Present:

Cllr N R G Clarke (Chairman)
Cllr M A Steele (Vice-Chairman)
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr A Wiseman

In Attendence:

Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk
Ashley Finch, Student Advisor

P/4751 Apologies

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr N J Chard, Cllr L C Ford, Cllr B H Terry, Cllr Mrs J Terry and Cllr B Woodifield, and Student Advisor Ed Fullick.

P/4752 Declarations of Interest

Cllr Steele declared a personal interest in planning application number 10/94952 – see P/4754 below.

P/4753 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meetings held on 24th February and 5th March 2010, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

P/4754 Planning Applications

Members considered planning applications in respect of periods ending 3rd March, 10th March, 17th March, 24th March and 31st March 2010.

Cllr Steele declared a personal interest in planning application number 10/94952 as his business had previously supported the charity applicant.

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

P/4755 Traffic Management

Members considered agenda items for the next Informal Local Members’ Liaison Meeting to be held on 20th April 2010. A full agenda had already been prepared and Members agreed there were no further issues to be addressed. Cllr Mrs Wiseman asked that consideration be given to improving the new crossing of Hightown Road opposite Ringwood Junior School, which had already been included as an agenda item, and also to the provision of a car park for parents to alleviate the pressure on Hightown Road. Cllr Cole asked if he could attend the meeting for the item on Kings Arms Lane Experimental One-Way Traffic Order.

RESOLVED:
1) That no additional agenda items be included on the agenda for the Traffic Management meeting to be held on 20th April.

2) That, in addition to the Town Council’s three representatives; Cllrs Chard, Clarke and Terry, Cllr Cole be authorised to attend the meeting on 20th April for the item on Kings Arms Lane.

P/4756 NFNPA Local Development Framework – Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD

Members considered the Deputy Town Clerk’s report attached as Annex ‘B’. Although the document had addressed many of the concerns raised in response to the previous National Park Plan, it still failed to adequately provide for the employment and housing needs of residents. However, the document appeared to comply with legislation and to meet the requirements for a ‘sound’ document.

RESOLVED: That the publication of the Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD be noted.

P/4757 New Forest District Council (Outside the National Park) Sites & Development Management Development Plan Document

Members noted the draft contents of the above document (attached as Annex ‘C’) and considered whether there were any other issues that the DPD should address.

RESOLVED: That no further issues be put forward for inclusion in the Sites and Development Management DPD.

P/4758 Bus Shelters

Members noted that the District Council was preparing a list of transport schemes to be funded by developers’ contributions for inclusion in the Sites and Development Management Development Plan Document, and considered requirements for new and/or improved bus shelters in the Town.

RESOLVED: That the bus stops either side of the road near the White Hart in Southampton Road be recommended for improvement.

P/4759 Kings Arms Lane

Members noted that the consultation period for the Experimental One-way Traffic Order on Kings Arms Lane would come to an end on 6th May 2010 and considered making representations to the District Council. Members were of the opinion that the trial had been effective and that it had resulted in a much safer environment for pedestrians in Kings Arms Lane and an improved traffic flow in the High Street. It appeared that the majority of the complaints in the local press had come from drivers using the road as a short-cut and that most of the residents supported the trial. Whilst supporting the trial, Cllr Cole recommended that a parking restriction be introduced at the bottom end of Kings Arms Lane to improve traffic flow in the two-way part of the road.

RESOLVED:
1) That the continuation of the Experimental One-way Traffic Order on Kings Arms Lane be supported.

2) That a recommendation for parking restrictions at the bottom of Kings Arms Lane be put to the Traffic Management meeting on 20th April.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 4.05pm.

RECEIVED AND ADOPTED

28th April 2010

TOWN MAYOR

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN