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Houghton Regis Town Partnership 14th April 2014

Town Partnership Meeting
14th April 2014 at 7.00pm
Present:
Apologies: / Central Bedfordshire
Councillors:
Houghton Regis Town Councillors:
Officers:
Bedfordshire Police:
Public:
Central Bedfordshire
Councillor:
Houghton Regis Town Councillors:
Bedfordshire Police: / DJ Jones
Mrs S Goodchild
P Williams
E Costello
Mrs S Gilchrist
AD Winter
Clare Evans
Sarah Hughes
Andy Lewis
Karen Lang
PCSO F Sparks
4
Dr R Egan
AL Roberts
AS Swain
Sgt L Wilson / Chairman
Vice Chairman
Town Clerk, HRTC
Community Engagement Manager, CBC
Major Project Officer, CBC
CBC
573 / APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs Dr R Egan, AL Roberts and AS Swain and from Sgt L Wilson, Bedfordshire Police.
574 / QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Questions were asked about the ongoing problems of nuisance vehicles on Foster Avenue and what options were being considered for solutions. In particular clarification was sought on the processes and timescales involved in adopting the road and on installing physical measures to prevent the behaviour. It was requested that a letter be written to local residents advising of this.
575 / SPECIFIC DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
None.
576 / MINUTES
Resolved: / To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd February 2014 and for these to be signed by the Chairman.
577 / REPORT FROM THE POLICE
Overall crime has reduced by 10% in the last 3 months in comparison with the same 3 months in 2013. There had been significant decreases in domestic burglary, criminal damage and vehicle crime. There had been increases in violence against the person, burglary other and ASB.
Resolved: / To note the report.
578 / CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL UPDATE
Members considered an update report from Central Bedfordshire Council, including:
1.  Flooding on Porz Avenue
2.  Bus stops on Bidwell Hill
3.  Busway:
·  Additional services
·  Dog fouling on pedestrian path
4.  UTC
5.  Bedford Square Toilets
6.  Flytipping at Longmead, Houghton Regis
7.  Motorbikes in Houghton Hall Park
8.  Update on the Housing Allocation Policy consultation
9.  Upcoming events
Resolved: / To note the report.
579 / HOUGHTON REGIS STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
HRN 1
The applicationhad beenreferredto the Secretary of Statewho had recently advised that it would not be called in. There was a formal process to complete for actual planning permission to be granted. Luton Borough Council had submitted a judicial review.
HRN 2
The consortium was preparing their planning application, due to be submitted in early Summer. Pre-application consultation on draft proposals for the site (including a draft Masterplan) were held on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th March 2014.
A5-M1 Link Road
The A5-M1 Link Road had received conditional approval by the Secretary of State subject to a developer contribution of £45 million being made available. Assuming that this was forthcoming, the scheme was planned to start in 2015 with completion in 2017. Statutory Apparatus Diversionary Works were to commence in summer 2014. It was advised that the HRN1 judicial review may delay the process.
WoodsideLink
The Examination Hearing closed in April and it was expected that Statutory Apparatus Diversionary Works would commence in 2014 with an expectation that the scheme would commence in 2015 with completion in 2017, similar to the timings of the A5-M1 Link Road.
Houghton Regis Quarry
At Houghton Regis Chalk Pit, the Wildlife Trust continued to hire the services of private security firm to assist with alleviating the issue of illegal off-roading at the site. The security presence is causing the number of incidents to decrease significantly.
The Wildlife Trust has recently clarified its policy on dog walking at the nature reserve: dogs do not need to be kept on a lead, so long as it is under close control by dog owner.
Following two very cold winters and one exceedingly wet winter, some of the cliffs at the Chalk Pit have been eroding away at such a rate that they were becoming a hazard to visitors. Action was consequently taken by the Wildlife Trust to close the path which traversed these cliffs and re-direct it onto the quarry floor via a series of steps. Each end of the closed path has been physically blocked up to prevent access and signage informs the public to the dangers of ignoring these warnings.
The Co-op Site
The mediation process took place at the end of January 2014 and both the Co-op and the Council’s legal teams are working towards reaching an agreement. It was requested that Members be updated as matters progress.
Former Netto premises / site
Since the withdrawal of an earlier planning application for the demolition of the existing supermarket building and the erection of a new petrol filling station with sales kiosk, car wash facilities and ancillary car parking in September 2012, there was no further information to report.
Houghton Hall Park - Renaissance & Renewal Project
A written report was received and considered.
Former Dog & Duck Public House
The extension and refurbishment work at the former Dog and Duck Pub started on 31st March 2014 to provide a local family bar and restaurant. Building and refurbishment works were expected to last around 26 weeks.
Resolved: / To note the report.
580 / ESTATE PLAY AREAS
The Town Council considered taking on the management and maintenance of the 4 estate play areas at its Environment Committee meeting on 17th March. The resolution was as follows:
Not to proceed with the devolvement to the Town Council of the 4 estate play sites.
Resolved: / To note the report.
581 / TOWN CENTRE CAR PARKING STUDY
Members were advised that the survey, analysis and draft report had been completed. The finalised report was due by the end of April. It was suggested that a Town Partnership Members Briefing be held to enable the consultants to present the report. Representatives from Martin Slowe Estates and Morrison’s would be invited to attend.
Resolved: / To note the report.
582 / TOWN CENTRE VACANCY LEVELS
Monitoring High Street vacancies by counting all vacant A Class premises within the Town Centre boundaries had shown a fall in vacant premises in many towns, but an above average rise in 9 addition units in Dunstable, taking the total to 56, or 21.1% of all A Class premises. This results in the overall vacanacy rate being higher than the previous quarter, but below the February 2013 level.
It was advised that floorspace in m2 was not available.
Town / Total retail units / November 2013 vacant retail units / November 2013 % / February 2014 vacant retail units / February 2014 %
Ampthill / 90 / 4 / 4.4 / 3 / 3.3
Arlesey / 15 / 2 / 13.3 / 1 / 6.7
Biggleswade / 144 / 11 / 7.6 / 10 / 6.9
Dunstable / 266 / 47 / 18 / 56 / 21.1
Flitwick / 39 / 2 / 5.1 / 1 / 2.6
Houghton Regis / 28 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0.0
Leighton Buzzard / 203 / 7 / 3.4 / 7 / 3.4
Sandy / 66 / 5 / 7.6 / 3 / 4.5
Shefford / 40 / 2 / 5 / 1 / 2.5
Stotfold / 18 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 5.6
Total / 909 / 80 / 8.8 / 83 / 9.1
583 / FORTHCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Members were advised of the following community events:
8th -10th April Easter playscheme, Village Green
19th April Easter Egg Hunt, Bedford Square
Mayors Art Exhibition, Bedford Square Community Centre
25th April Pride in Houghton
3rd May May Fayre, Village Green
Resolved: / To note the report.
584 / EXCLUSION OF PRESS PUBLIC
·  Kirton Way
Resolved: / To exclude the press and public, as publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed.
585 / KIRTON WAY
Members considered a report including an action plan on the issues surrounding some concrete structures located on a grassed area off Kirton Way.
Resolved: / That the HRPC approve the process described and the draft letter as circulated.
The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.50pm.
Dated this 14th day of July 2014
Chairman