Present:

Cllr L C Ford (Town Mayor)
Cllr B H Terry (Deputy Town Mayor)
Cllr N R G Clarke
Cllr J Heron
Cllr Mrs G O’Reilly
Cllr W S Rippon-Swaine
Cllr M A Steele
Cllr Mrs J Terry
Cllr Mrs M Urwin
Cllr Mrs A Wiseman
Cllr Mrs B Woodifield

In Attendance:

Mrs J Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk
Ms C Perrens, Meetings Administrator
District Cllr C Treleaven

C/5020 Apologies

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr N J Chard, Cllr D Cole and Cllr P Chambers.

C/5021 Declarations of Interest

There were none declared at this time.

C/5022 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Meeting held on 31st March 2010, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

C/5023 Presentation

The Town Mayor welcomed Inspector James Douglas. The Inspector introduced himself to Members; he had been a police officer for ten years, and was previously an army officer. He was responsible for the whole Ringwood and Fordingbridge area. He commented on the reduction of overall crime figures. He welcomed the Home Office move to give the police more discretion to enable them to communicate with the local community on concerns and prioritising local needs and he asked Members for feedback. The focus would be to improve direct communication, allowing for contact with local officers.

There would also be an anti-social behaviour campaign. Communication would be improved with regular e-mail bulletins, as well as the website. The New Forest Journal would have a regular police column. He answered questions from Members. The Town Mayor thanked him for his time and requested that copies of the Inspector’s contact details be circulated to all Members.

C/5024 Recreation, Leisure and Open Spaces Committee

Cllr Brian Terry presented the minutes of the Recreation, Leisure and Open Spaces Committee meeting held on 7th April 2010.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Recreation, Leisure and Open Spaces Committee meeting held on 7th April 2010 be received.

C/5025 Planning, Town & Environment Committee

Cllr Clarke presented the minutes of the Planning, Town & Environment Committee meeting held on 9th April 2010.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Planning, Town & Environment Committee meeting held on 9th April 2010 be received.

C/5026 Policy & Finance Committee

Cllr Heron presented the minutes of the Policy & Finance Committee meeting held on 21st April 2010. An omission had come to light in the minutes relating to a grant for Avon Valley Concerts - Minute F/4566 - GRANT AID. He proposed that the Minute be amended to include the following text:- 6) That, under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, a grant of £200 be awarded to Avon Valley Concerts, for concerts in Ringwood.

There was also a Recommendation F/4568 THE MOUNT, POULNER : That Members consider whether to ask the District Council to release a sum of £5,000 from developers’ contributions for a feasibility study into improvements to The Mount, Poulner.

Cllr Heron had visited the Mount and reported that this was a small, rough area, currently well-used by local people, including dog walkers and young people. He did not support expenditure to change the area, apart from some remedial work, such as better drainage of Narrow Lane for pedestrian access. Other Members had visited the Mount and further discussion took place about the future of this area. Members unanimously agreed that they were not in favour of a feasibility study. Members felt it was not the best place to develop as a tourist attraction due to lack of parking, limitation of access and concerns about the possible requirement for increased maintenance. Although a pleasant area, it could not compete with nearby New Forest sites.

RESOLVED:
1) That the minutes of the Policy & Finance Committee meeting held on 21st April 2010 be received, with the amendment to Minute F/4566 outlined above;

2) That, further to Recommendation F/4568, a request for £5,000 from developers’ contributions for a feasibility study into improvements to The Mount, Poulner, be not approved;

and

3) That the Recreation, Leisure & Open Spaces Committee be requested to consider seeking developers’ contributions for improvements to the access track to the Mount, through minor drainage works to the south end of Narrow Lane, without destroying the character of the Lane.

C/5027 Gateway Project Board

Members were asked to consider appointment of one Councillor to represent the Town Council on the Gateway Project Board.

RESOLVED: That Cllr Rippon-Swaine be appointed to the Gateway Project Board.

C/5028 Communications to be Received

The Town Mayor reported that Hampshire County Council would be carrying out works to improve the bus stop outside Number 69 Eastfield Lane. This would be a trial for three months. Cllr Rippon-Swaine welcomed this news, which he said was the result of negotiation between residents and the County Council, as the ownership of the land in question had been in dispute for a long time.

C/5029 Reports from County and District Councillors

County Councillor Rippon-Swaine presented his written report (Annex ‘A’).

District Councillor Treleaven presented his written report (Annex ‘B’). Further to paragraph 3 of the report regarding fly-posting, the Town Mayor commented to Cllr Treleaven that she personally disapproved of excessive banners which distracted drivers and spoilt the look of the Town, although short-term charity advertising could be tolerated.

District Councillor Heron had no further comments, but supported the Town Mayor’s position relating to fly-posting.

District Councillor Ford reported that much time had been spent by Ringwood Councillors at various meetings relating to the future of the Visitor Information Centre, which would as a result be kept open. She said that the new modern-design public conveniences at Keyhaven had been opened, and that after initial concerns, the local council was very pleased. She hoped the same design could be used for Ringwood. She also reported that the District Council was looking at how to address issues such as fly-tipping, dog fouling and cars for sale on verges, utilising powers in the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act.

C/5030 Forthcoming Meetings

There being no further business, the Town Mayor closed the meeting at 7.50pm.

RECEIVED AND ADOPTED