Responsible Finance Officer.
PKF Littlejohn are due to complete their audit of the AGAR for 2020/21 by the 30th September 2021. The report will be published soon after with the audited AGAR being available for public access for a period of not less than 5 years from the date of publication stated above.
Lymington Charter Market
/LYMINGTON MARKET RETURN TO BOTH SIDES OF THE HIGH STREET.
Lymington and Pennington Councillors from the Market sub-committee recently met to discuss the changes to Covid guidelines.
With Step 3 of the Government’s road map being introduced from the 17th May, Councillors approved the return of the market two sides of the High Street from the 22nd May.
This change allows us to welcome back casual traders and accommodate many permanent traders back to their original pitches.
The chair of the Market sub-committee, Cllr Dunning, welcomes the positive step forward and looks forward to seeing many traders able to return to the market.
If you are interested in being a trader please email market@lymandpentc.org.uk in the first instance, advising of the products you wish to sell.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.