MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF AYLSHAM TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN AYLSHAM TOWN HALL,
ON THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER 2015 at 7.00p.m
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PRESENT: Mr M Martin Chairman
Mrs E J Baker
Mr T Bennett
Ros Calvert
Mr D Curtis
Mr B Lancaster
Mr W Mackie
Lloyd Mills
Mrs A M Overton
Mrs V Shaw
Mrs E E Springall
Chris Yeomans
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Mrs S Lake. Aylsham Town Clerk
8 Members of the Public
1. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES
No apologies received
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
Chris Yeomans declared a non-pecuniary interest regarding Item 15a – Land Transfer at St Michaels
3. MINUTES
Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 10 September 2015 had previously been circulated. Lloyd Mills proposed an amendment to Item 20b which was accepted.
The minutes were confirmed and signed by the chairman.
4. INFORMATION ON MATTERS ARISING
Ros Calvert confirmed that she made an incorrect statement at the September meeting and the membership of the Church Working Group had been agreed at the May Annual Meeting.
5. MATTERS REFERRED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
a) Representation on Committees
See Minute 4 above
b) Just Aylsham Profile Piece
This had been agreed by Council at the August Meeting but the timing for photographs had not been arranged and this would have encroached on the meeting. It was agreed that the clerk would contact all members for their profile piece and agree a date for photographs for those willing to have one taken and published.
6. REPORTS FROM POLICE, COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Police: The written report for September was tabled. There was a query about recent police activity on Burgh Road and that will be taken to the SNAP meeting.
Broadland District Council: – Apologies were received from Cllr Jo Cottingham.
No Councillors present to give a report
County: Councillor Harrison was not present.
7 ADJOURNMENT OF THE MEETING
It was proposed and AGREED to adjourn the meeting for 10 minutes to take comments from the public.
Gas House Hill Planning Application
Several members of the public spoke against the proposed development of a retail shop and flats at Gas House Hill. Comments included:
· Parking required for the Catholic Church
· Limited thought for design and safety
· Revised plans do not address safety issues
· Does not take into account vehicles turning
· Road busy especially at school times and Sundays
· Deliveries route poor
· Not needed
· With new development already under construction the retail store will make matters worse
· Children walk 10 a breast and swarm into and across the road
· Unhappy at potential impact on health of children
· Issues regarding litter
· Unhappy that BDC representatives are not present at Town Council Meetings to hear the views of the public
Re-CONVENE THE MEETING
It was proposed and AGREED that the meeting re-convened.
8. DRILL HALL
No update to report but the clerk is scheduled to meet with Andrew Harrison from Norfolk County Council on Friday October 9th.
9. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) To receive and adopt the Quarterly Financial Report July – September 2015
It was proposed and AGREED to accept the report and approve all the suggested transfers highlighted by the RFO.
b) To receive and adopt the Scrutineer's Report for the quarter ended 30th June 2015*
It was proposed and AGREED to accept the report
c) To receive and adopt the report on the Collectors Fair*
The Town Council considered the report and noted that the Collectors Fairs were now being managed by the Events Committee. And AGREED the reduction in rent to Roger Mann as he arrives early and organises the placement of the stalls.
After a short discussion it was proposed and AGREED that the Events Committee receive a discount on the rent as a non-profit making organisation but that this should be reviewed in 12 months.
10. MILL ROW
Following the decision of Broadland Cabinet on 1st September to ask Overview and Scrutiny to look at a 50/50 share for the land at the Mill that committee recommended this advising 'that 50% was fair and would still allow for restoration of The Mill'. However, on 29th September Broadland Cabinet voted to not proceed with the Compulsory Purchase Order. To date no reason has been given for this decision as no communication has been received from Broadland District Council.
The Town Council discussed this matter at length and were concerned at the actions of Broadland District Council. Every action the Town Council had taken had been at the suggestion of Broadland Officers and had then been overturned by the members. It was proposed and AGREED to write to all members of the cabinet, the chairman and the Chief Executive expressing these views.
The Town Council were also disappointed that the press were not in attendance as some of the reporting on this matter had been inaccurate. In particular the comments on harassment by the Town Council of the Mill owner and also the cost to the Council. This had been quoted as in excess of £20,000 when the latest figures show a total cost of £7798.18, most of which reflects the costs of the public inquiry which was instigated by Norfolk County Council. It was proposed and AGREED to write to the media detailing this and also referencing that the action was taken as a response to an approach from residents.
11. PLANNING ISSUES
a) APPLICATIONS DETERMINED
Information provided with the Agenda was noted.
b) APPLICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
20151442 Old Police Station, Gas House Hill, Aylsham
Demolition of Existing Office Building and Erection of Retail Unit and Four Flats (Revised Application)
Town Council Response – Strongly Object on basis of highway safety, deliveries and concern for street parking issues
20151490 20 Millgate, Aylsham
Erection of veranda to rear
Town Council Response – Support
20142017 Hungate Lodge, Hungate Street, Aylsham
Erection of 9 dwellings – amended plans
Town Council Response – Refuse as this is not a suitable entrance site so close to the school
20151563 Tudor Rose Barn, Blickling Road, Aylsham
Conversion and Extension of Barn to form dwelling and erection of stable block. Installation of solar panels on stable
Town Council Response – Support
20151559 25 Sir Williams Close, Aylsham
Single storey extension to side & rear
Town Council Response – Support
12. HIGHWAY ISSUES
a) To consider the request from Norfolk County Council re de-illumination of the B1145
The lights to be removed are the highway lights. The footway lights are Town Council lights and will be retained. Concern was expressed regarding removing lights from the bollards. It was proposed and AGREED that Town Council does not object to the removal of highway lights but would wish to retain bollard lights.
b) To discuss a letter regarding traffic issues in the town centre
The contents of the letter were discussed and Councillors were in general agreement with the points made. It was agreed to ask for a representative from Highways to attend the next meeting to discuss this and other highway matters in the town.
c) To consider an application for the Parish Partnership Scheme
The annual request to consider this scheme had been received. At the same time a letter had been received from the governors and head of St Michaels School. It was agreed that the clerk would meet with highways and the school to look at possible schemes to improve safety including the purchase of a SAM2 mobile sign. The second letter from Norfolk County council regarding this scheme included the possibility of purchasing additional pot hole repairs. It is a duty of Norfolk County Council to repair potholes and it was agreed to write to highways reminding them of this fact.
13. TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
The Town Clerk presented and updated her report
Town Hall – The Town Hall Working party met this week to discuss a report commissioned on the building. One of the first recommendations of the report is to hold a public meeting. This has been organised for Tuesday November 10th.
Defibrillator – this has now been installed and training is scheduled for October 22nd
Bus Shelter – new shelter is scheduled to be installed later in October
Cemetery – thanks were expressed to Chris Ellis for his assistance with this work – a letter will be sent
Buttlands – it was felt removing the grass areas from parking could prove a problem
All resolutions proposed and AGREED.
14. CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The chairman attended the Royal British Legion Awards presentation.
The first Councillors Corner session proved very useful and informative.
15. LAND TRANSFERS
a) Land at St Michaels
Work has started on this transfer and the Town Clerk is liaising regarding issues highlighted.
b) Allotments at Sir Williams Lane
c) Allotments at Cawston Road
Both allotment sites should be ready soon and a site visit is being proposed
16. QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS
None received.
17. CITTÀSLOW COMMITTEE
a) MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 22 September 2015
The minutes previously circulated were proposed for adoption and AGREED.
b) The Cittàslow Committee felt membership of FARMA was no longer beneficial and would like to withdraw. However, they also requested that the amount set aside for this was included in the budget for use with the Farmers Market. This was proposed and AGREED.
18. CORRESPONDENCE
a) NORFOLK ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS
The AGM will be on October 17th.
b) Aylsham In Bloom entry to Anglia In Bloom
The Council wished them well in this competition and would support where necessary.
c) Broadland District Council Annual Meeting
Scheduled for November 12th – the date of the next Town Council meeting.
19. LICENSING
There was nothing to report.
20. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
It was agreed to hold this on either 20th or 27th April. Councillors will bring ideas for speakers to the next meeting.
21. RECREATION GROUND
a) To receive minutes of the meeting of the Recreation Ground Committee 7th July 2015
These were noted
b) To consider granting approval for work on the cricket square
The Town Council proposed and AGREED to give permission as the landowner for work to be undertaken on the cricket square. This will assist the Cricket Club to obtain grants
c) To receive second draft of agreement between Town Council and Recreation Ground Committee
After a discussion it was proposed and AGREED by a majority to accept the second draft.
22. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/FUTURE AGENDA
Lloyd Mills advised he will provide a report regarding the archives
23. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Chairman confirmed the date of the next Ordinary Council Meeting as Thursday 12 November 2015, at 7.00pm
24. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC UNDER THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION OF STRANGERS) ACT 1960
It was proposed and unanimously AGREED, that in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted, it was advisable in the public interest that the Press and Public should be excluded.
25. STAFFING MATTERS
The report from the Town Clerk and the recommendations made were proposed and AGREED.
26. MEETING WITH BROADLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL
Members of the Town Council who had met with District Councillors and planners to discuss a proposed development advised councillors of the proposal. A planning application should be made before the end of the year.
27. REQUEST FOR A SEMI-PERMANENT MARKET STALL
The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Town Clerk had met with the prospective traders and had prepared a report on the meeting. Councillors After a discussion it was proposed and AGREED that the decision be delegated to the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Town Clerk to make and action the final decision and report back to council.
CLOSURE OF THE MEETING
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.45p.m.
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