MABLETHORPE AND SUTTON TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE
TOWN COUNCIL
Held on 5 July 2010
Present: Cllr P Prince (in the Chair)
Cllrs Mrs I Daw B Dobbs G Gooding
P Jackson Mrs M Morgan G Parkhurst
Miss H Parkhurst G Richards Mrs J Taylor
Mrs J Cooper (Town Clerk)
Cllr D Andrews (ELDC)
R Ormsby (ELDC)
4 members of the public
Prior to the commencement of the meeting Rev. Ali Harvey led the Council and public in a prayer.
During the public forum two members of the public expressed their desire to speak during the debate on public conveniences and RNLI. Permission was granted by the Chairman. There were no other matters raised by the public.
15. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies and reasons for absence were received and noted from Cllrs Mrs J Gooding, A Howard, Mrs C Lewis, S Pratley, E Rolls, Mrs M Rolls, R B Shields MBE, and C Tebbutt.
16. MINUTES OF MEETING OF 17 MAY 2010 & EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF 20 MAY 2010
Cllr Richards advised Council of the reasons for his prolonged absence and that he was still undergoing treatment. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the Chairman sign the minutes of the meeting dated 17 May 2010 as a correct record.
Cllr G Parkhurst read out a short statement updating the Council on the position regarding future use of the old library building on Victoria Road. It is proposed that it be turned into a training, art, health and well being multi-function building with café, gift shop, local craft centre and conference facilities.
With that information, it was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the Chairman sign the minutes of the extraordinary meeting dated 20 May 2010 as a correct record.
17. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr G Gooding declared a personal interest in Minutes 18, 24 and 25 as a member of East Lindsey District Council and Lincolnshire County Council; personal interest in Minutes 21 and 26 as a member of ELDC and LCC; personal and prejudicial interest in Minute 26 as a recipient of floral displays.
Cllr Miss H Parkhurst declared a personal interest in Minute 23 as previous Chairman and contact.
Cllr P Jackson declared a personal interest in Minute 24.
Cllr G Richards declared a personal interest in Minute 19 as past governor of RNLI.
18. REPORT REGARDING PUBLIC CONVENIENCES AND DEVOLUTION OF SERVICES
The Chairman invited Roy Ormsby to brief the meeting. He explained the financial position and the decision of East Lindsey District Council to close toilets in the district. Five blocks had been earmarked for closure by the District Council which, prior to closure, is offering some or all to the Town Council. If the Town Council decide not to take on some or all, the buildings will be offered for general sale. If not sold, they would be closed and demolished where possible. There was a tight timetable, the Town Council had to make a decision by mid August; toilets not devolved would be closed October onwards with any demolition commencing in December.
Councillors asked about provision of facilities for elderly, disabled and those with young children – it was a difficult decision made necessary by financial reasons and provision of public conveniences was not a statutory requirement of the District Council.
The lease on the closed toilet block in Sandilands was queried – to be investigated.
Concerns were raised regarding potential closure of North End toilets when there was considerable re-development proposed for that area.
Members of the public were invited to speak and raise their concerns.
It was then proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to call an extraordinary meeting of the Council to discuss the issue and decide on the proposals. Mr Ormsby left the meeting.
It was then proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to bring forward agenda item 10 to allow members of the public to speak.
19. RNLI VEHICLE SITUATION
Cllr B Dobbs declared a personal interest in this item.
Members of the public were invited to speak and put the local viewpoint. The difference between the use of the tractor and the land rover was explained and the support of the Town Council was sought in the campaign to reinstate the land rover. Some 1093 signatures (to date) had been received on a petition and some 938 (to date) individuals had supported the Facebook campaign. It was suggested that the argument for retaining the land rover should be centred around response/launch times which it is felt would be quicker by land rover.
Councillors then discussed the situation and comments including the multi-use ability of the land rover assisting in searches, transporting crew, transporting casualties across the beach to ambulances and first aid facilities. Ambulance response times were also discussed as was the fundraising to purchase the original vehicle and fundraising efforts for the local station.
It was proposed that the Town Council support the local crew. An amendment was proposed that the Town Council meet with the RNLI to discuss the situation and put the local position forward as soon as possible. This amended proposal was seconded and it was therefore
Resolved: That the Town Clerk contact the RNLI and ask for an urgent meeting between representatives of the Town Council and RNLI to attempt to resolve the situation and achieve the best outcome for the local community.
20. MINUTES OF COMMITTEES
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the acts, proceeding and recommendations of the following committees be approved:
(i) Planning Committee of 10 May 2010
(ii) Planning Committee of 7 June 2010
(iii) Community Amenities Committee of 14 June 2010
(iv) Administration Committee of 21 June 2010.
21. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF EAST LINDSEY DISTRICT COUNCIL & LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
The Mayor had not compiled a full report for this meeting but gave potential dates for a Civic Event – 5 December 2010.
Cllr G Gooding gave an update on ELDC and LCC matters including need to cut costs and make savings at both County and District Councils. He agreed to push for a swimming pool at every opportunity.
Cllr Howard’s written report for ELDC was attached to the agenda and covered:
Icelandic investments, service mergers, need to make savings, closure of toilets, enforcement notices served and markets.
22. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES AND TOWN CLERK
Cllr G Parkhurst gave brief reports on:
Town Centre Partnership – constitution finalised and date for AGM to be set shortly.
Mablethorpe in Bloom – judging 7 July 2010, mermaid sculpture in place – it was sad that it had been vandalised already.
MASCOT – held AGM but insufficient members turned up. Potential to be brought under the Partnership Board temporarily. Cllr Gooding asked about the reserves held by MASCOT, this would be raised by Cllr G Parkhurst at the next Partnership meeting.
Cllr Mrs J Taylor had circulated her Neighbourhood Management report on the table, which covered:
Trusthorpe Neighbourhood Management Forum: Green waste collection on
St. Peter’s Lane, speeding traffic, “A” boards, land ownership on triangle, street light on Grift Bank, Allotment Week, village sign, need for bottle bank, grit bin, policing and use of TNG workforce.
Mablethorpe Neighbourhood Management Forum: Drug dealing, young people causing litter in St. Mary’s Park, seats for Sea View car park, town notice board needed, walkway from Marisco to Seacroft Road needed, ELDC notice board out of date, Christmas trees, geese on Queen’s Park, cars for sale Golf Road corner and donkey faeces on beach.
Sutton-on-Sea Neighbourhood Management: Rubbish in school grounds, date of filling paddling pool, weeds on spare land off High Street, quad bikes on pavements, mobility scooter towing a trailer on pavement and cars parked on pavements.
Evaluation of Neighbourhood Management: It was felt Neighbourhood Management works well in this area, project officer for this area works hard, Ingoldmells and Chapel St Leonards invited to next forum meetings.
Acre Gap: Cllrs Mrs M Rolls’ report had been circulated on the table and included update on recent coffee morning, design and work progress and publicity.
Cllr Howard’s report attached to the agenda included:
Boatshed: UK On Line take up increasing, take up for courses in practical
matters was slower.
Playing Fields Association: Dog fouling still an issue.
Tourism Forum: Bike Festival presentation took place, festival likely to be staged again in 2011. Preparations underway for Bathing Beauties Festival.
Open Circle of Friends: Fundraising problems due to possibility of building being able to be refurbished.
The Town Clerk’s report had been included on the agenda and included:
Events Partnership: Preparations for Switch On underway.
Cycleways: Working with parishes to look at coastal cycle route.
Dales Fund: Work to commence to refurbish turntable area.
LALC training: “Whats on the agenda” and “Audit” training attended.
“Burials Seminar” to be held in September.
Lincolnshire Show: Successful day promoting the area and what’s on.
Society of Local Council Clerks: Conference covering legal topics regarding Finance, capping, precepts, role of clerks and councillors, code of conduct.
Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils County Committee: Government enthusiasm for potential for first tier councils, freeze on Council tax, potential legislative changes to allow councils to pay bills by direct debit.
23. OPERATION WATERMARK
The Chairman updated councillors on Operation Watermark - Town Council now invited to assist with local issues. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That Councillors P Prince and H Parkhurst represent the Town Council on this. LCC Emergency Planning Unit to be invited to informal council meeting at Sutton-on-Sea.
24. BEACH REPLENISHMENT
The Clerk’s report was attached to the agenda outlining the proposed works to take place in July. It was agreed this wad vital work for the future of the area and the Environment Agency had agreed to turn it into an “attraction” to advise and inform people. The report was noted.
25. COMMUNICATIONS
The Mayor advised councillors of an ELDC funding workshop at the Community Room on 20 July 2010.
26. ORDERS FOR PAYMENT
Cllr Richards asked about the “Bond” – the Clerk confirmed £50,000 had been invested until November. Cllr Richards asked which bank the Council was with – it was confirmed the Council was with Barclays. Cllr Dobbs asked about the expenditure for Harris Boulevard.
It was then proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That orders for payment, totalling £22,642.01, be approved.
The meeting closed at 8.20 p.m.
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