MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HORNCASTLE TOWN COUNCIL
HELD ON 14 APRIL 2009
IN THE CHAIR: Cllr Mr C Wybrow
PRESENT: Cllrs Mr W Aron Mrs S Campbell Wardman Cllr Mrs P Crisp Beard
Mr R Fisher Mr M Lamb Mrs F Martin Mr D Roark Mr D Rodwell
Mr A Savage Mrs A Wayne and the Clerk.
County Cllr Mr M Clarke
POLICE: PCSO Nigel Wass
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Five members of the public including Laura Dunn
Mrs A Kisby Mr R Bell and Mr R Stephens.
1 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
RECEIVED a written report from Cllr Wybrow.
2 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND REASONS GIVEN
RECEIVED apologies from District Councillor Mr S Newton for health reasons.
3 DECLARATION OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS IN LINE WITH THE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2000
Cllr Campbell Wardman declared a personal interest in all matters relating to ELDC.
Cllr Fisher declared a personal interest in items 13 and 16c.
Cllr Aron declared a personal interest in items 13,16c & 18a.
Cllr Crisp Beard declared a personal interest in item 13 and 16.
Cllr Martin declared a personal interest in all matters relating to ELDC.
Cllr Wybrow declared a personal interest in item 18a.
4 The minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2009 were confirmed and signed.
PROPOSED to put the Linx Housing footpath and the Twinning Visit on the next agenda.
5 CLERK’S REPORT:
a CIVIC SOCIETY – FLOWER PLANTERS PROJECT – INSURANCE
INFORMED that the Town Council can include the planters in their public liability cover and insure the planters for theft and damage at a cost of £13.86 per £1000.00.
RESOLVED to cover the cost of insuring the planters on behalf of the Civic Society and to invite them to apply in writing to the Town Council for funding towards the project and to advise them to contact the District Councillors directly who may also be able to help.
b CLERK’S OFFICE WINDOW – UP-DATE
INFORMED that the conservation and planning conditions have now been satisfied and a date is awaited of the manufacture of the window. It was noted that the office contravenes the Health & Safety regulations and LCC have offered to action a temporary solution to aid circulation if necessary.
c ELDC – CAP – REDUCTION IN OPENING HOURS
RECEIVED an email from the Business Manager advising that the CAP will be closed every Tuesday for the foreseeable future to achieve budgetary savings.
RESOLVED to object very strongly stating that reducing the hours would be a retrograde step and that the budgetary savings from the closure of the TIC should help to fund the deficit.
PROPOSED to request a copy of the footfall figures to ascertain when the CAP is least busy.
RESOLVED to confirm that the Town Council do not accept any reduction in opening hours for the Horncastle CAP and ask that the figures be revisited.
d VISIT TO LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
PROPOSED to arrange the visit to Lincoln University for Thursday 27 August 2009.
e DOG FOULING BIN – FOOTPATH BETWEEN LINCOLN ROAD
LANGTON HILL
CONFIRMED the Town Council’s support for the application from a local resident to place a dog fouling bin between the footpath from Lincoln Road to Langton Hill.
f ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY – 28 APRIL 2009 – PRESENTATION
INFORMED that the Town Plan Steering Group would be giving a presentation at the Annual Parish Assembly on Tuesday 28 April 2009.
6 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr Clarke report that Horncastle College was holding a 40th Anniversary celebration event later in the year and he would like to incorporate the Tastes of Lincolnshire and the Summer Fayre organised by Horncastle Now within the event.
7 CORRESPONDENCE:
a BEST KEPT SMALL MARKET TOWN COMPETITION 2009
RESOLVED to enter the Best Kept Small Market Town Competition again this year.
b TOWN COUNCIL ELECTION – 30 APRIL 2009
INFORMED that an election has been arranged for 30 April 2009 to fill the current vacancy on the Town Council.
8 The notes of the Community Safety Working Group meeting held on
11 March 2009 were approved.
Cllr Martin agreed to clarify with ELDC the work that is recommended to the trees in the Market Place to provide better visibility for the CCTV cameras.
9 The notes of the Flood Relief Working Group meeting held on 4 March 2009 were approved.
Cllr Martin confirmed that the de-silting works have been completed and that Ian Russell from the Environment Agency will be giving an up-date on the proposals for a flood relief scheme at the next meeting of the working group on 15 April 2009.
10 PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING
HORNCASTLE NOW – SUMMER GALA - FINANCE
RESOLVED to discuss this matter in confidence and refer to the end of the meeting.
11 DRUM CLOCK – REFURBISHMENT
RECEIVED two quotations to repaint and re-gild the drum clock.
RESOLVED to accept the quotation from Michael Czajkowski for £1769.00 plus an additional £860.00 for the hire of scaffolding to carry out the work.
12 BUS STOP SHELTER – SPILSBY ROAD/WINCEBY GARDENS
RESOLVED to proceed with the provision of a Bus Shelter for the Bus Stop at the junction with Spilsby Road and Winceby Gardens at a cost of £2500.00.
13 TOWN HALL WORKING GROUP - UPDATE
Cllr Aron reported that the group has commissioned a condition and structural survey on the hall and the results will be included in the Business Plan.
They have also received interest in the office space and the franchised for a café area.
He stated that the hall was a robust building and he would be attending further meetings.
He reported that lead flashing has been removed from the roof and ELDC has organised remedial work, concern was also expressed over Lorries parking in the car park.
Cllr Martin confirmed that the Business Plan will be independently assessed.
The Steering Group confirmed that they will revisit the demolition proposal and the Town Council confirmed that they would not support demolition unless there was a new build.
RECEIVED a request for confirmation that the £7000.00 will be available for renovations.
RESOLVED to make a grant of £7000.00 from the investment account, to lever in extra funding subject to the approval of the Business Plan and other funding being in place.
14 TO APPROVE APPLICATIONS FOR THE RIGHT TO ERECT A MEMORIAL IN THE CEMETERY
APPROVAL was confirmed for the right to erect three memorials in the Cemetery.
15 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
Cllr Wayne declared a personal interest in S/086/0331/09 Heron Frozen Foods.
Cllr Lamb declared a personal interest in S/086/0342/09 Bell & Shinn, Maltby Way.
a The Minutes of the Planning Meeting held on 27 March 2009 were approved.
b The Notes of the Planning Meeting held on 8 April 2009 were approved.
PROPOSED to put the Cottage on Southwells Lane on the next Planning agenda.
16 APPEALS FOR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS:
a SKEGNESS DAY CENTRE – COAST & COUNTRY BUS CLUB
RECEIVED a request from the Bus Club Coordinator for a donation towards the running of the Coast & Country Bus Club.
RESOLVED not to contribute towards the bus club as it does not affect Horncastle.
b LINCOLN & LINDSEY BLIND SOCIETY
RECEIVED a request from the Lincoln & Lindsey Blind Society for a donation towards their work of providing help for visually impaired people.
RESOLVED to donate £50.00.
c TOWN HALL WORKING GROUP – BUSINESS PLAN
Cllr Aron declared a personal interest as the Chairman of the Town Hall Working Group.
RECEIVED a letter from the Chairman asking to draw down a second contribution towards the final Business Plan.
RESOLVED to contribute a further £350.00 to cover the consultancy work.
17 CEMETERY REPORT AND PURCHASE OF NEW SHUTTERING
The Chairman gave a report on the graffiti in the play area, the condition of the footpath off West Street and the large number of memorials on the graves in the Cemetery.
PROPOSED to remove the border in front of the Cemetery Lodge and repair the wire netting on top of the chimneys on the Cemetery Lodge.
RESOLVED to purchase a set of new shoring equipment at a cost of £1210.70 and new grass matting at a cost of £255.00.
Cllr Crisp Beard raised some issues regarding St Mary’s Churchyard including the damage to some kerbs and the removal of the dog litter bins.
18 ACCOUNTS:
Cllrs Aron, Wybrow and Clarke declared prejudicial interests in the invoices relating to themselves and left the room for this item.
a The following invoices were approved for payment:
PROPOSED to ask the Personnel and Finance Committee to revisit the guidelines on the Mayor’s Expenses. Nine in favour and one abstention
Inland Revenue 553.22
LCC Pension Fund 723.80
Jackson’s Cemetery Lodge supplies 437.24
Boston Road Service Station Petrol 57.78
Charles Hill Cemetery Equipment 5791.50
Cupit Print Civic Service – Order of Services 90.00
Tea at the Bridge Civic Service – Refreshments (from allowance) 300.00
Cllr Wybrow Chairman’s Allowance 126.40
John Aron Photograph 25.00
LALC Annual Subscription/ Training and LCR 937.40
Mr D Lawrence Town Plan Expenses 58.15
ELDC Cemetery – Rates Demand 170.76
Anglian Water Cemetery – Water Rates 565.58
b The following retrospective payments were approved:
Wages and Salary 2391.41
Circuit Solutions Installation of Computers 129.37
GRS Name Badges 83.09
G Smith Cemetery Lodge - Joinery 1005.00
John Elliott Cemetery Lodge - Plumbing 517.50
Stuart Goodacre Cemetery Lodge – Expenses 432.40
HAT Cemetery Lodge - Supplies 13.34
A Riddel Skip Hire 228.85
Friskney’s Cemetery – Safety Clothing 22.00
OER Stationery 13.21
LCC Liaison Meeting – Room Hire 5.60
Safe & Sound CCTV Cameras 4681.31
Turner’s Cemetery Garage – Window 82.80
British Telecom Office Account 232.32
Banovallum School Any Questions 100.00
19 QUESTION TIME
Received a complaint about the smell of the toilets on St Lawrence Street.
Received a complaint about the exposed black plastic under the trees next to the river banks at the Watermill Basin.
Agreed to cancel the next Liaison meeting with ELDC because of lack of agenda items.
RESOLVED that in view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, it is advisable in the public and press interest that they are excluded from the following items and they be instructed to withdraw.
10 HORNCASTLE NOW – APPEAL FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCE
RECEIVED an appeal for additional finance towards the Summer and Christmas Markets.
RESOLVED to fully support the work of the group and to offer guidance on organising a smaller event and to release £1000.00 now towards the summer event.
PROPOSED to ask them to provide an accurate break down of the figures for both events as well as a copy of the accounts from last years events.
PROPOSED to put Tourism and Promotion on next month’s agenda.
Chairman
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