Apologies

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

Declarations of Interest

Cllr Chard declared a personal interest in relation to Ringwood Town Football Club (see minute OS/5001).
Cllr Wiseman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to Ringwood Town Football Club
(see minutes OS/5001 and OS/5002).
Cllr Cole declared a personal interest in relation to The Bickerley/Castleman Trail (see minute OS/5003).

Present:

Cllr N J Chard (Chairman)
Cllr P Chambers
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr L C Ford
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr A C Wiseman

In Attendance:

Terry Simpson, Town Clerk
Claire Perrens, Meetings Administrator
Beth Scrivens, Student Advisor
Hannah Madge, Student Advisor

OS/5000 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on 7 May and 14 May 2008, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

OS/5001 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.

The Football Club wished to build covered standing accommodation for 50 spectators and separate dugouts for 8 people, in order to comply with the FA Ground Grading regulations. As there was pressure to do this quickly for compliance, work had been started without the necessary consent of the Town Council, but this was noticed and reported by Cllr Wiseman. Following communications with the Town Clerk, subsequent consultation by the Football Club with the District Council had indicated that as expected planning permission would probably be required. The Town Clerk had therefore instructed the Football Club to cease work until further notice.

Cllr Wiseman made a statement expressing concerns about the Football Club’s actions and the viability of the current proposals for the stands. In accordance with the Code of Conduct, Cllr Wiseman then left the room prior to the Committee discussing the proposal and a decision being made.

Members discussed the issues in further detail and concluded that, whilst the works should be approved in principle, more information was necessary and that it was in any case impossible that the Football Club would obtain planning permission by their deadline.

RESOLVED:

1) that the proposed works for provision of a covered standing area for spectators and new dug-outs be approved in principle,

and

2) that further information be sought from the Football Club and upon receipt, the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Football Club Working Party (Cllrs Cole, Terry and Urwin), be authorised to determine whether final approval should be given for the work.

Cllr Wiseman rejoined the meeting.

OS/5002 Long Lane

The Town Clerk reported progress on proposals to provide car parking to support Ten Acre Field. An application has been made for planning permission for more car parking.

Cllr Wiseman declared a personal and prejudicial interest as she lives close to Long Lane. She made a statement expressing concerns about who would benefit from the proposed parking provision and then left the meeting.

The car park will be available to users of the sports facilities at Ten Acre Field and this will alleviate problems of parking along Long Lane, which will be of benefit to local residents. However, none of the local residents had offered to provide written evidence to support the application.

RESOLVED: That it be noted that an application for planning permission for car parking at Long Lane is in hand.

Cllr Wiseman rejoined the meeting.

OS/5003 The Bickerley / Castleman Trail

Cllr Cole declared a personal interest as he lives in the Bickerley area.

The Town Clerk reported on a meeting with Hampshire County Council (HCC) on plans to improve The Bickerley / Castleman Trail.

HCC are happy to work with the Town Council to provide a stile or gate to access land adjoining the millstream; there will be restrictions to protect wildlife at certain times of the year and it would be necessary to agree arrangements with Natural England. HCC are considering provision of an interpretation board in the area of the trail. The Town Council has funds in this year’s budget to provide a stile or gate.

At the Christchurch Road end, there is a proposal to install a ramp suitable for wheelchairs which will provide access from The Bickerley Village Green to Castleman Trail. Steps could also be installed near the viaduct to provide access from the recently constructed flood defence bund which many members of the public use as a footpath.

Cllr Cole said that in past years access had been gained by walking underneath the Viaduct, and gravel had been laid. Members felt this might be worth considering again, although limited to dry weather use.

The fencing along the Viaduct is in need of attention. HCC may have to take action for health and safety reasons and recharge the owners (Sustrans), as they have not responded to requests to improve/repair the fencing.

Negotiations are progressing well regarding future maintenance of grassed edges to Castleman Trail.

RESOLVED: That the progress made with HCC on the various issues relating to The Bickerley / Castleman Trail be noted and the proposals approved.

OS/5004 Management of Trees

The Town Clerk referred to the original tree survey carried out on the Council’s land about three years previously and reported that he had now met with the arboriculturalist again to determine arrangements for future works. Major surveys were not required on most sites because the original surveys had been very thorough but it was believed that special attention should be given to the Cemetery, Castleman Way estate and Folly Farm, in view of the number of trees on those sites.

RESOLVED: That the proposals for carrying forward the management of trees on the Council’s land be approved.

OS/5005 Folly Farm

Members noted that the original proposal to visit the Town Council’s site at Folly Farm had been cancelled due to bad weather.

RESOLVED:
1) That a visit to Folly Farm be organised for Wednesday 2 July, meeting at 10am at the Council Offices,

and

2) That all Councillors be invited.

OS/5006 Town Centre Roundabout

The Town Clerk reported that there had been a disappointing response to providing shrubs for the roundabout from local garden centres apart from one (Golden Acres) and a further report would be made at a future meeting. Cllr Wiseman agreed to contact a possible provider known to her.

RESOLVED: That efforts be continued to acquire a suitable provider of a design and suitable shrubs for the roundabout.

OS/5007 Carvers Recreation Ground – Skate Park

A request had been made by users of the Skate Park for consent to hold a skateboard competition day. Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are likely to be involved in the organisation of the event. This would be most likely in September. Local residents will need to be informed well in advance.

The Student Advisors, Beth Scrivens and Hannah Madge, were in favour of the idea which they felt would be very popular with younger people.

RESOLVED: That in principle the idea of a Skateboard Competition at Carvers Recreation Ground be supported and that the details be agreed with the Committee Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the Town Clerk in due course.

OS/5008 Student Advisor

This being Student Advisor Beth Scriven’s last meeting, the Chairman thanked her for her contribution and attendance at Committee meetings and wished her good luck for the future.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded at 7.57pm.