Open Session:

There were no members of the public present.

Present:

Cllr P Chambers
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr L C Ford (Acting Chairman)
Cllr A C Wiseman

In Attendance:

Terry Simpson, Town Clerk
Claire Perrens, Meetings Administrator
Vicky Leung, Student Advisor

OS/5198 Apologies

The Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Chard, Cllr O’Reilly, Cllr B Terry, Cllr Urwin and Maisie Jenkinson, Student Advisor.

In the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, it was agreed that the Town Mayor, Cllr Ford, should take the chair.

OS/5199 Declarations of Interest

Cllr Cole declared a personal and prejudicial interest in “Small Circus on the Bickerley” – for details see OS/5204 below.
Cllr Wiseman declared a personal interest in “Allotments” – see OS/5205 below.

OS/5200 Minutes of Previous Meetings

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

The Town Clerk suggested that this item, which was “to consider furniture for the Park”, be deferred, pending more detailed information.

RESOLVED: That the consideration of furniture for Danny Cracknell Pocket Park be deferred until the next meeting.

OS/5202 The Mount, Poulner

The Town Clerk outlined proposals for improvements to The Mount, including a viewing platform as there were excellent views of the surrounding area. The Mount was currently difficult to maintain and it was not being used to its full potential. He had been advised by the District Council that funds for a feasibility study could be requested from developers’ contributions. He suggested between £3,000-£5,000 to provide an outline study with various options, and that the District Council could undertake the study.

Whilst supporting the principle of undertaking a feasibility study for improvements to The Mount, it was emphasised that the improvements should be appropriate to the location and that there should be full consultation before adoption of any scheme.

RECOMMENDED TO POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE:
That the District Council be asked to release a sum of £5,000 from developers’ contributions for a feasibility study into improvements to The Mount, Poulner.

OS/5203 Litter at Moortown Lane

The Town Clerk had received a request for action to be taken to keep Moortown Lane clear of litter on the grass verges. It had been suggested that the clubs using the Council’s Ten Acre Field were contributing to the litter problem. It was very difficult however to prove where rubbish came from; some was thought to be from passing vehicles. The Town Council provided litter bins on its property and encouraged users to clear up litter there. However, it had no responsibility for litter on roadside verges outside its property.

RESOLVED:
1) That the Town Council continue to encourage clubs using the Ten Acre Field to pick up litter;

and

2) That the enquirer be advised that statutory responsibility for keeping highways clear of litter rested with New Forest District Council

OS/5204 Small Circus on the Bickerley

Cllr Cole declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item as he lives near by. Cllr Cole made a statement and left the room, taking no part in the debate or decision made.

Members considered a request for special terms for a small circus on the Bickerley for part of the school summer holidays. The Town Clerk reported that this request was for three days of performance, with an extra two days for setting up/removing, for a small circus of eight performers (with no animals involved). There would only be a few caravans. They had previously visited Liphook; the local council reported that it had been an excellent show.

RESOLVED: That, due to its small size, the circus be offered reduced rates of £60 per day for five nights, a total of £300.

Cllr Cole rejoined the Meeting.

OS/5205 Allotments

Cllr Wiseman declared a personal interest in this item as her daughter is an allotment holder, but not a prejudicial interest since the item did not relate to any conditions of use of the allotment.

Members considered clarifying the arrangements for the annual allotment competition so as to ensure that marking was based upon the definition of a statutory allotment which was: “an allotment not exceeding forty poles in extent which is wholly or mainly cultivated by the occupier for the production of vegetable or fruit crops for consumption by himself or his family”.

Currently the competition was judged by Ringwood Garden Club, but in view of the proposed changes in the basis of the marking, the Town Clerk suggested that Norman Light, who has extensive experience of farming, should be part of the judging panel. The timing of marking the competition would be moved to the middle of July when there was plenty of produce, to enable a full assessment against the statutory definition.

The Town Clerk also reported that the new mini-allotments at Hightown Road were proving popular and there were now sixteen in total.

RESOLVED:
1) That the criteria for the annual allotment competition be “an allotment not exceeding forty poles in extent which is wholly or mainly cultivated by the occupier for the production of vegetable or fruit crops for consumption by himself or his family”;

2) That Norman Light be invited to bring his expertise to working with Ringwood Garden Club in judging the competition;

and

3) That the competition be moved from September to mid-July.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.45pm

RECEIVED & ADOPTED
28th April 2010

TOWN MAYOR

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN