Minutes of Council Meeting held on 12 October 2009 Cont….
ULVERSTON TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES of the Proceedings of a meeting of the
Ulverston Town Council held in the Town Hall, Ulverston
on 12 October 2009 at 7.15.p.m.
PRESENT : Councillor N. Bishop-Rowe (Chairman), J. Hancock, C. Hodgson,
M. Hornby, H. Irving, J. Jenkinson, P. Jones, P. Lister, B. Marr, J. Pickthall,
J. Prosser, A. Rigg, C. Williams.
Also Present : Cllr. J Samson (District Councillor – Ulverston Town Ward) Press (2), Public (7), Police – Inspector P. Latham & Sgt S Flett
N.167 APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE :
Cllrs. J. Airey (meeting) B. Wilkinson (personal), J. Rice (personal), T. Watson (personal).
N.168. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST :
Cllr. Jenkinson declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7 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.
Cllr. Williams declared a personal and prejudicial interest in planning application SL/09/0813 and agenda item 14.
Cllr. Bishop-Rowe declared a personal and prejudicial interest in planning applications SL/09/0776, SL/09/0811, SL/09/0830 and agenda item 14.
N.169. TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS :
The Mayor provided members with an update on his engagements for the period since 21 September and until 12 October 2009.
N.170. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION :
Mr. Thomas, 29 Tyson Square, Ulverston referred to his paper with regard to the protection of wildlife and in particular, the protection of gulls in relation to the previous Minute No. 134 dated 7 September 2009. Copies had been made available to Councillors. Mr. Thomas stated that he wished his paper to be entered into the records of council papers. This was noted and the papers will be filed accordingly.
Mrs Appleton asked about anti-social behaviour and when it is the responsibility of the council and the police. It was agreed that this would be answered when the police make their presentation.
N.171. MINUTES :
It was resolved that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 21 September 2009, including the Part II Minutes, be approved and adopted.
N.172. COUNTY COUNCILLORS/DISTRICT COUNCILLORS/POLICE :
a. District Councillors
Cllr Samson reported that progress was being made with 27 Princes Street and negotiations were in hand with a third party.
b. Police
Inspector Latham said that with regard to the question on anti-social behaviour, there was a duty under the Crime and Disorder Act in dealing with this and there was often joint negotiation between the council and the police and working together in partnership. He added that there had been a successive fall in anti-social behaviour in the last three months. He said that speed radar checks had been carried out on various roads and to date there was no evidence of speeding, but this would continue to be monitored.
Cllr Hodgson then proposed that with regard to agenda item 14, The Roxy Night Club, that this issue be brought forward to allow the police to comment. This was agreed. Cllr Bishop-Rowe and Cllr Williams then declared a personal and prejudicial interest and left the chamber. Cllr Samson declared a personal interest. Cllr Lister took the Chair and it was agreed to suspend Standing Orders to allow the police and the public to speak. Inspector Latham said that the police asked to carry out a licensing review of the Roxy. A substantial number of complaints had been received from residents and it was evident that the terms of the licence were not always fully complied with. The police had asked for the licensing conditions to be reviewed in order to reduce crime and disorder in the community.
Mr D. Kitts, 13 Brogden Street, Ulverston, who had previously voiced his concerns about the Roxy at the council meeting on 21 September, said that he supported the police with regard to a review. Mr Kitts requested that the council write to the licensing sub committee in support of the police and the conditions they impose in order to protect town centre residents. He said that the deadline for receiving any comments was 15 October. Inspector Latham said that there were 16 conditions which would replace existing conditions and he read these out to members. It was then agreed to re-instate standing orders.
Cllr Hodgson then proposed that Ulverston Town Council fully endorses the conditions outlined by Cumbria Constabulary with reference to the Arts and Media Centre, Brogden Street, Ulverston, (the Roxy) and placed before the License conditions review by the SLDC Licensing Committee. In addition, that a liaison group be set up between the residents and the operator with regard to the minimal requirements for a premises seeking to sell alcohol to the public late at night. This was seconded by Cllr Marr and agreed.
N.173. TOWN PLANNING :
(i) Resolved : That the following observations be made on planning applications :-
SL/09/0067 Newland Farm, Newland. The Town Council APPROVE this application.
SL/09/0239 Lower Brook Street. The Town Council APPROVE this application.
SL/09/0776 The Kiosk, Victoria Road. Cllr Bishop-Rowe left the chamber for this item. The Town Council APPROVE this application.
SL/09/0810 22 Stone Cross Gardens. The Town Council APPROVE this application.
SL/09/0811 The Union Inn, Union Street. Cllr Bishop-Rowe left the chamber for this item. The Town Council APPROVE this application.
SL/09/0812 Quarry Heights, Priory Road. The Town Council APPROVE this application.
SL/09/0813 5 Machell Close. Cllr Williams left the chamber for this item.
The Town Council APPROVE this application.
SL/09/0824 The Old Railway, 35 Princes Street. The Town Council APPROVE this application.
SL/09/0830 Sun Inn, Market Street. Cllr Bishop-Rowe left the chamber for this item. The Town Council APPROVE this application.
(ii) Applications Granted and Refused by the District Council noted.
N.174. PROPERTY NAMING : Noted.
N.175. CORRESPONDENCE :
a) Installation of a Multi-Use Games Area on Croftlands Playing Field
The Town Clerk read out a letter he had received from South Lakes Housing asking the Town Council for their formal approval of the installation of a MUGA on Croftlands playing filed. At SLDC’s full council meeting on 22 September, it was agreed that the MUGA would not be built until full consultation had taken place. It was reported that 1,000 properties had been visited and to date, 1,400 questionnaires had been handed out. 606 (44%) questionnaires had been returned. 547 (91%) had said yes to the MUGA and 59 (9%) had said no. There was a general feeling by members that this was not proper consultation with the Town Council. However, after further discussions Cllr Hodgson proposed that the MUGA be supported in principle but that the concerns of local residents should be taken into account. A liaison group should be formed between the residents, Croftlands Community Centre and South Lakes Housing and the scheme should be monitored during the construction and operation of the MUGA. This was agreed. Cllr Prosser said he was still concerned about the lack of toilets in this area.
b) North Lonsdale Road - proposed development
Cllr Rigg said she was also concerned about the lack of consultation with regard to this proposed development and that the Town Council’s views had not been sought although residents had been consulted. It was agreed that a letter of concern over the lack of consultation with the council would be sent.
c) CALC AGM
The Cumbria Association of Local Councils Annual General Meeting will take place on Saturday 14 November 2009 at the Hundith Hill Hotel near Cockermouth at 10.30 a.m. The guest speaker will be Cllr Jim Buchanan, Leader, Cumbria County Council. Delegates from the Town Council are invited, to be decided.
d) CALC South Lakeland District Association Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 26 November 2009 at 6.30 p.m. at the Council Chamber, Kendal, hosted by Cumbria County Council.
e) UVHS presentation to the Town Council
The Deputy Headteacher, Denis Fay and the Assistant Headteacher, Roger Cahalin will give a presentation to the council on Ulverston Victoria High School on 9 November at 7.15 p.m.
N.176. SIR JOHN BARROW MONUMENT – UPDATE :
Cllr. Hodgson reported that the project was on schedule and on budget. As already announced, English Heritage had granted £150,000 which would enhance the work being carried out on the monument. Recent visits onsite revealed the special conservation work that was taking place such as the new imbedded sandstone handrail.
N.177. COUNCILLOR VACANCY:
The Town Clerk reported that Cllr D. Wright had resigned with effect from 2 October 2009 due to work and college commitments. An appropriate notice had been posted and a copy had been sent to the Electoral Office at SLDC. It had also been reported on the Town Council website. It was confirmed that if a Poll is claimed within 14 days of the public notification of the vacancy, not counting Saturdays, Sundays or Public Holidays, then a bye-election takes place within 60 days of the notice, arranged by SLDC. If no Poll is claimed in time, the council then fills the vacancy by Co-option. The Poll would need to be claimed by 22 October. The Mayor said that he wished to thank Cllr Wright for her support and work for the council and quite understood the reasons for stepping down.
N.178. REPORT ON AUDIT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2009:
The Town Clerk referred to the Audit Report from the external auditors, BDO Stoy Hayward, copies of which had been provided for Councillors. There were a few minor issues arising from the report which were noted but nothing of any concern and the accounts and annual return were correct. The report and annual return were approved and accepted by the council.
N.179. CODE OF CONDUCT TRAINING:
SLDC had requested feedback from parish councils on their specific training requirements and suitable venues for training sessions. It was agreed that the Coronation Hall Supper Room in Ulverston would be suitable as a venue for up to 2 hours in an evening. It was felt that role play and case study methods of delivery provided the most effective form of training.
N.180. MINUTES OF OTHER MEETINGS :
The minutes of the following meetings were noted and accepted :
a) Ulverston-Albert Executive Committee -15 September 2009
b) Indoor/Outdoor Markets – 25 September 2009
c) Ulverston Community Partnership – 30 September 2009
d) Business & Enterprise Committee – 22 July 2009
The Town Clerk drew attention to the Ulverston Community Partnership Minutes item 4a and 4b, regarding proposals to a change in the rotation of Chairmanship and in the title of the group. The proposals were agreed.
N.181. CONCERNS OVER LACK OF PROGRESS IN UPGRADE OF SIGNS & LINES, INCLUDING PARKING AREAS:
Cllr Bishop-Rowe said that there had been 2 walk-abouts in town, firstly with Mr D Base, Senior Enforcement Officer from SLDC and secondly, with Mr J Bell, Principal Traffic Engineer, Cumbria County Council. Despite these meetings and ongoing communication, very little progress has been made in rectifying the discrepancies reported and identified. It was agreed that a letter be written to the Leader of CCC with a copy to the CCC Area Committee asking that these discrepancies be brought up to standard with immediate effect.
N.182. PROPOSAL FOR A COLLECTION BOX ADJACENT TO THE LAUREL & HARDY STATUE:
Cllr Bishop-Rowe said that a letter had been received from a resident in Ulverston suggesting that a ‘Charity Box’ be placed next to the statue which could provide funds towards maintenance and for local charities. A letter would be sent thanking the resident for the suggestion but it was felt that it would not be appropriate.
N.183. ULVERSTON DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 2009:
This will take place on 28 and 29 November. The Road Closure Notices were noted.
N.184. OUTSIDE BODIES:
The reports received on the ATC, St. John Ambulance and Dickensian Committee were all noted.
N.185. FINANCES :
All income and expenditure since 21 September 2009, including Salaries and National Insurance as shown on the Agenda were noted and agreed by all Council members. Cllr Hodgson reported that the proposed budgets for the council for the financial year 2010/2011 will be presented at the Town Council meeting on 23 November 2009.
N.186. OTHER MATTERS :
a. Cllr Pickthall said that the SLDC Cabinet would be meeting this week and she was very concerned about the possible decision to close the TICs in South Lakeland, including the one in Ulverston. She was equally concerned about the effect it would have on businesses and the community. It was noted that the Ulverston TIC was situated in an SLDC building and integrated with the Box Office within the Coronation Hall. However, after various discussions, it was agreed that although this needed to be debated, it would be prudent to wait and see the outcome of the Cabinet meeting. This will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
b. Cllr Irving reported that there was a hazardous situation outside the Co-op near the pavement and adjacent to the Grapes pub where a raised portion of road following resurfacing had resulted in a number of accidents. It was agreed that this would be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
c. It had been confirmed that the Kings Arms had accepted the offer of being awarded a Merit Award plaque from the council.
N.187. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION :
Mrs T Wadsworth considered that the consultation relating to the proposed MUGA at Croftlands was very poor.
Mrs Appleton said that she appreciated the Town Council’s support for a liaison group.
Chairman
(The meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.)
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