Cllr Brian Terry (Chairman)
Cllr Neville Chard
Cllr Nigel Clarke
Frank Cloke
Cllr Danny Cracknell
Cllr Christine Ford      
Jenny Newham
Brian Walters

In Attendance:

Terry Simpson, Town Clerk
Ros Bowles, Project Officer
Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk

1. Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllr Malcolm Daly, Jon Grant, Damian Heywood and Peter Gray.

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting

AGREED: The minutes of the meeting held on 6th March 2006 were accepted as a correct record.

3. Membership of the Steering Group

Mr Brian Walters was present at the meeting as he had expressed an interest in becoming a member of the Steering Group. He said that he was interested in land-use planning and architecture and felt that planning for Ringwood’s future could be exciting and challenging.

RECOMMENDED: That Mr Brian Walters be appointed to the Town Plan Partnership Steering Group.

4. Focus Groups

The group received notes of meetings of the Economy, Environment and Transport & Accessibility Focus Groups (Attachment ‘A’). It was noted that several young people had come forward to join the Children & Young Persons Group and that a meeting would be held soon. There was also a need for more volunteers to join the Focus Groups, particularly the Social & Community and Economy groups, and it was hoped that interest would be raised through distribution of the Ringwood’s Future leaflet.

Cllr Clarke reported that it was a challenge to find active representatives for the 7 main industrial estates in the town for the Economy Focus Group. However, it was noted that Peter Gray was in the process of carrying out a survey of these estates. It was also agreed that health centres, schools and supermarkets were also large employers who needed to be involved in the process.

It was agreed that it was critical to maintain momentum and to get as many members of the public involved as possible. Any suggestions of people willing to be involved should be forwarded to the Project Officer.

AGREED: That the notes of meetings of the Economy, Environment and Transport & Accessibility Focus Groups be accepted.

5. Progress Report

Members of the group received the Project Officer’s Progress Report (Attachment ‘B’). It was noted that another roadshow was planned for the Festival weekend of Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th July. This would be held in the area outside the Visitor Information Centre. As there would be many visitors in the town during this weekend, it was noted that it would be important to obtain addresses of anyone completing the questionnaire.

The Project Officer reported that South East Tourism had agreed to hold a free workshop in the town for those involved in tourism. It was hoped that this would be held one evening in July at a local hotel and that members of the Tourism Group would provide refreshments. The outcome of this seminar would provide further information for the Healthcheck.

It was noted that the Ringwood’s Future leaflet did not appear to have been distributed to all households and the Project Officer was following this up with the distribution company. Members of the group would be kept up to date with this situation.

AGREED:

1) That the Project Officer’s Report be received

2) That the roadshow times be determined by the Project Officer and Town Clerk and be circulated to members of the group.

6. Signage

The group considered the Town Clerk’s report (Attachment ‘C’) on directional and other signage in the town, which recommended that a sub-group of the Economy Focus Group be appointed to investigate signage issues and report back with proposals, costings and sources of funding.

It was made clear that the Town Council was not the authority responsible for signage. However, it would be acting on behalf of the people of the town to try to bring together a scheme that would have public support and find a way of delivering it.

Cllr Ford asked that, if a new town centre map were to be produced, that it name the High Street, as the existing map outside the Visitor Information Centre had the whole road marked as Market Place.

It was also noted that there were no signs directing people out of the town to Poulner.

AGREED: That a sub-group of the Economy Focus Group be appointed to investigate signage issues in the town and report back through the Economy Focus Group to the Steering Group as quickly as possible with proposals on:

1) Deficiencies in signage in the town;

2) Proposals for improvements divided between tourism signage (those coloured brown); finger post directional signs; highway directional signs

and Welcome to Ringwood signage;

3) That Mr Roger Bettle, the former Chairman of the Tourism Group who produced the original proposals, be requested to chair the sub-group with the Deputy Town Clerk acting as its principal advisor;

4) The Sub-Group be requested to prepare proposals, which include full details of the signs proposed, their costs and funding arrangements.

5) That a Press Release be issued to inform residents of this decision and to ask for volunteers to come forward to sit on the Sub-Group.

7. Healthcheck

The Project Officer presented the Way Forward for the Healthcheck and Focus Groups (Attachment ‘D’). It was noted that 1700 Love it, Hate it, I wish questionnaires had already been analysed, with the majority being from pupils at Ringwood School and Poulner Junior School, and there were common issues in the responses as follows:

Love – location, character, friendliness and community events.

Hate – A31 (noise & pollution), parking (particularly in the High Street) and public toilets. It was also noted that 58% of primary school children hate litter and dog mess.

Wish – cinema / community hall / theatre, more independent shops (adults), more shops for young people (high street names), accessibility to facilities in other towns (improved public transport) and for the town to retain its character and individuality.

AGREED: That the Way Forward for the Healthcheck and Focus Groups be approved.

8. Publicity

It was noted that the Project Officer would do everything possible to bring the project to the attention of the public and there would need to be a continuing effort from all involved to keep a high profile.

AGREED: That a further press release be issued when the Project Officer is satisfied that all the Ringwood’s Future leaflets have been distributed.

9. Tourism Seminar

Details of this seminar were discussed at 5. above. Members of the group were asked to let the Project Officer know if they were interested in attending.

10. Other Business

There was a brief discussion on future development plans as Mr Walters was concerned about additional traffic that could be generated as a result. The Town Clerk said that the Town Council’s view was that a bypass from the A31 to Christchurch Road should be integral to any development plans, in order to provide relief for Christchurch Road.

10. Date of Next Meeting

AGREED: That the next meeting be held on a date to be agreed in September.