Open Session:

There was one member of the public present, who wished to speak regarding Danny Cracknell Pocket Park (please see attached notes).

Present:

Cllr B H Terry (Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard (Vice-Chairman)
Cllr P Chambers
Cllr A C Wiseman

In Attendance:

Terry Simpson, Town Clerk
Claire Perrens, Meetings Administrator
Maisie Jenkinson, Student Advisor

OS/5192 Apologies

The Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Vicky Leung (Student Advisor), Cllr O’Reilly, Cllr Ford and Cllr Urwin.

OS/5193 Declarations of Interest

Cllr Wiseman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Fees and Charges – Allotments (for details see OS/5197 below).

OS/5194 Minutes of Previous Meetings

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 3rd February 2010, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Town Clerk reported that fourteen residents on the waiting list had been offered the eight available mini allotments. Seven of these residents wished to take up the offer, the remainder preferred a single plot or a plot in a specific location. Members were asked to consider creation of a separate waiting list for mini allotments, if these were not required by people on the main waiting list.

Cllr Chambers suggested, to ensure fairness, that one list should be kept, but with preferences shown if a mini allotment was acceptable or preferred. The Town Clerk stated that this was already the practice for those with a preference for site location. He also suggested that due to the popularity of the mini allotments, further single plots becoming available could be divided into four to create more; this would help reduce the waiting list more quickly.

RESOLVED: 

1. That a single waiting list for allotments be maintained, but that preference be recorded for a mini allotment, in order to facilitate administration of the waiting list;
   
   
2. That further mini allotments be created by quartering some of the single plots that become available at Hightown Road.

OS/5196 Water Hygiene at Carvers Pavilion

Members considered a quotation for water hygiene risk assessment and monitoring at the Pavilion, Carvers Recreation Ground (Annex ‘A’ attached). New pipe work and a new water supply had been installed and the Town Clerk recommended this proposal from AquaCare, which would include a professional maintenance scheme to ensure the continued safety of the showers. Maintenance would be the responsibility of the grounds staff. AquaCare is part of Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water Plc, and competitive tenders had not been required for this level of expenditure. Costs would be reassessed on a regular basis, and comparisons sought as required.

RESOLVED:  That the quotation for water hygiene risk assessment and monitoring at the Pavilion, Carvers Recreation Ground (Annex ‘A’) be approved.

OS/5197 Fees and Charges – Allotments

Cllr Wiseman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item, as her daughter is an allotment holder. Cllr Wiseman left the room, taking no part in the debate or decision made.

Members reviewed Fees and Charges for ‘Allotments’ (Report B attached). Members noted that the Upper Kingston fees included the recharge for the annual cost of vermin control (OS/5176 03.02.10 refers), capital costs for pest control having been met by the Council. Cllr Chard commented that the rent was very reasonable and if the annual costs were calculated weekly, for example, residents with a mini allotment would pay 19 pence a week, and with a single plot at Southampton Road, 41 pence a week.

The Town Clerk said that the rent was comparable with other parish and town councils’ allotments, for the size of plot. He also commented that non-residents paid considerably more, but this was fair as the cost of allotments was subsidised by Ringwood residents through Council Tax.

RESOLVED:  That Fees and Charges for ‘Allotments’ (Report B) be approved.

Cllr Wiseman returned to the Meeting.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.21 pm.

RECEIVED & ADOPTED
31st March 2010

TOWN MAYOR

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN