Open Session

there were no members of the public present.

Apologies

The Town Clerk reported that no apologies for absence had been received.

Declarations of Interest

There were none

Present:

Cllr B H Terry (Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr N R G Clarke
Cllr D E Cracknell
Cllr C Ford
Cllr Mrs J A M Terry

In Attendance:

Terry Simpson, Town Clerk
Ros Bowles, Project Officer

T/0080 Minutes

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on 23rd April and 16th May 2007, having been previously circulated, be agreed and signed as a correct record.

T/0081 Town Plan Partnership Steering Group

The Committee received and considered the minutes of the Town Plan Partnership Steering Group meeting held on 2nd July 2007 (Annex ‘A’).

With regard to item 5, the Project Officer reported that the training courses on 10th and 11th July had been very useful. As a result of information gained, she would be suggesting a slightly different layout for the Town Plan, which would make the Action Planning part of it more flexible and would also introduce a shorter Town Profile to assist with annual reviews and updates.

The Committee was reminded that the draft Town Plan should include hopes and aspirations expressed directly to members as well as those expressed during the formal consultation processes. All information should be supplied to the Project Officer as soon as possible. The Chairman suggested a redraft of the section of the Transport Plan relating to use of public transport replacing car use as he did not believe that this could ever be achieved. It was noted that the Government’s aspiration was to stop car usage and the publication of a new accessibility report was imminent.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Town Plan Partnership Steering Group held on 2nd July 2007 be received and the action proposed therein be approved.

T/0082 Rural Ways Website

The Project Officer reported that, as a result of work carried out by Ringwood Tourism Group, a section on Ringwood had been included on the Rural Ways website (www.ruralways.co.uk). It was noted that this website was an online gateway to getting out and about in the countryside of the South East, and included information on recreational activities, where to stay and what to do in the town.

RESOLVED: That the information be noted.

T/0083 New Forest Access for All

The Project Officer reported that she had met with representatives of New Forest Access for All, who had agreed to carry out an accessibility review in the town. This would include an audit of access to all shops, restaurants and public buildings with recommendations on any improvements businesses could make. They would review pavements, drop kerbs etc. and identify suitable routes around the town. They would also audit walks, seating and such things as whether the key to the disabled toilet is always easily available.

The group had asked if the Council could provide a simple sticker for businesses that passed the audit.

This work would be carried out during July and August by members of the group, who only asked that reasonable travel and administrative costs be met by the Council.

RESOLVED:

1) That the action taken to undertake an accessibility review be approved;

2) That reasonable travel and administration costs be met from the Town Plan budget;

and

3) That the provision of suitable stickers for businesses that pass the audit be approved and the group be requested to provide a draft design, which included reference to the Town Council, for approval.

T/0084 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’)

T/0085 Project Officer

The Town Clerk reported that the Project Officer’s current contract expired in November 2007. In order to complete the preparation of the Town Plan, including full consultation with the public, it would be necessary to extend the contract to 31st March 2008. Members would also need to consider arrangements for implementation of proposals in the Town Plan and this should be dealt with as part of the budget preparation process in the autumn.

RESOLVED:

1) That the Project Officer’s contract be extended on the same terms and conditions as her current contract, subject to the contract termination date now being 31st March 2008.

2) That consideration of the arrangements for implementation of the Town Plan be dealt with as part of the budget preparation process.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 5.20pm.