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Minutes of ARLESEY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING held in the Village Hall, Arlesey on Tuesday 1 December 2009 at 7pm. PRESENT: Cllrs: H Harper (Chairman) Mrs H Frost Mrs D Archer R Harris D Beatham C Howitt Mrs L Bowskill M Rainbow J Caffrey D West N Daniels V Williams I Dalgarno Also present: Unitary Cllr Mrs Christina Turner Mrs E Hare (Clerk) 648 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mrs C Harris, Cllr D Page, unitary Councillors John Saunders and John Street 649 MEMBERS’ INTEREST The following disclosures of interest were received: Agenda item 12 – Removal of Public Phone Kiosk – House Lane Cllr C Howitt disclosed a personal interest, as he is a BT employee and took no part in the update. Agenda item 14 – 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 meeting during the discussion on this matter. No other declarations of personal or prejudicial interests were received. 650 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS The Chairman made the following announcements: (a) Arlesey Community Christmas Concert – Tuesday 8 December 2009 A Christmas Concert is being held in the Village Hall on the 8 December 2009 at 7o’clock. Music for the carols and Christmas songs will be provided by Stotfold Salvation Army Band and local organisations have been invited to participate. (b) St Peter’s Church Christmas Tree Festival – 12 & 13 December 2009 An invitation has been received to participate in the St Peter’s Church Christmas Tree Festival being held on 12 and 13 December 2009. The Chairman said his wife Anne and Betty Edlin are willing to decorate a tree for the Town Council. (c) BRCC – The Playing Field Newsletter The Playing Field Newsletter is available in the office for viewing (d) Bedford Volunteer Bureau – AGM 4 December 2009 The Volunteer Centre’s AGM meeting is this Friday 4 December 2009. Please let the Clerk know if you wish to attend. (e) Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity e-bulletin A copy of the BRCC e-bulletin has been placed in councillors personal trays. (f) Young Person of the Year Awards Nicola King has reported to Council that she recently attended the Young Person of the Year award at Woburn Sculpture Gallery. She had nominated a young man from Arlesey, Danny Kiteley who DJ’s at events and volunteers his time on youth projects. She was pleased when he made the finals and delighted that he won the award. (g) Poppy Appeal 2009 This year’s Poppy Appeal raised £825. 651 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was no public participation. 652 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 3 November 2009. RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on 3 November 2009 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a true record. 653 MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising from the previous meeting 654 POLICE - REPORT FROM THE LOCAL BEAT MANAGER Due to an injury to his ankle, PC Steve Holbrook from the Safer Neighbourhood Team wasn’t able to attend the meeting. The Chairman gave PC Holbrook’s apology and read out his report to the meeting. · As was reported last month, the way crime and ASB figures are delivered has changed · The report gave the crime figures across the SNT area for August to October · Crime is up by 2.8%. A rise from an average of 35.7% to 36.7% crimes recorded per month · Burglary has risen, robbery there is no change, vehicle and violent crimes have fallen · Recorded ASB has fallen from 48.3% to 37.3% · All the figures were in comparison to the same period as last year 655 REPORTS FROM CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Cllr Ian Dalgarno as a Unitary Councillor for Central Bedfordshire Council reported: · He will be attending the LDF Development Strategy Task Force meeting on 7 December 2009 when the Gypsy and Traveller sites will come under discussion · He said Cllr Harper will attend the Task Force meeting on 14 December to present the Town Council’s views on the Gypsy and Traveller site · Central Bedfordshire Council is looking at ways to address the overspend on the budgets by 31 March 2010 · Staff will be moving out of the offices at Borough Hall and it is hoped to have all staff moved to the Chicksands office by June 2010. · A report will be presented to Council to decide on a proposed merger of Hitchmead and Sunnyside Schools in Biggleswade · The Chief Executive will carry out a review of the management team 656 SCHOOL GOVERNOR REPORT There was no report. 657 FINANCE (a) Budget Summary of Income and Expenditure–October 2009 Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the budget summary of Income and Expenditure for October 2009 RESOLVED that the Budget Summary for Month 7 – October 2009 be accepted (b) Proposed Budgets 2010/2011 Members received copies of the proposed budgets from the Environmental, Property and General Purpose/Finance Committee meetings held on 17 November 2009 for approval. These are pending minor adjustments following the review of salaries and report from the General Purpose & Finance working party meeting. RESOLVED that the proposed budgets from the committees be accepted subject to any minor adjustments to the proposed income and expenditure for final approval at the Precept meeting in January (c) Fees and Charges The proposed fees and charges for 2010/2011 were put to the Environmental and Property Committees at their meetings held on 17 November 2009. The recommendations by both committees were that all fees and charges for 2010/2011 should be increased by 3% from 1 April 2010. RESOLVED to increase allotment, football pitch, litter pick, village hall lettings, and cemetery and MUGA charges by 3% for 2010/2011 (d) Hire Charges Resource Centre The Chairman reported that at the Strategy Group meeting held on Thursday 26 November 2009 it was proposed to increase the hire charges by 3% from £7.50 to £7.72 per hour. It was also recommended at that meeting that the computer class charge of £10 per hour remains the same for 2010/2011. It was proposed that Members approve the increase of 3% in charges from 1 April 2010 and agree the computer class charge remains at £10. RESOLVED to increase the hire charges at the Resource Centre by 3% and that the hourly rate for a computer class remains at £10 658 BUS SHELTERS (a) Gothic Way The Chairman reported that he had been approached by residents from Gothic Way as they were seeking funding from the Bedfordshire Rural Transport Partnership Delegated Fund for a new bus shelter. It was proposed to support the application as there is not a bus shelter for the Gothic Way residents. RESOLVED to support the application for a new bus shelter in Gothic Way (b) Refurbishment/replace shelters in the town The Chairman reported that he had looked into the costings for replacing bus shelters in the town. The cost of moving the two shelters on the A507 is likely to cost the same as purchasing two new bus shelters. It was proposed to replace two shelters in the town with new bus shelters and the Clerk to look into obtaining some funding towards new shelters. RESOLVED to replace two bus shelters and to obtain some funding towards the project 659 REMOVAL OF PUBLIC PAYPHONE – HOUSE LANE The Chairman reported that the Town Council had responded to the consultation from Central Bedfordshire Council, and it was also their view the public telephone kiosk in House Lane should not be permanently removed. He reminded members that the kiosk had been removed by BT following an accident as it had been damaged. Central Bedfordshire Council had given support to the Town Council’s reasons why it should be reinstated. He said the next stage was to consult residents in the House Lane area so they have the opportunity to make their comments. It was proposed that the Town Council put a petition in the two shops in the area to give the public the opportunity to make views known. The petition could then be collected and sent on to Central Bedfordshire Council before 13 December 2009. RESOLVED the Clerk prepares petition paperwork and arranges for them to be collected in time to respond to the public consultation 660 ALCOHOL FREE ZONE The Chairman reported on the Alcohol Free Zone meeting that he attended with the Clerk on 1 December 2009. The cause of the delay in the Council’s application was mainly due to the unitary change. No adverse comments had been received to the initial consultation. The police reports had been received. The railway station has been included in the application. This has now to be accepted by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee before going out to public consultation. RESOLVED to note this information Cllr D Beatham left the meeting whilst the next item was discussed 661 LAND AT STOTFOLD ROAD The Chairman reported the Clerk had contacted the Town Council’s solicitor to ask if there was any progress on the land purchase. The solicitor had heard nothing further on the matter. RESOLVED to note this information 662 CEMETERY DITCH (a) Letter received from the Environment Agency in response to their site visit on 10 November 2009. Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the Environment Agency’s letter, which was in response to their site visit on 10 November 2009. It stated their reasons why they are opposed to culverting the ditch. The conservation team are also concerned that as the presence of ditches and other watercourses in the countryside continues to decline it is important to conserve and enhance these habitats. RESOLVED to note the contents of the letter from the Environment Agency (b) Highways – Clear ditch The Chairman reported that the Clerk had made enquiries with Highways for a cost to clear the ditch. RESOLVED this information be noted 663 REVIEW OF LOCAL BUS SERVICES The Chairman reported the correspondence received from Central Bedfordshire Council informed Council they are to conduct a Review of Local Bus Services and invited the Town Council to participate in the Review process. He said everyone has a copy of the Local Bus Service Review 2009/2010 in which it stated that due to overspend there would be cuts in the number of supported services. RESOLVED to respond to the review 664 CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL The Chairman read out to the meeting an email from Central Bedfordshire Council, which was in response to the Town Council’s correspondence concerning devolved services. It stated that there would be no services handed down to the Town Council in the near future. RESOLVED to note the response on devolved services 665 CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the progress report from the Town Councils’ representative of the LSP Board meeting held on 12 November 2009. RESOLVED to note the contents in the report 666 TOWN & PARISH COUNCIL CONFERENCE The Chairman reported that he and the Clerk attended the second Town & Parish Council Conference held on 4 November 2009. The meeting started with an Economic Briefing for the Public Sector. Cllr Tricia Turner gave a welcome and introduced everyone to the new Chief Executive Richard Carr. Cllr Richard Stay reported on the progress of implementing the Community Engagement Strategy and Richard Ellis reported on the development of the Sustainable Communities Strategy. The meeting finished with an Open Forum. RESOLVED to note the details of the Chairman’s report on the Town and Parish Conference 667 COMMUNITY CENTRE CAR PARK The Chairman read out to the meeting a complaint from a hirer about parking at the Village Hall. The Chairman also read an email which was in reply to another complaint regarding inconsiderate parking by parents visiting the car park to collect and drop off their children. It was proposed as it is difficult to police the car park no further action can be taken. RESOLVED no further action at this particular time 668 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK The Chairman reported the latest information on the Central Bedfordshire (North) Site Allocations process and what opportunities will be available for further comments. He said the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended a list of proposed sites from their September meeting. These were presented at the Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive meeting on 10 November 2009. The full version of the DPD will be considered at a meeting of the Council on 7 January 2010. After that meeting a public consultation will take place. RESOLVED to note the details of the Chairman’s report on the Site Allocation process 669 RESOURCE CENTRE Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the notes from the Resource Centre Strategy Group meeting held on 3 September 2009 RESOLVED the contents of the Resource Centre Strategy Group meeting notes for 3 September 2009 be accepted 700 GROUND STAFF Cllr Ian Dalgarno, Chairman of the General Purpose & Finance Committee gave a report on the progress of the working party meeting held on 26 November 2009. He said proposals were put forward for a full time employee. He said the funding for this was within the current budget for a full-time employee and for a vehicle. An advertisement to recruit for the post will go in the local newspaper in early January. There is funding to supply small tools. The position will cover indoor and outdoor work. Training will be offered where necessary and holiday cover can be available. There will be another working party meeting shortly. The employee should be in place by 1 April 2010. It was proposed to carry out an audit of tools and to consider an area in the MUGA as a workshop. RESOLVED 1. To note the contents of Cllr Dalgarno’s report 2. Cllr Harper to carry out an audit of the Town Council’s tools 701 HEALTH & SAFETY The Chairman reported that the Health and Safety at Work Policy had been reviewed at the General Purpose & Finance Committee meeting held on 17 November 2009 (minute number 250) and it was recommended for approval at the next Town Council meeting. RESOLVED to adopt the Health and Safety at Work Policy as recommended by the General Purpose & Finance Committee 702 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES Members received reports from the following Committees: Environmental Committee – 17 November 2009 Property Committee – 17 November 2009 General Purpose & Finance – 17 November 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 703 CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL – HACKNEY CARRIAGE STANDS Members considered the correspondence received from Margaret James, Licensing Enforcement Officer who is seeking Council’s views on whether a hackney carriage stand would be useful in any particular location in Arlesey. It was proposed that there is no need for a hackney carriage stand anywhere in Arlesey as there is sufficient private hire and taxis operating in the town. RESOLVED to respond to the letter that the Town Council felt there was no need for a hackney carriage stand in Arlesey 704 R.A.V.E. BUS The Chairman reported the R.A.V.E bus was available for bookings and added that the last booking for the bus had been very successful It was proposed, as there were still funds available in the budget, to book the bus again for young people in the town. RESOLVED the Clerk looks into booking the R.A.V.E. Bus for sometime in the new year 705 CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY The Chairman reported on the correspondence received from Central Bedfordshire Council. It was to inform the Town Council that Central Bedfordshire’s Local Strategic Partnership is developing a comprehensive Community Engagement Strategy. The aim of the Community Engagement Strategy is to deliver greater added value to the general public by understanding their needs and issues, and giving them more involvement in the decision making process and access to public sector services. The Town Council has been invited to take part in this consultation and the views and comments must be returned by 18 January 2010. RESOLVED to respond to the consultation 706 REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS Reports from the representatives of outside bodies: The Chairman reported on: The Town Plan · The area on the Chase Hill footway has been cleared and bulbs have now been planted 707 EXEMPT ITEM Staff salaries annual review 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
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