11-14-06MINS

Minutes of the Meeting of Louth Town Council

and its committees

held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Louth

on Tuesday 14TH NOVEMBER 2006

Present

The Mayor, Councillor Mrs. M.W. Finch (in the Chair)

Councillors:Mrs. E. Ballard JP, B. Burnett, F.G. Coonghe, C. Finch, J.E. Gains, A. Grist, M. Jones, M. Knight, G.C. Lindsay, A.M. Lione, Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders, T.F. Marris, Mrs. M. Ottaway, F. Robertson, K.A. Sharp, D. Skinner, F.W.P. Treanorand Mrs. P.F. Watson

The Town Clerk, Mr. C. Brightmore JP was also present.

  1. Apologies for Absence
    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J.P. Dean, J.R. Macdonald and D.M. Skinner. These were approved by the Council.
  2. Council Minutes
    The Notes of the Town Council meeting held on 17th October 2006 (10-17-06MINS) were confirmed and signed as a correct record.
  3. Mayor’s Announcements
    The Mayor, Councillor Mrs. M.W. Finch reported that a letter had been received from Louth and District Help for the Homeless thanking the Town Council for its donation of £300. The Mayor explained the money was to be used to set up a Community Larder to supply boxes of food to give 24 hour crisis help to those who need it; mini oven and microwave oven loan scheme. She announced that the organisation will be holding its Advent Lunch on Friday 8th December 2006 at St. Mary’s Church Hall, Newmarket, between 12 noon and 2.00pm to which all Councillors are invited. The Mayor thanked members of the Council and her Chaplain, Canon Holdaway for attending the re-dedication of the War Memorial on Saturday 11th November and the Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service on 12th November. She commented that both events went extremely well. She also thanked the new Parade Marshall, the buglar and the British Legion for their efforts which made the events a success. The Mayor’s Charity Bridge Drive was held on 9th November. It was very well attended and proved a great success. The Mayor wished to thank Councillors Mrs. E. Ballard JP, Mrs. M. Ottaway and F.W.P. Treanor, the Mayor’s Secretary, the Mayor’s Serjeant, Mr. Dixon and the Mayor’s grandson, Carl, all of whom rendered valuable assistance on the day. Finally, the Mayor announced a break with tradition this year in that the annual Christmas Get Together would not follow the last Council meeting before Christmas. Instead, this year it will be held as a separate function in the Mayor’s Parlour at 7pm on Tuesday 19th December 2006. The Mayor extended an invitation to attend to all Councillors, members of the press, the press photographers and the Mayor’s Serjeant and his wife.

Thissection of the meeting closed at7.35pm.

Signed______(The Mayor) Dated______

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

  1. Presentation by Councillor J.E. Gains and Mr. R. Coombes regarding Wind Energy
    Councillor J.E. Gains gave a supportive presentation about the benefits of wind energy. He then introduced Mr. R. Coombes of a company called Green Generation who gave a brief presentation about domestic wind turbines. At the end of the presentation both Councillor Gains and Mr. Coombes answered questions from the floor on the topic.
  2. Chairman’s Remarks
    The Chairman, Councillor Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders announced that Councillor Mrs. Ottaway had recently won the award of Lincolnshire’s Unsung Sporting Hero of the Year, sponsored by BBC Radio Lincolnshire. The Committee applauded her success. The Chairman informed the Committee that LCC had refused planning permission in respect of: a) retention of a waste sorting line on plot 54 Bolingbroke Road, Fairfield Industrial Estate, Louth; and b) the retention of a holding bay constructed at plot 53 Bolingbroke Road, Fairfield Industrial Estate, Louth, used for the storage of processed and unprocessed timber. Councillor Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders said that the Committee could take some satisfaction in this news due to its efforts in trying to maintain propriety at these locations. Louth Coastal Catchment Flood Plain. The views of the Town Council were sought concerning certain recommendations in relation to the foregoing. The Chairman, Councillor Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders suggested to Committee that she might study the document and report back to the next meeting. It was agreed to follow this course of action. The Chairman said that the Town Council had received a request from Esha (Developments) Ltd., for a suggested name for the new road provided off Chequergate into Spout Yard. After a brief discussion the Committee agreed that the most appropriate name for historical reasons would be Ludgate Walk. The Town Clerk was asked to communicate this information to the developers.
  3. Declarations of Interest
    The following personal interests were declared:

Councillor B. Burnett

  1. Agenda Item 8 f Dog Control Orders as a member of ELDC.
  2. Agenda Item 9 Spout Yard Management Park Trust as a member of ELDC.

Councillor F.G. Coonghe

  1. Agenda Item 9 Spout Yard Management Park Trust as a trustee.

Councillor C. Finch

  1. Agenda Item 8 f Dog Control Orders as a member of ELDC.
  2. Agenda Item 9 Spout Yard Management Park Trust as a member of ELDC.
  3. Any planning issues regarding the Northholme Ward, as a member of the Development Control Committee of ELDC.

Councillor M. Jones

  1. Agenda Item 7 (8) Planning Applications 02470/06 10 Cornmarket, Louth as an adjacent business owner.
  2. Agenda Item 7 (9) Planning Application 02598/06 10 Cornmarket, Louth as an adjacent business owner.

Councillor Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders

  1. Agenda Item 7 (5) Planning Application 02386/06 Stewton House, Stewton Lane, Louth as her mother is a resident at this address.

  1. Minutes of the Meeting
    The notes of the Meeting of Tuesday 31stOctober 2006 (10-31-06MINS) were discussed, approved and signed by the Chairman, as the Minutes and a correct record of that meeting.
  2. Town Clerk’s Report on Matters Outstanding
    The Town Clerkhad nothing to report.
  3. Applications Received by the Local Planning Authority
    The Committee considered the applications listed in the schedule (PA/Sched/111406).
    It was resolved:
  4. (2) 02332/06 - Planning Permission –Mr. and Mrs. M. Briggs – 72 Eastfield Road, Louth, LN11 7AR – to object on the grounds that the Committee wished to see more information on the proposed change of use before it made its decision. The Committee also felt that the agricultural buildings should remain.
  5. (6) 02407/06 – Planning Permission – L. Hinman – 52A Stewton Lane, Louth, LN11 8SB – to object on the grounds that this was an inappropriate development on this agricultural site. The Committee asked that the application be considered by the Development Control Committee at ELDC.
  6. To support all remaining applications with the proviso that (5) 02386/06 – Planning Permission – F.A. Would Group – Stewton House, Stewton Lane, Louth, LN11 8RZ should be subject to a proper noise assessment.
  7. Correspondence
    The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:
  8. From: LCC – Temporary Road Closure
    Location: Mercer Row from Upgate to Queen Street, Market Place as far as the Fish Shambles - Reason for closure: Christmas Craft Market - Period of closure: 03/12/06 07.00hrs to 18.00hrs - Alternative route: Via Aswell Street, Newmarket and Update.
  9. From: LCC – Temporary Road Closure
    Location: Monks Dyke Road - Reason for closure: Essential Maintenance Works - Period of closure: 27/11/06 to 25/12/06 expected duration of 15 days - Alternative route: Eastbound traffic – Northwest on St. Bernard’s Avenue, Northeast on Broadley Crescent, South on Broadley Crescent. Westbound traffic vice versa
  10. From: LCC – Temporary Road Closure
    Location: Cornmarket, Louth - Reason for closure: European Markets - Period of closure: 16/12/06 17.00hrs to 17/12/06 22.00hrs - Alternative route: Mercer Row
  11. From: LCC – Temporary Road Closure
    Location: One-way closure for Charles Street to N.E. bound traffic from Newbridge Hill to 10m north of James Street - Reason for closure: Essential Maintenance Works - Period of closure: 11/12/06 to 11/01/07 5 days in this period - Alternative route: James Street. Ramsgate and Newbridge Hill. Access must be maintained to the Co-op yard, at the junction with James Street.
  12. From:LCC – Louth Community Travel Zone
    Committee to comment on proposals included in the proposed schemes list. (Attached). It was RESOLVED that Councillors would consider the list of proposed schemes they had received and the matter will be discussed with a view to compiling a corporate reply, at the next planning meeting.
  13. From: ELDC – Dog Control Orders
    Committee to consider responding to initial consultation document. (Attached). It was agreed that any responses from Councillors should be communicated to the Town Clerk in writing, who would then respond accordingly.
  1. From: LCC –Monks Dyke Road – Proposed 20mph speed limit/traffic calming measures and waiting restrictions
    Councillors to consider the above and comment accordingly. (Attached). After a discussion it was RESOLVED that the Committee supported the introduction of the speed limit but objected to the proposed traffic calming measures. It was further RESOLVED that the Committee supported the proposed waiting restrictions.
  2. From: LCC – Traffic Regulation Order (Louth – Various Roads) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 20 - Councillors to note the public notice and schedule concerning waiting restrictions in the Louth Area. (Attached). Councillors noted the public notice and schedule concerning waiting restrictions but asked that the following views of the Committee be communicated to LCC: The Committee was opposed to the proposed waiting restrictions at Keddington Road, Grosvenor Road, Newmarket and Tennyson Road.
  3. Spout Yard Management Park Trust
    TheCommittee resolved to supports the Trust’s application to ELDC for financial assistance to build a mosaic history circle and directed the Town Clerk to write a letter of support accordingly.
  4. Shaping Acute Services in Lincolnshire
    The Committee had a lengthy discussion about the provision of acute services particularly where they relate to Louth County Hospital. The Mayor stated that the hospital needed a diagnostic centre which incorporated the CT Scanner for which significant funds have been raised within the town, an accident and emergency unit, a stroke unit, some capacity for elective surgery and the retention of the Lindsey Ward Heart Unit. She stated it was important that the hospital and the PCT work more closely with the local GPs. Councillor Grist felt that the shaping acute services document was disappointing. He felt that the Town Council ought to be more vociferous in making the case for the retention of the hospital and its current level of service provision. He made the point that the town of Grantham and its people were far more vocal in support of their local hospital and that it was now time that we adopted such an approach. It was RESOLVED that the Town Council should write to the East Midlands Strategic Health Authority clearly stating its concerns for Louth County Hospital and its aspirations for future service provision.
  5. Request for another street light on Gospelgate
    After a brief discussion it was resolved that the Town Clerk should write to LCC requesting the provision of another street light at this location.
  1. Planning Decision
    The Committee noted the following decisions which were at variance with the Town Council’s recommendations:
  1. ELDC granted Full Planning Permission for N/105/01753/06 (Land at Monks Dyke Road, Louth). Louth Town Council resolved to object on the grounds of the flood risk of the area, overlooking of neighbouring properties and over intensification- as per Minute 168. (2) 08-22-06MINS.
  2. ELDc refused Planning Permission for N/105/02095/06 (Land rear of 2 Lee Street, Louth). Louth Town Council resolved to support – as per minute 233 (4) 09-19-06MINS.

This section of the meeting closed at 8.50pm

Signed______(Chairman) Dated______

GENERAL PURPOSES AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

  1. Chairman’s Remarks
    The Chairman, Councillor G.C. Lindsayannounced that the next meeting of ELDC’s Louth Area Committee would take place on Tuesday 5th December 2006 at 7.30pm in the Salvation Army Hall, Church Street, Louth. He asked if there were any items that Councillors would wish to be included on the Area Committee agenda. Councillor Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders requested that an agenda item suggesting that the scrutiny group at ELDC should look at communications specifically why District Councillors fail to attend the meetings of Louth Town Council. The Chairman told the Committee that an invitation had been received for a member of Louth Town Council to attend the State of the District Debate to be held at Butlins Holiday Camp in Skegness. The Chairman asked if anybody wanted to attend and in the absence of any volunteers he agreed to attend on behalf of the Town Council himself.
  2. Declarations of Interest
    The following personal interests were declared:
    Councillor F.G. Coonghe
    Agenda Item 6 a –Grants - To approve a recommendation by FOG to approve the outstanding grants referred from the last Committee meeting of 31st October of £500 to Louth Old Boys JFC, £300 to the Ludensian Singers and £300 to Louth and District Scout Fellowship – as a trainer of Louth Old Boys JFC.
  1. Minutes of the Meeting
    The notes of the Meeting of Tuesday 31stOctober 2006 (10-31-06MINS) were discussed, approved and signed by the Chairman, as the Minutes and a correct record of that meeting.
  2. Town Clerk’s Report on Matters Outstanding
    The Town Clerkhad nothing to report.
  3. Finance
    The Committee received the schedule of payments made between 17th July 2006 and 13th October 2006 (GPF & CEM/ACC/131006).
  4. The Committee received the schedule of expenditure and income between 1st April 2006 and 13th October 2006 (GPF/LEDGER/131006).
  5. The Committee approved the recommendation by FOG and resolved that the shortfall of £61.71 on the repair bill for the former Station Clock would be met from the contingency fund. It was further agreed that funds should be earmarked for the continuing upkeep of the clock at the forthcoming budget setting meeting.
  6. It was resolved by the Committee that the Town Clerk could arrange for a professional valuation for insurance purposes of the Council’s art works and memorabilia.
  7. The Committee Resolved to restore the original balance of £1,000 in the budget category ‘238 John Smith Fund’ when the budget setting meeting is held.
  8. The Committee resolved to retain the earmarked reserves in respect of items 331 Hubbards Hills Regeneration, 335 Spout Yard Mews Resurfacing, 336 Traditional Fingerpost Signs and 337 Conservation Area Nameplates, in accordance with the resolution 179 (i) of the minutes of the GP & F meeting of the 3rd November 2005.
  9. Grants
    After a brief discussion the Committee RESOLVED:
  10. to approve the recommendation by FOG to approve the outstanding grants referred from the last Committee meeting of 31st October of £500 to Louth Old Boys JFC, £300 to the Ludensian Singers and £300 to Louth and District Scout Fellowship.
  1. To approve a recommendation by FOG to approve an application for a grant of up to £200 to the organisers of Louth Run for Life 2007 for medical aid supplies and a die for a medal.

With the proviso that any future application for grant aid by Louth and District Scout Fellowship should be made in good time for consideration at the August Grant Applications Meeting.
Councillor Mrs. E. Ballard JP took the opportunity to apologise for her recent poor attendance at FOG meetings, but also wished to record her sincere gratitude and admiration for the Chair of the Financial Overview Group, Councillor G.C. Lindsay whose excellent and tireless work is invaluable to the operation of Louth Town Council. Her words were echoed generally around the Council Chamber.

  1. Land at Julian Bower
    The Committee RESOLVED to grant renewal of the Farm Business Tenancy to the current tenant, Mr. Alec Riggall.
  2. Brown’s Panorama
    It wasresolved to defer this item, pending a meeting between FOG and the Art Restoration Working Group, to the next General Purposes and Finance meeting.

This section of the meeting closed at 9.37pm.

Signed______(Chairman) Dated______

CEMETERY COMMITTEE

  1. Chairman’s Remarks
    The Chairman, Councillor J.P. Dean had no remarks to make.
  2. Declarations of Interest
    There were no declarations of interest.
  3. Minutes of the Meeting
    The notes of the Meeting of Tuesday 31st October 2006 (10-31-06MINS) were approved and signed by the Chairman, as the Minutes and a correct record of that meeting.
  4. Town Clerk’s Report on Matters Outstanding
    The Town Clerkhad nothing to report.
  5. Financial Report
    The Committee received the schedule of expenditure and income between 17th July 2006 and 13th October 2006 (CEM/LEDGER/131006). The Committee RESOLVED to vire the remaining monies in category 4 23 Exterior Painting of Lodge (£1,752) to 4 17 Contingency.

The meeting closed at 9.53pm.

Signed______(Chairman) Dated______

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