Open Session:

There were five members of the public present.

Present:

Cllr N R G Clarke (Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr L C Ford
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr A Wiseman (2.10pm-4.35pm)

In Attendence:

Terry Simpson, Town Clerk
Claire Perrens, Meetings Administrator
Ashley Finch, Student Advisor
Rachel Giles, Student Advisor
Cllr S Rippon-Swaine

P/4672 Apologies

The Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Cole and Cllr Steele.

P/4673 Declarations of Interest

There were none.

P/4674 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 June 2009, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

As there were members of the public wishing to speak, Item 10 on the Agenda was brought forward.

P/4675 Southampton Road Environmental Improvements

Members considered the results of the public consultation (attached as Annex ‘A’).There were concerns about the nature of Artworks proposed and more detail was requested. The removal of the zebra crossing had caused some disquiet and this would need careful consideration.

A member of the public, John Reading, representing the Blind & Partially Sighted Group in Ringwood, spoke to raise concerns about the scheme, especially the proposed removal of the pedestrian crossing and whether the ‘shared space’ would be safe for the blind/partially sighted. He had not been able to find out the name of the Disability Co-ordinator for the area.

The Town Clerk commented that if the area is made access-only, and the buses are re-routed, the shared space will be very safe. New Forest District Council employ Disability Advisors, who should be involved with this scheme.

RESOLVED:

1) That contact details for the area Disability Advisor be passed to Mr Reading;

2) That further consultation be invited from the Blind & Partially Sighted Group and the NFDC Disability Advisor as the scheme progresses;

3) That the results of the public consultation be noted;

and

4) That the Principal Landscape Architect be advised that at the meeting of the Council on 29th July, members would particularly appreciate her comments on the following issues:

a) Has sufficient consideration been given to the blind and partially sighted?

b) How does the Shared Space work in practice elsewhere?

c) It is not clear to everyone the direction of traffic using Southampton Road and if the road is to remain two-way, appropriate signage should be installed

d) If Southampton Road is to be made into a one-way street, a one-way sign is needed at Friday’s Cross

e) The report suggests that the Bus Company can veto the proposal to close Southampton Road to traffic. Is this correct and if so what legislation gives the Bus Company that power?

f) What is involved with the art work proposed?

g) Should the removal of the zebra crossing be dependent on the road being made ‘access only’?

h) The pavements could be widened if buses no longer turn down Southampton Road, which would be safer for pedestrians, wheelchairs etc.

P/4676 Planning Applications

Whilst Cllr Rippon-Swaine was present during the consideration of the Planning Applications, he took no part in the discussion or decision making on any of the applications, nor expressed a view on any of them.

He indicated his presence related to another item on the Agenda for the Meeting and if he took any part in the consideration of the Planning Applications, it could prejudice his position if any of the applications had to be referred to the District Planning Development Control Committee.

Members considered planning applications in respect of periods ending 17th June, 24th June, 1st July and 8th July 2009.

APPLICATION NUMBER 09/94214

This application was brought forward as two members of the public wished to comment. They were concerned that the applicant wished to use 21 High Street (formerly a shoe shop) as a beauty salon.

There were already a large number of such businesses in Town and they were particularly worried given the current difficult economic climate.

APPLICATION NUMBER 09/94144

This application was brought forward as Mrs Sullivan wished to make comments on behalf of the residents of Oakley Court, the neighbouring block of flats.

The particular concern of residents was the proposed shared access, car parking and access onto the main road.

RESOLVED: That the observations summarised in Annex ‘B’ be submitted.

P/4677 Appeal Regarding 9 and 11 Mount Pleasent Lane

Members considered an appeal in respect of Application No 09/93755:- 2 pairs of semi-detached dwellings; parking.

RESOLVED: That no further comment be made.

P/4678 Ringwood School Student Parking

The Student Advisors, Ashley Finch and Rachel Giles, presented a proposal to address the problem of parking for students at Ringwood School (Annex ‘C’).

The Chairman congratulated the students on bringing this before the Committee.

He recommended that they further develop a ‘business case’ which should include a forecast of likely demand for parking spaces; it should quantify the nature of need (how long and at what times is parking required); and it should show what financial benefit there might be for the owners of either the Leisure Centre or any other car parking area which might be considered.

He suggested a £10 per annum parking pass for vehicles restricted to school hours only, when the car park is not busy.

The Town Clerk commented that this proposal, if successful, would help alleviate traffic congestion at the School and he was pleased to see that the Student Advisors had taken the initiative on this issue.

Cllr Wiseman suggested that any parking passes should only be available to those travelling from outside the Town.

Cllr Rippon-Swaine had attended the meeting to comment as County and District representative. He supported the Student Advisors’ proposals and commented that he was working with the Leisure Centre and School to resolve the major issues with dropping off and parking at school opening/closing times.

The Chairman thanked the Student Advisors; as they were finishing in July, this matter could be taken forward by their replacements.

RESOLVED:

1) That the new Student Advisors appointed for September be invited to draft more detailed proposals as outlined above;

and

2) That parking passes where agreed should only be available to students travelling from outside Ringwood.

P/4679 Inn on the Furlong Licence

Members considered an application from Inn on the Furlong, 12 Meeting House Lane, for variation of premises licence as follows:

i) To extend the terminal hour for live and recorded music from 23:00hrs to midnight daily

ii) To amend the opening hours to enable the premises to open from 08:30hrs and to amend the closing hours to 01:00hrs daily

iii) To remove the condition in the operating schedule stating, ‘Live music and recorded music will end at 23:00hrs to avoid nuisance’.

Cllr Wiseman raised concerns of residents living on the access roads to the Town Centre about the potential for anti-social behaviour and noise disturbance if the opening hours are extended as proposed.

RESOLVED:

1) That the application to amend the opening time to 08:30 hours be supported;

2) That objection be made to the proposal to amend closing hours to 01:00hrs daily; and

3) That an objection be made to the application to remove the condition that live or recorded music should cease at 23:00 hrs.

P/4680 Speeding Indicator Devive (SID) Funding 2009/2010

Members considered the Deputy Town Clerk’s report (attached as Annex ‘D’) regarding the New Forest District Council’s request for contributions towards the costs of SIDs.

RESOLVED:

1) That the District Council be informed that the Town Council has no funding available for the deployment of SIDs and SLRs or the purchase of sleeves in 2009/10;

and

2) That the Town Council would wish to be informed of any deployments that require funding and be given the opportunity to find the required funding if necessary.

P/4681 Town Access Plan

Members received an update following the stakeholder workshops held on 2nd July (Annex ‘E’).

RESOLVED:

1) That the report be noted;

and

2) That NFDC be asked to adopt the Town Access Plan as Supplementary Planning Guidance and if they decline that they be asked to provide evidence to support their decision.

As it was the Student Advisors last meeting, the Chairman thanked Rachel Giles and Ashley Finch for their contributions, and The Town Mayor presented them with Certificates of Attendance.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 5.05pm.

RECEIVED AND ADOPTED

29th July 2009

TOWN MAYOR

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN