Open Session:

There were no members of the public present.

Apologies

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Deputy Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr N J Chard, Cllr Mrs A Wiseman and Student Advisor Rachel Giles.

Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest

Present:

Cllr N R G Clarke (Chairman)
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr L C Ford
Cllr M A Steele
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr Mrs J Terry
Cllr B Woodifield

In Attendence:

Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk
Ashley Finch, Student Advisor
Terry Simpson, Town Clerk (for items P/4584 and P/4585 only)

P/4579 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 August 2008, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

P/4580 Planning Applications

Members considered planning applications in respect of periods ending 13, 20 & 27 August and 3 September 2008.

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

Cllr Ford left the meeting.

P/4581 Country Towns Initiative – Southampton Road Environmental Improvemnents

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that a successful bid under the County Council’s Country Towns Initiative (CTI) programme offered an opportunity to regenerate the area of Southampton Road between Boots and its junction with Mansfield Road. It would result in a more attractive and welcoming area, with improved access and safety for pedestrians. Funding of £100,000 had already been secured and it was hoped that a further £160,000 would shortly be approved, in addition to £100,000 developers contributions held by the District Council.

A meeting had been arranged for 10am on Tuesday 4th November to get an initial input from elected Members, identify stakeholders and discuss public consultation.

RESOLVED: That Cllrs Mrs Woodifield and Chard be nominated to represent the Town Council at the meeting on 4th November and assist in progressing the initiative.

P/4582 Planning Appeal

It was noted that Mrs Mitchell had submitted an Appeal against New Forest District Council’s decision to refuse Planning Application Number 08/92502 for new access at 97 Hightown Road. The Town Council had previously expressed reservations about the new proposed access as it appeared dangerous, with inadequate turning space and poor visibility.

RESOLVED: That no further comments be submitted to the Secretary of State.

P/4583 Town Access Plan

Members received the notes of an introductory session held on 14 August to discuss a Town Access Plan (TAP) for Ringwood (Annex ‘B’). It was noted that the TAP would set out a strategy with a shared vision of how access to facilities and services within the town could be improved and, when complete, would be used to direct funding to identified needs. Work previously carried out for the Walking and Cycling Strategy and the Town Plan would be invaluable and would act as a good foundation for the TAP, although further surveys and public consultation would be undertaken.

It was noted that this was a project that the Student Advisors would be able to contribute to, in order to ensure that young people’s views were represented and their needs identified and addressed.

RESOLVED:

1) That the notes of the meeting held on 14 August be noted.

2) That Cllr Mrs Wiseman, as the Council’s representative on the Walking & Cycling Working Group, be invited to join the Steering Group and attend the first meeting on 1 October 2008.

The Town Clerk joined the meeting.

P/4584 South East Plan

Members considered the Town Clerk’s report (Annex ‘C’). The Town Clerk indicated that little had changed since the Council’s previous representation on the South East Plan, although the housing waiting list had got longer and there was more demand for employment sites. He said that current policy and those proposed in the South East Plan was forcing migration from the town and he recommended that the Council repeat its previous submission.

RECOMMENDED:

That the Council repeat its previous submission in response to the draft South East Plan, as outlined in pages 5 and 6 of Annex ‘C’, and that this response be copied to the District and County Councils and the local MP.

P/4585 Hampshire County Freight Strategy

Members considered the draft Hampshire County Freight Strategy and, although this strategic document would have little direct impact on Ringwood, there was concern that the forecast increase in freight movement would have a detrimental impact on the A31, particularly in light of the forthcoming Olympic games in 2012.

RESOLVED: That the County Council’s aims and objectives outlined in the draft County Freight Strategy, and its proposals to achieve them, be supported.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 4.30pm.