FORDINGBRIDGE

TOWN

COUNCIL

WINTER NEWSLETTER 2008

The Town Hall, 63 High Street, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1AS

Tel/Fax - 01425 654134

Email - Town.Clerk@Fordingbridge.gov.uk

www.Fordingbridge.gov.uk

FORDINGBRIDGE TOWN COUNCIL

YOUNG CITIZENS AWARD

Fordingbridge Junior School

Following two meetings with Jonathan Hannam, the Lead Learner, the Young Citizens Award was launched on Tuesday, 21st October 2008 during the school assembly.

Jonathan Hannam explained the purpose of the Young Citizens Award to the children and staff.

Making a presentation was PC Paula Symes of Hampshire Constabulary and Councillor Malcolm Connolly, Deputy Mayor.

Also present were PC Karen Warren, Beat Officer and Helen Tague, Town Clerk.

The children had been given a task to think of " What would help to make it safer to walk or ride to school?" The competition was entered by writing ideas, painting, making a model or CD. The competition ended on the 20th November and the entries were judged on 27th November at the Junior School by the Town Council and the Police.

PC Paula Symes has managed to obtain funding for some prizes, but the Town Council will offer the first prize, which will be, with the assistance of Perkins Cycle Shop, a bicycle. The second prize, £50 Smiths voucher and two £10 Smiths vouchers for each class will be funded by the JAG (Joint Action Group, Community Safety, New Forest District Council) committee. Every entrant will receive a Young Citizens Certificate produced by the Junior School.

The winning entries were awarded on January 13th 2009 in the school assembly. First prize of a bicycle went to  Miriam Cakebread. Second prize of a £50 Smiths voucher went to Jess Bonner. Two winners in each class each received £10 Book tokens.

The first winner will expect the Town Council to try and implement their ideas between the Spring and the Summer Term.

It will also require the support of the Hampshire Constabulary, Hampshire County Council and the New Forest District Council especially if it is for better signing, improvements to Footpath 84 etc.

TOWN DESIGN STATEMENT PUBLISHED

Congratulations from the Town Council to the Community Forum team led by Graham Long and Brian Robinson on producing such an excellent document which has received high praise from the New Forest District Council

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Fordingbridge Rotary Club, Fordingbridge Business Forum and the Fordingbridge Town Council for the Christmas Street-Lighting in Fordingbridge.

Special thanks for the support of the staff of I N Newman Ltd

Fordingbridge Town Council and Police Partnership Working Protocol

The Town Councillors have recently signed up to a working protocol with the Hampshire Constabulary. The aim is to reduce anti-social behaviour, and in turn the fear of crime in the Fordingbridge District. The group will meet quarterly and look at various responses which may include prevention, education, enforcement, rehabilitation and resettlement.

In an emergency, call 999

Call 0845 045 45 45 for general enquiries or to report crime that is not an emergency

Call 101 for non-emergency antisocial behaviour; community safety advice, information and action (calls cost flat rate of 10p.)

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

Call anonymously with information about crime

AVON VALLEY PATH FROM ST. MARY'S PARISH CHURCH

Concern has been expressed for two years or more as to the considerable damage caused to the surface of the Avon Valley Path to the south of St. Mary's Parish Church by the activity of badgers.

Together with the Rights of Way, Ringwood & Fordingbridge Footpath Society we are working towards providing a board walk, or equivalent, to enable the considerable number of walkers who use the Avon Valley Path to do so safely.

HAMPSHIRE'S REPORT URGES IMMEDIATE ACTION TO IMPROVE SOCIAL CARE

Hampshire County Council is leading the way in transforming adult social care. A nationally acclaimed report by Hampshire's expert Commission of Inquiry calls for the perceived unfairness and complexity of the care and support system for older and disabled people to be tackled.

The Commission has looked at the impact of adult social care on people who use care services, carers, communities, care providers, local authorities, organisations such as health, and the wider public.

The report " Getting Personal: a fair deal for better care and support" makes national recommendations for the future of adult social care, and proposes a model for the future adult social care in Hampshire.

For further details please visit the website- www.hants.gov.uk/adult-services/getting-personal.htm

NAMEPLATES IN MEMORY OF BILLY WITT

At the Annual Town Assembly in April 2008, Bill Bray of the Friends of Fordingbridge Hospital suggested that there should be a nameplate on the footpath that led from Green Lane behind Fordingbridge Hospital as this was the path that Billy Witt took to visit his wife, Fay and then later, regularly, on a Saturday evening to chat with the patients.

With the help of Sally Dobson of the New Forest District Council and Helen Tague, Town Clerk this has now come to fruition.

The nameplates, of which there are two, have been paid for by a small group of friends of Billy.

New Smarter Working Centre opens in Fordingbridge

Desmond Swayne opened the new Matisse Smarter Working Centre at Glasshouse Studios in Fordingbridge on 21st November.

Matisse is a Hampshire County Council initiative to encourage people to work in different ways. Commuting to an urban centre, sitting on congestion roads, paying for parking and wasting 3 hours a day is not an attractive proposition to many people.

The alternative is to work fewer hours in the urban office. Work from home sometimes or work from a smarter working office in a more rural location. Glasshouse Studios in Fordingbridge are a new office complex set in a 5 acre rural site with views across fields to the New Forest. They have been developed over the last 4 years and now provide 19 offices for knowledge based businesses.

Working with HCC and the SEEDA backed MATISSE project more offices have been made available for people wishing to operate from their main centre. Good broadband connections, VOIP phones, fax, photocopier and printer are all available to use on a "drop-in" basis. The desk or offices are available by the hour, half day, day, week or month.

Desmond Swayne officially opened the facility and was accompanied by over 60 other guests from Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council, Fordingbridge Town Council and local business people.

Councillor Jonathan Glen, HCC Executive Member for Skills, Economic Development and Human Resources said "The opening of the Fordingbridge MATISSE Smarter Working Centre is an important milestone in the County Council's efforts to reduce daily out-commuting in our market towns and rural areas."

For more information on rates and availability ring Glasshouse Studios on 01425 656412.

HAMPSHIRE PROBATION SERVICE

The Town Council have been working with Sharon Annell, Placement Manager of Interventions South West to maintain some of the bollards, bridges and railings particularly in Provost Street and Church Street.

Some maintenance was also carried out on the railings around the open space near the Victoria Rooms.

Fordingbridge Town Council members for 2008/09

Cllr. Mrs Jean Willis Town Mayor

Cllr. Malcolm Connolly Deputy Mayor

Cllr. Malcolm Adams Chairman of Finance & Policy

Cllr. Paul Anstey

Cllr. Mrs Valerie Coley Chairman of General Purposes

Cllr. Christopher Dennis

Cllr. Mrs Rosemary Fulford Chairman of Planning

Cllr. Alan Lewendon

Cllr. Mrs Diane Paton Chairman of Amenities

Cllr. Brian Perkins

Cllr. David Price

Cllr. Georgina Wilson

Contact for any of the councillors can be made via The Town Clerk at the Town Hall, 63 High Street, Fordingbridge SP6 1AS or by telephoning 01425 654134 or email - Town.Clerk@Fordingbridge.gov.uk

NEW FOREST DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

Cllr. Mike Shand mike.shand@newforest.gov.uk

Cllr. Miranda Whitehead miranda.whitehead@newforest.gov.uk

The Local Information Office in Provost Street is open each day from 8.45 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. Tel: 01425 656090

COUNTY COUNCILLOR - Mrs Kathy Heron - kathy.heron@hants.gov.uk

LIVING RIVER PROJECT

The first interpretation board will be placed in the Recreation Ground in the children's play area early in the New Year. The Town Clerk has been working with Martin Gilchrist from Natural England to agree on the content and design.

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TOWN COUNCIL MONTHLY SURGERY

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor hold a monthly surgery on the first Saturday between 10.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. at the Town Hall.

Cllr. Miranda Whitehead, District Councillor, is often in attendance.

TOWN DIARY

Don't forget to give the dates of your events to the Town Clerk for the notice board and the website.

Town Council office opens Tuesday to Friday 9.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.

email - Town.Clerk@Fordingbridge.gov.uk

Tel: 01425 654134

GRANT APPLICATIONS

The Town Council welcome applications from local clubs and organisations for grants towards new items of equipment or projects.

The Town Council are not able to give grants to individuals.

Contact the Town Clerk for an application form on 01425 654134 or email Town.Clerk@Fordingbridge.gov.uk

FORDINGBRIDGE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

In 2009, the centre will be staffed and organised by the Fordingbridge Town Council who hope that they will be supported by a newly formed Fordingbridge Tourism Group.

If there is anyone who would be interested in getting involved with this project please contact the Town Clerk, Helen Tague on 01425 654134 or email - Town.Clerk@Fordingbridge.gov.uk

PART TIME TOWN CLERK REQUIRED FOR FORDINGBRIDGE TOWN COUNCIL AS FROM MAY 2009

SALARY WILL BE ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS BASED ON NALC/SLCC TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREEMENT

Current salary is LC2 SCP 30-34 £25,146-£28,270 for 37 hours (pro rata 26 hours)

• The position will be based at the Town Hall offices at 63, High Street, Fordingbridge.
• 26hrs per week to include an evening meeting once a week. Additional evening meetings as and when required.
• The office is currently open for the public from Tuesday to Friday 9.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
• Applicants must have good office, IT and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of local government would be an advantage.

Applicants will also require CRB checking

Please telephone for an informal discussion with the Town Clerk on 01425 654134 or by email Town.Clerk@Fordingbridge.gov.uk

from whom full job description and application forms available.

Latest date for receipt of completed applications will be 30th January 2009