Open Session:

There were no members of the public present.

Apologies

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Urwin and Cllr Clarke.

Declarations of Interest

There were no Declarations of Interest.

Present:

Cllr J D Heron (Chairman)
Cllr W S Rippon-Swaine (Vice Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr L C Ford
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr B Woodifield

In Attendance:

Terry Simpson, Town Clerk
Martin Townsend, Finance Manager
Claire Perrens, Meetings Administrator
James Fullick, Student Advisor                                 
Bryannie Thurston, Student Advisor

F/4313 Minutes of the Last Meeting

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2008, having been circulated, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

F/4314 Monthly Financial Reports

Members considered the Monthly Financial Reports attached to these minutes as Annex ‘A’.  The Finance Manager provided details of two ‘test’ items of expenditure, which had been chosen at random by the Chairman.

Members discussed the current financial crisis and noted that no Town Council funds were held in Icelandic banks. The Finance Manager confirmed that unfortunately the £50,000 government guarantee on savings only applies to individuals and not to local government (at present).

RESOLVED:

1. That the list of cheque payments on the Imprest account be authorised. Cllrs Heron and Chard signed the report.

2. That the list of Petty Cash payments be authorised. Cllrs Heron and Chard signed the report.

3. That the Statement of Town Council Balances be received and noted.

4. That the Inter Account Transfer be authorised. Cllrs Heron and Chard signed the report.

5. That the Finance Manager’s report and Summary Budget Reports be received and noted.

F/4315 RINGWOOD FESTIVAL

Members considered the minutes of the meeting of the Ringwood Festival Steering Committee attached as Annex ‘B’. The Finance Manager reported that the final sum raised was £8,382, and cheques had been presented to the two charities.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the Ringwood Festival Steering Committee held on 22 September 2008, and the proposals therein, be approved.

F/4316 ALLOTMENTS

Members considered a recommendation of the Recreation, Leisure & Open Spaces Committee (Minute OS/5027 b) requesting funds for the clearance of a waste area on Southampton Road site in order to create new allotment plots.

RESOLVED:  That the request of the Recreation, Leisure & Open Spaces Committee for expenditure of £2,000 (to be met from reserves, if virement cannot be found within the Committee’s budget) to clear the site on Southampton Road and create two half size allotment plots be approved.

F/4317 RED DIESEL

Members considered the request of the Recreation, Leisure & Open Spaces Committee (Minute OS/5033) to authorise approximately £1,000 for the acquisition of a storage tank for white diesel. Cllr Chard advised that it will be necessary to use white diesel for the Town Council’s tractors which need to travel on the roads, now that red diesel cannot be used.

The Town Clerk stated that use of the storage tank will lead to savings compared with buying white diesel from a garage. The tank will be kept in a secure interior location and detailed records of usage maintained. The Chairman commented that it is possible the Government will amend the legislation on red diesel and that the National Association of Local Councils is working on this issue, therefore expenditure should be delayed unless absolutely necessary.

RESOLVED:  That the request of the Recreation, Leisure & Open Spaces Committee for expenditure of up to £1,000 for the purchase of a storage tank for white diesel be approved.

F/4318 BUS STOP – EASTFIELD LANE

Members considered the question of the continued provision of a bus stop on the east side of Eastfield Lane. It was agreed that this is an absolute necessity and that the current location is the best and safest. Urgent action is necessary as Ringwood residents are being forced to wait for buses in the road due to the dispute with the adjacent property owner about the location of the bus stop. It was noted that the County Council are in the process of taking legal action.9

RESOLVED: 

1. That the Town Council strongly supports the need for the existing bus stop on the east side of Eastfield Lane;
   
   and
   
   
2. That the County Council be urged to resolve the issues with regard to the provision of the bus stop as a matter of priority.

F/4319 ROAD SAFETY OUTSIDE RINGWOOD SCHOOL

As a result of a recent serious accident involving a student, Ringwood School has organised a Parents’ Focus Group meeting to be held on Wednesday 19 November to discuss the school’s travel plan and broader safety issues. Members discussed the serious traffic problems in the area and several were keen to attend the meeting.

The Student Advisors commented on the horrific traffic problems around the school due to lack of parking and the unhelpful new priority system instigated by the adjacent Recreation Centre. They also raised concerns about Cloughs Road which has no pavement and is frequently used by students.

RESOLVED:  That Cllr Rippon-Swaine be appointed to attend the Parents’ Focus Group meeting on Road Safety outside Ringwood School on 19 November 2008.

F/4320 PRIVATE ACTS OF PARLIAMENT – ILLEGAL STREET TRADING
 
Manchester City Council, along with Bournemouth Borough Council and others, are promoting private Acts of Parliament to address the growing problem of illegal street trading in their areas. Blocking techniques are being used to stop the Bills’ progress. The Town Council has been asked if it will encourage its local MPs to attend the debate in the House on the 29 October and vote in favour of a closure motion, should one be moved, which should have the effect of allowing these private Acts to proceed.

Illegal street vendors can be a problem for Ringwood especially at Carnival / Festival time and although Ringwood would not benefit immediately, if the private Acts were successful, it may well benefit in future.

RESOLVED:  That local MP Mr Desmond Swayne be informed of the private Acts of Parliament relating to illegal street trading and encouraged to attend the debate in the House on 29 October 2008.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.58pm.