Open Session:

There were no members of the public present.

Apologies

Prior to the meeting, the Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Chambers and Cllr Cracknell and Student Adviser Charlotte Fleming.

Declarations of Interest

There were none.

Present:

Cllr M F Daly (Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr D Cole
Cllr L C Ford
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr M J Urwin
Cllr A C Wiseman

In Attendance:

Mr T R Simpson, Town Clerk
Mrs L A Wickens, P A to the Town Clerk
Miss B Scrivens, Student Adviser

OS/4940 Minutes of Previous Meeting

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

OS/4941 Student Advisers

Cllr Daly welcomed Beth Scrivens who had been appointed by Ringwood School as Student Adviser to the Committee. Beth said she had been very keen to become a Student Adviser and was very much looking forward to working with the Committee over the next academic year. Charlotte Fleming had also been appointed as a Student Adviser to the Committee. She had sent her apologies as she was unable to attend the meeting, but was looking forward to meeting Members at the November meeting of the Committee.

OS/4942 Ash Grove Play Area

Members considered the report from the Deputy Town Clerk, (Annex “A”), which had been prepared following public consultation on the possible upgrading of the play area. Of the replies received, there had been overwhelming support for the play area to be retained and enhanced. Members were in agreement that the play area should be upgraded and Cllrs Urwin and Wiseman agreed to be the Committee’s two representatives on a Working Party to progress the scheme.

RESOLVED:

1) That the results of the initial consultation be noted,

2) That a Working Party of 2 members, Cllrs Urwin and Wiseman, the Deputy Town Clerk and volunteers from the respondents be established to progress the scheme and report back to the Committee. (Note – this group will also need to involve young people when an age range has been agreed),

3) That the District Council be asked whether Developers’ Contributions could be used towards the scheme,

4) That further investigations be made into sources of external funding, and

5) That further investigations be made into the possibility of banning dogs from the site.

OS/4943 Carvers Recreation Ground

The Town Clerk was pleased to report that work was progressing to refurbish the ex-tennis pavilion ready for use as a Youth Drop-In Centre. The roofing work had been completed and re-wiring and decorating work was at present being carried out. Prices were being sought for new flooring. It was anticipated that the Drop-In Centre would be opened during half-term week at the end of October.

Cllr Ford enquired whether Planning Permission was required for change of use. The Town Clerk reported that he had been advised that as the pavilion’s primary use had formerly been as a social facility and this would continue, there was no requirement to apply for a change of use.

RESOLVED:

That the information be noted.

OS/4944 Rugby Facilities at Ringwood Junior School

The Town Clerk reported that to date he had not received replies or acknowledgements to enquiries he had made following the previous meeting. He therefore had no further report to make to the Committee at this time on the progress of the scheme.

RESOLVED:

That the information be noted.

OS/4945 Expenditure Plans

The Town Clerk asked members to think about what improvements in service they envisaged for the coming year and to bring their considerations to the next meeting for possible inclusion in the Committee’s Budget for 2008/09.

RESOLVED:

That the Clerk’s request be noted.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.45 pm.