Public Participation:

*The meeting will be preceded by a public participation period of up to 10 minutes at 7.00pm. If no member of the public wishes to speak to the Council, the meeting will start at 7.00pm.

Members of the public are entitled to speak on individual items on the public agenda in accordance with the Council’s public participation scheme.

Prior to the meeting, to receive:

1. Apologies for absence

2. Declarations of Interest

1. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2008.

2. Financial Reports (attached):

a) To receive and authorise list of payments made on Imprest Account in October

b) To receive and authorise list of Petty Cash payments for October

c) To receive Statement of Town Council Balances

d) To authorise Inter Account Transfers

3. Committee Budget 2009/10

a) To consider proposals for inclusion in the Committee’s budget for 2009/10 (report attached)

b) To consider issues arising from Town Plan consultations and determine the extent of any provision to be made in the budget for 2009/10 and future years for further investigation and implementation of any proposals
(relevant pages attached)

4. Draft Council Budget 2009/10

To consider the draft budget and precept proposals for 2009/10 (report attached). (Appendices A B C D & E)

5. Grant Aid

To consider the following applications for grant aid (details attached)

a) Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group
b) Victim Support Hants & Isle of Wight
c) Ringwood Debt Advice Centre
d) Ringwood Rotary Club for Christmas Eve Festivities
e) Forest Forge.

6. Ringwood Festival

To receive minutes of the meeting of the Ringwood Festival Steering Committee held on 27 October 2008 and approve proposals therein (attached).

7. Direct Elections to English National Parks & Broads Authority

To consider supporting representations being made by New Forest District Council in respect of the consultation issued by the Government on the introduction of direct elections of members to the National Park bodies (attached). The Government’s proposal provides only for direct elections to replace those members currently appointed/nominated by local authorities. The Government is not proposing to change or reduce the number of, or way in which, government nominations to the National Park are made.

8. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC & PRESS

To consider exclusion of public and press for the following items:

9. Proposed Extension to Ringwood Cemetery

To note results of tendering process carried out by NFDC for the tier one soil investigation.
Note: the total sum falls well within the estimated amount as set out in the Feasibility Report.

10. Responsible Finance Officer

To consider arrangements for undertaking the duties of Responsible Finance Officer for the Town Council.