Open Session:

There was one member 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.

Declarations of Interest

Cllr Steele, Cllr Terry and Cllr Mrs Terry declared personal interests in planning applications (see P/4548). They remained in the meeting whilst these were discussed.

Present:

Cllr N R G Clarke (Chairman)
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr M A Steele
Cllr B H Terry (until 4.13pm)
Cllr Mrs J A Terry (until 4.13pm)
Cllr Mrs A Wiseman                         

In Attendence:

Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk
Harriet King, Student Adviser
Amy Lowry-Carter, Student Adviser
Claire Perrens, Meetings Administrator
Cllr Treleaven, New Forest District Council

P/4547 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 28th March 2008, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

P/4548 Planning Applications

Cllr Steele declared a personal but non prejudicial interest in Planning Applications 08/91683, 08/91685 and 08/91909 Whitegates Residential Care Home, Gravel Lane.

Cllr Terry and Cllr Mrs J A Terry declared a personal interest but non prejudicial interest in applications 08/92057 89 North Poulner Road – and 08/92158 87 North Poulner Road.

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that Cllr Ford had submitted an objection to the applications for Whitegates as overdevelopment, which would have a detrimental impact on adjacent properties.

Application 08/92019 Land of 9 Parsonage Barn Lane
A member of the public, Mr Thatcher, of 7a Parsonage Barn Lane, addressed the Committee. As a neighbour directly affected, he is concerned about changes to the original plans which include a door replacing a window in the kitchen, moving the position of the building due to site constraints and addition of a conservatory.

Application 08/92031 Land of 9 & 11 Mount Pleasant Lane
As the Council is currently negotiating with the applicant of planning application number 08/92031 on issues relating to access over Mount Pleasant Lane, the Deputy Town Clerk suggested that the Committee declines to comment on the application in order to make it clear that the Council is not predisposed to any particular outcome.

RESOLVED: That the Committee declines to comment on application 08/92031.

Members considered planning applications in respect of periods ending 26th March, 2nd April, 9th April and 16th April.

RESOLVED: That the observations summarised in the individual applications above and summarised in Annex ‘A’ be submitted.

Agenda Item 9 was taken next for the benefit of Cllr Treleaven, New Forest District Council, who attended as an observer to find out how the staff and Committee members were coping with using online plans.

P/4549 E-Planning Consultation

Members considered the Deputy Town Clerk’s report on the New Forest District Council E-planning consultation and Planning Portal Questionnaire. The Deputy Town Clerk recommended that members agree a response to the questionnaire, based on the suggestions in the Report and any additional comments raised by the Committee. It was felt for larger more complex applications paper copies are faster, more effective and more efficient than e-plans, enabling more than one person to view the plans in detail.

RESOLVED:

1. That the suggestions in paragraph 3.2 of the E-Planning Consultation Report (Annex ‘B’) be submitted via the online questionnaire.

2. That the comments be copied to New Forest District Council.

P/4550 Community Safety Initiative 2008/9 – Street Lighting in Kings Arms Row

Hampshire County Council no longer has funding available for this year’s Community Safety Initiative, for which an application had been made for street lighting in Kings Arms Row. Members considered whether the Town Council should fund the lighting and future maintenance. The cost for installation is estimated between £1,500 and £3,000 and the budget available £1,000. The Chairman proposed that, given the costs involved including ongoing maintenance, £1,000 budget be diverted to fund the outstanding amount required for the proposed shelter at the Taxi Rank (see P/4555)

RESOLVED: That the street light in Kings Arms Lane be not funded and that the £1,000 budget allocated for street lighting be vired to cover the additional cost of the taxi shelter.

P/4551 Ringwood Traffic Management Issues

Members considered whether there were any issues that needed to be brought up at the meeting in May of the Ringwood Traffic Informal Local Members Liaison Group.

RESOLVED: To include in the Agenda the following issues:

1. Bickerley Road – the need to review parking restrictions; a suggestion of a one hour parking limit between Kingsbury’s Lane and the exit from Greyfriars.

2. Highfield Road – parking by residents is causing problems at the junction with Southampton Road.

3. Parking outside Tesco Express, Poulner.

P/4552 Parking Outside Schools

The Town Clerk joined the meeting in order to report on Parking Outside School Premises (Report - Annex C). The current informal provisions to improve the parking situation are not working. It is important that all schools within the district benefit from improved safety regulations for children arriving and departing from school, especially as Ringwood residents use schools outside the Town Council’s area.

RECOMMENDED: That further direct representations be made to all Town and Parish Councils in the District in order to get this matter resolved for the whole District as soon as practicable.

P/4553 New Forest District Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment

Members were alerted to the consultation on land suitable for housing development which would be considered at the next meeting of the Committee on 23 May 2008.

RESOLVED: That the proposal to formulate a response on strategic land availability at the next meeting be noted.

Cllr Terry and Cllr Mrs Terry left the meeting at 4.13pm.

P/4554 Christchurch & East Dorset Core Strategy – Issues and Options

Members considered the Transport and Bournemouth Airport sections of the Christchurch & East Dorset Core Strategy, as it was these aspects that would have a direct impact on Ringwood.

RESOLVED: That the Chairman and Vice Chairman, in liaison with the Deputy Town Clerk, be delegated to prepare a response to the consultation prior to the deadline of 6th May.

P/4555 Taxi Shelter

Members noted that a donation of £9575.60 for a taxi shelter had now been received from Sainsbury’s but due to the amount of time having elapsed, the original quotations had increased considerably.

RESOLVED:

1. That as minuted above P/4550, £1,000 be made available for the Taxi Shelter

2. That the 3 stone boulders proposed in the landscaping plans be removed to reduce costs