Open Session:

There were eight members of the public present. A group of five from the Shieling Trust wished to comment on Land at Folly Farm (see minute OS/5016). Three others were present to hear the debate concerning Ringwood Town Football Club Clubhouse (see minute OS/5020).

Apologies

All members were present

Declarations of Interest

Cllr O’Reilly declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Social Club / Scouts Land Acquisition
(see minute OS/5024).

Cllr Wiseman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Ringwood Town Football Club (see minute OS/5020).

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
Claire Perrens, Meetings Administrator

OS/5015 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2008, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

OS/5016 Land at Folly Farm

The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Town Clerk had met previously with the Shieling Trust to discuss their proposals to lease the land at Folly Farm from the Town Council at a ‘peppercorn’ rent and take over maintenance.

The Shieling Trust incorporates the Lantern Community and a number of schools some with a focus on special needs. Representatives of the Trust provided members with information on their current informal maintenance of pathways and the access road and their future ideas for using the land. These included working with other charities on wildlife and environmental projects, incorporating education, which is the key focus of the Trust. This will be for the benefit of their organisation and its beneficiaries, but also for the general public. They stressed this would ideally be a partnership with the Town Council.
Members were given the opportunity to ask further questions and general approval of the proposals was expressed.

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk be authorised to negotiate with the Shieling Trust, and carry out appropriate consultations, in order to put together a detailed proposal for members’ consideration.

OS/5017 Seats on the Bickerley

In February 2007, a Working Party of Cllrs Chard, Cole and Daly was established to recommend the location and type of a seat for the Bickerley, in consultation with Mr Deacock, who had offered to contribute towards costs.

RESOLVED: That Cllr Ford be appointed to replace the late Cllr Daly on the Working Party on seats for the Bickerley.

OS/5018 Renovation of Headstones

Churches Together in Ringwood had expressed an interest in restoring a small number of old headstones at Ringwood Cemetery. The work would be undertaken at their cost, and comply with necessary standards and insurance requirements. The Town Council would only need to make efforts to contact any surviving relatives prior to work commencing.

RESOLVED: That the proposals for the renovation of headstones by Churches Together in Ringwood be approved.

OS/5019 Vehicle Sheds at Carvers Recreation Ground

Following the recent theft of equipment requiring an insurance claim in the region of £2,000, the Town Clerk put forward various options for providing a secure cage or cabin to safeguard equipment stored at Carvers Recreation Ground.

Members considered the best option to be a secure container, painted green, which could be installed on existing concrete at a cost of around £1,000. This would not cause any disturbance or loss of amenity to neighbours.

RESOLVED: That a secure container be obtained at a cost of around £1,000 for Carvers Recreation Ground.

OS/5020 Ringwood Town Football Club Clubhouse

Cllr Wiseman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item as she lives near to the Football Club.

Prior to leaving the meeting, and in accordance with the provisions in the Code of Conduct, Cllr Wiseman stated there were still problems with the Club failing to warn neighbours of forthcoming social events, and failing to keep the gates shut after social events. She is concerned about the impact of an increase in social events following refurbishment of the Clubhouse.

Cllr Wiseman left the room and took no part in the discussion and voting.

Two members of the public present who live near the Football Club also commented on an incident when they were disturbed at 5am and their concerns for future social events at the Clubhouse.

Members considered the proposals and costings, in the region of £20,000, put forward by the Football Club for refurbishment of the Clubhouse. It was noted that these have been provided in order of requirement, with essential work to repair the roof having top priority. Whilst the Town Council may be able to provide some funding, the Football Club would also need to make efforts to obtain funds from other sources.

RESOLVED:

1) That the Football Club Working Group be authorised to further progress negotiations on refurbishment of the Clubhouse;

and

2) That a funding plan providing proposed sources of grants and donations be requested;

and

3) That a copy of Football Club financial statement be provided;

and

4) That efforts be made to improve soundproofing of the Clubhouse.

Cllr Wiseman rejoined the meeting.

Agenda Item 7 - Social Club / Scouts Land Acquisition was deferred until the end of the meeting as it was considered to be confidential.

OS/5021 Request to Purchase Land in Hightown Road

Members considered a request for the Town Council to purchase land to the rear of 144-150 Hightown Road (land is subject of planning application 92514 for 8 dwellings, which has been approved by the Planning, Town & Environment Committee) in order that this may be used as a communal area of open space for residents. The land in question will have a high premium as it is suitable for development and would therefore cost in the region of £500,000.

RESOLVED: That the request to purchase the land in Hightown Road be refused.

OS/5022 Allotments

The Town Clerk reported on the current programme in place to ensure that allotment holders work their allotments properly. Inspections had been carried out using the Gardening Club scoring system for the best-kept allotment. Given the long waiting list for an allotment it was unfair if allotments were left ‘fallow’ or if nettles/weeds were not controlled. Allotment holders not meeting the standards required were given warnings or notice to quit, or in some cases offered a half plot.

RESOLVED: That the programme to ensure allotments are fully utilised and maintained be supported.

OS/5023 EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted, it was advisable in the public interest that the press and public be temporarily excluded and they were instructed to withdraw (Annex ‘A’ attached).

OS/5024 Social Club /Scouts Land Acquisition

Cllr O’Reilly declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item, as she lives close to the land in question.

Prior to leaving the meeting, and in accordance with the provisions in the Code of Conduct, Cllr O’Reilly made a statement expressing concern about future development of the site.

Cllr O’Reilly left the room and took no part in the discussion and voting.

The Town Clerk reported on the negotiations with the Scout organisation and the Social Club regarding land adjacent to the Bickerley. The purpose is to acquire this land which will help create a ‘Riverside Footpath’; an idea which was supported by the public in the Town Plan.

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk be authorised to enter into negotiations to acquire the land for the Riverside Walk from the Social Club and from the Scouts.

Cllr O’Reilly rejoined the meeting.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.20pm.