Minutes of ARLESEY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING held in the Village Hall, Arlesey on Tuesday 6 October 2009 at 7pm.

            Cllrs:    H Harper (Chairman)                               Mrs C Harris

Mrs D Archer                                         R Harris

D Beatham                                            C Howitt

Mrs L Bowskill                                       D Page

J Caffrey                                                M Rainbow

I Dalgarno                                              D West

Mrs H Frost                                           V Williams 

Also present:    Unitary Cllr John Street,

Mrs E Hare (Clerk)                                  Mrs L Rowe (Assistant Clerk) 

592 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

An apology for absence was received from Cllr N Daniels

The following disclosure of interest was received:

Agenda item 17 – Land at Stotfold Road

Cllr D Beatham disclosed a personal and prejudicial interest, as he is a director of the company owning the land.  Cllr Beatham left the room during the discussion on this matter.

No other declarations of personal or prejudicial interests were received.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

(a) Family Fun Day – Mayor’s Charity

The Chairman read a letter from Keech Cottage Children’s Hospice thanking the Mayor’s Charity for the proceeds of £703.10 raised from the Family Fun Day.

(b) Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity Ltd – AGM

An invitation has been received from the Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity Ltd for a representative of the Town Council to attend the eleventh Annual General meeting on 7 October 2009.

(c) Local Democracy Week 2009 - Invitation

To celebrate this year's Local Democracy Week from 12 October 2009, Central Bedfordshire Council is running a number of events for the children and young people in Central Bedfordshire. Members of the Council are invited to take part in this year’s Political Speed Dating Event which takes place on 14 October.

(d) Clerks & Councils Direct

The Clerks & Councils Direct and the LCR magazine are in the office if councillors would like to view them

(e) Mid Bedfordshire Citizens Advice Bureau

A letter has been received from the Mid Bedfordshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau thanking the Town Council for the donation of £200 and that they look forward to being able to continue delivering this vital service to Mid Bedfordshire and Arlesey residents. The letter mentions the free ‘Outreach’ service that CAB is running in Shefford that is open for Arlesey residents.  It runs every Thursday morning from 9.30am – 12.30pm and is open for everyone to drop by for advice on benefits, housing debt and relationships.

(f) Standards Board for England – Bulletin 45

Copies of the Bulletin have been placed in councillors personal trays

(g) Bedfordshire Bugle

Copies of the Bugle have been placed in councillors personal trays

(h) Mid Beds Link-a-Ride

A letter has been received from Mid Beds Link-a-Ride thanking the Town Council for their donation of £50 and for supporting this much needed service to the community

(i) Macmillan Cancer Support – coffee morning held at the Resource Centre

A letter has been received from Heather McLaughlin our Resource Centre Manager informing the Town Council that £242.85 was raised at the Macmillan Coffee morning held on the 25 September 2009. 

595 CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE FUNDING OF TOWN CENTRE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY

           Pam Blackmore came along to speak to Members on the work currently being carried out relating to town centre management in Central Bedfordshire.  She said there are 11 towns in Central Bedfordshire being asked to provide feedback on the process for supporting town centre management.  Three of the eleven towns are already supported by a Town Centre Manager.

            She briefly outlined the background to town centre funding in the past and suggested a process that ensures any future Central Bedfordshire Economic Growth funding is targeted on the economic vitality of our town centres. The capital allocation is no longer available through Central Bedfordshire. 

She said the way forward will be to develop a process to ensure Central Bedfordshire produces a structure and plans which will ensure the development of town centres across the whole area.  At this stage it is important to note that it is not about funding allocation, it is about developing a process to ensure funding, if it is available, is targeted to areas which have the greatest need and can deliver against economic targets. 

Some of the strategic objectives for town centre development will be to protect existing employment and create new employment, strengthen retail offer, improve retail skills, raise the profile of the sector as a major employer in Central Bedfordshire.  Some of the operational objectives will be to encourage and support town councils to develop and prioritise retail action plans and encourage town councils to assist in the development of a strategic town centre plan for Central Bedfordshire.       

The suggested process will cover annual economic assessment for each town centre, preparation of individual town centre and retail action plans.  These will be reviewed by a Town Centre Partnership.  Some of the proposed members for a Town Centre Partnership would be Town Clerks, Highways Officer, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Regeneration, Waste Officers and Community Safety Officer. 

The Chairman thanked Pam Blackmore for coming to the meeting and outlining the proposed process for future Town Centre Management.  He proposed that the process should be supported and set up under a Town Centre Partnership with its own constitution and the Town Clerk will attend future meetings. 

There was no public participation.   

597 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 1 September 2009.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on 1 September 2009 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.   

598 MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising from the previous meeting

PC Steve Holbrook from the Safer Neighbourhood Team was unable to attend the meeting and sent his apologies with his report.  Members received a copy of PC Holbrook’s report for September.

The Chairman read a letter to the meeting from PC Holbrook, in which he explained why on some occasions he is unable to attend council meetings.  He included in the letter the rest day dates until May 2010 when he would be unable to attend meetings.  These dates did not include training or other pre-planned policing commitments.  PC Holbrook said whenever he can, he will endeavour to inform the Clerk of these changes and forward the monthly report in time for the meetings.   

600 REPORTS FROM CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES 

Cllr Ian Dalgarno as a Unitary Councillor for Central Bedfordshire Council reported: 

·         The newly appointed Chief Executive  is Richard Carr

·         Everyone felt that the interim Chief Executive Jaki Salisbury had done a good job in getting Central Bedfordshire Council in operation

·         CBC has published its Quarter 1 Performance Report.  No other Quarter 1 Performance Reports have been  produced by other new Unitary Councils  

·         The Executive Committee will meet next week to consider Child Protection.  Users groups will work to the same agenda as the Children’s Trust

·         CBC are looking at the whole travel plan for children travelling to school  

601 SCHOOL GOVERNOR REPORT

There was no School Governor report for this meeting.

(a) Budget Summary of Income and Expenditure – August 2009    

Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the budget summary of Income and Expenditure for August 2009.

RESOLVED

that the Budget Summary for Month 5 - August 2009 be accepted

(b) Application for Financial Assistance – Arlesey Conservation for Nature

Members considered a financial assistance payment of £400 as recommended by the General Purpose & Finance Committee at their meeting held on 15 September 2009 minute number 227 (b).

RESOLVED

to approve financial assistance payment of £400

This grant is in accordance with Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 

603 THE BOUNDARY COMMITTEE FOR ENGLAND

Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the correspondence received from the Boundary Committee in respect of the review of electoral arrangements in Central Bedfordshire. The letter thanked the Town Council for setting out their views and that they have been noted and will be taken into account by the Boundary Committee in formulating its proposals on council size for Central Bedfordshire.  The Town Council will be notified of the Committee’s proposed council size in the autumn.

RESOLVED

to note this information

604 CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL – THE LICENCE ACT 2003

           Correspondence received from Central Bedfordshire Council informing the Town Council they are required to consult with statutory consultees and interested parties on its new Licensing Policy Statement.  A draft copy of the new Licensing Policy was included for consideration. The consultation will run from 16 September to 9 December 2009. 

            RESOLVED  

to consider and comment on the draft report at the next meeting 

605 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

(a) Report from Cllr Hugh Harper on the Inspectors Report 2009.    

The Chairman reported that everyone should have seen a copy of the Inspector’s report which was circulated with the agenda and asked if there were any comments.  He said he was pleased that the Inspector supported the Town Council’s proposals. 

RESOLVED  

to note the contents of the report 

Unitary Cllr John Street left the meeting

(b) Planning Obligations Strategy Supplementary Planning Document: Update

The Chairman reported that with the impending adoption of the Core Strategy and Development Management Plan Document, the Adopted Local Plan (2005) will be largely superseded.  Therefore, the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) based on the Local Plan will also be superseded and as such, the Planning Obligations Strategy has been updated to reflect the new policy framework.  Any comments on the updates to the SPD should be received by the 19 October 2009. 

RESOLVED  

to note this information  

(c) Central Bedfordshire Local Development Framework (North)

     Site Allocations DPD: Site Assessment Criteria Consultation 

The Chairman reported there are some issues, such as development in the Green Belt or the Flood Plain, which are already set out in Government guidance.  There are other issues where the LDF Team has more discretion and they are seeking Council’s views to find out what local priorities are in the parish.  This will also give the Town Council the opportunity to suggest other criteria which may have been left out.  

Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the correspondence from Bedfordshire Highways Watchman-in-Chief, which informed the Council of the consultation process and timescales for producing the draft programme for consultation.  Attached was an extract from the current five year programme, showing all schemes identified within the town and a proforma for Council to suggest schemes for consideration and identify any other requests that Highways are not aware of, to go into the Central Bedfordshire Highways Five-Year Programme for 2010 – 2015.   

RESOLVED   

the scheme identified by the Town Council to put forward for consideration, as it is considered to be an area of great concern regarding public safety, is to create a new footway between the driveway where the existing footpath ends, up to the entrance to the Arlesey Football Club.   

607 CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL – THE GAMBLING ACT 2005

Correspondence received from Central Bedfordshire Council informing the Town Council they are required to consult with statutory consultees and interested parties on its new Statement of Principles.  A draft copy on the new Statement of Principle was included for consideration.  The consultation will run from 7 September to 30 November 2009.

RESOLVED

to consider and comment on the draft report at the next meeting

Cllr M Rainbow left the meeting at this point

Cllr D Beatham left the meeting whilst the next item was discussed

The Chairman reported an update had been received concerning the purchase of allotment land.  It informed the Town Council that the land forms part of a larger title and once that had been transferred, they would be on the point of completing so that the residue land can be sold without having to draw up a new plan.   

RESOLVED  

to note this information  

609 LAND TO THE REAR OF 128 TO 134 HIGH STREET 

The Chairman reported on the Deed of Easement situation and explained that unfortunately, the client’s new mortgage and planning permission has expired.  Once both these issues have been resolved Council should receive a more substantive response. 

RESOLVED  

to note this information 

610 CEMETERY DITCH

The Chairman reported that the Environment Agency had responded to the Town Council’s letter asking for consent to pipe and fill in the ditch at the cemetery.  They had reviewed the information submitted and made the following comments:

Culverting of the watercourse will require the prior written approval of the Environment Agency under s.23 of the Land Drainage Act 1991.  Consent is unlikely to be granted in this instance. 

The Chairman continued that the Environment Agency policy includes a general opposition to culverting except for access purposes.  The proposed culverting is unacceptable because: the culvert would cause a restriction of the flow in the watercourse; the culvert would increase the risk of blockage of the watercourse.

RESOLVED

that a meeting should be arranged with the Environment Agency to discuss the Town Council’s proposed plans 

611 NHS BEDFORDSHIRE

Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the correspondence from Andrew Morgan, Chief Executive which listed highlights and achievements over the past year.   

RESOLVED

to note this information                                                                                                               

612 RESOURCE CENTRE

Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the notes from the Resource Centre Strategy Group meeting held on  21 May 2009

RESOLVED

the Resource Centre Strategy Group meeting notes for 21 May 2009 be accepted                   

613 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES

Reports from the following Committees:

Environmental Committee – 15 September 2009 

Property Committee – 15 September 2009      

General Purpose & Finance – 15 September 2009           

RESOLVED

the above committee minutes be accepted and these would be approved and signed by the Chair of the committees at their next meeting 

614 MAINTENANCE CONTRACTOR 

Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the report outlining details of the meeting with Mr Jones, Mrs Rowe and the Town Clerk Mrs Hare, that took place on Wednesday  24 June  2009.

The Chairman asked if there were any comments on the report.   

RESOLVED

that the contents of the report be noted of the meeting with Mr Jones on 24 June 2009

615       EAST OF ENGLAND PLAN > 2031 CONSULTATION EVENT

The Chairman reported on the consultation event which took place on 8 September   2009 at the Central Bedfordshire Council offices. He outlined the evening’s agenda on why is the region growing and what are the choices in planning for growth. Over the next 20 years, the East of England will have a growing economy and a population expanding by up to 50,000 people a year.  With other social trends, this creates demand for new housing.  EERA has been asked by the Government to review regional planning policy to plan for new jobs and homes up to 2031 and beyond.   Comments to the consultation must be received by 24 November 2009.    

RESOLVED

to note this information and carry forward to the next meeting for commenting on the consultation 

616 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY – TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

The Chairman reported on the updated correspondence received from Chris Heard, Orders and Commons Registration Officer regarding the temporary road closure for Remembrance Sunday.  He said Mr Heard had been sent road closure and diversion details as requested and details of the road diversion signs which Highways will provide. The necessary consultations were now being carried out.  It was also necessary to inform CBC of contingency plans if the police were unable to attend.

RESOLVED

1. The Clerk will write to confirm a contingency plan is in place if police presence is not possible at the Remembrance Sunday Service. 

2. And that Cllr Dalagrno will organise nominated councillors to put out the traffic diversion signs and remove them after the service and that they will also assist with traffic management during the service to ensure public safety. 

617 CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL – DESIGN GUIDE CONSULTATION

The Chairman reported on the correspondence received from the LDF Team informing Council of the public consultation event of the new Design Guide for Central Bedfordshire.  He said the letter had detailed some of the changes in the new Design Guide, and the Clerk had ordered hard copies of the draft guide so that Members could comment on the full document.  He added the Design Guide has been extended to cover the new Central Bedfordshire area and Highways issues will be a Supplementary Planning Document and will form part of the Local Development Framework. Comments on the guide must be made by 16 November 2009.  

RESOLVED

to carry this forward to view at the next meeting 

618 REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS

There were no reports from representatives for this meeting.

(a) Letter from contractor

(b) To arrange meeting

To resolve to exclude the public and press from the meeting under the Local Government Act 1972 Schedule 12a exempt information – Confidential

RESOLVED

to exclude the members of the public and press from the meeting for consideration of the exempt items

                                                                                                                        CHAIRMAN