Open Session:

There was one member of the public present, who did not wish to speak.

Apologies

There were none.

Declarations of Interest

Cllr Chard declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 3(a) and Cllr Wiseman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 10. Both members indicated that they would leave the room during discussion and voting on these items.

Present:

Cllr M F Daly
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr D Cole
Cllr D E Cracknell
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

OS/4920 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 13th June 2007, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

OS/4921 Tennis Facilities

The Town Clerk advised the Committee that an order had been placed for leaflets to publicise the availability of the grass courts to members of the public through the Ringwood Recreation Centre’s normal booking procedure.

A quotation had been received for additional fencing to secure the grass courts.

A proposal had also been received for the tennis pavilion to be used as a base for youngsters to meet during the school summer holidays. The Committee considered the request and agreed that provided there was adequate adult supervision, it was a good, central site for a meeting place, bearing in mind that Greyfriars Youth Club was closed during the holidays. Cllr Urwin said that she may be able to obtain some help to refurbish the building and assist with supervision.

The Town Clerk advised that the Grounds Foreman had suggested that the tennis pavilion could be used by the grounds staff in the winter months for storing and drying out the town centre seats, ready for repainting. There was no room to do this either on Carvers or at the Cemetery.

RESOLVED:
(a) That approval be given for the tennis pavilion to be used as a base for youngsters to meet during the school summer holidays, subject to the organisers of its use ensuring that adequate supervision is maintained, and

(b) that the Council’s grounds staff use the tennis pavilion in the winter months for storing and drying out the town centre seats, ready for repainting.

Cllr Chard, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item, left the room during discussion and voting.

OS/4922 Ringwood Town Football & Social Club

(a) Request for use of two pitches on Ten Acre

The Town Clerk reported that he had received a request from Ringwood Town Football Club for permission to use two soccer pitches on Ten Acre Field for two weeks at the beginning of the school holidays when two of their players were holding a soccer coaching school. This would only be necessary if a larger number of players were taking part than could be accommodated on the Club’s own pitches.

Cllr Chard had also requested permission for members of Bisterne Football Club to use the ten acre field for soccer training from 31st July to the end of August whilst the pitch at Bisterne was unavailable due to maintenance work being carried out.

Members agreed that permission should not be given for the use of Ten Acre Field by either Club as overuse would damage the pitches. However, it was agreed that the field behind the Football Club grounds could be made available and the appropriate fees charged.

RESOLVED:

(i) that permission be not given for the use of Ten Acre Field by either Club as overuse would damage the pitches and

(ii) that the field behind the Football Club grounds be made available to both Ringwood Town Football Club and Bisterne Football Club for the periods requested and the appropriate fees charged.

Cllr Chard returned to the meeting.

(b) Quotation for construction of vehicular access

The Town Clerk reminded members that the Council had agreed to the construction of an improved entrance to the Football Club site as part of the arrangements for the use of the ten acre field. The quotation had now been received from the County Council in the sum of £4,991.18 and work could be carried out before the start of the football season.

RESOLVED:
that the quotation from Hampshire County Council in the sum of £4,991.18 for the construction of a vehicular access at Ringwood Town Football Club be accepted and the work be put in hand.

OS/4923 Burial Reform

The Town Clerk reported on a Policy Update on Burial Reform received from NALC. The document stated that the country is running out of burial space and in order to address the situation, the Government had proposed reforms which meant that councils would be permitted to reuse graves where they are over 100 years old and the permission of the family has been sought (or no living relatives could be traced). However, there is currently no set date or schedule for implementation.

RESOLVED:

That the Clerk’s report be received

OS/4924 Exclusion of Public and Press

RESOLVED:That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted, it was advisable in the public interest that the press and public be temporarily excluded and they were instructed to withdraw.
(ANNEX ‘B’ ).

OS/4925 Carvers Recreation Ground

The Town Clerk reported on a potential claim resulting from the siting of the temporary Health Centre on Carvers.

RESOLVED:

That the action agreed at the meeting be approved.

OS/4926 Litter Picker

The Town Clerk advised members that there had been no response so far to the Council’s advertisement for a litter picker/playground inspector to work weekends throughout the year at the Council’s three playground sites.

RESOLVED:

that the action agreed at the meeting be approved.

OS/4927 Ringwood Town Football & Social Club

The Clerk reported on the current annual rent of the ground at Upper Kingston. This was due for review as from 1st February 2008. The Clerk advised that he would check with other councils in the area to determine similar rents.

RESOLVED:

That the Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Committee, agree on any increase in annual rent of the Football Club’s ground at Upper Kingston which was deemed appropriate.

Cllr Wiseman, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item, left the room and took no part in the discussion and voting.

OS/4928 Land at Long Lane

The Town Clerk reported that the Working Party had met with Martin Devine, the Assistant Director of Leisure Services at the District Council to discuss the way forward with proposals for recreational facilities at Long Lane. Mr Devine had reaffirmed the fact that the town was more underprovided per head of population with recreational facilities than any other town in the district. It would therefore compare favourably with other towns for external funding support.

RESOLVED:

That as there is a significant under provision of recreational facilities and this is the only major site which would enable the Council to make up the shortfall, that negotiations for the purchase of land at Long Lane be pursued as a matter of urgency.

Cllr Wiseman returned to the meeting.

OS/4949 Carvers Security lighting

The Town Clerk reported that a quotation for the installation of two 4m lighting columns on Carvers had now been received. It had not proved possible to install security lighting on existing poles.

Members agreed that it was imperative to improve security lighting on Carvers to deter vandalism and anti-social behaviour in general.

The Town Clerk informed members that it may be necessary to obtain Planning Permission for the columns if the District Council did not agree that the proposals constituted “permitted development”.

RESOLVED:
that the Town Clerk continue to obtain quotations for the installation of security lighting on Carvers Recreation Ground.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.15 p.m.