Open Session: There were twenty members of the public present, none of whom wished to speak at this meeting.

Present:

Cllr J D Heron (Chairman)
Cllr W S Rippon-Swaine (Vice Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr N R G Clarke
Cllr L C Ford
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr B Woodifield

In Attendance:

Terry Simpson, Town Clerk
Claire Perrens, Meetings Administrator
Alyson Greenfield, Finance Officer
Simon Hookins, Student Advisor
Cllr Steele
District Cllr Thierry

The Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Urwin and Cassie Ware, Student Advisor.

F/4591 Declarations of Interest

Cllr Ford and Cllr Heron declared personal and prejudicial interests in specific grant aid applications (for details please see F/4594 below).

F/4592 Minutes of the Last Meeting

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 19th May 2010, having been circulated, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

F/4593 Monthly Financial Reports

Members considered the Monthly Financial Reports attached to these minutes as Annex ‘A’.

RESOLVED:
1) That the list of cheque payments on the Imprest account be authorised. Cllrs Heron and Rippon-Swaine signed the report.
2) That the list of Petty Cash payments be authorised. Cllrs Heron and Rippon-Swaine signed the report.
3) That the Statement of Town Council Balances be received and noted.
4) That the Inter Account Transfer be authorised. Cllrs Heron and Rippon-Swaine signed the report.

F/4594 Grant Aid

Members considered applications for Grant Aid (please see Annex ‘B’ attached).

Cllr Ford declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the application from 2515 Ringwood and Fordingbridge Squadron ATC, as she is involved with this group. Cllr Ford made a supporting statement and left the room whilst this application was discussed, taking no part in the debate or decision made.

The Chairman, Cllr Heron, declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the application from Poulner Baptist Chapel, as his children attend there. Cllr Heron left the room whilst this application was discussed, taking no part in the debate or decision made. The Vice-Chairman Cllr Rippon-Swaine took the Chair in his absence.

RESOLVED:
1) That, under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, a grant of £100 be awarded to 2515 Ringwood and Fordingbridge Squadron towards a new minibus;

2) That, under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, a grant of £50 be awarded to the Royal British Legion – Ringwood and District Branch, for the Ringwood Pipe Band to attend Remembrance Day Parade;

3) That, under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, a grant of £250 be awarded to Greyfriars Pre-School towards play and learning equipment;

4) That, under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, a grant of £100 be awarded to Poulner Baptist Chapel, towards improving facilities for the community;

and

5) That no grant be awarded to Wessex Pensioners Convention, which Members felt, although a worthy cause, did not provide sufficient benefit to Ringwood residents.

F/4595 Ringwood Festival

Members considered the minutes of the meeting of the Ringwood Festival Steering Committee attached as Annex ‘C’. The Town Clerk drew Members attention to the fact that despite following all guidelines and applying as early as possible, in February/March, the Festival Committee and Pedal Car Grand Prix organizers had still not received confirmation of road closure orders.

The Festival was only a few weeks away on 10th/11th July and a decision was obviously vital, particularly as the Pedal Car Grand Prix had increased in size. The Chairman suggested that, as officers had already tried to follow this up unsuccessfully, the Town Mayor should write to the head of the relevant department to take up this issue.

RESOLVED:
1) That the minutes of the Ringwood Festival Steering Committee held on 7th June 2010, and the proposals therein, be approved;

and

2) That the Town Mayor contact New Forest District Council to ascertain why there had been no response to the applications for road closure orders for the Pedal Car Grand Prix and Ringwood Festival on 10th and 11th July.

F/4596 Tourism Group

Following the Committee’s previous decision to facilitate the formation of a Ringwood Tourism Group (Minute F/4570 21.04.10 refers), Cllr Heron had chaired a meeting on Wednesday 9th June. The Meeting had been very well attended and it was hoped that a group would be formed which would be independently run by local businesses. It was suggested that one Member should be appointed to represent the Town Council.

The Town Clerk said he was pleased to report that representatives from both the New Forest District Council and National Park Authority had attended the meeting and offered their support.

RESOLVED: That Cllr Heron be appointed as the Town Council’s representative on the Ringwood Tourism Group.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.18pm.