Open Session:

There were 2 members of the public present.

Present:

Cllr N Clarke (Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr Mrs B Charlton
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr L C Ford
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr N C Wood

In Attendance:

Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk

P/4184 Absence

All members were present.

P/4185 Declarations of Interest

There were none.

P/4186 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 1st April 2005, having been circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

P/4187 Alcohol Free Zone

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that, following the suggestion put forward by PC Chris White to introduce an Alcohol Free Zone in the town, she had written to the District Council for advice and had copied the letter to Inspector Kenna. It had transpired that neither authority supported the introduction of an Alcohol Free Zone to deal with the homeless people who gathered outside the Visitor Information Centre, as it was felt to be excessive and could not be reasonably justified.

Cllr Mrs Charlton said that the real concern was that these homeless people attracted and encouraged young people.

Martyn Powell, the Licensing & CCTV Manager at the District Council had informed Mrs Stannard there were agencies that may be able to intervene and help with the problem. He had agreed to look into this and would report back on his findings. He had also offered to attend a future meeting of the Committee to discuss this issue further.

RESOLVED: That the information be noted and the issue be discussed again following Mr Powell's investigations into agency help.

P/4188 Informal Local Members' Liaison Meeting

Members received a copy of notes taken at the Informal Local Members' Liaison Meeting held on 11th April 2005 (Annex `A').

RESOLVED: That this information be noted.

P/4189 Pedestrian Signage

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that, following a request from Ringwood Tourism Group, the District Council had put together a draft proposal for improved pedestrian signing in the town. However, it was noted that neither the District nor the Town Council had any funding for this scheme to proceed in the current financial year.

At the Informal Local Members' Liaison Meeting on 11th April 2005, it had been agreed that it was important to encourage visitors to see the whole town, including the Southampton Road area. It had therefore been suggested that a circular shopping trail be introduced, which could possibly be illustrated on a map by the Visitor Information Centre and waymarked around the town.

Cllr Terry suggested that, if the bus terminal was signed, it might be possible to approach the bus companies for funding. Members appreciated that it would not be feasible to sign every destination in the town. However, it was noted that Bickerley Village Green, War Memorial Gardens and The Furlong were not included but probably should be.

It was agreed that further information was required on the costings of the scheme before proceeding any further. It was also suggested that this scheme could be incorporated in the Town Plan as work on this may influence the proposals put forward.

RESOLVED: That the District Council be asked to provide costings of the current proposal for improved pedestrian signing, in order to establish how best to proceed with the scheme.

P/4190 Cycle Parking

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that cycle stands had now been ordered and would be installed as soon as possible in Southampton Road. However, the District Council was concerned that the agreed location adjacent to the Visitor Information Centre would interfere with the flow of pedestrians. It was also questioned whether there was a need for additional cycle parking in this area as the existing stands were not used to capacity.

Members felt that there was a greater need for improved cycle parking in the vicinity of Morrisons.

RESOLVED:

1) That the proposal for an additional cycle parking facility outside the Visitor Information Centre be put on hold.

2) That the Deputy Town Clerk contact the company responsible for the land in the vicinity of Morrisons regarding the installation of improved cycle parking in this area.

P/4191 Waiting Restrictions in Hightown Road

Members viewed a map showing proposals for waiting restrictions in Hightown Road. It was noted that a residents parking scheme had been proposed for part of Hightown Road but, as residents had not supported this, it would not proceed. It appeared that the waiting restrictions proposed would satisfy the Council's concerns about the entrance to the Cemetery and should improve road safety in the area of the Junior School.

RESOLVED: That the proposals for waiting restrictions in Hightown Road be supported.

P/4192 Planning applications Considered

Planning applications in respect of the weeks ending 29th March 2005 and 5th, 12th and 19th April were considered.

RESOLVED: That the observations as shown in Annex `B' be submitted. (on the PDF version)

P/4193 Urgent Business

Appeal by Mr Loveless

It was noted that Mr Loveless had submitted an Appeal against the District Council's decision to refuse Planning Application Number 82075 for a detached dwelling on land adjacent 7 Forestside Gardens. The Town Council had objected to this application on the grounds that the land was an area of public open space.

RESOLVED: That a letter be sent to the Planning Inspectorate reiterating the Council's objection to this application.