Open Session:

There were no members of the public present.

Present:

Cllr N W Light (Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard (Vice Chairman)
Cllr Mrs B Charlton
Cllr D E Cracknell
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr M F J Daly
Cllr Mrs L C Ford
Cllr Mrs V A Sullivan
Cllr Mrs N Wood

In Attendance:

Mr T R Simpson, Town Clerk
Lyn Wickens, P A to the Town Clerk

OS/4645 Absence

There were no apologies for absence.

OS/4646 Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

OS/4647 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meetings held on 4th May 2005 and 25th May 2005, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

OS/4648 Land at Long Lane

The Committee Chairman was pleased to report that the seeding carried out two weeks ago was growing well.

The Town Clerk reported that the Planning Application for temporary consent to use the land for sporting purposes, install a portakabin and move the existing gate entrance had not yet been forwarded to the District Council as there was a difficulty with the Highways Authority over the access onto the site.

The Council's original intention had been to move the access from its present location at the corner of Moortown Lane and Long Lane to a point next to the boundary with the allotment site. However, due to sight lines not meeting the Highways Authority's criteria, this may not be possible, even for temporary planning consent. The Clerk and the Highways Authority were at present in discussion regarding the issue with the possibility that access may have to be achieved either in Moortown Lane or other land owned by the Council.

Quotations were being sought for a portakabin for changing/toilet facilities at the site and the one quotation received was circulated to members to consider whether this was the type of temporary facility, for a period of perhaps five years, which would be appropriate for the site. The Clerk reported that electricity and water would need to be connected.

The Chairman reminded members that one third of the field had been seeded, which it was hoped would be playable this autumn. The next third of the field should be seeded at the end of August/beginning of September in order for this section to be available for sport to be played on it in twelve months' time. The cost of the work would again be funded from Developers' Contributions.

It was RESOLVED:

(i) that the Clerk proceed with the submission of the Planning Application, subject to continued discussions with the Highways Authority over the issue of the location of a temporary access to the site,

(ii) that further quotations be sought for temporary changing/toilet facilities at the site,

and

(iii) that a further third of the field be prepared and seeded at the end August/beginning of September 2005, the cost to be funded from Developers' Contributions.

OS/4649 Proposed Rugby Facilities at Ringwood Junior School

Members were circulated with notes from a recent meeting of officers of the partners in the development. Cllr Light was concerned that, despite continued requests, the Rugby Club had still not supplied the Council with their business plan and worked up capital and revenue estimates.

The Town Clerk had reservations about the County Education Department's wish for greater control over the operational arrangements of the bar, which might influence the wider community use of the facility. A form of words would need to be agreed between all parties on the use of the bar facility.

Cllr Chard expressed concern that the public had not been notified about the project and felt it was essential that they be informed as soon as possible. The Town Clerk confirmed that the Rugby Club would now be publicising the project.

Cllr Mrs Sullivan enquired where the project had reached in the planning process. The Clerk replied that the Rugby Club had met with the Head of Development Control at the District Council and had been satisfied with the answers they had received.

RESOLVED: that the report of the meeting of officers of the partners in the proposed rugby facilities at Ringwood Junior School be received.

OS/4650 Green Flag Award

Members discussed the desirability of applying for Green Flag status for the new enhancement work to be carried out at The Bickerley. Cllr Cracknell opined that the reward for maintenance of Town Council facilities should derive from the comments of residents of the town. Members concurred.

RESOLVED: that the Town Council take no action to seek the Green Flag Award.

OS/4651 RoSPA Report

The RoSPA Report, (Annex `A'), previously circulated to members, was considered. Cllr Mrs Sullivan was concerned that the wooden barrier between the road and the new access path up to the children's playground on Carvers was not substantial enough to prevent a child from running into the road and urged that steps be taken to install the steel safety barrier recommended by the Inspector.

Members also noted with concern that the Ash Grove play area equipment did not currently meet any of the DDA requirements and that a programme of replacement was needed within the next two years.

RESOLVED:

(i) that the RoSPA report be noted and the proposed action, as outlined in the Appendix `A' to the Report approved,

and

(ii) that the Town Clerk be authorised, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee, to take the necessary action to eliminate risks identified as medium or high in the RoSPA report.

OS/4652 Grounds Maintenance Equipment

The Clerk reported that, following the sale of the John Deere Fairway mower, it was necessary to purchase a second-hand front mounted rotary mower, which would be more robust and suitable for the work the groundsmen needed to carry out. The cost of this piece of equipment was approximately £6,000, which he wished to meet, with the agreement of the committee, through an existing budget provision, income from the sale of the Fairway mower and the sum of £2,500 from Reserves.

RECOMMENDED TO POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE

That the Council purchase a front mounted rotary mower and meet the cost through the existing budget provision, income from the sale of the John Deere Fairway mower and £2,500 from Reserves.

OS/4653 Picnic Area

The Town Clerk reported that NFDC was considering the Town Council's request to take over the grass cutting on behalf of the District Council in the Picnic Area. He had provided the District Council with a fixed price quotation which would substantially meet the costs incurred by the Town Council. The District Council had already agreed for some tree work to be carried out to tidy up the area and, if our request was agreed, the entrance would be widened to allow our mower access to the picnic area.

RESOLVED: that the Town Clerk's action in requesting permission from the District Council to undertake grass cutting in the Picnic Area at the price quoted on their behalf, be approved.

OS/4654 Ringwood Cemetery

The Committee was informed of the damage to the pillar at the entrance to the cemetery and the Clerk's action in obtaining estimates for the repair, to be met, in the main, from an insurance claim by the Town Council.

RECOMMENDATION: that the Council approves the arrangements for repairs to the pillar at the entrance to the cemetery.

OS/4655 Flower Planting

Members were advised that the planting of the summer bedding was proceeding satisfactorily. The groundsmen had filled the planters and troughs with new compost and the contractor was currently planting them up with bedding plants. Ten lamp posts in the Market Place had passed an inspection at a cost of £32 each and were ready to receive fixed baskets.

Cllr Mrs Sullivan opined that the large black planters were unsightly and the type of planting used by the contractor did nothing to camouflage them. The Chairman suggested, and Cllr Mrs Sullivan agreed, to provide a list of plants for both summer and winter planting schemes, which the contractor might considering using.

RESOLVED: that the Clerk's update on the flower planting be noted.

OS/4656 Ringwood Town Football and Social Club

The Chairman reported on a meeting held that morning with the new Chairman of Ringwood Town Football and Social Club. The Club's Chairman had said that the Club hoped to move up to more challenging games which would require the Club to meet higher standards at the ground. He said he hoped that the Town Council and the Football Club could move forward together.

Cllr Light said it had been a very positive meeting and he hoped that with the Club's new committee there would be better dialogue between the Council and the Club.

RESOLVED: that the discussions with the new Chairman of the Ringwood Town Football and Social Club be noted.

OS/4657 Carvers Recreation Ground

The Clerk confirmed that Ringwood School had now agreed to pay £10 per session during the Summer Term for the use of Carvers for rounders. The School had now requested a cricket wicket and the groundsmen would try to fit one more wicket on the site. A request had also been made for a football pitch during the winter months, which would be reviewed by the Council nearer the time, with a view to accommodating the school if at all possible.

RESOLVED: that Ringwood School's use of Carvers during the Summer Term and their Winter proposals be noted.

OS/4658 Urgent Business

There was none.