Open Session:

There were no members of the public present.

Present:

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

In Attendance:

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

OS/4701 Absence

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Mrs N Wood.

OS/4702 Declarations of Interest

Cllrs D Cole and M Daly declared personal but non-prejudicial interest in Agenda item 5 as residents of the area in question and took no part in the discussion on this matter.

Cllr M Daly declared a personal interest in Agenda item 7(a) as he is Chairman of Ringwood Cricket Club and took no part in the discussion on this item.

OS/4703 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd November 2005, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

OS/4704 Summer Planting 2006

The Clerk advised members that the sum of £2,000 had been allocated in the draft budget for new railings/barrier baskets and floor planters to boost the floral displays around the town. Cllr Mrs Sullivan said that at present, there were eleven planters in one small area and she felt that the High Street and Southampton Road were areas where additional planters would be welcome. Cllr Mrs Charlton felt that the Market Place was another area deserving floral enhancement.

RESOLVED: that a provision of £2,000 for additional railings/barrier baskets and floor planters to boost the floral displays around the town be included in the Committee's Budget for 2006/07.

OS/4704 The Bickerley and Pocket Park

The Clerk reported that completion of the purchase of the additional piece of land on The Bickerley was imminent.

The Chairman of the Committee had met with Dr Rue Ekins of English Nature regarding the Council's intentions for the area. Dr Ekins had advised that grants from English Heritage would be available for some of the work. It was intended that the additional land would be flailed and then maintained as a quiet, tranquil area, with trees and shrubs. However, no work would be commenced on the scheme for The Bickerley and Pocket Park before Summer 2006 so as not to disturb the nesting habitats of the birds in the area.

RESOLVED: that the Clerk's report be noted.

OS/4705 Cemetery

The Clerk advised members that there were 110 burial plots and 216 cremation plots still available for use in the Cemetery. In 2004, 40 burial plots and 34 cremation plots had been used and so far in 2005 there had been 20 burials and 25 cremations. He felt that the time was fast approaching when a complete review of use of the cemetery should be undertaken and the reversion of part of the allotment site (non-statutory) to cemetery use, considered. Provision needed to be made in the budget for such a review.

RESOLVED: that provision be made in the 2006/07 Budget to enable a complete review of cemetery use to be undertaken, together with consideration of the recovery of the non- statutory allotment use to cemetery allocation.

OS/4706 Fees and Charges for 2006/07

Members reviewed the council's current fees and charges, as follows:

(a) Allotments

The Town Clerk recommended an increase of approximately 3% for all allotment plots. He reminded members that the Committee had resolved to bring the fees for the Upper Kingston allotment plots into line with those for the other sites over a three-year period. This was the final year of the phasing programme.

RESOLVED: that the fees for allotments for 2006/07 be approved as shown in Annex `A' to these minutes.

(b) Sports Facilities

The Town Clerk recommended a general increase of approximately 3% for all block bookings with a slightly higher percentage increase being charged for casual bookings. Members agreed to accept the new fees en bloc.

RESOLVED: that the fees for sports facilities for 2006/07, Casual and Blocked Booked, be approved as shown in Annex `A' to these minutes.

(c) Cemetery Fees ­ Interment and Memorial

The Clerk recommended a general increase of approximately 3% for interment and memorial fees. Members agreed to accept the new fees en bloc.

RESOLVED: that the cemetery fees for interments and memorials for 2006/07 be approved as shown in Annex `A' to these minutes.

(d) The Bickerley

The Clerk recommended a general increase of approximately 3% for the hire of The Bickerley Village Green, from £50 for each overnight stay to £55, plus the cost of provision of a portable toilet.

RESOLVED: that the cost of each overnight stay on The Bickerley Village Green for 2006/07 be £55, plus the cost of provision of a portable toilet. (See Annex `A' to these minutes).

OS/4707 Carvers

The Town Clerk reminded members that the temporary Health Centre would move from Carvers in May 2006 and the Planning Consent required that the land be returned to its original state. The area adjacent to the main gate had traditionally been used by sports clubs for car parking and members had always intended to reinstate that use.

The Clerk asked members to consider whether this area should simply be returned to grass or whether it would be preferable to reinforce the subsoil with, for example, grasscrete, so that the surface would be more hardwearing. This may require a variation in the Planning Consent.

Members felt that the area housing the temporary health centre should be returned to a playing area, but that the possibility of reinforcing the small area previously utilized by users of Carvers sports facilities for car parking should be investigated.

RESOLVED: that the Town Clerk investigate with the District Council, the possibility of having a reinforced surface with a grass finish on the small area of Carvers used by sports clubs for car parking prior to the temporary housing of the health centre on the site.

Cllr Mrs Charlton left the meeting at 8.25 pm.

OS/4708 Budget 2006/10

(1) Members considered Reports in respect of progress on new expenditure items included in the Budget for 2005/06,

(2) Budget Proposals for 2006/07

and

(3) The Revised Budget 2005/06 and Original Budget 2006/07 Schedules for the Recreation, Leisure & Open Spaces Committee.

Following detailed consideration of the Reports and Schedules, it was:

(1) RESOLVED; that the Expenditure Report in respect of the Budget Provision for 2005/06 (Annex `B') be noted.

(2)

(a) RECOMMENDED TO POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE that the Committee's prioritised Budget Proposals for 2006/07 (Annex `C') be approved,

and

(b) that the revised Budget 2005/06 and Original Budget 2006/07 for the Recreation, Leisure & Open Spaces Committee be approved. (Annex `D').

OS/4709 Urgent Business

Cemetery

The Clerk informed members that he wished to request a site inspection by the Confederation of Burial Authorities to ensure that all Health & Safety requirements were being met.

RESOLVED: that the Clerk's request to ask a member of the Confederation of Burial Authorities to visit Ringwood Cemetery be approved.