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Town Council - Council Minutes
Minutes of the September meeting of this Council held at the Council Chamber Broad Street on Monday 15th September 2008 at 8pm.
Present were Clls Groom (in the chair), Bedingfield, Blowers O’Neill, Brook, Cloke, Evans, Fisher, Jervis, Palin, Shepherd, Thompson and Woods. Also present were Cll Rose, the Press, and 1 member of the public.
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from Clls O’Neill, Ward and Warnes
2. Interests
Interests were declared by Clls Brook, Cloke and Shepherd in matters relating to Bridge Street Festival.
3. Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2008 were approved and signed.
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Correspondence
The following correspondence was received:-
Mr T Cosgrove of Wish Upon a Star who were clearly unaware of the Council consideration of their funding request. Outstanding information had now been received and it was agreed that a recommendation be made by the Finance & General Purposes Committee. Mr Cosgrove had requested that consideration be given to including a specific Christmas Lights expenditure item in future budgets.
Mr J Chitty about the proposed double yellow lines in St Johns Road adjacent to Southend Terrace. The Clerk had responded to this letter referring to the safety concerns which had prompted the Council to recommended this to SCC, the history of the review and a rejection of the suggestion that any council member had a declarable interest in this particular proposal.
SCC advising that the proposed new bus shelter had been fully funded by SCC. Council to recommend that new shelter should have sides and seating suitable for elderly people.
Suffolk Constabulary re review of safer neighbourhood teams.
A copy letter from Beccles Town Council to WDC expressing concern with WDC Planning Committee’s failure to support their planning recommendations.
SCC advising publication of a Waste Core Strategy Issues and Options consultation paper and a call for sites.
Broads Authority Core Strategy 2007 – 2021 Development Plan Document.
WDC re Planning Application e-consultation trial. It was agreed that the Council participate in this.
Suffolk Association of Local Councils(SALC) with notice of Area Meeting for Waveney on 22.9.08 and the SALC conference and AGM at Henley Community Centre on 21.10.08.
SALC latest issue of the The Local Councillor.
6. To consider plans received, receive and receive planning decisions from WDC
The following plans were considered:-
DC/08/0978/FUL, Mr S Fuller, provision of new vehicular access, Oaklands Farm, Flixton Rd. Approval recommended.
DC/08/0867/LBC, H Wightman & Son Ltd, listed building consent, replacement of roof including repair and re-pointing of chimney and replacement of facia and guttering, 2 Bridge Street. Approval recommended.
BA/2008/0288/FUL, Mr A English, installation of a wood burner external flue, Mill Reach, Staithe Rd. Approval recommended.
It was reported that the following planning committee meetings were held:-
4th August 2008. Present were Clls Groom, Warnes, Bedingfield, Evans, Fisher, Palin and Ward. Apologies were received from Cll Cloke.
The following plan was considered:-
DC/08/0883/FUL, Mr P Crockford, construction of rear extension and double garage/workshop, 66 Nethergate Street. Approval recommended.
DC/08/0908/RG3, WDC, deemed application, refurbishment of public conveniences, Priory Lane. Approval recommended.
DC08/0903/FUL, BT PLC, replace glazing with ventilation louvers, BT Exchange, Lower Olland Street. Approval recommended.
1st September 2008. Present were Cll Groom, Warnes, Bedingfield, Cloke, Evans, Fiher, Jervis, Palin and Ward.
The following plans were considered:-
DC/08/0898/FUL, Mr Rightco Ltd, construction of 2 houses and associated parking
and demolition of existing garages, Angel PH, 1 Lower Olland St. Refusal recommended on the following grounds:-
i. Access on to Lower Olland Street which will be shared with the public house users considered to be inadequate.
ii. Proposal considered to over-develop the site in view of continued shared use of the area.
iii. Very close proximity to Angel PH will be detrimental to the occupiers of the proposed new dwellings.
DC/08/0929/FUL, Mr P Moore, erection of side porch, 60 Tower Mill Rd. Approval recommended.
DC/08/0954/FUL, Mr B Smy, extension to form offices and conservation of existing offices to storage, 82 Nethergate St. Approval recommended.
DC/08/0943/LBC and DC/08/0918/FUL, Benjamin Cloke Estates Ltd, listed building consent and change of use of first floor to 1 flat and conservation of stables to 1 house, 7A Market Place. Approval recommended.
The following decisions were received from Waveney District Council:-
DC/08/0883/FUL, Mr P Crockford, construction of first floor side and 2 storey rear extension and double garage/workshop. 66 Nethergate Street. Approved.
DC/08/0833/FUL, Mr B Williams, construction of a single storey rear extension, pitched roof over existing garage, new detached garage and boundary fence, 2 Tower Mill Rd. Approved.
DC/08/0903/FUL, BT PLC, replace glazing with ventilation louvers, BT Telephone Exchange, 62 Lower Olland Street. Approved.
DC/08/0693/ADI, Alliance Boots, illuminated advertisement consent, provision of illuminated projecting sign and replacement non illuminated fascia sign. Approved.
DC/08/0702/FUL, Mr Barrett, replacement windows to front elevation, 35 St Johns Rd. Approved.
DC/08/0855/0856/LBC, Mr P Gurney, listed building consent, construction of a single storey, rear extension and internal alterations. Approved.
DC/08/0819/FUL, Boots the Chemist, provision of 3 wall mounted AC condenser units. Approved.
DC/08/0608/FUL and DC/08/0610/LBC, Mr J Hartcup, construction of garage for cycle/refuse storage and creation of amenity space, Crown Court, Cross Street. Approved.
DC/08/0769/LBC, Mr R Montagu, listed building consent, conversion of bedroom to bathroom, 8 Trinity Street. Approved.
7. Finance & General Purposes Committee .
The committee met on the following dates:-
4th August 2008. Present were Clls Groom, Warnes, Blowers O’Neill, Brook, Jervis, O’Neill, Shepherd and Woods. Apologies were received from Cll Thompson.
The following balances were reported:-
Lloyds Bank accounts £1502.63, Scottish Widow accounts, £108461.32, total £109963.95.
The following payments were approved and cheques duly signed:-
Mr A Newberry, litter pick and Riverside £138.91; Norfolk County Services Ltd, litter collection Riverside, £76.38; Bungay Youth Partnership, donation(section 137), £50.00; Bungay Community Partnership, donation(section 137), £500; P Morrow, salary arrears and reimbursed expenses, £1589.55.
1st September 2008. Present were Clls Groom, Warnes, Blowers O’Neill, Brook and Jervis, O’Neill and Shepherd. Apologies were received from Cll Woods.
The Clerk advised the Committee that the balance of the donations budget for the year stood at £2637.00
A donation of £265 was agreed for the Bridge Street Festival.
A grant for the Christmas Lights Appeal was considered by insufficient information was to hand to make a decision. It was reported that a meeting of their committee would take place shortly and this information would be sought by councillors who were on this committee.
The following balances were reported:-
Lloyds TSB accounts £3130.89, Scottish Widows accounts £103461.32, total £106592.21.
The following cheques were approved for payment and duly signed:-
Mr A Newberry, litter-pick and Riverside, £281.07; Essex and Suffolk Water, allotments £152.37, Riverside £66.86, total £219.23.
8. To receive a report on local policing matters
No report was received.
9. To receive a report on the operation of the Riverside Centre and related matters
A report on current hiring was received. The Canoe Club had made further points in relation to the lease. The Clerk had responded to these and had had a further response from the Club who had requested a meeting with the Riverside Centre Supervisory Group. This was to be arranged.
10. Consideration of the Boundary Committee proposals
Following on from the meeting of councillors held on 4 August at 7.30 to discuss this the Council decided to ask the Boundary Committee to recommend the creation of a unitary authority comprising East Suffolk and Lowestoft but excluding Ipswich and Felixstowe and the intermediate parishes who the Committee proposed should form a separate unitary authority with Ipswich and Felixstowe.
11. Appointment of and an allowance for the Town Recorder
Following a recommendation made by the Bungay Museum Trustees the Council decided to appoint Mr Alan Thwaites as Town Recorder in succession to Mr Frank Honeywood. Mr Thwaites would carry out these duties under the direction of the Museum Trustees and all material collected would be held by the Trustees on behalf of the Town. It was proposed that the Museum be asked to seek a grant from the Council to support the Recorder’s work.
12. WDC re-cycling initiatives and the local school
It was agreed that the local primary and middle schools be encouraged to take advantage of WDC re-cycling presentations.
13. Council Reports committee
On the recommendation of the Quality Council working party it was agreed to form the above Committee who would oversee the production of the quarterly and annual reports. Clls Brook, Blowers O’Neill, Evans, O’Neill and Ward were appointed.
14. Allotment rates The Clerk reported and it was agreed to leave the allotment rents unchanged at £7.50 for a full and £3.75 for a half allotment. In addition the metered water charges would be shared among the allotments holders on the basis of their holdings.
15. Council Representatives reports
Cll Woods reported that the Section 106 working party were considering short term projects which may be able to take advantage of other grants. These included the cyber café, youth club facilities, playground improvements and a cycle way.
Cll Jervis reported that the Tourist Committee would meet on 24.9.08.
Cll Evans reported that the Owl Partnership had been appointed architects to the community centre project.
Cll Thompson said that he was carrying out a bin audit and would report further on this. He reported that the cyber café project had secured a grant of £10,000 to cover rent and equipment purchase costs. More funding was being sought.
In response to a question from Cll Palin he said that it was planned to make the project self sufficient in the long term.
16. County Councillor’s Report
Cll Rose asked that the Council finalise their recommendations about allocation of the locality budget. This will be done at the October meetings of the Council.
17. District Councillors Reports
Cll Woods reported that work at WDC had concentrated on dealing with the Boundary Committee proposals. He noted that this work had dominated senior officers time.
18. Cheques for payment
The following payments were approved and cheques duly signed:-
EAC Document Solutions Ltd, photo-copy service charge, £31.02; Three Willows Garden Centre, garden competition prizes, £75.00; Mrs A Brook, travel expenses reimbursed, £52.00; Mr A Newberry, Riverside and litter-pick, £138.00.
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17. Other business of an important nature
Cll Palin asked about the notice board and the refurbishment of the chairs in the Chamber.
Cll Cloke reported that Bungay High School students were helping with litter clearance at the skate park. She recommended the formation of a youth panel.
Cll Brook supported this and referred to the new youth involvement/democracy awareness requirements of the Quality Council criteria.
Cll Shepherd said that clearance of vegetation was needed in Borough Well Lane although a protected rare fern observed at that location would need to preserved.
Cll Fisher reported that a caravan parked on the verge at Flixton Rd/Hillisde Rd West was preventing grass cutting at this location. WDC to deal with this.
Cll Groom reported on the many events he had attended throughout Suffolk in his role as Town Mayor.
The meeting concluded at 9.40pm
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