There were no members of public present.

Apologies

The Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Wiseman, Cllr Steele, Cllr Mrs Terry, Cllr Urwin and Cllr Ford.

Declarations of Interest

There were none.

Present:

Cllr B H Terry (Town Mayor)
Cllr P Chambers (arrived at 7.10pm)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr N R G Clarke
Cllr D Cole
Cllr J Heron
Cllr Mrs G O’Reilly
Cllr W S Rippon-Swaine
Cllr Mrs B Woodifield

In Attendance:

Mr T Simpson, Town Clerk
Ms C Perrens, Meetings Administrator

C/4836 Presentation of Grant Aid Cheque

A grant aid cheque of £2,000 was presented to Mr Barrie Sindall of Ringwood & District Community Association towards the Greyfriars Ebenezer Hall Appeal 2008. Mr Sindall thanked Members for the generous contribution, and for the promised £3,000 to be made in the next financial year. This funding will be a terrific boost to the staff and especially the 60 volunteers involved in running Greyfriars. They appreciate the supportive comments of the Town Council Members on the service provided to Ringwood residents. Work will commence in September 2008.

The Town Mayor commented that the Town Council did not often give out such large grants, but that this case represented a very clear example of a facility with a track record of tremendous benefit for local residents of all ages.

C/4837 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Meeting held on 25th June 2008, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

C/4838 Recreation, Leisure and Open Spaces Committee

Cllr Chard presented the minutes of the Recreation, Leisure and Open Spaces Committee meeting held on 2nd July 2008.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Recreation, Leisure and Open Spaces Committee meeting held on 2nd July 2008 be received.

C/4839 Policy & Finance Committee

Cllr Heron presented the minutes of the Policy & Finance Committee meeting held on 16th July 2008.

Cllr Chard referred to recommendation F/4301 relating to Folly Farm (Agenda Item 7) and requested that Members refer this item back to the Recreation, Leisure & Open Spaces Committee, following recently received information with new proposals for Folly Farm. Cllr Chard had received a request from the School at Folly Farm to lease the land at a ‘peppercorn’ rent and take over maintenance (whilst allowing public access). There had also been communication about maintenance of the access road which could be addressed.

Cllr Heron agreed to withdraw recommendation F/4301, in the light of this information.

The Town Clerk has asked New Forest District Council (NFDC) if they will agree to the Town Council sub-leasing the land and is awaiting a response. A full report on all issues could be presented at the September Meeting.

RESOLVED:

1) That the minutes of the Policy & Finance Committee meeting held on 16th July be received;

and

2) That recommendation F/4301 (Agenda Item 7 Folly Farm) be referred back to Recreation, Leisure & Open Spaces Committee.

C/4840 Planning, Town & Environment Committee

Cllr Clarke presented the minutes of the Planning, Town & Environment Committee meeting held on 18th July 2008.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Planning, Town & Environment Committee meeting held on 18th July 2008 be received.

C/4841 Communications to be Received

The Town Mayor reported that, following consultation by BT regarding the proposed removal of three payphones in the Ringwood area, notification had been received that the payphones in Hightown Road and Hangersley Hill will now be removed. BT will consider the Council’s objection to the removal of the payphone in Fieldway and may appeal if they do not feel that the objection is justified.

In addition, the Town Council has been informed that BT will be removing the payphone in Meeting House Lane, and that there was no requirement for them to consult as there is an alternative payphone within 400m.

Ringwood & Fordingbridge Footpath Society have been sent copies of the Ringwood Town Plan. The President (Rowan Brockhurst) is delighted that the Society is mentioned in the Plan and he is sure the Society’s Committee will wish to be involved further.

Ringwood Youth Club Committee have written to thank Town Council Members for the grant of £1,000.

The Town Clerk showed Members samples of a new layout for Meeting minutes incorporating ‘action boxes’ which will show which officer is responsible for carrying out necessary actions.

The Town Mayor thanked all those involved with the Festival in July and commented on the great success of this event. He paid tribute to all the volunteers and Town Council staff involved with the organisation of this excellent event in the Town.

C/4842 Reports from County and District Councillors

District Councillor Rippon-Swaine provided a verbal report on his involvement in area meetings with the Leader of the District Council. He has made efforts to ensure the Ringwood Town Plan is fully supported. He also brought up the need for improvements to public land in the Southampton Road area.

District Councillors Heron and Clarke also commented on issues relating to waste collection and their disapproval of wheelie bins, which would not work well in a rural area.

County Councillor Clarke presented his written report (Annex ‘A’). There was some further discussion of the ‘Wellbeing’ agenda referred to in the report. There could be various methods of providing support allowing older people to remain in their homes by providing trustworthy ‘handyman’ services. It might, for instance, be possible for such services to be funded through equity release, but legal consultation would be required.

C/4843 Forthcoming Meetings

There being no further business, the Town Mayor closed the meeting at 7.30pm.