Minutes of Eye Town Council Meeting held in the Town Hall Council Chamber on Wednesday 15 April 2009 at 7.30pm
PRESENT: Cllrs McSheehy (Acting Deputy Town Mayor) Bennett, Cooper, Carr, Evitt, Flatman, Hooton, C. Michell, S. Michell, Morris & Sizer
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - Cllrs Ford, Ross & Cummins
2. MEMBERS DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None were declared.
3. POLICE REPORT
The new PCSO Gemma Hamilton introduced herself to Councillors. She explained that she would be covering for PCSO Morgan who has taken a six month career break. This was her second week on duty in Eye; previously she had been based in Lowestoft. PCSO Hamilton reported that 19 crimes had been recorded in Eye since early March including 9 Criminal Damage, 5 Theft, 1 Arson, 1 Burglary other Building, 1 Common Assault, 1 driving with excess alcohol and 1 other. Finally, PCSO Hamilton reminded those present that now the nights are lighter, it is important to lock all vehicles and to keep possessions out of sight.
4. NOMINATIONS FOR MAYOR ELECT & DEPUTY MAYOR ELECT 2009/10
Cllr Nancy Ford was proposed to continue as Mayor for the coming year 2009/10 by Cllr McSheehy. The Meeting heard that Cllr Ford would be willing to continue as Mayor. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Charles Michell and carried.
Cllr Flatman suggested that Cllr Carr might like to become Deputy Mayor for the coming year however, Cllr Carr said he would not be prepared to stand. It was agreed to defer the matter until the May Meeting when Cllr Ford would be in attendance and Councillors would have had the chance to further consider nominations.
5. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORT
Cllr Flatman reported that the District Council had invested £150,000 into the restored Wingfield Barns, a centre for theatre, arts & music which had recently re-opened. Early reports suggest that the impressive premises will prove to be a popular and successful venue. Cllr Flatman then spoke about 15 Broad Street, saying that negotiations were taking place to see if the property could be sold. If this is not successful then M.S.D.C. could make a compulsory purchase order however, it is hoped that an amicable agreement can be reached.
6. COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT
Apologies were received from Guy McGregor, the County Councillor.
THE MEETING WAS CLOSED AT 7.45PM FOR A PUBLIC QUESTION
TIME.
Resident Geoffrey Lane said with regard to 15 Broad Street that a Preservation Trust Order can be obtained. He said that he would speak with the relevant Officer at the District Council concerning this.
Resident Peter Hawkins asked if the Town Council had in place an Emergency Community Plan or would one be considered in the near future. Cllr McSheehy said that an Emergency Planning Officer could attend a Council Meeting and one of the new sub-committees will be responsible for this area.
Charles Butler, Trustee of ETHIC. Ltd asked how the Town Council wished to be kept informed regarding the Town Hall works. It was agreed that a monthly progress report could be given by Cllr McSheehy and regular updates could be placed in the Eye Magazine.
7. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
0684/09 5 Church Street, Eye Reduce 1 No Ash Tree by 30% and thin by 30%
0848/09 Poplar Hall Farm, Benningham Green, Occold Erection of agricultural workers dwelling
0881/09 Land at Roy Humphrey Group, Ipswich Road, Eye Erection of 70m high anemometry mast fortemporary period of 2 years
With regard to Application 0881/09, it was agreed that a decision be deferred until the District Councillor has spoken to the Planning Department and neighbouring parishes have been canvassed for their opinion.
Acceptance of Applications 0684/09 and 0848/09 was proposed by Cllr Carr, seconded by Cllr Evitt & carried.
8. PLANNING DECISIONS
0377/09 Arcadia, 54 Victoria Hill, Eye GRANTED
Proposed first floor side extension over existing
single storey attached garage and internal
alterations
0180/09 C and K Group Ltd, Potash Lane, Eye GRANTED
Erection of 2 no. Plant rooms, cold store, loading dock, cooling tower, transformer compound and pump/heater building and construction of extension to car park
9. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS – (18.03.09 & 02.04.09)
Acceptance of Minutes of Meeting held on 18th March 2009 was proposed by Cllr Hooton, seconded by Cllr Cooper and carried. Acceptance of Minutes of Meeting held on2nd April 2009 was proposed by Cllr Hooton, seconded by Cllr Carr and carried.
10. MATTERS ARISING
Page 1503 – Hartismere Hospital Redevelopment Cllr S. Michell reported that no response has been received from the Strategic Health Authority and therefore the Locality Meeting has been cancelled.
Page 1503 – Parish Plan Cllr McSheehy said that over 70 people had attended the two recent information meetings held in the Town Hall.
Page 1505 – Matters Arising Cllr McSheehy said that the Town Hall Sub-Committee had not yet investigated utilities prices.
Page 1507 – Reports Cllr Evitt said that work had been carried out to repair the sewerage leak in Castle Street in the week prior to Easter.
Page 1507 – Reports Cllr S. Michell asked what the current situation was with regard to Year 10 at Hartismere High School carrying out community work within the town. Cllr Hooton said that liaisons with the High School are still continuing.
Page 1508 – Any Other Business Cllr McSheehy asked in the Mayoral Chain had been repaired. The Town Clerk reported that due to the amount of damage, this would take some time to repair. It had therefore been decided to postpone the work until after the end of May when two major functions which would require the Chain to be worn, had taken place.
11. FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Acceptance was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Bennett and carried.
12. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Acceptance of all other accounts was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Size and carried.
13. ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
Cllr Carr explained details of IT equipment as per his prepared sheet (circulated at the start of the meeting) which outlined the price of laptop, portable projector and screen amounting to £704.00. This could be purchased through S.A.L.C. at reduced Local Government rates. Cllr Carr said that planning in particular would benefit from the use of this technology and enable Councillors as well as members of the public to view applications on a screen. Cllr Carr said he could also approach funding bodies to see if any grant aid is available for such items. Cllr Hooton said he thought different types of projectors should be explored because there are some on the market which can show paper copies, which would be beneficial to the Town Council. Cllr Carr then proposed that the Town Council agree in principle to the purchase of electronic equipment to assist with council business. This was seconded by Cllr S. Michell and carried.
14. TRANSFER OF TITLE – EYE TOWN HALL
Cllr C. Michell explained that at the extraordinary meeting of the Town Council on 2nd April, a recommendation had been suggested which needed to be ratified at this meeting;
To instruct Lawyers (to be decided) to prepare a legal document to effect the transfer of Eye Town Hall to ETHIC. Ltd, such document to include all terms they deem to be necessary to protect the members of Eye Town Council and members of ETHIC. Ltd.
He then proposed that this recommendation be approved. This was seconded by Cllr Evitt and carried.
15. BOUNDARY COMMITTEE
The Acting Deputy Mayor explained that further draft proposals on the future of Local Government in Suffolk had been announced on March 19th. These suggested two options:
· A Suffolk Unitary Authority comprising the existing county of Suffolk
· An Ipswich & Felixstowe Unitary Authority and a Rural Suffolk Unitary Authority comprising the rest of the county of Suffolk
Cllr C. Michell said that two Unitary Authorities would split the Fire Service. He said he was pleased that Lowestoft had been returned to Suffolk in these new proposals. It was agreed that the Town Council should respond again before the deadline of 14th May stating that a single Suffolk Option would be preferable. Cllr C. Michell kindly agreed to assist with the wording of the response to the Boundary Committee.
16. ALLOTMENTS
Cllr Carr explained that the Town Council had received a written request from Eye Growing Local to erect a shed 6 x 8 x 6ft on one of their allotment plots and also to plant 6 dwarf fruit trees on another plot. He said that the Allotment Sub-committee had considered this request but would include some constraints in the approval letter. This was proposed by Cllr Hooton, seconded by Cllr Carr and carried.
17. HANGING BASKETS
Cllr Cooper gave details of the quotation received from Mille Fleurs florists for supply and maintenance of 10 hanging baskets in the town, during the summer period. The price quoted remains the same as last year at £360. He then went on to suggest that next summer more baskets are put up around the town before proposing that the quotation be accepted. This was seconded by Cllr Bennett and carried.
18. DONATION REQUESTS
Cllr Evitt reported that no requests for financial assistance had been received.
19. SHOPPING IN EYE
An extensive debate took place regarding traffic issues exacerbated by the Church Street road closure and boosting business within the town. Cllr McSheehy said that the County Councillor, Guy McGregor would be arranging a meeting with the Conservation Officer and Planning Officers at the District Council to see if the repair works to Dr. Channon’s house can be hastened in order that Church Street can be partially re-opened even for one-way traffic. She said she had also asked for better signage to be displayed at either end of Church Street to show that shops are still open for business despite the road closure. The considerable dangers of H.G.V. vehicles reversing down Church Street were discussed, Cllr Cooper reported that S.C.C. might consider opening up Wellington Road temporarily to eliminate this problem however, it was noted (as per paper circulated by Cllr Hooton) that this is a route used predominantly by pedestrians going to and from the Primary School. It was agreed to arrange a meeting of the Highways Sub-committee to which representatives from S.C.C. Highways, the police and members of the public are to be invited in order to discuss the situation and all its problems in greater detail. This meeting is to be held on Wednesday 29th April at 7.30pm in the Town Hall Council Chamber. Cllr Hooton said he had prepared the paper on shopping in Eye as a result of the request by resident Peter Hawkins as to how the Town Council could support shops through this period of difficult trading conditions. It was proposed by Cllr McSheehy that simple questionnaires were prepared to canvass opinions of shopkeepers and shoppers regarding trading in the town. This was seconded by Cllr Cooper and carried. It was hoped that the information collected from this survey could be considered at the Annual Town Meeting to which business owners would be invited to attend. Other suggestions included the support of a Traders Association if one was formed, press coverage and another ‘Late Night Shopping Event’ for the town. However, it was acknowledged that people would need to change their habits from supermarket shopping in larger towns if they are regularly to use the facilities on offer in Eye. Cllr McSheehy said it would be interesting to study the results of the Business Parish Plan questionnaire to see what traders would like for the town. Cllr Carr suggested that the Eye Magazine which is distributed to local villages would be useful to promote Eye and it was agreed that if more copies were available in local shops it would be helpful. Cllr Hooton was thanked for preparing the comprehensive papers on these two subjects which had assisted Councillors with their deliberations.
20. CORRESPONDENCE
Items 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 Noted.
Item 1 – COLIN RIBCHESTER Letter of resignation from the Town Council. The Town Clerk said she would begin the process of advertising the vacancy shortly. It was agreed to write to ex Councillor Ribchester thanking him for all his efforts whilst serving on the Town Council, in particular those with regard to The Skate Park.
Item 2 – SUFFOLK ACRE LTD Invitation to a Vitalising Rural Communities for the 21st Century Conference on May 13th 2009 at Blackbourne Community Centre, Elmswell. Cllr Carr agreed to attend this on behalf of the Town Council.
21. REPORTS
Cllr Evitt said that over 60 visitors from Pouzauges, France and the town of Meiningen in Germany would be visiting Eye at the end of May to celebrate 20 years of Town Twinning. The Town Council will be asked to financially support this visit at the May Council Meeting.
Cllr Sizer reported that the Dove Players would be hosting a Murder Mystery evening on Saturday May 16th at Eye Community Centre. Tickets cost £10/person and include food and drink.
Cllr Cooper reported that some items of household and garden rubbish had been illegally dumped at The Cemetery. He said he had arranged to have this removed.
Cllr McSheehy reported that she had recently attended Power of Well Being training run by S.A.L.C.
Cllr Carr reported that he had met with Richard Dinnin and together they had produced a form of words which are to be sent to Solicitors to produce a legal document for the transfer of title of the Town Hall to ETHIC Ltd. He said he had also been in touch with the Town Council’s insurers (Zurich) concerning aspects of the transfer.
22. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr S. Michell reminded Councillors of the Annual Plant Sale to be held on Saturday May 9th at Linden House in aid of Cancer Charities. She also said that a Garage Sale in aid of Eye Church would be held at Linden House on Saturday 25th April 2009.
Cllr Hooton asked if Councillors were happy for details from the paper he had circulated prior to the meeting regarding footpaths in Eye to be sent to S.C.C. This was agreed.
Cllr Cooper asked if repair of the gate at Oak Crescent Pocket Park could be placed on the Agenda of the May Meeting for further consideration. This was also agreed.
THE TOWN MAYOR CLOSED THE MEETING AT9.30PM