PLANS to install CCTV cameras on the Recreation Ground are moving forward. Fordingbridge Town Council’s amenities committee discussed the installation of a CCTV system during a meeting on Wednesday, March 17, which was held via Zoom. The meeting heard that three quotes had been obtained for CCTV of £1,575, £2,500 and £3,795. All the quotes were also subject to VAT. Talks over CCTV come after two break-ins at the recreation ground site at the end of January while work was being carried out to refurbish the changing room facilities at the pavilion. Hampshire Constabulary said it received a report of tools being stolen from a container at the recreation ground between 5pm on January 25 and 8am the next day.
FORDINGBRIDGE Town Council has been forced to fork out more than £2,000 to step up security after break-ins at the recreation ground site. Work is being carried out at the pavilion to refurbish the changing room facilities. An extraordinary meeting was held by the town council on Friday to discuss security measures. The cost of security was £7,670 with contributions of £5,000 from the contractors working on the site and the sports clubs meaning the amount needed from the council was £2,670. Councillor Nobby Goldsmith said “boots on the ground” were needed as part of security. He added: “If you see someone walking around with a torch it might deter them.”
Fordingbridge Town Council’s amenities committee agreed to submit a request for funding to Hampshire County Council. Councillor John Mouland said he liked the idea of the equipment being sited near the footpaths so that they were “easily accessible”. An area suggested was around the memorial gardens and The Kiosk. Councillor Anna Wilson said the grant money was intended to help projects to tackle loneliness in older people and stop isolation. But she added equipment was available for older people and she had found a company specialising in this type of equipment. Councillor Diane Paton added: “It would be quite nice to have some adult gym equipment as well that is for slightly younger people. It would be nice if we could cater for both sections.”
How have concerns been addressed? Alistair Harris, speaking on behalf of Metis Homes, said after discussions with planning officers and consultees areas of landscaping had been increased and new areas of open space introduced as well as “greater levels of separation” from some of the trees and sensitive boundaries. Regarding concerns over the day nursery, he said there was a new area of open space in that area, which created a “gap” between the new homes and the nursery. The buildings, he said, now “fronted onto” the open space and were not backing on to the nursery. He also told the meeting it had worked closely with the school and highway authority to agree “improvements to the existing highway” and the school facilities, including dedicated laybys for buses for pupils to be dropped off.