Open Session:

There were no members of the public present.

Present:

Cllr B H Terry (Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard (Vice-Chairman)
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr L C Ford
Cllr G J O’Reilly
Cllr A C Wiseman

In Attendance:

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

OS/5164 Apologies

The Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Chambers and Vicky Leung, Student Advisor

OS/5165 Declarations of Interest

OS/5167 ACCESSWAY ACROSS BICKERLEY COMMON Cllr Cole declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item as he lives near by. Cllr Cole left the room, taking no part in the debate or decision made.

OS/5166 Minutes of Previous Meetings

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd December 2009, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

OS/5167 Accessway Across Bickerley Common

OS/5167 ACCESSWAY ACROSS BICKERLEY COMMON Cllr Cole declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item as he lives near by. Cllr Cole left the room, taking no part in the debate or decision made.

Members were asked to consider a request for a formal right of way across Bickerley Common for 1 Riverside Cottages, The Bickerley. The Town Clerk read out a letter from the Council’s legal advisor. This was a complicated area, but the advice was that due to the Village Green status of Bickerley Common, it was not clear that the Council had the legal power to grant rights of way. Residents currently using the gravel tracks across the Bickerley Common could continue to rely on their ‘prescriptive rights’ due to the amount of time these access tracks had been in use.

RESOLVED: That a formal right of way across Bickerley Common for 1 Riverside Cottages be not agreed.

OS/5168 Pest Control at Allotments

The Town Clerk reported on progress with vermin control at the Long Lane Allotments. He had received an estimate from the District Council Pest Control Department based on 24 bait stations and six visits per annum. Quotations were being provided by Rentokil and Ringwood Pest Control. There had been no response from allotment holders following the letter sent out in December on this matter.

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk’s report on Pest Control at Allotments be noted.

OS/5169 Fees and Charges

As estimates were still being obtained for pest control at the Long Lane allotments, the review of Fees and Charges for Allotments (Minutes OS/5155 and OS/5156 02.12.09 refer) could not be undertaken.

RESOLVED: That the review of Fees and Charges for Allotments be deferred until the next Meeting

OS/5170 Land Between Castleman Trail and The Millstream

The Town Clerk reported that the family of Raymond Brown were seeking a local project in memory of the late Raymond Brown. Members were asked to consider proposals to create access from the south of Castleman Trail to the triangular area of land in the Council’s ownership. The Raymond Brown Company had agreed to discuss this scheme.

A meeting would be held on Friday 15th January, to take this forward, and attendees would include representatives from English Nature, Raymond Brown family, District and County Council officers, Norman Light, Cllrs Rippon-Swaine and Cole. Access was likely to be in summer only and there would be a gate to the area, which was part of the Site of Special Scientific Interest. Members were asked to consider that a formal name for the area should reflect the contribution to the Town made by Raymond Brown.

RECOMMENDED TO POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE:

1) That proposals to create access from the south of Castleman Trail to the triangular area of land in the Council’s ownership be approved;

and

2) That in the event of the scheme proceeding, the family of the late Raymond Brown be invited to provide an appropriate name for the site.

OS/5171 Improvements at Danny Cracknell Pocket Park (DCPP)

The Town Clerk reported that Cllr Rippon-Swaine had agreed to use his county council fund allowance to provide the materials to refurbish the bridge to DCPP. The County Council (which owns the bridge) would provide labour. Subject to approval of structural engineers, a traditional three rail design was envisaged.

Members had previously agreed to the offer from Ringwood Medical Centre of a seat for DCPP in memory of Wendy Otter (OS/5075 01.04.09 refers). The Town Clerk reported that it was likely that a picnic table with disabled access would also be provided.

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk’s report be noted.

OS/5172 Skate Park at Carvers

The Town Clerk reported that young people had expressed an interest in making the skate park ramps at Carvers Recreation Ground more interesting by creating colourful murals.

RESOLVED: That, subject to approval of designs, the painting of murals at the Skate Park at Carvers Recreation Ground be agreed

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.35 pm.

Note: The text in the Action Boxes above does not form part of these minutes.

RECEIVED & ADOPTED
24th February 2010