CREWKERNE TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the CREWKERNE TOWN COUNCIL meeting held in the Council Chamber

on Monday 27th April 2015 at 6.45 p.m.

PRESENT:

Cllrs. R. Pailthorpe (Chairman), Ms J. Dawson, Mrs K.Head, B. Hodgson, Mrs R. Jackson, Miss K. Pritchard, Mrs A. Singleton and Mrs A. Stuart.

In attendance:

The Deputy Clerk Mrs A. Roffey, Cty. Cllr. J. Dyke, 2 members of the public and 1 member of the press.

246 TO NOTE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

14/15

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Mrs S. Allman (unwell), M. Best (Civic Event) and N. Sturtivant (personal).

No apologies for absence were received from Cllr. D. Wakeman.

247 OPEN FORUM

14/15

Mr Coggan referred to the Henhayes playground enhancement project and asked for more progress information to be made available to the public. He then said he had been very impressed by the efforts of the Council and wished them well in the forthcoming elections.

248 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

14/15

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of Crewkerne Town Council held on

Monday 23rd March 2015 be APPROVED.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of Crewkerne Town Council held on

Monday 13th April 2015 be APPROVED.

249 declarations of interest

14/15

Cllr. Mrs Jackson declared a personal interest in item 10 – skateboard park replacement at Happy Valley (husband Chairman of Crewkerne Rugby Football Club) and also a personal and prejudicial interest in item 13 – Crewkerne Aqua Centre (Director of Crewkerne Leisure Management).

Cllr. Mrs Singleton declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 13 – Crewkerne Aqua Centre (Director of Crewkerne Leisure Management).

250 TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM THE COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

14/15

Cty. Cllr. Dyke reported it was a quiet period at County Hall due to the forthcoming elections. He then referred to the temporary road closures as reported at the last Planning and Highways Committee meeting on 13th April. He said it was the period for any legal challenges against the District Local Plan.

251 CLERKS PROGRESS REPORT

14/15 To receive any updates

The Clerk’s report was noted.

252 PETITION RE. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IN MARKET STREET

14/15 To consider the petition previously handed into the Council: ‘a request not to replace the pelican crossing with a zebra’ and to consider removing the item from the Council’s Action (vision) Plan

It was noted that it had been the desire of the Council to encourage pedestrian footfall and make the town more pedestrian friendly and the possible removal of the traffic lights in Market Street had been only a suggestion.

After further discussion it was AGREED to remove ‘replace traffic lights in Market Street’ from the Town Council’s Action (vision) Plan.

253 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

14/15 To consider applications requiring observations by SSDC before the next Planning and Highways Committee:

15/01485/FUL Erection of attached single storey garage at 29 Orchard Rise, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 8EH

Councillors expressed concerns with regard to access for parking to no. 17 and also questioned whether they had the right to build on the area proposed.

254 HENHAYES ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

14/15

a) To receive minutes of the steering group meeting held on 21st April 2015

Noted.

b) To approve the quotations for various works and to authorise the Clerk to oversee work in May

Cllr. Pailthorpe said due to unforeseen circumstances the playground had been closed for longer than expected and everyone was extremely keen to move forward as quickly as possible with phase 1 of the enhancement project. He advised that due to the urgent need to complete phase 1 the Council’s Financial Regulations could be waived and just one quotation from a reputable company, approved by South Somerset District Council Play Facilities, was acceptable.

After discussions it was AGREED that in view of the urgency to complete the Henhayes enhancement project to approve the following quotations of works:

·  MattaProducts to supply and install Recover Matta in mixed colours at a total cost of £4,360.50 + VAT.

·  R. T. Services to carry out works to re-paint various existing playground equipment at a total cost of £1,500.00 (paint and materials included).

·  Play UK (Playgrounds) Ltd to carry out works to include installation of new equipment and associated ground works at a total cost of £7,017.00 + VAT.

It was also AGREED to authorise the Clerk to oversee the above works in May.

The Deputy Clerk advised that on 11th May there would be an on-site meeting to discuss and decide the siting of benches. Cllr. Mrs Jackson also advised the Friends of Henhayes Playground group would be attending this meeting.

255 SKATEBOARD PARK REPLACEMENT AT HAPPY VALLEY

14/15 To allocate funds to the new project from existing budget headings

It was discussed and AGREED to allocate initial funds of £15,000 to be taken from ‘Invest for Crewkerne’s future’ budget to go towards the skateboard park replacement at Happy Valley and that grant funding be sought in addition to any S106 monies which may be forthcoming.

256 FINANCE

14/15

a) To approve accounts for payment as listed

The Deputy Clerk reported that Cllr. Hodgson had verified the accounts for April 2015 in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations and Risk Management.

Accounts for payment in the sum of £77,888.24 + VAT were approved.

b) To report a bank reconciliations for February and March have been completed

The Deputy Clerk reported that Cllr. Hodgson had verified the bank reconciliations for February and March 2015 and it was noted that cash in hand and at the bank for February 2015 was £319,430.65 and for March 2015 was £292,117.36.

c) To receive the fourth quarter income and expenditure financial report

The report was noted.

d) To consider the report from the Internal Auditor’s inspection for year 14/15

The report was considered and the written response of the Clerk was noted.

The Deputy Clerk advised the Internal Auditor’s final visit would be on 29th April and not May/June as indicated in the report.

257 PUBLIC TOILETS IN FALKLAND SQUARE: CLEANING

14/15 To consider the notification about the increase to the contract value by 2.5% with effect from 1st June 2015

The notification was considered and it was AGREED to accept the Glen Cleaning Co. Ltd. 2.5% annual price increase of the cleaning contract for Falkland Square public toilets at a total cost of £189.26 per annum, with effect from 1st June 2015.

258 AQUA CENTRE – PERMISSION TO TEACH OUTDOOR EXERCISE CLASSES

14/15 ON HENHAYES RECREATION GROUND

To consider communication received from the Deputy Manager

It was reported that no objections had been received from the sports clubs, Crewkerne Sports and Youth Activities Ltd. and the Running Club with regards to the request from Crewkerne Aqua Centre to teach outdoor exercise classes on Henhayes Recreation Ground.

The communication received was considered and it was AGREED to grant permission for Crewkerne Aqua Centre to teach outdoor exercise classes on Henhayes Recreation Ground subject to receipt of satisfactory proof of public liability insurance and risk assessments.

Cllrs. Mrs Jackson and Mrs Singleton left the room at 7.20 p.m.

After discussion it was AGREED that, providing there would be no impact to the Crewkerne Sports and Youth Activities Ltd. pitches lease, not to charge Crewkerne Aqua Centre to teach outdoor exercise on Henhayes Recreation Ground.

Cllrs. Mrs Jackson and Mrs Singleton returned to the meeting at 7.25 p.m.

259 TO RECEIVE DRAFT COMMITTEE MINUTES

14/15

a) Planning and Highways Committee meeting held on 13th April 2015

Noted.

b) Joint Burial Committee meeting of 7th April 2015

Noted.

260 OUTSIDE BODIES

14/15 To receive any reports

a) Crewkerne League of Friends

Noted.

b) Crewkerne and District Twinning Association

Noted.

c) Robert Bird Cottage Homes

Noted.

d) Crewkerne Action for the Disabled

Noted.

261 TO RECEIVE ANY MATTERS OF REPORT

14/15

The Deputy Clerk reported on several items:

·  An email had been received from the Clerk of Chard Town Council inviting local Councillors to attend a SALC training course on Saturday 4th July at the Guildhall, Chard at a cost of £20.00 per person. In view of the elections next week, this invitation would be reported again at the next Town Council meeting.

·  A letter had been received from Mr Simon Colledge who was one of the recipients of this year’s Honoured Citizen Award, thanking the Town Council for the excellent preparation of the ceremony and saying that he felt honoured to have received the Award.

·  A telephone call from Mrs Rita Cuthbertson thanking the Town Council for the Honoured Citizen Award for her husband Mr David Cuthbertson.

·  Thank you letters for grants received from:- A Better Crewkerne and District, Crewkerne & District Twinning Association, Crewkerne Local Information Centre, CUDOS, South Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau, The Henhayes Community Centre and The Speedwell.

·  With regards to the ‘Bincombe Through the Lens’ photography competition, there were additional posters available for anyone who wished to help distribute.

262 DATE OF NEXT MEETING – ANNUAL TOWN COUNCIL

14/15

Monday 18th May 2015 at 6.45 p.m. in the Council Chamber.

The meeting closed at 7.30 p.m.

Signed: ………………………

Dated: ……………………….

jc/council/tc27Apr201

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