|
|
Minutes of ARLESEY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING held in the Village Hall, Arlesey on Tuesday 1 March 2011 at 7pm. PRESENT: Cllrs: H Harper (Chairman) Mrs C Harris Mrs D Archer R Harris Mrs L Bowskill C Howitt J Caffrey M Rainbow I Dalgarno A White N Daniels V Williams Mrs H Frost Mrs E Hare (Clerk) and Mrs L Rowe (Assistant Clerk) In attendance: Central Bedfordshire Councillors John Saunders, John Street and Christina Turner 1009 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Cllr D Page and Cllr D West. 1010 MEMBERS’ INTEREST There were no declarations of: (a) Personal interests (b) Prejudicial interests 1011 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS The Chairman made the following announcements: (a) Dates for Diary – Annual Town Meeting, Civic Service and Family Fun Day The Annual Town meeting will be held on Monday 7 March at 7pm; The Annual Civic Service will be held at St Peter’s Church, Arlesey on Sunday 10 April at 11.30am and the Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday 16 July 2011. (b) Letter from Roger Davis, RoSPA Playsafety Inspector and Trainer A letter has been received from Roger Davis, a RoSPA Playsafety Inspector and Trainer thanking the Town Council for allowing him to use the children’s play ground for a RoSPA training session. (c) Changes to bus services in Central Bedfordshire A copy of the correspondence from the Media Officer relating to changes to the bus services in Central Bedfordshire has been put in councillor’s individual trays and on the Town Council’s website. (d) Correspondence from Shaun Izzard Shaun Izzard has written a letter on behalf of Arlesey Town Youth U11’s Football Team and coaching staff to thank the Town Council for sponsoring them for the season 2010/2011. They were able to purchase rain jackets for the team with the donation from the Council. To show their appreciation Shaun enclosed a framed photograph of the team in their new jackets. 1012 WESTERN ACCESS LOOP ROAD TO ARLESEY STATION, HENLOW Representatives of Bedfordshire Highways, Neil O’Leary, Principle Engineer in the Transportation Team and Steve Hall, Senior Engineer in charge of the Western Access Loop Road project outlined the current Highways work being carried out on the proposed traffic restrictions at Arlesey Railway Station. They also answered questions from a concerned Member on road speed, traffic control, road width on the A507 flyover and the entrance to slip roads in both directions. The Chairman thanked Mr Hall and Mr O’Leary for attending the meeting. 1013 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was no public participation. 1014 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 1 February 2011. RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on 1 February 2011 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a true record. 1015 MATTERS ARISING Matters arising from the previous meeting: Minute number 993 – Bedfordshire Highways – A letter has been received from Bedfordshire Highways regarding the Town Council’s response to the Central Bedfordshire Prioritised Works Programme. They have passed our request for a resurfacing scheme in Stotfold Road to the Structural Maintenance Working Group for consideration. Minute number 999 – Central Bedfordshire Local Transport Plan – A letter has been received from the LTP3 Team thanking the Town Council for their response to the consultation. In reply to Council’s request for resurfacing work in Stotfold Road mentioned in our response, it stated this work was not covered in the LTP3. They have passed this request to Bedfordshire Highways. 1016 POLICE - REPORT FROM THE LOCAL BEAT MANAGER PC Steve Holbrook was unavailable to attend the meeting and sent his apologies with PCSO Laura Wilson who gave out the crime figures for February. Laura reported the ASB and crime figures for February were lower than average: § ASB incidents reported for the month totaled11, which was the same as January § Crime – 9 were reported, which is a fall of 13 on the previous month § Burglary from other buildings – 1 offence reported in The Rally. § Other theft – 5 offences reported § Criminal damage – 1 offence recorded § Violent crime – 2 offences recorded § There were no other offences 1017 REPORTS FROM CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Cllr Ian Dalgarno as Councillor for Central Bedfordshire Council reported: § The Council has voted not to increase Council Tax § Over £180m will be spent on local services including roads, libraries, schools, social care § School crossing patrols will continue and there will be a reduction in parking fees § The Nira project will cost £41m and will create 5,000 new jobs § Councillors voted to reduce their allowances by 2% § Employees pay over £21,500 will be reduced by 2% Cllr Christina Turner reported: § The Sustainable Communities Committee resolved they will concentrate on carrying repair works on B and C roads for one year. They cannot leave the major A roads for more than year without repair works. § A report had been released on the Bedfordshire Police Authority funding cuts. The overall priority is to maintain the services that matter most to local people and develop new ways of working that will deliver the necessary savings. Cllr John Street reported: § The recent Let’s Talk Together meetings are for residents to ask questions and get answers, these will be followed up as required 1018 SCHOOL/NURSERY GOVERNOR REPORTS No reports for this meeting. 1019 FINANCE (a) Budget Summary of Income and Expenditure – January 2011 Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the budget summary of Income and Expenditure for January 2011. RESOLVED that the Budget Summary for Month 10 – January 2011 be accepted (b) Accounts Payments Prior to the meeting Members received a schedule for the February accounts due for payment. It was proposed to approve the payments. RESOLVED that the payments on the schedule be paid (c) Street Light Members were asked to approve the street lighting column to replace the bracket light attached to 43 Hitchin Road, Arlesey by Bedfordshire Highways for the cost of £1,870.84, This was recommended by the General Purpose/Finance Committee at their meeting held on 15 February 2011 – (minute number 378) The Chairman said the Clerk had received a letter from the resident requesting that they look at plans and meet with Highways before the installation of the lighting column. They also want the Town Council to remove the bracket and conduit from their property. The Clerk added that she had contacted Highways and they said they would talk to the resident before the installation. RESOLVED 1. to approve the new lighting column for £1,870.84 2. when the new lighting column is installed the Clerk arranges with the local street lighting contractor to quote for removing the bracket and conduit (d) Redborne School Sport Partnership Members were asked to approve a grant of £100 to the partnership as recommended by the General Purpose/Finance Committee at their meeting held on 15 February 2011 – (minute number 383) RESOLVED to approve a donation of £100 towards the partnership’s group of School Sport Coordinators who provide and deliver the many sport activities in the Redborne School Sport Partnership Network This is awarded as the provision under S.137 of the Local Government Act 1972 1020 HICCA WAY The Chairman reported to members that planning permission was required to erect a bridge over the moat at Hicca Way. It would cost less if the Town Council made the planning application for this on behalf of ACORN. It was proposed that the Town Council applies for planning permission for a bridge at Hicca Way. RESOLVED that the Town Council submits a planning application for a bridge over the moat at Hicca Way 1021 CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL - SEASONAL VEGETATION CONTRACT 2011-2012 The Chairman said this item had been brought forward from the Town Council meeting held on 1 February 2011. He gave a report from a meeting held on Tuesday 22 February 2011 with the Rights of Way Officer Andrew Gwillan, and representatives of the ACORN and P3 Group. It was agreed at the meeting that Central Bedfordshire Council will cut the areas the ACORN and P3 Group did not normally manage. AGREED to note the Chairman’s report and that Central Bedfordshire Council will cut the areas not normally cut by ACORN and the P3 Group 1022 ARLESEY YOUTH CLUB The Chairman reminded Members that Central Bedfordshire Council are withdrawing their funding from Youth Services and the Town Council is keen not to lose the youth provision for Arlesey. He said he and Cllr Williams will be attending a partnership event being held in the Central Bedfordshire Council Chambers at Dunstable on 2 March 2011. The purpose of the event is to share and involve interested parties in helping to shape the future delivery of services to young people in Central Bedfordshire. RESOLVED the Chairman and Cllr Williams attend the partnership event and report back to the next Council meeting 1023 DEVELOPMENT OF PLAY FACILITIES – TRIM TRAIL PROJECT Members received copies of the quotations for the trim trail and skate park project. The Chairman said this is all part of the Town Council’s involvement with Central Bedfordshire Play Partnership to develop the play facilities at the MUGA/recreation area by using the Playbuilder grant and outstanding S106 monies. To complete the project the MUGA fence work will be also included. He informed Members that as there was an additional ramp for the skate park the funding for this will come from the skate park earmarked reserve. The Chairman added the MUGA fence will be discussed at the working party meeting on 6 March 2011 and approved at the Property Committee meeting on 15 March 2011. RESOLVED 1. to agree to complete the trim trail project application which will include the trim trail, youth shelter, additional skate ramp and the MUGA fence 2. the additional skate ramp funding to come from the skate park earmarked reserve 1024 EXEMPT ITEM Cemetery Report 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 1026 The Chairman proposed to go back to part one of the Town Council meeting. RESOLVED to continue part one of the Town Council meeting 1027 PURCHASE OF LAND FOR ALLOTMENTS The Chairman reported that draft paperwork has been received from the Town Council’s solicitor for consideration to proceed with the sale of land in Stotfold Road for allotments. He said he and the Clerk attended a meeting with the solicitor to discuss the way forward. He added that the solicitor will carry out searches and environmental searches. There is no easement for water supplies to the site. The Chairman reported that he did go to see a Planning Officer to find out if planning permission for allotments was needed. RESOLVED 1. on condition that the solicitor carries out the searches the Council will purchase the land for £15,001 2. the funding for the allotment to come from reserves 3. to arrange for water supply for the allotment to the site In accordance with the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 ss 23 to provide allotments 1028 LAND AT THE REAR OF 128 – 134 HIGH STREET, ARLESEY
The Chairman reported that correspondence had been received from the owner of the land at the rear of 128 – 134 High Street, Arlesey. He is currently looking into resurrecting the building project and would like the Town Council to consider his offer for access rights to the land.
RESOLVED
1. to agree the Deed of Easement for £22,500 plus £1,000 towards Council’s legal costs
2. the Deed of Easement is agreed for one dwelling
3. the specification of the tarmac works must be submitted to the Town Council for approval and that all other works and matters relating to the drive must comply with Highways specifications. 1029 TOWN COUNCIL POLICIES The Chairman asked Members to consider adopting the following policies approved at the General Purpose & Finance Committee held on 15 February 2011 – (minute number 379 (a) (b) (c)) (a) Disciplinary Procedure Policy (b) Staff Grievance Procedure Policy (c) Bullying and Harassment Policy and Procedure RESOLVED 1. to adopt the Disciplinary and Procedure Policy 2. to adopt the Staff Grievance and Procedure Policy 3. to adopt the Bullying and Harassment Policy and Procedure The Chairman asked Members to consider adopting the Risk Assessment and Management Policy 2010/2011 which was reviewed at the General Purpose & Finance Committee held on 15 February 2011 – (minute number 380) (d) Risk Assessment and Management Policy 2010/2011 RESOLVED to adopt the Risk Assessment and Management Policy 2010/2011 1030 INTERNAL AUDIT REVIEW To approve the effectiveness of the internal audit report from the working party appointed by the General Purpose/Finance Committee. The Chairman reported that the working party had been unable to meet in time for the meeting. The Clerk reminded Council this report must be approved in this financial year. RESOLVED the working party will produce a report for approval at a special meeting to be held on 29 March 2011 1031 RESOURCE CENTRE
Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the notes from the Resource Centre Strategy Group meeting held on 4 November 2010
RESOLVED
the contents of the Resource Centre Strategy Group meeting notes for 4 November be accepted
1032 MINUTES FROM COMMITTEES
Members received reports from the following Committees:
Environmental Committee – 15 February 2011
Property Committee – 15 February 2011
General Purpose/Finance Committee – 18 January 2011
General Purpose/Finance Committee –15 February 2011
RESOLVED
the above committee minutes be accepted and these would be approved and signed by the Chair of the committees at their next meeting 1033 THE PUBLIC FOREST ESTATE – POLICY CONSULTATION The Policy Consultation on The Public Forest Estate was previously circulated to Members for consideration. County associations and member local councils are strongly encouraged to respond to this consultation. In order to help shape up their submission, NALC welcomes responses by 12 April 2011. RESOLVED no comments to the consultation 1034 CLG – CODE OF RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES ON DATA TRANSPARENCY – CONSULTATION The Chairman said all Members should have received a copy of the Communities and Local Government consultation paper of the Recommended Code of Practice on Data Transparency circulated with their agendas. He said responses to this consultation should be submitted by 14 March 2011. RESOLVED 1. to respond on revising the proposed Code that the Town Council felt that all published items of spend should be from £1,000 2. the Town Council agreed with the threshold of £58,200 to apply to disclosure of senior salaries in local authorities 1035 REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS There were no representatives of outside bodies’ reports for the meeting. CHAIRMAN Date
|
|
