MINUTES OF SHERINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TOWN HALL, SHERINGHAM, ON TUESDAY 1ST MARCH, 2016 AT 7.30 PM.

PRESENT: The Town Mayor – Cllr D Gooch

Cllrs Brooks, Ashcroft, Fields, Worboys, Craske, Farley,

Ward and McGinn

Dist Cllrs Shepherd and Oliver

The Town Clerk

Rev C Heycocks

The Press

9997. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER APOLOGIES: The following Councillors gave their apologies:

Cllrs Burns and Smith – are travelling.

Cllr Cox and Withington – family commitments.

Cllr Ringer – at University.

Dist Cllr D Smith – is unwell.

Cty Cllr Hannah.

9998. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST RELATING TO BUSINESS BEING TRANSACTED AT THIS MEETING: There were no declarations on this occasion.

9999. ITEMS REQUIRING A RESOLUTION UNDER THE PUBLIC BODIES ACT (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS ACT 1960) TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND PUBLIC UNDER SECTION 1C OF STANDING ORDERS: Cllr Farley recommending taking Item 18 under Standing Order 1C due to the sensitive nature of business being transacted.

10000.TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 2ND FEBRUARY, 2016: Cllr Farley asked for an amendment to Min 9989 – line 2 – to delete “sets” and insert “would be setting”; the Mayor asked for an amendment to Min 9992 – line 2 – to inset “the Sports Association and Mr C Taylor the local photographer; with the above amendments, Cllr McGinn PROPOSED acceptance of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 2nd February, 2016; Cllr Craske seconded. IT WAS AGREED.

10001.POLICE REPORT: The Clerk read from a Police Report which is annexed hereto.

10002.MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES – FOR INFORMATION ONLY: There were no matters arising on this occasion.

10003. TOWN MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The Town Mayor reported attending the following engagements:

12th February – Norwich and Peterborough Building Society for a Presentation of Award for Dementia Training.

13th February – Oddfellows Hall for the shield painting for the Viking Parade.

22nd February – Official photoshoot with others from the Cromer and Sheringham united front opposing increases to Parking Charges and the North Norfolk Tourism Overview and Management Forum.

23rd February – interviewed by Mr N Conrad on Radio Norfolk regarding increases in Parking Charges and increases in Council Attendance Allowances proposed for NNDC Councillors.

10004.COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS: Cty Cllr Hannah provided a Report which was circulated at the meeting and is annexed hereto.

Dist Cllr Oliver also provided a Report which is annexed hereto.

Dist Cllr Shepherd reported on The Shannocks Hotel – matters are moving forward with the Secretary of State in relation to a Compulsory Purchase Order and NNDC are engaged in negotiations involving a voluntary purchase agreement.

10005.TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 2ND FEBRUARY 2016: The Minutes having been previously circulated, Cllr McGinn PROPOSED acceptance of the Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 2nd February, 2016; Cllr Farley seconded. IT WAS AGREED.

10006.TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE GENERAL PURPOSES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 16TH FEBRUARY, 2016: The Minutes having been previously circulated, The Clerk asked for an amendment to Item 6 – line 6 – to delete “NNDC” and insert “NCC”; Item 12 – line 2 – to delete “purchase” and insert transfer; Item 18 – line 2 – to delete “Arbelio” and insert “Abellio”; with the above amendments Cllr McGinn PROPOSED acceptance of the Minutes of the General Purposes and Development Committee held on 16th February, 2016; Cllr Fields seconded. IT WAS AGREED.

10007.RESOLUTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING FOR UP TO 15 MINUTES FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON MATTERS RELATING TO BUSINESS BEING TRANSACTED THIS MEETING: No Members of the Public wished to speak.

10008.FINANCE:

(A) ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: The Schedule of the Accounts for Payment having been previously circulated, Cllr McGinn PROPOSED acceptance of the Schedule of Accounts in the sum of £19,036.03 inc vat; Cllr Brooks seconded. IT WAS AGREED.

(B) TO RECEIVE THE BUDGET ANALYSIS FOR JANUARY 2016:

Members had been previously been furnished with a copy of the Budget Analysis for January 2016 for information.

(C) RESPONSE FROM LARKING GOWEN ACCOUNTANTS REGARDING THE VAT PARTIAL EXCEPTION: The Clerk read the letter from Larking Gowen Accountants confirming the VAT Partial Exemption has been completed up to 31st December, 2015.

(D) TO APPROVE NALC STAFF TRAINING COURSES: Cllr Ashcroft PROPOSED approving the Clerical Assistant and the Deputy Clerk to attend a Local Government Finance Course and a Clerks and Councillors Initial Training course; Cllr Fields seconded. IT WAS AGREED.

(E) TO AGREE SETTING UP A DIRECT DEBIT TO STC MOBILE PHONE, UTILITIES AND DOMESTIC RATES – CLLR COX: In the absence of Cllr Cox this item was agreed to be deferred to the next meeting.

(F) TO AGREE RENEWAL OF SUBSCRIPTION TO NPLAW AT £400 PER ANNUM: Members had previously been circulated with a copy of the subscription renewal letter for information. After discussion Cllr Fields PROPOSED STC renews the Annual Subscription to Nplaw; Cllr Brooks seconded. IT WAS AGREED.

(G) GRANT APPLICATION:

(i) SHERINGHAM PLAYPARK REVAMP: Cllr McGinn PROPOSED granting £2500.00, to the Sheringham Playpark Revamp which has been set aside in the financial year under the 1976 LG (Misc Provisions) Act; Cllr Fields seconded. Cllrs Ashcroft and Brooks declared an interest – they are members of the Steering Committee. IT WAS AGREED.

10009.UPDATE ON PARKING ISSUES WITH NCC AND CAR PARK INCREASE IN CHARGES WITH NNDC: The Mayor reported the following: On Friday 12th February, 2016, Cty Cllr Hannah advised the question of placing Parking Meters in Cromer, Sheringham and Hunstanton was to be discussed by NCC on 18th February, 2016. A hasty meeting was arranged for Monday 15th February, 2016, at which Cty Cllr Hannah, two NCC Representatives, Representatives from the Cromer and Sheringham Chamber of Trade and Sheringham District Councillors and STC’s Mayor all attended. Opposition to the proposal was abundantly clear. At the same time NNDC had also agreed to increase Car Park charges up to 30p per hour at Sheringham. On Thursday 18th February, 2016, NCC postponed making a decision. On Friday 19th February, 2016, Cty Cllr Hannah arranged a further meeting for Thursday 3rd March, 2016, so that the situation could be discussed further.

10010.UPDATE ON LEASE OF TOWN HALL GROUND FLOOR OFFICES:

The Mayor reported that he has signed the Lease which has now been passed to STC’s Solicitors for signature by the Tenants. The Clerk reported that she had been informed by STC’s Agents, Arnolds Keys Ltd and Mr Ferguson of Nplaw, that the Tenant now wished to move the completion date to 1st April, 2016. The Clerk explained this was most unsatisfactory as the original completion date had been October 2015 and was then moved to 1st March, 2016. Due to the nature of this information the Clerk suggested STC’s Agents approach the Tenants and state that if the completion date was extended to 1st April, 2016, the Tenant should forfeit four weeks of the six weeks rent free agreement. A discussion ensued when Cllr McGinn PROPOSED the Clerk informs STC’s Agents that four weeks of the free rent period will be deducted from the six week agreement due to further delays in finalising the tenancy; Cllr Ashcroft seconded. IT WAS AGREED.

10011.UPDATE FROM QUEENS 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS WORKING PARTY: Cllr Ashcroft informed Members that a meeting is set to discuss the Queens 90th Birthday Celebrations at Oddfellows Hall on 4th March, 2016, and a meeting has also been organised for Residents at the Sheringham Community Centre on 21st March, 2016, to progress matters.

10012.UPDATE ON ANNUAL TOWN MEETING – FRIDAY 1ST APRIL 2016:The Mayor reminded Committee Chairpersons to draw up their reports to present to the ATM. Guest speakers have been invited – Sheringham Little Theatre, The Mo Sheringham Museum and the Sheringham and District Sports Association – Mr C Taylor the local photographer has sent apologies.

10013.UPDATE FROM HIGHWAYS ENGINEER REGARDING BEESTON ROAD BRIDGE: Members had previously been furnished with a copy of the response from the Highways Engineer which contained two options to enhance pedestrian safety. A full discussion ensued, after which Cllr Ward PROPOSED STC accepts low cost option one – signs at each end indicating a narrowing of the road with a sub-plate saying “single file traffic, SLOW painted on the road next to them and white hatching (500mm wide by 15m long) both sides under the bridge to give the impression of narrowing, thereby reducing speed of vehicles, at a cost of approximately £1000.00, with backing from the Parish Partnership; Cllr Worboys seconded. IT WAS AGREED. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Resident who initially raised safety concerns.

10014.TO APPROVE LICENCE FROM NNDC REGARDING THE JUBILEE BEACON INSTALLATION AT THE ESPLANADE: Members had previously been circulated with a copy of the Licence between NNDC and STC relating to the installation of the Jubilee Beacon at The Esplanade. A Representative from NNDC and a builder from Norfolk Homes have met on site and agreed a position for the erection of the plinth. A discussion took place when Cllr Brooks PROPOSED STC signs the Licence from NNDC for STC to take on the responsibility of the Beacon and Plinth at The Leas Gardens; Cllr Ashcroft seconded. IT WAS AGREED.

10015.REPORT FROM THE NORTH NORFOLK TOURISM OVERVIEW AND MANAGEMENT FORUM – CLLR WITHINGTON: Members were all previously circulated with a copy of Cllr Withingtons report, along with a copy of Minutes of the Meeting from Wells Town Council. A second meeting has been arranged towards the end of this month. The Mayor thanked Cllr Withington for her report.

10016.TO REPORT OF PUBLIC TOILET CLOSURES: The Mayor referred to a recent article in the Press which referred to the possible closure of Lushers toilets at High Street in Sheringham. He explained there have been several comments from Residents to save the toilet block. He urged STC to be pro-active and recommended writing to NNDC to enquire what their proposals are and when they come into effect and if the toilet block is under threat of closure that STC should consider taking over the running of the premises, just as per Holt Town Council. Cllr McGinn explained STC had attempted to purchase the toilet block in the past when threatened with closure but to no avail. He also highlighted that if STC were to take on the responsibility of the toilets that the premises would need to be kept clean 24 hours a day. After further discussion, Cllr Brooks PROPOSED STC contacts NNDC expressing total opposition to the closure of the Lusher’s toilet block and that the foot fall is greater than all the public toilets in the town; Cllr Ward seconded. IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED.

10017.ST. GEORGES DAY CONCERT VOLUNTEERS – 23RD APRIL 2016:

Cllr Brooks reported the Concert has now been advertised in the local Independent and suggested the Working Party meet at St. Peter’s Church at 2pm on 23rd April, 2016, to set up the bunting and event programmes.

10018.STAFF MATTERS: The Clerk briefly reported the new Caretaker at the Community Centre has commenced employment.

Cllr McGinn PROPOSED taking Item 18 under Standing Order 1C due to the sensitive nature of business being transacted; Cllr Brooks seconded. IT WAS AGREED.

10019.UPDATE OF TOWN CRIER: The Mayor reported matters are in progress and an advert has been placed in the local Independent.

Cllr McGinn PROPOSED coming out of Standing Order 1C; Cllr Fields seconded. IT WAS AGREED.

10020.CLERKS REPORT: The Clerk reported on the following:

* Chamber of Trade news Flash on Parking Meters in Sheringham * Information and Advice Services in North Norfolk from NNDC

* An Invitation has been received from Mr C Brown, Project Support Office NNDC to STC Members to attend a Norfolk Local Plan Workshop. IT WAS AGREED to arrange a Planning Workshop meeting at the Community Centre on Tuesday 24th May, 2016, in Room 5/6 at 8.00pm.

10021. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 3rd May 2016

The meeting closed at 9.27pm

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