Open Session:
There were three members of the public present.
Present:
Cllr N R G Clarke (Chairman)
Cllr M A Steele (Vice-Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr Mrs J Terry
In Attendence:
Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk
Ed Fullick, Student Advisor
The Deputy Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr L C Ford, Cllr A Wiseman and Cllr B Woodifield.
P/4779 Declarations of Interest
There were none declared at this time.
P/4780 Minutes of Previous Meeting
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meetings held on 26th May and 4th June 2010, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.
For the benefit of the members of public present, agenda items 6 and 7 were considered next.
P/4781 Bus Stop – Southampton Road
Members considered a petition from residents for the provision of a bus shelter in Southampton Road (northside) adjacent to 6 Whitehart Fields. The previous bus shelter had been vandalised and as a result had to be demolished in 2005.
Members had previously considered its replacement in 2006. At that time, there had been some opposition from residents living in the area concerned that a new shelter would again attract groups of youths. Also, the cost of a suitable shelter, with back and sides to provide adequate protection from the weather, was prohibitive. A bench had therefore been provided for people waiting at the bus stop.
Mr Colin Bent and Mr Andrew Craton were in attendance to support the petition, which had been signed by 27 residents. They said that the bench provided no protection from the elements and this was uncomfortable for the mainly elderly residents using the buses.
Members agreed that this was a well used bus stop and that the provision of a bus shelter should be considered a priority. However, it was noted that the Town Council did not have funds available to meet the cost of this provision.
The Deputy Town Clerk reported that the need for a bus shelter had been identified in the emerging Town Access Plan, which would be released for public consultation later in the year. This document listed schemes that could be funded from developers’ contributions, which were collected through the planning process.
RESOLVED:
1) That, in principle, Members supported the provision of a bus shelter at the bus stop in Southampton Road (northside).
2) That, when the Council is consulted on the Town Access Plan, the bus shelter be highlighted as a priority.
3) That the situation be reviewed in 12 months.
P/4782 Parking in Kingsfield
Members considered a petition from residents for parking restrictions in Kingsfield. Mr Robert Collins said that there was an increasing number of cars parking all day in the road, mainly students, causing a hazard to all road users. The problem had arisen since the barrier had been installed at Ringwood Health & Leisure, which now meant that that car park was virtually empty during the day.
It was noted that the District Council had proposed the introduction of a short length of waiting restrictions to prevent vehicles parking on the blind corner near 59 Kingsfield. These restrictions were currently at the public advertisement stage and it was not possible to amend them. It was therefore suggested that the situation be reviewed following the introduction of these restrictions, to enable the effectiveness to be monitored. It was further noted that the Town Council had facilitated a meeting of all parties, including Ringwood School, Ringwood Health & Leisure and Ellingham & Ringwood Rugby Club, to try and address the need for additional parking for students and discussions were ongoing.
Residents had also asked for consideration to be given to the introduction of a 20mph speed limit. However, Hampshire County Council did not support the imposition of regulatory 20mph speed limits and had chosen instead to support a “20 is plenty” campaign to target drivers’ awareness. These schemes were introduced in conjunction with the County Council’s work on school travel plans.
RESOLVED: That the situation be reviewed at the next Traffic Management Liaison meeting, following implementation of the waiting restrictions currently being advertised.
P/4783 Planning Applications
Members considered planning applications in respect of periods ending 2nd June, 9th June, 16th June and 23rd June 2010.
RESOLVED: That the observations summarised in Annex ‘A’ be submitted.
P/4784 South East Dorset Transport Strategy
Members noted that the public’s views were being sought on strategy options for the South East Dorset Transport Strategy. Formal consultation with local authorities would be carried out at a later stage.
RESOLVED:
1) That the Council does not comment on the South East Dorset Transport Study at this stage; and
2) That Members be encouraged to complete the questionnaire on an individual basis.
P/4785 Concessionary Fares Consultation
Members noted that the responsibility for the administration of concessionary fares would move from the District to the County Council from 1st April 2011 and considered authorising one Member to attend a consultative meeting on possible changes.
RESOLVED: That Cllr Clarke be authorised to attend a concessionary fares consultation meeting on Monday 19th July in Lyndhurst, and that his reasonable travel expenses be paid.
P/4786 NFDC Proposed Parking Places and Waiting Restrictions
Members considered the proposed Traffic Regulation Order to introduce new restrictions and parking places and changes to existing parking places and waiting restrictions (Annex ‘B’ attached).
Although Members were pleased that the dropped kerbs in the High Street would now be protected by no waiting or loading restrictions, there was some concern that these restrictions were not sufficient and that the adjacent loading bays and disabled badge holders parking bays were too close, thereby creating inadequate sight lines for people trying to cross the road.
RESOLVED:
1) That the Traffic Regulation Order be noted and supported.
2) That the District Council be made aware of Members concerns about the proposed protection of the dropped kerbs in High Street, and that a safety audit be recommended to ensure sight lines would be adequate.
P/4787 Traffic Calming Proposals
Members considered Hampshire County Council’s proposals for a traffic calming scheme in Southampton Road and Meeting House Lane (see Annex ‘C’ attached), as part of the Southampton Road Environmental Improvements Scheme.
RESOLVED: That the proposals be noted and supported.
P/4788 Bench Outside 5 Mount Pleasant Lane
At the Meeting of this Committee on 4th June, a resolution was made to relocate the bench outside 5 Mount Pleasant Lane, in an attempt to reduce anti-social behaviour at night (Minute P/4778 refers). However, the Deputy Town Clerk reported that the new location identified was on the site of a gas main and, as it would be necessary to lay a concrete base, it would not be possible to site the bench here. It was also noted that the local Police had not received any complaints about antisocial behaviour in this location.
Members considered other possible sites in the immediate area, taking into account road safety and the need for adequate space around the bench, but no suitable location was forthcoming. It was therefore
RESOLVED: That a site meeting be arranged to consider a suitable location for the bench and that this meeting be attended by Cllr Cole, Cllr Terry, the Deputy Town Clerk and the Grounds Foreman.
P/4789 Appeal Regarding 41 Eastfield Lane
Members considered an Appeal in respect of Application Number 10/95330:- Land of 41 Eastfield Lane – Detached dwelling (details of access, scale and appearance granted by Outline Permission of 07/89742). The Town Council’s observation was Permission (1) Note the planning officer's concerns but feel the reference to two adjacent bungalows unfortunate as in the context of the street scene they are abnormally small. The current application is a reasonable compromise.
RESOLVED: That no further comments be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 3.45pm.
RECEIVED AND ADOPTED
28th July 2010
TOWN MAYOR
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN |
