Open Session:

There was one member of the public present who gave notice he wished to speak on a specific planning application to be considered by the Committee.

Apologies

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Deputy Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr N R G Clarke, Cllr D E Cracknell and Cllr Mrs A Wiseman.

Declarations of Interest

There were none.

Present:

Cllr M A Steele (Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr M F J Daly
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr Mrs J A M Terry

In Attendence:

Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk
Terry Simpson, Town Clerk (for Minute P/4505)
Miss Harriet King, Student Adviser
Miss Amy Lowry-Carter, Student Adviser

P/4503 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 12th October 2007, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

P/4504 Planning Applications Considered

Planning applications in respect of periods ending 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st October 2007 were considered.

Application 07/90942

Mr Kevin Singleton, the applicant, informed Members that permission had previously been granted for a 3-bed detached dwelling on this site. An application for two semi-detached dwellings, with the same footprint as the detached dwelling, had been refused. This new application was for two smaller 1-bed semi-detached dwellings, which would have the appearance of one dwelling as there would only be one front door. A landscaping strip would also be provided along the boundary of the site to enclose the garden areas. The parking area conformed with Policy and there was provision for cycle storage and two outbuildings. A unilateral planning obligation would prevent future occupants erecting any further outbuildings on the site. It was also noted that, as only one-bedroom dwellings were proposed, there would be no children living in the houses, therefore there would be less pressure on the amenity space.

The Committee considered the application and the representations received and for the reasons set out in the Annex, agreed that the application should be recommended for permission.

RESOLVED: That the observations as shown in Annex ‘A’ be submitted.

Agenda item 7 was taken next, for the benefit of Cllrs B & Mrs J Terry, who gave notice that they would need to leave the meeting early.

The Town Clerk joined the meeting.

P/4505 South East Plan

Members considered an extract from the Inspectors’ Report on the South East Plan, which stated that “no substantive case” had been put forward for any increase in the provision figure for housing in the New Forest, and there was therefore no proposal to change the apportionment to the area. However, the Town Clerk reminded Members that the Town Council had submitted representation stating that the provision of approximately 20-30 new dwellings per annum in the town over the next 20 years was grossly inadequate, and that the Green Belt boundary had been drawn so close to the existing built-up area as to preclude any worthwhile development for the benefit of the inhabitants of the area.

Cllrs B and Mrs J Terry left the meeting at 3.40pm.

RESOLVED: That representation be made to the South East England Regional Assembly, expressing the Council’s disappointment at the failure of the Inspectors to take account of the Council’s representations.

RECOMMENDED: That this failure be taken into consideration by the Council at its Special Meeting on 21st November 2007 when it responds to the District Council’s consultation on the Core Strategy of the Local Development Framework.

The Town Clerk left the meeting.

P/4506 Street Lighting

Members considered the Deputy Town Clerk’s report (Annex ‘B’) and agreed to the submission of a bid for inclusion in Hampshire County Council’s Community Safety Initiative Street Lighting Programme for 2008/09.

It was agreed to prioritise the possible sites, as further information was required on location and feasibility prior to the submission of any bid.

It was noted that the Council was required to contribute 50% of the total costs of any bid and that £1,000 should be allocated for each lighting column. Members therefore agreed to a budget bid of £4,000.

RESOLVED:

1) That the order of priority for possible sites for inclusion in a bid for improved street lighting be:

i) Footpath from The Close to Christchurch Road
ii) Kings Arms Row
iii) Manor Road
iv) Hightown Road between Gardner Road and Eastfield Lane

2) That the bid to Hampshire County Council be approved by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee prior to submission.

3) That £4,000 be allocated in the Committee’s budget for 2008/09 to support the submission of a bid for improved street lighting.

P/4507 Committee Budget 2008/09

Members considered the Committee’s draft base budget for 2008/09 (Annex ‘C’) and new budget proposals for inclusion in the 2008/09 budget.(Annex ‘D’).

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that the feasibility study on the pedestrian signing proposals was in the process of being carried out. However, at this stage, no indication of possible costs had been given. In addition, it had not been possible to obtain costs from the Highways Agency for new signs on the A31. It was noted that there may be external funding available for implementation of some of this work. However, Members agreed that it would be prudent to include a sum in the budget to support any funding bid and facilitate implementation.

Cllr Mrs Wiseman had put forward a proposal for more bicycle racks in the town. She had provided photographs of the existing racks outside Sainsburys and Waitrose, which showed them to be inadequate for the demand. The Deputy Town Clerk reported that the Walking and Cycling Group had previously identified locations for cycle parking provision. There were two sites outstanding, in Southampton Road and at the Butlers Lane shops in Poulner, and the District Council had agreed to carry out this work. It was also noted that the Council could not install cycle racks on private land.

The Student Advisers reported that new cycle parking facilities had recently been installed at Ringwood School and that this was encouraging more students to cycle. They felt that any additional cycle parking in the town would be beneficial. Members therefore agreed to include a budget provision to enable suitable locations to be identified and new racks to be provided. It was further agreed that a letter should be sent to Waitrose and Sainsburys highlighting the need for additional cycle parking.

RECOMMENDED TO POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE:

1) That the Committee’s base budget for 2008/09 be approved.

2) That the new proposals outlined in Annex ‘D’ be approved for inclusion in the 2008/09 budget.

P/4508 Dog Control Orders

Members considered the Deputy Town Clerk’s report (Annex ‘E’), which referred to consultation by New Forest District Council on the options available to implement new provisions under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

RESOLVED:

1) That the Town Council’s preferred Option be Option 4, whereby the District Council declares a Dog Control Order for fouling on the whole of the district, including Town and Parish Council land, and for any other specified offences, as necessary.

2) That it be recommended that car parks be included in any Dog Control Order for fouling.

P/4509 Licensing ACT 2003

Members considered the District Council’s proposed Statement of Policy for 2008/11. It was noted that the Policy had been re-formatted and re-worded in some areas to make it shorter and easier to understand.

RESOLVED: That the Statement of Policy be noted and no comments be made.