Council Meeting
29 June, 2015
NEW MILTON TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NEW MILTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 29
JUNE 2015 AT 6.30PM IN THE TOWN HALL, ASHLEY ROAD, NEW MILTON
Councillors: p
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G C Beck
G R Blunden
S J Clarke
K E Craze
R B Dagnall
S P Davies
W Davies
D E Hawkins
B Murrow
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R A Reid
A W Rice
D A Rice-Mundy
A D O’Sullivan
Mrs V E Schooling
S P Short
D N Tungate
J G Ward
Vacancy
In Attendance:
Officers: Mr G P Flexman - Town Clerk
Elaine Reed - Administrator
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CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman welcomed councillors, members of the public and a member of the press to
the meeting. Sgt Beale of New Milton Police reported on recent Safer Neighbourhood
issues. The Chairman thanked him for his informative report.
15.
APOLOGIES
Cllrs S Davies, S P Short, D N Tungate, J G Ward
16.
CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS/MAYOR’S ENGAGEMENTS
23 May - opened the New Milton Rotary Market
27 May – attendance at Love Your Local Market obtaining feedback from residents on
the local weekly market.
28 May – Masons Presentation Evening. A cheque was received by the Mayor to
donate to the First Opportunities Special Needs Playgroup.
13 June – Opened the Rugby Fun day at Ashley
16 June – Presented the cheque to the First Opportunities Playgroup.
19 June – Open Day at Bethel House Care Home and Newbiz charity tea and cakes.
22 June – Afternoon tea dance at Kingfishers Care Home
27 June – Opened the Skate Park: A great afternoon, with demonstrations and
competitions. The Chairman thanked all councillors who were able to attend and
particularly thanked the Estates & Facilities Manager and grounds team as the
Recreation Ground and the Skate Park looked fabulous. Musical entertainment by
CODA was provided for the early evening.
17.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
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Council Meeting
18.
29 June, 2015
MINUTES
The Chairman referred to the minutes of the Council meeting held on 19 May 2015.
Minute 3 – Cllr Beck referred to the current composition of standing committees. The
Chairman said that membership of standing committees is in line with the Standing
Orders of New Milton Town Council.
It was
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 19 May, 2015 having been
circulated, be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
The minutes were duly signed.
19.
CORRESPONDENCE
a) An e-mail from Kevin Ings, Community and Social Care Transport Manager
informing the Council that following representations from a number of Cango users,
the County Council has agreed to look, with interested parties, at the feasibility of a
locally based booking service for the Lymington Cango and whether other partners
might be prepared to fund this. Whilst these investigations are being progressed
the Lymington Cango will continue to operate in its current format with one change
to the current arrangements. From Monday 6 July bookings for the Lymington
Cango will need to be made Monday – Friday, between 8 am and 5 pm. Journeys
for Saturday travel will therefore need to be booked by the previous day. An
update on how the discussions regarding a local booking solution progress will be
provided in due course.
b) The Underlease for land known as the Lower Field adjoining Ashley Junior School
has been received from New Forest District Council. It was agreed that this may
be signed by the Town Clerk on behalf of New Milton Town Council.
c) Cllr Beck suggested establishment of a commemoration ceremony for Armed
Forces Day in New Milton. The Chairman said that this will be considered for
inclusion in the Civic Diary.
20.
QUESTIONS
None
21.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
a)
Planning Committee
Cllr S J Clarke, Chairman of the Planning Committee, submitted the minutes of
the Committee Meetings held on 19 May, 4 and 18 June, 2015 and moved their
adoption.
Minute 19 – Cllr Clarke informed members that the Neighbourhood Plan will be
an agenda item at every Planning Committee meeting. There will be a
dedicated website for the Neighbourhood Plan.
It was then
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes 1 to 22 inclusive be received.
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Council Meeting
b)
29 June, 2015
Amenities Committee
Cllr G R Blunden, Chairman of the Amenities Committee, submitted the Minutes
of the Committee Meetings held on 19 May and 1 June 2015 and moved their
adoption.
Minute 16 – Cllr Blunden informed members that the Performance Pavilion is in
use for many dates during the summer including the New Milton Pedal Car
Grand Prix, a brass band concert, and a fund raising barbecue for Cancer
Research.
Cllr Blunden said that the tenders for works around the War Memorial will be
considered by the Amenities Committee at the end of August. The plaque to
commemorate Col Wheeler V.C. is on order.
It was then
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes 1 to 24 inclusive be received.
c)
Finance and General Purposes Committee
Cllr O’Sullivan thanked the Town Clerk and his staff for their work in obtaining
an excellent internal audit report with no action points outstanding.
Minute 16 – In regard to Youth Grant Aid, information received from Reach –
Summer School and Community Activities is sufficient for the Grant Aid to be
awarded.
It was then
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes 1 to 21 inclusive be received.
d)
Executive Committee Meeting
Cllr D E Hawkins, Chairman of the Executive Committee submitted the Minutes
of the Committee Meeting held on 22 June 2015 and moved their adoption.
It was
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes 1 to 10 inclusive be received.
22.
SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS
The Schedule of Payments endorsed by the F&GP Committee on 20 April, 2015 was
submitted for Council approval.
It was unanimously
RESOLVED:
That the Schedule of Payments S/No 01/15/16 totalling £124,810.55 for the period
1 to 30 April, 2015 be approved.
The Schedule was duly signed.
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Council Meeting
23.
29 June, 2015
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2014/15
The Chairman referred to Appendix 1 previously circulated.
It was
RESOLVED:
That the Financial Statements for 2014-2015 be approved.
24.
INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT
The Chairman referred members to Appendix 2, previously circulated.
Report for 2014-15 was noted.
25.
The Final
ANNUAL RETURN
The Chairman referred to Appendix 3, previously circulated.
It was
RESOLVED:
That the Annual Return for 2014-2015 be approved.
The accounting statements and annual governance statement were duly signed by the
Chairman and Town Clerk.
26.
NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK – SW QUADRANT ELECTIONS
After a ballot, Philip Daubeney of Burley Parish Council was nominated as the
preferred candidate of New Milton Town Council for Election as Hampshire Parish
Representative to the South West Quadrant of the New Forest National Park
Authority, with Harry Oram of Brockenhurst Parish Council second choice.
27.
ELECTORAL REVIEW
The Chairman referred to Appendix 5, previously circulated.
After discussion,
It was
RESOLVED:
That the submission to the Electoral Review of Hampshire from New Milton
Town Council that the status quo remains as far as the current boundary and
numbers of members for the purposes of elections is concerned.
28.
REPORTS FROM MEMBERS SERVING ON EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS.
Cllr A D O’Sullivan reported that new staff had been appointed to the Forest Arts
Centre and a high number of visits to the centre were recorded.
Cllr G C Beck reported that a certificate was awarded to New Milton Town Council
commending their work in regard to local speedwatch at an event attended by Simon
Tribe, Chief Inspector of the New Forest District, Hampshire Constabulary.
Cllr Beck also attended a meeting of the Hampshire Association of Local Councils on
20 June, 2015. This Association provides support to New Milton Town Council.
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Council Meeting
29.
29 June, 2015
REPORT FROM TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Plans for the Christmas Festival are progressing with the date set for the festival for 28
November 2015.
The Love Your Local Market event was successful with surveys carried out on weekly
market customers. A French market was held recently.
Three new windows have been installed at the Memorial Hall and there will shortly be
an Annual General Meeting of the Memorial Hall Committee to revise the current Deed
of Trust. An Abba tribute band concert will be held on 2 July, 2015.
Work continues with New Milton Culture & Heritage Trust, progress on setting up a
Dementia Friendly Town, and the Silver Surfers training group. The New Forest
Advice Service may be amalgamating with the Silver Surfers to address issues around
only being able to access Universal Credit on line.
30.
REPORTS BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
County Cllr Kendal reported that submission was made from Hampshire County
Council to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Review Officer
(Hampshire) indicating that no boundary change is necessary for the area. The
deadline for submissions is 10 July. In regard to education, Cllr Kendal said that many
academies and free schools purchase services from Hampshire County Council.
Cllr Kendal has donated £3,000 to New Milton Neighbourhood Care towards a recent
move from their previous offices, and informed members that no further payment will
be made to superfast broadband provider until targets on broadband speeds are
reached in rural Hampshire. If target speeds are not attainable other solutions may
be considered such as satellite or WiFi for rural businesses. Cllr Kendal informed
members that 30 June, 2015 is the deadline for the current SWITCH arrangements to
enable residents to change power suppliers.
County Cllr Rice reported the following:
 Roadworks in Fernhill Lane are now complete.
 He attended a flag-raising ceremony at the Castle, Winchester for Armed
Forces Day.
 He feels that proposed works at the junction of Manor Road, Avenue Road and
Fernhill Lane may create a build-up of traffic and he will make representations
to the County Council about this.
 Attended a meeting of the Library Panel at Winchester
 In regard to the Local Government Boundary Commission Electoral Review of
Hampshire, Cllr Rice felt that there was no need to make any changes to the
current boundaries.
District Cllr Beck attended New Forest District Council Covenant of Armed Forces at
the Gosport Submarine Museum. Cllr Beck left the meeting at 7.55 pm.
District Cllr Blunden attended two meetings of the General Purposes & Licensing
Committee. The prohibition of sky lanterns at NFDC events was adopted. He also
attended a Scrutiny Panel, an Environmental Overview Task & Finish Group and will
attend a meeting of the New Milton and Barton on Sea Residents’ Association on 7
July to be addressed by Steve Cook, the Coastal Engineering Team Leader, New
Forest District Council.
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Council Meeting
29 June, 2015
District Cllr Clarke attended two meetings of the General Purposes & Licensing
Committee, some training sessions and Task & Finish Groups on Coastal Erosion,
Child Poverty and Car Parking. Cllr Clarke also attended his first meeting of the Police
Commissioner’s Crime Panel.
District Cllr O’Sullivan chaired the Audit Committee, attended a Communities
Committee meeting, a Child Poverty Task and Finish group and a Citizens Advice
Bureau meeting as a New Forest District Council representative.
31.
ANY ITEMS WHICH THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT - None
32.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Town Council will take place on Monday 10 August, 2015 in
the Town Hall, 2 Ashley Road, New Milton at 6.30 pm.
The Meeting was adjourned at 8.00 pm for the Democratic Half Hour.
DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR
No members of the public wished to speak. The Chairman thanked the public for attending.
A proposal by the Chairman to go into Private Session was agreed by members.
Public Bodies (Admissions to meetings) Act 1960
RESOLVED that: Pursuant to Section 1 of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings)
Act 1960, the public and press be excluded from the Meeting for the following items of
business on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by
reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.
33.
CASUAL VACANCY
Following a vote, it was unanimously agreed Cllr Blunden be appointed to the F&GP
Committee having resigned from Planning.
After presentations by 3 applicants, discussions were held and after a ballot Caroline
Hexter was elected by members to fill the casual vacancy as a councillor for Becton
ward representing Barton on the Planning Committee.
The Chairman thanked members for attending and closed the meeting at 8.32 pm.
Chairman __________________________
Date ____________________
Distribution:
Town Councillors
District Councillors Mrs C V Ward, Mrs J L Cleary
County Councillors M Kendal, K Thornber
New Milton Library
New Milton Police
Press
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