Lymington and Pennington Town Council

The first tier of local government, which works towards improving community well being and providing better services, at a local level.

A local Council is the first of the three tiers of local government.  It is made up of an elected Chairman and a minimum of four other Councillors. If the local Council agrees, it can call itself a Town Council and the Chairman is then entitled to be called Town Mayor.

The aim of every Town Council is to work towards improving community well being and providing better services at a local level. Their activities fall into three main categories: representing the local community; delivering services to meet local needs; striving to improve quality of life and community well being.

Lymington and Pennington Town Council serves approximately 15,000 local residents across both Lymington and Pennington. 

Through an extensive range of discretionary powers it provides and maintains a variety of important and visible local services including open spaces, play areas, sports and other facilities, allotments and some events.

The Councillors of Lymington and Pennington Town Council are democratically elected to represent the electors in the town. Their main aim is to work together to serve the community and bring local issues to the attention of the council and help it make decisions on behalf of the local community. Read about our current Councillors here, read policies here and find upcoming meetings here.

Click here to Lymington & Pennington Town Council website

Responsibilities of Lymington and Pennington Town Council include:

Open Spaces

• Woodside Park, Rookes Lane, Lymington SO41 8FP
• Pennington Common, Ramley Road, Pennington SO41 8HF
• Chequers Green, Lymington S041 8AH
• Woodley Gardens, Alexandra Road, Lymington
• Forest Gate, Lymington
• Old Orchards, Lymington
• Meadowlands, Pennington
• Farnleys Mead, Lymington
• Vitre Gardens, Lymington
• Grove Gardens, Grove Road, Lymington SO41 3RF
• St Thomas Park, Lymington
• Priestlands Pond, Lymington

If you would like to apply to use the land at Woodside, Bath Road or Pennington Common for an event – please complete an Open Spaces form available from the council offices (call 02380 285893)

Play Areas

• Emsworth Road Play Area, Emsworth Road, Lymington SO41 9AW
• Deneside Copse Play Area, Deneside Copse, Pennington SO41 8JJ
• Howards Mead Play Area, Howards Mead, Pennington SO41 8GH
• Pennington Common Play Area, Ramley Road, Pennington SO41 8HF – to be completely refurbished summer 2017
• Woodside Park Play Area, Rookes Lane, Lymington SO41 8FP
• Woodside Park Skatepark, Rookes Lane, Lymington SO41 8FP
• Bath Road Play Area, Bath Road, Lymington SO41 3SE
• Lymington Meadows Play Area, Lower Buckland Road, Lymington SO41 9DH

Sports Facilities

• Woodside Pavillion: Rugby, Cricket, Football, Croquet, Netball (Tennis Courts in Woodside Park have no charge but are on a first come/first serve basis). The pavillion underwent a complete refurbishment in 2016.
• Pennington Recreation Ground, Lodge Road, Lymington SO41 8HH (Football and Cricket)
• Lymington Sports Ground, Southampton Road, Lymington SO41 9AS (Football and Cricket) – an extensive £344,000 refurbishment programme is currently underway (spring 2017) and the Town Council has appointed contractor HH Drew to deliver the programme which once completed will provide new changing rooms and toilets plus improved disabled user facilities and an upgraded and extended clubroom. The scheme is being funded with grants from the Football Stadia Improvement Scheme and the ECB, plus developer contributions and Town Council resources.
• Lymington Bowls Club, Avenue Road, Lymington SO41 9PA
• Lymington Tennis Club, Avenue Road, Lymington SO41 9PA is owned but not run by the Town Council. Find out more about Lymington Tennis Club. 
• Petanque Court, Emsworth Road, Lymington SO41 3SE. Players meet on Tuesday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm. Newcomers are welcome and can be supplied with all the kit required. A social session takes place each Thursday from 6pm. If you would like to get involved, you are welcome to turn up at 2pm on Tuesdays or call Chris on 01202 425063 or 07968 486762 for more information. It is free for anyone to use during daylight hours.

Allotments

You need to live within the respective ward to apply for an allotment.

• Deneside Copse Allotments, Deneside Copse, Pennington SO41 8JJ
• Marsh Lane Allotments, March Lane, Lymington SO41 9EW
• Woodside Park Allotments, Rookes Lane, Lymington SO41 8FP

Other Facilities

• Band Stand, Bath Road, Lymington
• Lymington Sea Water Baths, Bath Road, Lymington. 
• Lymington Charter Market, High Street, Lymington (Saturdays only)
• War Memorials: Pennington, Walhampton and St Thomas Church in Lymington
• Clocks: St Thomas Church and Pennington
• Bus Shelters: Lymington and Pennington
• Woodside Public Conveniences, Rookes Lane, Lymington SO41 8FP
• Pavilions in Pennington and Woodside

Lymington Charter Market: every Saturday come rain or shine!

Lymington has a traditional charter market which dates from the 1250s. The market takes place along the length of the High Street every Saturday throughout the year from 8am to 4pm and is far the largest street market in the New Forest area; with a great deal of history behind it is nowadays a special experience for New Forest visitors to enjoy. Find out more.

Lymington & Pennington Town Council organises the following events 

• Lymington Charter Market every Saturday
• Christmas in Lymington High Street 
• Remembrance Day Parade 
• Summer Event

See http://lymington.com/events for details of current and planned events.

What the Town Council does NOT do

There is sometimes confusion about the responsibilities of the different councils in the region. The Town Council is NOT responsible for the following areas which are the responsibility of the respective authorities listed.

New Forest District Council is responsible for housing, council tax, local planning, garden waste, benefits, car parking, road closures, recycling and waste collection. You can contact NFDC at: New Forest District Council, Avenue Road, Lymington SO41 9ZG. Tel: 02380 285000

Hampshire County Council is responsible for roads and footpaths, education, highways and strategic planning within the county. You can contact HCC at: Hampshire County Council, The Castle, Winchester SO23 8UJ. Tel: 0300 555 1375

New Forest National Park Authority is responsible for trees and planning in the National Park. You can contact NFNPA at: New Forest National Park Authority, Avenue Road, Lymington SO41 9ZG. Tel: 01590 646600

Contact the Town Council

The Contact details for the office are:
Lymington and Pennington Town Council, Town Council Office, Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington, SO41 9ZG.
Tel. 01590 630830
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Updated 2020

More information about Local Councils. 

Local Councils have either direct responsibility for, or some influence over:

o Allotments
o Car parks
o Cemeteries
o Churchyards
o Clocks
o Commons
o Crime Prevention for Safer Communities
o Footpaths
o Halls, meetings
o Lighting
o Litter
o Open spaces
o Planning
o Ponds
o Public toilets
o Public Transport Initiatives in Partnership
o Shelters
o Signs
o Sports grounds
o Tourism
o Village Greens

Local Councils are also involved in:

o Planning Applications to County or District Councils
o Consultation on Proposals by Central Government
o Department of the Environment and Home Office
o Community Care Plans - Social Services Area Office
o Social Housing Schemes with Housing Associations
o Water Courses - The Environment Agency

When do Councils meet?

The Annual Parish or Town Meeting must take place between 1st March and 1st June of each year.  In an election year the Annual Meeting must take place within 14 days of the Councillors taking office. Additionally, a Local Council has to meet on at least 3 other occasions during the year.  There may be more meetings, but this is the minimum. (See Calendar of Meetings)

At least three clear days before a meeting, a notice (See Agendas and Minutes) specifying the time and place of the meeting must be displayed in a conspicuous place in the locality.  The public does not have a right to speak at a Local Council meeting but may be invited to do so.  If an elector wants the Council to discuss a subject, they must inform the Town Clerk at least three clear days before the day of the meeting.

When are Councillors elected?

Elections should be held every four years and are held if there are more candidates than places on the Council.

How do they raise funds?

Local Councils receive funds from the Council Tax.  Having decided how much money should be raised, the Council will claim the "precept" which is collected by the District Council as part of the Council Tax.  Local Councils may also be financed by the District Council to provide some services on their behalf.  They may also have funds from local trusts or bequests.

The Town Clerk is usually the "Proper Officer" of the Council and has responsibility for its financial and administrative affairs including the custody of Council documents and records.

Lymington & PenningtonTown Council News

News from the Town Council can be followed at https://lymingtonandpennington-tc.gov.uk/news