Apologies

All members were present

Declarations of Interest

Cllr Chard declared a personal interest in relation to Ringwood Town Football Club (see minute OS/5014). Cllr Wiseman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to Ringwood Town Football Club (see minute OS/5014).

Present:

Cllr N J Chard (Chairman)
Cllr P Chambers
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr L C Ford
Cllr G J O’Reilly
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr M J Urwin
Cllr A C Wiseman

In Attendance:

Terry Simpson, Town Clerk
Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk

OS/5009 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 June 2008, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

OS/5010 Paths to Partnership

Members considered an invitation from Hampshire Countryside Access Forum to attend a half-day conference ‘Paths to Partnership: working with parishes to manage your green places and rights of way’ on Thursday 9 October in Alton.

RESOLVED: That Cllrs Ford and Wiseman attend the conference, together with one officer, and that reasonable travel expenses be paid.

OS/5011 Folly Farm

Members agreed that, following a site visit to Folly Farm earlier in the day, further information would be required prior to a decision being taken on the future management of the woodland. As suggested by the Council’s arboriculture adviser, it was agreed that a full assessment should be carried out to identify possible uses of the site, including an estimate of the costs associated with future maintenance and any improvement works recommended.

This assessment should include maintenance of the roads adjoining the site, which were also in the Council’s ownership. It should also include details of how the Council’s responsibilities under Health and Safety legislation could be met and liabilities reduced. It was suggested that there may be grants available to carry out some of the work.

The Town Clerk advised Members that they would need to consider the cost to Ringwood ratepayers, bearing in mind that the woodland was not within the parish boundary. He added that the area was protected and would remain as a wooded area available for use by residents, regardless of who owned the land.

RECOMMENDED TO POLICY & FINANCE COMMMITTEE:

That funding be made available for a full assessment of land at Folly Farm to be carried out in order to determine how the woodland could be managed in the future, prior to the Recreation, Leisure & Open Spaces Committee giving further consideration to the future of the site.

OS/5012 Town Centre Roundabout

The Town Clerk reported that Graham George would be willing to assist the Council in landscaping the town centre roundabout and plans would be drawn up soon for approval by the Committee.

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk’s report be noted.

OS/5013 Carvers – Car Parking

Members considered a request from the Festival Pedal Car Group to use Carvers Recreation Ground as overflow parking on Sunday 13 July.

It was noted that the Malcolm Daly Memorial Cricket Match would be taking place on this day and therefore there would be no parking available.

RESOLVED: That the request from the Festival Pedal Car Group be refused.

OS/5014 Ringwood Town Football Club

Cllr Chard declared a personal interest as Secretary of Bisterne Football Club and Cllr Wiseman declared a personal and prejudicial interest as she lives near to the Football Club.

Cllr Wiseman left the room.

The Town Clerk reported that he had not had any further information from the Football Club, but that a meeting was being arranged to discuss outstanding issues.

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk’s report be noted.

Cllr Wiseman rejoined the meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded at 7.25pm.