7
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF ALFORD TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, CORN EXCHANGE, ALFORD
ON 21st June 2011.
Present: Councillors Milson, Rawson, Hounslow, Lithgow, Jarnell, Miles, Quantrell, Allan, Webb, Whitcombe, Freshney and Deakin.
Mrs L Croft (Clerk)
1 members of the public
Anne Shorland - ELDC Planning & Housing Policies
Paul Kisby – ELDC Planning & Housing Policies
Member of the public bought to the Councils attention that although there is a sign in Memorial Park asking for dogs to be kept on leads that it was not enforceable as the only designated dog-free area in Alford was the cemetery. A by-law needs to be in requested from ELDC.
Anne Shorland of ELDC Planning and housing policies informed Councillors that 3 local development orders were being considered for Mablethorpe, Louth and Alford Industrial Estates, with Alford being the pilot scheme. The idea is that this would remove the burden of planning permission and encourage business to move in. A consultation with businesses on the industrial estate and with the town council would start the process and it would be monitored over 3 years. The Town council was presented with copies of the draft development order for their consideration.
APOLOGIES
24 Apologies and reasons for absence were received from Cllr Marsh (LCC)
TO RECEIVED ANY KNOWN DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
25 Cllr A Whitcombe declared a personal interest in item 8(d).
NOTES OF THE LAST MEETING HELD 17th MAY TO BE APPROVED.
26 Proposed Cllr Hounslow
Seconded Cllr A Whitcombe
Resolved these be signed by the chairman as a true record
CLERKS REPORT.
27 Item 20 - CORN EXCHANGE – Geoff Allan of Tinn Criddle have been chasing ELDC for a response to his letter. Yesterday I received a copy of letter sent by Tinn Criddle to Gary Sargeant dated 15th June asking for a response.
Item 22 – Chapel lease. – Cllr Jarnell spoke to Tinn Criddle and terms of yearly lease have been resolved.
Item 23a – Explanation of parking policy for loading bay outside handyman.
Reply received 9th June: Parking tickets were issued to cars parked in the loading bay, the offence was “class of vehicle not permitted to park in bay” this offence does not require a sign as it does not relate to times but type of vehicle.
Item 233 – April minutes – Use of Volunteers to monitor CCTV.
Images are stored on hard drives, each with approx 2 terabytes of data (30 days worth). After 30 days if the images are not downloaded they are lost.
In Boston they allow trained police volunteers to attend the control room to review some footage. This may be an option in the future.
John Fleming would like to invite any councillors interested to visit the Control Room to get a full understanding of what Alford cameras can and cannot pick up. Any councillors interested to contact the clerk.
TABLE CORRESPONDENCE.
28 Community Lincs Letter – Digital switchover – Need help reaching vulnerable people in the community. Spread the word about the switchover help scheme and provide them with the help line phone number.
RWE – Wainfleet Wind Farm Update.
RWE – Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Consultation - This is now being carried out as two separate packages. The first is the wind farm site itself, the second will be the electrical system including the onshore power cable routes and the onshore substation. The consultation, which started 1st June, is for the offshore site only (maximum 333 wind turbines).
List of venues and dates of public exhibition. – Mablethorpe – Thursday 23rd June.
Countryside Voice- Spring 2011. including members guide 2011.
Market Times – June 2011.
LCR – Summer 2011 – Article on provision of allotments
Letter LCC on behalf of the Health & Wellbeing Fund for Lincolnshire inviting the council to send a representative to one of two free conferences on developing volunteering. These are being held on 18th and 20th July at the New Life Centre, Sleaford between 10am and 4pm. This is open to Councillors, voluntary sector organisations and faith groups. If you would like more information I can give you the contact details.
Letter from ELDC re White Horse Hotel – Stating that the 4 enforcement notices had been complied with. Concerns raised about the holes left by the removal of the metal sheets have been passed to Rob Walker, Conservation officer to investigate.
LCC Newsletter on Minerals and Waste and consultation on Draft Waste Policy (DM19) which takes a criteria rather than facility type approach to assessing waste management proposals. Under current policies a material recycling facility is considered by capacity rather than impact. The draft policy would judge each by its impact. LCC would be interested to know your views on this new approach – consultation ends 25th July.
Temporary road closure notice. – CARR LANE, Tues 19/7/11 to Fri 22/7/11
For installation of new electricity Supply.
N/003/000453/11 – Co-op supermarket, Church Street – Extensions and alterations to existing supermarket to provide a deli preparation area and an extended canopy. – Permission granted.
N/003/00640/11 – The Chimneys Care Home, Station Road. – Extension to provide sitting room, 3 enlarged bedrooms and 4 additional bedrooms. Permission granted.
TO RECEIVE SUCH CORRESPONDENCE THAT THE CHAIRMAN WISHES TO PUT TO THE COUNCIL.
29 None
REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES.
30. None.
FINANCIAL.
31 a.) Accounts for payment.
Proposed Cllr Allan
Seconded Cllr Whitcombe
Resolved that the accounts as put before the Council totalling £8,580.37 be paid
b.) To received internal auditors report.
Proposed Cllr Allan
Seconded Cllr Hounslow.
Resolved that the report be accepted.
c.) To agree signing of annual return.
Proposed Cllr Hounslow
Seconded Cllr Webb
Resolved that the chairman sign the annual return.
d.) Consider donation towards Alford Morris display – August Bank Holiday.
Proposed Cllr Quantrell
Seconded Cllr Allan
Resolved that a £50 donation be made to Alford Morris Men.
e.) To agree quotation received for replacement of wooden posts for fence in cemetery.
Review conveyance to see what is required.
CEMETERY LODGE – UPDATE REGARDING LETTING.
32 Clerk reported that the property needed some work to make it fit for rental. The property has been cleared, cleaned and walls and ceilings painted. Willsons had been employed to find tenants. The previous tenant has agreed to waive the bond of £500. Cost of refurbishment and new carpet will exceed this amount.
Proposed Cllr Allan
Seconded Cllr Lithgow
Resolved not to pursue debt.
TRACTOR COMPOUND- UPDATE FOLLOWING TOWN COUNCILS AGREEMENT FOR THE SHED TO BE ERECTED.
33 Gary Sargeant has instructed David Short to progress the lease with our solicitor and Scott Ashdown to progress the construction works.
Scott Ashdown has confirmed that an order has now been placed for the storage building and ELDC are expecting delivery by Fri 1st July. Therefore, assuming there will be no delays with delivery and allowing for the new base/erection etc. it is likelythat everything will be complete by Mon 8th July.
PUBLIC TOILETS –UPDATE ON REPAIRS AND TENDERS FROM CONTRACTORS.
34. Closing date for tenders midday 30th June 2011.
Have received one tender to date, 2 others requested, one of which has contacted me for clarification on one item so expect to receive at least one more before closing date.
Plumber has fixed the problem in the gent’s toilet.
Finally, having told Richard Sands that the council would consider renewing the lease at 1st October 2011 for a further 10years with a 3 yearly break clause.
The existing lease does not refer to any payment made by ELDC although they do pay £6530 towards the running costs. Mr Sands is seeking instruction as to whether this arrangement will continue under the new lease.
DISCUSS REQUEST FROM ALFORD COUNTRY FAIR FOR ADVERTISING FLAGS.
35. The Council agreed that they had no objections to the Country Market having flags similar to those displayed for the Craft Market and Alford Town Market.
DIAMOND JUBILEE – JUNE 2012.
36. Cllr Allan agreed to work with local groups to arrange Jubilee celebrations. The events group has a meeting on Thursday 7th July to discuss Christmas, Cllr Allan and Rawson to attend. Cllr Rawson to be chair of Diamond Jubilee celebrations steering group.
REPORT FROM ACE
37 ACE have formalised their constitution and will shortly be a registered company and forms will then be sent to Charities commission.
TO CONSIDER SNOW CLEARANCE, PATH GRITTING.
38 It was agreed that there should be a basic budget for rock salt/equipment so that if adverse weather caused the paths around Alford to become treacherous Council Staff would be able to alleviate the problem. More enquiries to be made into the cost of equipment. It was felt that businesses in the town could help by clearing the area outside their premises.
STANDING ORDERS, PROCEDURES AND THE WAY FORWARD.
39 Following a discussion regarding terms of reference for council committees/work groups it was agreed that these work groups come together should any issues arise. Their findings are bought to full council for resolution. For example finance would look at budget proposals.
A community plan regarding planning development should be presented to ELDC to be made part of ELDC planning policy, and does Alford want to keep the Conservation area?
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
40 St Wilfrids Church Hall – Installation of door, window and ramp with handrails and construction of a path.
Proposed Cllr Jarnell
Seconded Cllr Rawson
Resolved that this application should be supported. Vote – unanimous.
ANY OTHER MATTERS FOR GENERAL DISCUSSION OR INCLUSION IN THE NEXT AGENDA
41 a. Report following Area Liaison Meeting. Presentation from Mr D Loveday, interim planning manager. If ELDC decision contrary to Town Council view TC should receive a full explanation. Contact Gary Winerton for response regarding S106 agreement on Willoughby Road planning application.
Also presentation from Lincolnshire Police, Alford now part of the Coastal sector not the Wolds. Changes to policing from 31st May to be notified to all parish councils.
b. Dogs on Leads in Memorial Park, Park belongs to Trustees not the Council. Write to Trustees requesting they apply for a by-law.
c. Vehicle Parking – Article on Look North about introducing parking fees for on road parking. – ELDC have opted out and police are still responsible for on road parking in ELDC. .
d. Friday Night Project is to stop, will be gone by end of July. Access centre need to raise approx £1,000 for use of sports hall to continue project. Agenda Item – donation to keep Friday Night Project going.
e. Funk Bus to lose funding – Available in August 1 day a week. To be in front of library, Monday or Thursday 12 – 4pm. Posters to be put in all schools.
f. Congratulations to Vic Buckley on the floral displays, which are already looking nice. The flowers around the fountain are obscured by vans parking in the High Street side of the fountain. Liaise with ELDC to get no parking between fountain and High Street, could be solved by placing planters there.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.16pm.
21st June 2011 Minute 24 – 41