Minutes of Eye Town Council Meeting
held in the Town Hall Council Chamber on Wednesday
15th July 2009 at 7.30pm
PRESENT: Cllrs Ford (Town Mayor) Bennett (Deputy Town Mayor)
Cooper, Carr, Cummins, Evitt, Flatman, Hooton, McSheehy, C.
Michell, S. Michell, Morris & Williams
1. EMERGENCY PLANNING
Ian Bushnell from Suffolk County Council attended the meeting
and spoke about emergency planning. He suggested the Town Council
appoint an Emergency Planning Officer who would lead a team of
volunteers in drawing up an action plan in the event of an
emergency. This would include a list of possible hazards,
nominating rest centres and locating necessary equipment such as a
generator (from a local farmer) etc. He left literature relating to
the setting up of an emergency plan for the Town Council to
consider and it was agreed that this would be discussed as an
agenda item at a future Council Meeting.
2. HARTISMERE HOSPITAL UPDATE
In the absence of Julie Morgan, Cllr Sara Michell gave a brief
update. She said there was little to report as the Primary Care
Trust was still awaiting approval of its business plan.
3. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - Cllrs Ross & Sizer
4. MEMBERS DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
There were no declarations of interest.
5. POLICE REPORT
The meeting heard that seven crimes had been reported during the
month. These included 2 arson, 1 attempted theft and 1 criminal
damage to a property. It was announced that PCSO Morgan would be
returning to work in Eye in September.
6. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORT
Cllr Flatman reported that some residents’ of Bellands Way were
concerned about the possibility of bungalows being demolished to
make way for a housing development. Cllr Flatman said the plan was
in its early stages and he would be opposing this course of action.
The District Council has brought in a new system of letting houses
allowing bids for properties to be made on the internet. He
expressed concern for those residents who did not have access to
computers.
7. COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT
The County Councillor was not present at the meeting.
THE MEETING WAS CLOSED AT 8.20PM FOR A PUBLIC QUESTION
TIME.
No questions were raised by members of the
public.
8. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
1682/09 Land at Cranley Lane, Eye
Two mobile structures to
be used to house laying hens on a free range poultry system
0514/09 14 Broad Street, Eye
Continued use of first
floor & terrace as a restaurant with take-away facility
(falling within Class Asof the Town & Country Planning (Use
Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) (formerly cafe falling within
Class A1 of the Order)). Retention of, and alterations to,
balustrade to first floor terrace an erection of acoustic/privacy
screen
1890/09 Hartismere High School, Castleton Way, Eye
Full size artificial grass
pitch with lighting,possible community use
1937/09 Hartismere Children’s Centre, Castleton Way, Eye
Change of use of part of
existing Hospital from C2 residential institution Nursing
Home/Hospital to D1 non residential institution – Children’s
Centre
Acceptance of all Planning
Applications was approved, proposed by Cllr McSheehy, seconded by
Cllr Evitt and carried. However, approval of Application No.
1890/09 was given with certain conditions attached. The Town
Council recommended the hours of use be 8am-9pm each day and
9am-9pm on Sundays.
Councillors heard that
lorry loads of soil have been conveyed from the Roy Humphrey Group
site on Eye Airfield to Church Farm in Eye. Enforcement Officers
are investigating this matter.
9. PLANNING
DECISIONS
1077/09 Langton House, 33 Victoria Hill, Eye GRANTED
Residential development (4 dwellings) and construction of
vehicular access (Submission
of reserved matters (access, design, landscaping, siting and
external appearance) pursuant to 0081/06/OUT)
1270/09 Land at 1 Victoria Hill, Eye GRANTED
Retention and completion of detached 1.5 storey dwelling (revised
scheme to that granted by planning permission 0699/08)
10. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS – (17.06.09)
Acceptance of the Minutes was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded
by Cllr Morris and carried.
11. MATTERS ARISING
Page 1521 – Item 4a Cllr McSheehy said ETHIC Ltd. would be
submitting an application for funding to the English Heritage
Lottery Fund by the end of August. They were ‘cautiously
optimistic’ of success although competition was keen and funds were
limited.
Page 1523 – Item 11 Cllr Cooper reported that a letter relating
to the overgrown hedge in Castle Street had been forwarded to the
Diocese for consideration.
12. FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Acceptance was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr
McSheehy and carried.
13. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Acceptance was proposed by Cllr Evitt, seconded by Cllr Cooper
and carried.
14. AUTHORITIES DURING RECESS
It was proposed by Cllr Evitt that during the summer recess the
affairs of the Town Council be carried out by the Town Mayor, the
Deputy Town Mayor, the Town Clerk and the Chairperson of the
various Sub-Committees as appropriate. This was seconded by Cllr
Flatman and carried.
15. HIGHWAY ITEMS
Cllr Cooper reported that a Highways Sub-Committee Meeting had
taken place on July 1st at which residents of Orchard
Close had been present. It was agreed that a new sign should be
erected to include Apple trees and also to include the name of the
new small development off Orchard Close. It was suggested that this
be called Pear Tree Close.
The Meeting then considered the request from a resident in the
vicinity of Castle Street who had asked for an additional street
light in the area. Cllr Cooper said that the meeting had
recommended that a new light be erected at the top of Castle Hill
and estimates are to be obtained.
It was further agreed that costs of grit bins for certain areas
of the town should be obtained. This is to be considered at the
September Meeting.
16. TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS
An additional proposed traffic restriction relating to Cross
Street which had been requested by S.C.C. Highways was
reviewed.
Cross Street – Both sides from Magdalen Street in a northerly
direction
For 10m (No waiting at any time)
It was proposed by Cllr C. Michell that the restriction be
approved. This was seconded by Cllr Cooper and carried.
17. EYE TOWN HALL
The Mayor read the draft contract document for the transfer of
title from Eye Town Council to ETHIC. Ltd. She urged members of the
Town Hall Sub-Committee to meet as soon as possible to consider any
possible amendments or alterations. It was agreed that Cllr Bennett
would organise an additional Council Meeting within the next few
weeks to facilitate this.
18. SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
The Sub-Committee membership working paper (circulated to
Councillors prior to the meeting) was amended and finalised to
include those Councillors not present at the June Council Meeting.
Confirmation of membership of the various sub-committees was then
proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Evitt and carried.
19. POCKET PARK
Cllr Hooton proposed that authorisation be given to the
Recreation and Amenities Sub-Committee to spend up to £800 (the
reported cost) of replacing the faulty gate at Oak Crescent Pocket
Park. This was seconded by Cllr Cooper. The motion was carried with
two abstentions. Further enquiries are to be made during the summer
recess together with exploring possible funding avenues. Cllr
Flatman suggested contacting Tom Baker, the Community Development
Officer at M.S.D.C. for advice and assistance. The RoSPA Report for
the play area is to be forwarded to the Sub-Committee upon its
receipt.
20. COUNCIL AWARDS
The Mayor suggested the Town Council consider modifying the
wording on the Town Council Civic Awards to allow for three or more
recipients and to include groups as well as individuals. It was
agreed that the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Town Clerk should undertake
this work. Cllr S. Michell reminded Councillors that the closing
date for the Mid Suffolk Community Awards was July 19th
2009. Application forms are available from David Benham at the
District Council.
21. CORRESPONDENCE
Item 1 – THE BOUNDARY COMMITTEE FOR ENGLAND - Statement in
response to the Suffolk Judicial Review Judgment. Councillors
expressed their disappointment at the Review Judgment. It was
announced that an appeal would be made against the decision.
Additional Correspondence
Letter from Wendy Spencer leader of the 1st Eye Guides inviting
Councillors to attend the Centenary Celebrations which are to be
held at Eye Primary School on Saturday 5th
September.
22.
REPORTS
Cllr McSheehy reported that ETHIC are holding a coffee morning at
18 Castle Street, Eye on Thursday 23rd July to raise
money for the Town Hall restoration project. It was announced that
the Strawberry Fayre held on Sunday 5th July had raised
£1100.
Cllr McSheehy reported
that an inaugural town traders meeting had been held at The Queens
Head where the potential for advertising on websites had been
discussed. She stressed the importance of supporting the public
house in these difficult trading times.
Cllr Hooton that 60-70
High School pupils are willing to undertake community work within
the town. Any suggestions as to what shape and form this should
take can be forwarded to the High School by early in the autumn
term.
23. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
A Meeting is to be held in September to consider the current
website with relation to listing future events. A working party is
to be formed to include those involved in publicity.
It was announced that the Annual Duck Race will take place at
The Pennings on Saturday 5th September with proceeds
being split between the 1st Eye Scout Group and ETHIC
Ltd. It was agreed that the organisers be allowed to sell ducks
outside The Handyman in the run up to the event.
Cllr S. Michell (Chairman of M.S.D.C.) announced that her Civic
Service is to take place at St Peter & St Paul Church in Eye on
Sunday 6th September at 3pm. All Councillors are to be
invited to the service which will be followed by tea at Linden
House.
Cllr Cummins reported that sewerage and drainage problems have
been experienced in Lambseth Street and Wellington Road following
heavy rain in June. She said that drains had been blocked by fat
and sewerage had seeped into residents gardens. Anglian Water had
been unable to help and therefore a private contractor had been
called in to solve the problem. An investigation may take place to
discover who was responsible for the blockage and all nearby
catering establishments are to be reminded of their
responsibilities when disposing of fat.
The Mayor reported that the bench kindly donated to the town by
Mrs Renshaw had been officially installed on 1st
July.
THE TOWN MAYOR CLOSED THE MEETING AT 9.45PM