Apologies for absence were received from Cllr D Page and County Councillor J Street.  An apology for late arrival at the meeting was sent in from Cllr I Dalgarno. 

234 TO DISCUSS FUTURE COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR 2008/2009

It was proposed that 15 Members remain on the Planning Committee and that the Environmental, Property and General Purpose & Finance Committees have 10 Members.  The Public Relations Committee shall remain with 6 Members.  It was also proposed that the Environmental and Property Committee meetings should continue on the third Tuesday of each month and to include the General Purpose & Finance Committee meeting every month with the Property and Environmental Committees every other month following the Planning Committee.

The following councillors were appointed to represent the Town Council to outside bodies:

Town Plan                                                              Cllrs H Harper, Ms C Marshall, R Harris

237 APPOINTMENT OF GOVERNORS

It was confirmed Cllr N Daniels remain as Town Council representative Governor on Gothic             Mede Lower School and Cllr Mrs H Frost remain as Town Council representative on Arlesey Nursery School Governing Body

238 SUBSCRIPTIONS FALLING ANNUALLY – BATPC

Bedfordshire Association of Town and Parish Councils subscription £889.00 (last year £809.00)

It  was AGREED that this should be paid.

239 STANDING ORDERS

It was proposed to make the following amendments to Standing Orders

DELETE 1a – Smoking is not permitted at any meetings of the Council

Number 43 – The following committees comprise of:  AMEND the number of committee members from 15 on the Environmental, General Purpose/Finance and Property Committees to 10 members on each committee

Number 55 – AMEND the sentence commencing: Statement of Accounts of the Council …… to Council for formal approval before the 31 July 2008

RESOLVED

to make the amendments as proposed to Standing Orders

240 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None

241 MEMBERS’ INTEREST

Cllr D West declared a personal interest on agenda item 15 – Local Beat Manager’s Monthly Report as some of the crime figures were against him

No other declarations of personal or prejudicial interest were received.

PC Steve Holbrook from the Safer Neighbourhood Team gave the following report for the Arlesey ASB incidents and recorded crimes for the month of April: 

·         There were a total of 26 reports on anti-social behaviour during April; most of the incidents were in 3 main areas, Gothic Way, the railway station and St Peters Avenue.  PC Holbrook said the police were continuing to work with MBDC and Aragon Housing Association with the Gothic Way issues.

·         A total of 14 crimes were recorded

·         There was 1 house burglary, fortunately nothing was stolen

·         No theft of motor vehicles reported in April

·         2 thefts from motor vehicles, one offender was identified

·         No violent crime was reported, 6 incidents of criminal damage

·         Other burglary - I recorded incident and there was a match to footwear

·         No theft, fraud or drug related incidents reported

·         1 other crime which was a sensitive issue and 3 others were reported

245 REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES    

County Councillor John Saunders reported:

·         We must carry on opposing the proposed Gypsy and Traveller sites in Arlesey and Stotfold

·         Services and land that belongs to the County Council will be transferred to the new Unitary Central Bedfordshire Authority

246 REPORTS FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

Cllr Hugh Harper as District Councillor reported:

·         On the Seconds Issues and Options consultation to the sites for Gypsy Accommodation and gave details of the response from the public consultation

·         He said that only 1% of respondents to the consultation supported the site in West Drive and 34% did not support the site, 65% stated no preference or made no response.  The majority of supporters for this site were from Blunham and Stotfold

·         The Highways Authority is satisfied with the access for up to 8 pitches therefore unlikely to cause concern from a highways perspective.

·         West Drive is a private road which is intended to be adopted to provide a bus route to Fairfield Park development.  An electronic gate will be installed at the eastern end for bus access only, no other through traffic will be able to pass between Arlesey and Fairfield Park

·         Although West Drive is prone to water logging, the use of  sustainable drainage systems will address the existing surface water issues and is not a constraint to development

·         On the proposed site Land north of Arlesey Road, Stotfold public consultation results were, 1% of respondents supported the site, 48% do not support the site and 51% stated no preference or made no response

Cllr I Dalgarno entered the meeting at 7.50pm

247 SCHOOL GOVERNOR REPORT

There was no report

248 FINANCE

(a) Budget Summary of Income and Expenditure – 31 March 2008  

Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the Budget Summary of Income and Expenditure for month 12, March 2008 

RESOLVED

the Budget Summary for March 2008 be noted

(b) Draft Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2008 and year end close down report

Cllr Harper reported the year end close down had taken place.  The final set of accounts still had to be completed.  He said the accounts were healthy.  He signed the draft copy.

It was RESOLVED to note this information

Previous to the meeting Members had received a copy of the report of the meeting with Mr Johns, Mrs Rowe and Mrs Hare on the 25 April 2008.    

It was RESOLVED to note the report on the meeting with Mr Jones on 25 April 2008                        

251 FAMILY FUN DAY

The Chairman reported on the Family Fun Day meeting of the 17 April 2008 and said the  planning of the day’s events were coming together with many more and different  attractions for this year.  There would be overnight security provided this year so that some people could setup there stalls on the Friday evenings.  Members were asked if they would be available.

Cllr H Harper reported on the meeting he attended on Tuesday 29 April 2008.  He said it was a very interesting meeting and the touring scheme run by MBDC would pay 50% of the costs towards professional actors for live performances or 30% towards films shown in community halls.  He said it would be something that the Town Plan could work on.

It was RESOLVED to note this information

253 BASIC DRUG AND ALCOHOL AWARENESS TRAINING

The Chairman reminded Members that the Basic Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training arranged through the Confident Communities Fund as requested by Members, had arranged two dates for the training Monday 2 June or Monday 9 June 2008 at The Rufus Centre, Flitwick.  Forms are available from the Clerk and these needed to be returned by 20 May 2008 

254 REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS 

The following report was given from a representative of an outside body:

Glebe Meadow Management Group

Cllr Ms C Marshall reported on the meeting that took place on 23 April 2008:

·         The information cabinet to the entrance of Glebe Meadows will need replacing within the next two years

·         Due to foot and mouth disease there was no grazing last year on the meadows

·         Red Polls are now being vaccinated against Blue Tongue and will be on the meadows by late June

·         Widening for ease of mobility vehicles to the area inside the metal gate leading to the Glebe Meadow entrance is under consideration.

·         Andy Fleck from the Wildlife Trust expressed his thanks to all the volunteers and said the meadows were being kept in good order

·         Cllr Ms Marshall said she had been elected as acting chairman in the temporary absence of representation by the Ivel and Ouse Valley Countryside Project

·         The next meeting would be on the 8 October 2008

255 CHAIRMANS ANNOUNCEMENTS

(a) Bedfordshire County Council – Arlesey Children’s Centre Professional Lunch

The Chairman read out a letter from the Children’s Centre Development Officer inviting Members to a Professional Lunch on the 3 June 2008.  The lunch was to give an update on Bedfordshire Children’s Centres and to discuss the way forward for Arlesey Children’s Centre. He went on to say if anyone wanted to attend the lunch they should inform the Clerk

It was RESOLVED to note this information 

(b) Temporary Road Closures

The Chairman announced temporary road closures for Chase Close, Everest Close, Hillary Rise, The Poplars and Vicarage Close, Arlesey this was to enable resurfacing works to take place between 1 May and 30 June.  Specific dates would be advertised on site closer the time.

It was RESOLVED to note this information 

256 MID BEDS DISTRICT COUNCIL

A Notice of Application to vary Arlesey Social Club Premises Licence was received from MBDC.  All representations must be made in writing by 30 May 2008

RESOLVED

to approve the variation subject to neighbours being consulted

257 BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL HIGHWAYS – ENHANCED PARTNERSHIP SCHEME FOR 2008/09

           The Chairman reported that a letter had been received from Bedfordshire County Council Highways Team following the Annual Parish Liaison meeting on 3 April 2008.  The letter highlighted the town’s highway issues discussed at the meeting and these had been scheduled into the Highways Programme for this year.

It was RESOLVED to note this information

                                                                                                                         CHAIRMAN