Apologies

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Beth Scrivens, Student Adviser. Cllr Mrs Ford indicated that she would have to leave the meeting at about 7.45pm.

Declarations of Interest

Cllr Chard, Cllr Wiseman and Mr Eldred declared personal and prejudicial interests in Ringwood Town Football Club (see minute OS/4999).

The Chairman welcomed new Cllr B Woodifield who was attending to help inform her decision on which Committees to join.

Present:

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

In Attendance:

Terry Simpson, Town Clerk
Claire Perrens, Meetings Administrator
Richard Eldred, Technical Officer
Cllr B Woodifield

OS/4989 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2008, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

OS/4990 Cllr D Cracknell

Members considered the naming of land in memory of the late Cllr D Cracknell, as a tribute to his contribution to the Town.

RECOMMENDED: That the Pocket Park, Bickerley, and the recently acquired adjoining land be named in memory of the late Cllr D Cracknell.

OS/4991 Planter – Near Ringwood Physiotherapy, Southampton Road

Members received the Town Clerk’s report on vandalism affecting the planter (Annex ‘A’) and subsequent comments from the Police were also circulated.

RESOLVED: That the planter be retained in its current location on Southampton Road.

OS/4992 Carvers Pavillion - Refurbishment

The Technical Officer presented his report on progress, which had been circulated previously.

RESOLVED: That the Technical Officer’s report be noted (Annex ‘B’).

OS/4993 Cemetery Extension

The Town Clerk reported on progress with the plans for extension of the Cemetery. A technical feasibility report prepared for the Council by NFDC Capital Projects Manager was presented at the Meeting. As the costings may exceed the agreed budget available (£40,000), funding could be again sought from the District Council, in the light of the fact that the District Council was incurring significant expenditure on other cemeteries for which it was responsible. Ringwood’s residents were meeting some of the costs as part of their District Council Tax. It was therefore reasonable that the District should contribute to the Town Council’s capital costs. All affected allotment holders have been given formal notice of plans for change of use from allotment to cemetery use.

RECOMMENDED to Policy & Finance Committee :

1) That the Cemetery Extension Feasibility Report including the estimated costs and recommendations therein (section 7) be approved.

2) That in view of the District Council’s refusal to deal with the double taxation issues relating to cemeteries, further consideration be given to the means by which the District could be persuaded to make a significant contribution to the capital works.

3) That the Feasibility Report be circulated to all Members with the Agenda for the Policy & Finance Meeting on 21 May.

OS/4994 Cemetery Management Course

A course on cemetery management is available run by the Society of Local Council Clerks costing £85 per person attending. Members are welcome to attend.

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk and Office Manager be authorised to attend the cemetery management course held at Taunton, together with one Councillor.

OS/4995 Litter Bins in Poulner

A resident in Poulner had highlighted litter problems at the Council’s Open Space off Kingfisher Way and requested the provision of more litter bins. Funds could be taken from the general grounds maintenance budget.

RESOLVED: That a litter bin be installed at the Poulner Play Area near Kingfisher Way on the hard standing at a cost of £211.

OS/4996 Dog Bin

An extra dog waste bin had been requested to be sited on Castleman Trail due to high volume of use, at a cost of £57.50 (bin) and £39 (post).

RESOLVED: That an extra dog waste bin be purchased for Castleman Trail, behind Riverside.

OS/4997 Carvers Recreation Ground Donation

Members considered whether to accept a private donation of a seat in memory of the late Cllr Daly and funds from the Ringwood Carnival Committee and local shops for a seat donated in memory of Roy Carter.

RESOLVED: That seats donated in memory of Cllr Daly and Mr Carter be accepted and situated at Carvers Recreation Ground.

OS/4998 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 (Confidential Annex ‘C’)

Cllr Ford left the meeting before minute OS/4999 was discussed at 19:45.

OS/4999 Ringwood Town Football Club

The Town Clerk reported on a meeting with the Football Club to discuss the rent review and the condition of the Club’s Pavilion.

Cllr Chard declared a personal and prejudicial interest as Chairman of the Bisterne United Football Club.

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

Richard Eldred, the Technical Officer, declared a personal and prejudicial interest as he is a Committee member of the Rifle Club which sub-leases from the Football Club.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, Cllr Chard, Cllr Wiseman and Mr Eldred made statements and answered questions and left the meeting at 20:13pm prior to final discussions and a decision being made.

RESOLVED:

1) That Cllr Cole, Cllr Terry and Cllr Urwin be appointed to a Football Club Working Party to negotiate with the Club to improve facilities and to discuss the rent review issues;

and

RECOMMENDED to Policy & Finance Committee :

2) That the action taken with respect to the rent review and the Council’s possible involvement in issues with regard to the Pavilion be supported.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded at 20:32pm.