There were ten members of the public present, including two councillors from New Milton Town Council.

Present:

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

In Attendance:

Mr T Simpson, Town Clerk
Mrs J Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk
Maisie Jenkinson, Student Advisor

Prior to the meeting, the Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr D Cole, Cllr M A Steele and Cllr Mrs M Urwin.

C/5062 Declarations of Interest

There were none declared at this time.

C/5063 Minutes of Previous Meetings

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Meeting held on 30th June 2010, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

C/5064 Planning, Town & Environment Committee

Cllr Clarke presented the minutes of the Planning, Town & Environment Committee meeting held on 2nd July 2010.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Planning, Town & Environment Committee meeting held on 2nd July 2010 be received.

C/5065 Recreation, Leisure and Open Spaces Committee

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

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

C/5066 Policy & Finance Committee

Cllr Heron presented the minutes of the Policy & Finance Committee meeting held on 21st July 2010.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Policy & Finance Committee meeting held on 21st July 2010 be received.

C/5067 Communications to be Received

The Town Mayor reported the following:

1. On Saturday 17th July, the Council’s grounds staff had discovered over 100 four inch lengths of barbed wire, some rusty saw blades and small pieces of glass bottles, which had been deliberately and maliciously placed at the play area on Carvers Recreation Ground. It was shocking to think that the victims of this vandalism could have been the small children who are the main users of that area. A reward was being offered for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.

2. The Council’s ‘Kids’ Capers’ play scheme started on Monday. It was being held every Monday and Thursday, from 10am until 12 noon, until 26th August 2010 at Carvers Recreation Ground. Once again there would be no charge for children attending. There would also be two ‘teens sessions’ on Monday 2nd August and Monday 16th August, from 12.30 – 2.30pm with a small ‘Big Top’.

3. The Skate Park had now had its £5,000 upgrade, thanks to funding from the Town Council and a £1,000 grant from County Councillor Steve Rippon-Swaine. A press release would be issued next week, following a photo call.

4. Hampshire Wildlife Trust was holding a family wildlife discovery day at the Town Council’s Poulner Lakes Common on 26th August from 10am-3pm.

5. Approval had been given by Natural England for limited public access to the proposed Raymond Brown Nature Reserve. An assessment was under way to see if the project could be delivered within Natural England’s restrictions.

6. The Minister for Children and Young People had heard about the Student Advisor scheme and had expressed an interest in visiting the town. The Town Clerk was trying to arrange this, in liaison with Ringwood School and Desmond Swayne MP.

7. Congratulations to Kieron Bull, the Mayor’s Cadet in the last municipal year, who had been cleared for flying and would be joining RAF Cranwell in September for officer training.

8. A card had been received from Maisie Jenkinson and Ashley Finch thanking Members for their support during their time as Student Advisors, which they had thoroughly enjoyed.

The Town Mayor thanked Maisie and presented her with a certificate and small gift.

C/5068 Reports from County and District Councillors

County Councillor Rippon-Swaine presented his report (Annex A). He reported that the resurfacing work in Christchurch Road would be carried out by the end of the financial year and would cover the area between Parkside and Willow Drive. On the subject of concessionary fares, he said that during consultation the top priority was to retain the all day bus pass, although this may not be viable.

Cllr Heron said that the District Council had introduced the all day pass in an effort to reduce car usage and increase the use of public transport. He hoped therefore that the County Council would be able to retain this. Cllr Heron asked if any action was being taken to address safety issues on the A338 Ringwood to Salisbury road, following another tragic death.

Cllr Rippon-Swaine replied that there was no pattern to the accidents, aside from driver error, and it was therefore difficult to determine any particular safety measures. However, the County Council was carrying out a general review of speed limits on all A and B roads.

District Councillor Treleaven had given his apologies for the meeting, but had submitted a written report (Annex B). Cllr Heron commented that, whilst he supported developer contributions, he did not think it appropriate for one public body to pay another and, in the case of the Town Council, this would be moving funds away from grass roots level, which was contrary to government principles.

It was noted that a report on developers’ contributions would be discussed at the Planning, Town & Environment Committee on Friday 30th July.

The Town Clerk reported that, as a result of intervention by the Town Council, the Town Access Plan would now be adopted by the District Council as a Supplementary Planning Document, following a period of public consultation.

District Councillor Ford presented her report (Annex C).

District Councillor Heron was disappointed that central government had withdrawn funding for free swimming for under 16s earlier than the agreed term. As a result, the District Council had proposed to withdraw these free swims from the beginning of the school summer holidays. This had been agreed by the Portfolio Holder and was now subject to a call-in period. The District Council was, however, looking to continue to provide swimming at the lowest possible cost.

C/5069 Forthcoming Meetings

There being no further business, the Town Mayor closed the meeting at 7.37pm.

RECEIVED AND ADOPTED
29TH SEPTEMBER 2010