41
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF ALFORD TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, CORN EXCHANGE, ALFORD
ON 19th JANUARY 2016.
Present: Councillors S Devereux, Quantrell, Hounslow, Whitcombe, Freshney, Palmer, Webb, Hopwood, Marsh and C Devereux
Mrs L Croft (Clerk)
APOLOGIES.
(Agenda Item 1.)
140. Apologies received from Cllr Allan.
Resolved to accept apologies and reasons given.
To receive any known declarations of unregistered PECUNIARY interest.
(Agenda Item 2.)
141. Cllrs Quantrell in 8b.
To confirm the notes of the meeting held 15th DECEMber 2015 as the minutes and approve the Chairman’s signature.
(Agenda Item 3.)
142. Proposed Cllr Quantrell
Seconded Cllr Webb
Resolved that these be signed by the chairman as a true.
Clerk’s Report following that meeting.
(Agenda Item 4.)
143. Item 130j. Have confirmed that there are no ELDC footway lights in Alford. The only lights are those in the car parks.
Table correspondence.
(Agenda Item 5.)
144. a. Clerk & Councils Direct Magazine.
b. LALC News
c. Electoral Review of Lincolnshire: Draft Recommendations. These can be viewed on line. Consultation on recommendations closes 8th February 2016. Proposal is to cut the current 77 county councillors down to 70.
d. Letter from planning enforcement – 97 West Street, Alford
Installation of a satellite dish – Before Christmas the occupier of the site was approached about a satellite dish that had been installed on the front of the premises, this has now been moved to the rear. However, the satellite dish sited on the roof which can be seen from the highway is not used and the occupier has asked the landlord to remove it. This has still not been done and there planning enforcement are intending to write to the owner/landlord directly once they have obtained information from land registry as to who has a legal interest in the property.
e. Letter of resignation from John Keal which also stated that he would not serve on a council where some councillors behave inappropriately, act without resolution of the council and where the chairman has shown that she will go through the motions of raising an issue, however it would seem that it will be brushed under the carpet and the matter closed.
N/003/02121/15 The Manor House, West Street – Excavation of and for the siting of a WW1 trench – Permission granted.
N/003/02290/15 20 Coles Avenue, Alford - Extension and alterations to existing dwelling to provide a first floor bedroom. – Permission granted.
To receive such correspondence the Chairman may wish to put before the Council
(Agenda Item 6.)
145. None.
REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES.
(Agenda Item 7)
146. Cllr Devereux for ELDC – Rubbish at the front of 1 Willoughby Road has been cleared. This matter is in the hands of Waterloo Housing.
Anyone wishing to sign up to the ELDC energy switch scheme should do so by 1st February.
Green bin collections 2016/17 – payments should be ad by 25th February.
Cllr D Hopwood arrived at 7.25pm
Cllr Palmer for LCC – Cllr Palmer has met with highways and residents in Hamilton Road to discuss issues. While some residents have complained about the changes the road is now easier for traffic to flow freely. There are huge budget cuts being made including the loss of 106 rural bus routes. Children centres are likely to close. Potholes will not be repaired as quickly and there will not be as much funding provided for PCSOs. No community grants.
Cllr Marsh arrived at 7.30pm
FINANCIAL MATTERS
(Agenda Item 8)
147. a. To approve accounts for payment.
Proposed Cllr Quantrell
Seconded Cllr Webb
Resolved that the accounts as put before the Council totaling £4430.23 be paid.
b. Consider request from Alford Focal Point for help with cash flow.
Money from LCC comes in the form of a £5,000 revenue grant once the building is open. The Capital grant is paid on submission of invoices and can take time to process. There are a number of small invoices for paint etc. which need paying.
ELDC have guaranteed a grant will be paid as long as the group has a signed lease by 31/3/2016.
Therefore a loan is requested to aid Alford Focal Point to cover costs in the interim.
Proposed Cllr Marsh
Seconded Cllr Hounslow
Resolved that a loan of £5,000 be made. Unanimous decision.
c. To approve 2016/2017 budget proposals.
Proposed Cllr Webb
Seconded Cllr Quantrell
Resolved that a budget of £70,000 be set for 2016/17.
Cllr Webb to agree press release with the clerk.
UPDATE ON NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
(Agenda Item 9)
148. Councillors were e-mailed a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding given to the Neighbourhood planning group at a meeting with ELDC officers at Manby.
Resolved – No objections to this document
Consider request from member of the public for Town Council to purchase and use Road Safety Partnership passive speed limit signs on Hamilton Road
(Agenda Item 10)
149. Member of the public had been directed to the Town Council after complaining to the police about speeding traffic on Hamilton Road. It was asked if the Town Council would consider the Road Safety Partnerships Passive Road Sign Scheme.
Councillor Sarah Devereux informed councillors that having received a number of complaints from residents regarding “the rat run” (speeding traffic on Hamilton Road, West Street, South Street) if the Town Council chose to she would be willing to fund from her ELDC community grant fund the cost of the Highways survey required.
Proposed Cllr Webb
Seconded Cllr C Devereux.
Resolved that the 6 free passive road signs should be placed on Hamilton Road, South Street and West Street.
CONSIDER SUPPORT OF ELDC PROPOSAL TO RE-INTRODUCE FREE PARKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR MILLERS WAY AND SOUTH STREET OVERFLOW CAR PARKS.
(Agenda Item 11)
150. Cllr Marsh was disappointed that no ½ hour free parking in the Market Place was included in the scheme.
Proposed Cllr Webb
Seconded Cllr Hounslow
Resolved to support ELDC proposals.
Cemetery Matters.
(Agenda Item 12)
151. a. Consider request from member of the public to purchase remaining bag of slate currently stored at the cemetery.
Resolved to sell for £40 buyer to collect.
b. Consider possible short term rental of chapel until sold.
Resolved not to lease the chapel.
c. Discuss future of Cemetery Lodge.
When the chapel is sold there is no reason to keep the lodge. In the long term it may be necessary to purchase the library building.
Resolved to wait and sell the chapel first. Current tenants have long term lease.
CONSIDER HANDING RUNNING OF ALFORD’S CHRISTMAS EVENT OVER TO AN EXTERNAL BODY SUCH AS ROTARY OR MAGNA VITAE.
(Agenda Item 13)
152. People are already asking about Christmas 2016. It was felt important that the Council retain control of Christmas event in Alford. Important that all organisations work together and that the dark area of North Market Place cobbles joins events in the Manor House and Corn Exchange together. Councillor Whitcombe to create a Facebook page to get an idea of what residents would like and be willing to volunteer to deliver.
CONSIDER WHETHER TOWN COUNCIL WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN QUEEN’S 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION BEACON LIGHTING CEREMONY.
(Agenda Item 14)
153. This is on Thursday 21st April 2016. Councillor Whitcombe has already spoken to the PCC about use of the Church Tower.
Resolved to participate Councillor Whitcombe delegated responsibility for arranging beacon lighting.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT TO BE CONSIDERED:
(Agenda Item 15.)
154 None.
Any Matters for GENERAL discussion or inclusion in next agenda.
(Agenda Item 16)
155. a. Next agenda – Christmas
b. Next agenda – consider donation of £100 to Youth Group towards their proposed sponsored litter pick in Alford as part of Queen’s Birthday celebrations.
c. Query raised about whether snack wagon at Dillinger’s, South Street needs licence to trade etc. – Cllr Marsh will make enquiries at ELDC.
d. Vehicles are damaging verges in cemetery – clerk to get padlock for gates as previously resolved.
CONSIDER MOVING TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING.
(Agenda Item 17)
156 Proposed Cllr Webb
Seconded Cllr Palmer
Resolved to move to closed session
TENDERS RECEIVED FOR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CONTRACT 2016/17.
(Agenda Item 18)
157. Proposed Cllr Quantrell
Seconded Cllr Whitcombe
Resolved to grant 3 year contract to Glendale Countryside Ltd.
Staff salary reviews
(Agenda Item 19)
158. Resolved that proposals as presented to the council were accepted.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.45pm.
Appendix Item 147a.
ALFORD TOWN COUNCILAccounts for Payment / Meeting / 19th January 2016
Payee / Total
Employment related costs / 2014.98
M Dennis / 40.00 / Cemetery clearing
Glendale Countryside Ltd / 2150.00 / Oct/Dec.Grd maint.
CF Corporate Finance / 118.64 / Copier lease Feb-Apr
Handyman / 22.46 / general supplies
ESPO / 14.35 / public toilet supplies
A Smith(Alford)Ltd / 24.60 / Toilet repairs
British Gas / 15.19 / CCTV electric
E-On / 30.01 / Clock electric
4430.23
Income
15/12/15 -18/01/16
Market Income / 400.00
Burial board / 0.00
Other / 1147.36 / Other details
243.38 / Alford on Ice
Total Income / 1547.36 / 54.00 / Christmas trees
450.00 / Lodge rent
250.75 / PCC cont to grd maint
Petty cash / 149.23 / LCC cont to grd maint
15/12/15 -18/01/16
B/Fwd / 15.71
Petty cash / 100.00
Postage / -11.41
Bus stop window cleaning / -10.00
Canc.chq paid cash for tree work / -20.00
74.30
19th January 2016 Minute 140 - 158