Minutes of Council Meeting held on 14 May 2012 Cont….
ULVERSTON TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES of the Proceedings of the Annual General Meeting
of Ulverston Town Council held in the Town Hall, Ulverston
on 14 May 2012 at 7.15.p.m.
PRESENT : Councillors P. Jones (Chairman for start of Meeting), N. Bishop-Rowe,
J. Clough, P. Cooper, J. Harris, M. Hornby, H. Irving, J. Jenkinson, P. Lister, B. Marr,
C. Pickthall, J. Pickthall, J. Prosser, B. Rajan, A. Rigg, P. Smith, B. Tate, M. Wilson.
Also Present : The Town Clerk, Police (2),Press (1), Public (4)
R.1. ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR :
a. The outgoing Town Mayor, Cllr. P. Jones congratulated the new Town Councillors on their election and also the re-election of existing Councillors. She thanked Cllr. A. Jones for his valuable support, and all Council Members for their help and assistance during her busy year as Town Mayor. Cllr. Jones also thanked the Town Clerk and his Secretary, Sue Yates for all their support and guidance. Cllr. Jenkinson thanked Cllr. Jones for her outstanding contribution to the town during her Mayoral year. Cllr. Lister said that he wished to thank Cllr. Jones for the exemplary way that she had conducted the office of Town Mayor, despite some difficult personal circumstances.
b. Cllr. Lister then proposed that Cllr. B. Marr be elected Town mayor for the coming year. This was seconded by Cllr. J. Clough. Cllr. J. Jenkinson proposed that Cllr. H. Irving be elected Town Mayor and this was seconded by Cllr. N. Bishop-Rowe. Both proposals were then put to the vote in turn with the majority vote in favour of Cllr. Marr. It was then agreed that Cllr. B. Marr be elected Town Mayor. Cllr. B. Marr accepted the office as Town Mayor and the Resolution was passed. Cllr. Marr then signed the Mayor’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office and took the Chair.
c. Cllr. P. Lister then proposed that the Town Mayor’s allowance of £1,850 be paid in half-yearly instalments of £925,. This was seconded by Cllr. Jenkinson and agreed by the Council.
R.2. DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR :
a. Cllr. P. Lister proposed that Cllr. J. Pickthall be elected as Deputy Town Mayor. This was seconded by Cllr. C. Pickthall. Cllr. J. Jenkinson proposed that Cllr. H. Irving be elected as Deputy Town Mayor. This was seconded by Cllr. N. Bishop-Rowe. Both proposals were then put to the vote in turn with the majority in favour of Cllr. J. Pickthall who accepted the office of Deputy Town Mayor and the Resolution was passed.
b. Cllr. P. Lister then proposed that the Deputy Town Mayor’s allowance be authorised for £275 for the year 2012/13. This was seconded by Cllr. J. Jenkinson and agreed.
R.3. APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE :
None.
R.4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST :
Cllrs. Jenkinson declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 12 with regard to planning applications as a member of the District Council Planning Committee and would not be taking part in the discussions or in voting.
R.5. TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS :
Cllr. B. Marr thanked Cllr. P. Jones for her valuable contribution to the town during her Mayoral year. She then paid tribute to previous members who had not been re-elected or had stood down. She then invited new Councillors, followed by existing Councillors to introduce themselves and the Wards they represent.
R.6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION :
Nil.
R.7. MINUTES:
It was resolved that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 April 2012 be approved and adopted.
R.8. REPRESENTATIVES ON COMMITTEES AND OUTSIDE BODIES :
The Council approved Committees and Representatives on outside bodies for 2012/13. A list is attached to the Minutes.
R.9. SIGNATORIES FOR ACCOUNTS :
The following was agreed :
Ulverston Town Council Current Account – J. Prosser, M. Hornby, J. Jenkinson,
P. Jones, C. Pickthall, B. Marr, J. Pickthall.
Ulverston Town Council Monument Account – P. Lister, M. Hornby, C. Pickthall,
P. Jones.
Ulverston Community Partnership – N. Bishop-Rowe, P. Winston, J. Pickthall,
J. Jenkinson.
United Charities – J. Jenkinson, P. Lister, N. Bishop-Rowe, J. Prosser, C. Pickthall.
R.10. INSPECTION OF DEEDS & TRUST INSTRUCTIONS :
Members were informed that the deeds and trust instruments of the Council were available for inspection following an appointment with the Town Clerk.
R.11. COUNTY COUNCILLORS/DISTRICT COUNCILLORS/POLICE :
a. District Councillors
Cllr. M. Wilson referred to a new form of Plan that had been published, the ‘Forward Plan’ which could be found on the SLDC website. Cllr. Wilson was then asked to keep members up to date on the SLDC Task & Finish Group in relation to the Leisure Centre.
b. Police
Sgt. J. Smith provided a crime update for members. Although crime overall had reduced, there was a slight increase in violent crime. There had also been an increase in graffiti and investigations and photographic evidence were in hand. There was also an issue regarding unauthorised parking in Brogden Street and access for emergency vehicles. Sgt. Smith then drew attention to a public consultation about Police Front office Counter Services proposals and possible reductions in opening times for Police Stations. Questionnaires had been made available and the Town Clerk will ensure that all Councillors receive a copy.
R.12. TOWN PLANNING :
(i) Resolved: That the following observations be made on planning applications:-
SL/12/0173 Abbots Ford, Belmont, Ulverston. The Town Council APPROVED this application.
SL/12/0276 30 Oakwood Drive, Ulverston. The Town Council APPROVED this application subject to the views of neighbours being taken into consideration.
SL/12/0258 Crow Tree Farm, Swarthmoor. The Town Council APPROVED this application.
SL/12/0812 Old Freezer Centre, Stockbridge Lane. The Town Council REFUSED this application on the grounds that there was insufficient detail to make a decision and there were concerns regarding the over intensive nature of the proposed development. It was agreed that SLDC should be asked to defer making a decision until additional information had been provided and that the consultation outcome between developers and residents be known.
SL/12/0274/5 Braddylls Arms, Market Place, Ulverston. The Town Council APPROVED this application.
SL/12/0301 Craylands, Church Walk, Ulverston. The Town Council APPROVED this application subject to the views of neighbours being taken into consideration.
(ii) Applications Granted and Refused by the District Council noted.
R.13 PLANNING APPEAL :
Property at Old Hall Road, Ulverston – noted.
R.14. CORRESPONDENCE :
a. Localism Act and Standards
The updated information from the Monitoring Officer at SLDC was noted. The Localism Act 2011 had abolished Standards for England with effect from 1 April 2012, but with regard to the Code of Conduct, detailed provisions are still awaited. Further details are expected in the near future.
b. Managing Radioactive Waste Safety
CALC Executive Committee had considered local responses to the West Cumbria Partnership’s MRWS Consultation and taking into account a number of serious shortcomings, considered the programme as currently envisaged not to be credible or viable.
c. Daltongate Resurfacing Noted.
d. Training for new Councillors
The Town Clerk drew attention to the following and asked for any bids from New Councillors as soon as possible :
Essentials for New Councillors :
Part 1 – 23 May 7 – 9.30 pm Newby Bridge Hotel
Part 2 – 27 June 7-9.30 pm “ “ “
e. Fitz Bridge & Dragley Beck – gravel management
The Town Clerk referred to a recent email he had received from the Environment Agency regarding flood risk management plans for Ulverston which had been sent just prior to the Town Council meeting. He recommended that this email be forwarded to all Councillors, including Cllr. P. Hornby (County Councillor) and that this issue be included as an item on the next Town Council agenda. This was agreed.
R.15 LOCAL AREA PARTNERSHIP - UPDATE :
Cllr. Jenkinson provided a LAP update for members. She asked if Ward Councillors could map the Grit Bins for their area, which had been requested by the County Council and also look at priority lists for 2012/13.
R.16. HEART START TRAINING SESSIONS :
The Town Clerk drew attention to UTC Minutes 16 April 2012, Item Q.317, with regard to the presentation by Jennifer Culley, Ulverston Heart Start Co-ordinator, NW Ambulance Service. Cllr. J. Jenkinson proposed that the town host training sessions and asked to Town Clerk to liaise with Ms. Culley and the Mayor in arranging this. Invitations should be sent out to various organisations, charities and include the Monument Keepers with the Coronation Hall as a possible venue. The NW Evening Mail would also be asked to publicise the events. This was agreed.
R.17. BREWERY STREET CAR PARK :
Cllr. H. Irving drew attention to the unauthorised parking of buses parking in Brewery Street Car Park on a Saturday evening. The no parking sign for buses was also missing although it was noted that buses had parked here when the sign was in place. Councillor. J. Airey, County Councillor was now dealing with this issue.
R.18. THE TOWN COUNCIL HANDYMAN - UPDATE :
The Town Clerk said that Ronnie Johnston had started as the Town Council Handyman on 1 May 2012. He was already completing a number of maintenance tasks in preparation for the Jubilee weekend and Ulverston in Bloom items as part of the town’s entry in this year’s Cumbria in Bloom Competition. Councillors were asked to consider any maintenance issues in their specific wards and pass these on to the Town Clerk as the line manager for the Handyman.
R.19. MINUTES OF OTHER MEETINGS :
The minutes of other meetings were noted as follows :-
· Business & Enterprise – 13 April 2012
· Marketing Committee – 18 April 2012
· Portas Pilot Scheme – 20 April 2012
· Ulverston in Bloom – 23 April 2012
· Twinning Association – 24 April 2012
· Allotments Committee – 30 April 2012
The Town Clerk drew attention to the Minutes of the Business & Enterprise Meeting on 13 April 2012, Item 3a – The Gill Toilets and reported that the major upgrade being organised by SLDC, would start on 6 June and was expected to last approximately 4 weeks. A press release will be issued and information will be posted on the Town Council website and notice boards.
R.20. REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES:
Nil. Reports will be available at the next Town Council Meeting.
R.21. FINANCE & GRANTS :
Public Bus Service No. 60 for Ulverston
A request had been received for financial support for funding towards the cost of the continuation of Bus Service No. 60 for Ulverston. The Finance & Grants Committee had recommended a grant of £500. Cllr. P. Lister proposed that this grant be approved. This was seconded by Cllr. M. Hornby and agreed.
R.22. FINANES :
All income and expenditure since 16 April 2012, including Salaries and National Insurance as shown on the Agenda were noted and agreed by all council members.
R.23. OTHER MATTERS :
a. Cllr. N. Bishop-Rowe requested that the recent information received from the Cumbria Police regarding the proposed partial closure of Ulverston Police Station be included as an Agenda item for the next Town Council meeting.
b. Cllr. C. Pickthall referred to the recent local elections where it was discovered that there were a large number of residential properties in North and Town Ward which were not registered. There appeared to be a larger proportion of non-registered properties in Ulverston than elsewhere. Cllr. C. Pickthall requested that this issue be placed on the Town Council agenda in due course, following further research.
c. Cllr. P. Lister said that there had been a poor turn out by the electorate at the recent local elections and there was a need to re-engage with the public. Cllr. Lister proposed that this should be examined and followed up by the Publicity Committee. This was agreed.
d. Cllr. N. Bishop-Rowe asked that the Town Clerk discuss the Control and Management of heating in the Town Hall with the Property Asset Manager at SLDC.
e. Cllr. M. Hornby congratulated Cllr. B. Marr on her election as the new Town Mayor for 2012/13 and on behalf of Co-operative Care, said that a limousine could be made available as appropriate during her term of office.
R.24. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: :
Cllr. J. Sampson said that the S.W. Lakes District Scout Group would be building the Bonfire Beacon on Birkrigg Common as part of the celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend. The Beacon will be lit on Monday 4 June between 10pm – 10.30 pm. There would be an outdoor Churches Together prayer service on the Common at 9.45.pm.
Chairman
(The meeting closed at 8.55 p.m.)
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