MABLETHORPE AND SUTTON TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING
OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
Held on 14 February 2011
Present: Cllr P Prince (in the Chair)
Cllrs B Dobbs A Howard P Jackson
Mrs M Morgan G Parkhurst Miss H Parkhurst
S Pratley E Rolls Mrs M Rolls
R B Shields, MBE Mrs J Taylor
Mrs J Cooper (Town Clerk)
Insp. T Ball
3 members of the public
Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the public were asked if they had anything to raise. As there were no issues, the meeting commenced.
67. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies and valid reasons for absence were received from Cllr G Richards and Cllr Mrs C Lewis. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to accept those reasons for absence.
Cllr G Marsh (LCC) had also sent his apologies.
Note: Cllrs G Gooding and Mrs J Gooding left apologies on the answer phone in the Clerk’s absence.
68. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr R B Shields, MBE declared a personal interest in any matter relating to East Lindsey District Council as an ELDC member.
Cllr S Pratley declared a personal interest in Minute 73 as a Neighbourhood Management Board Member.
Cllr Mrs J Taylor declared a personal interest in Minute 77, ref. payment to LALC, as the Town Council delegate.
Cllr A Howard declared a personal interest in Minutes 71 and 74 as a member of East Lindsey District Council and Minute 77 payments to the Post Office and Canon as having business connections.
Cllr P Prince declared a personal interest in any item relating to Mablethorpe Primary School as a governor.
69. MINUTES
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 20 December 2010 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the minutes of the extraordinary Town Council meeting held on 31 January 2011 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
70. MINUTES OF COMMITTEES
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the acts, proceedings and recommendations of the following committees be approved:
(i) Planning Committee of 13 December 2010
(ii) Planning Committee of 10 January 2011
(iii) Community Amenities Committee of 17 January 2011
(iv) Acre Gap Sub Committee of 21 January 2011
(v) Administration Sub Committee of 1 February 2011
71. REPORTS FROM TOWN MAYOR, MEMBERS OF LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL AND EAST LINDSEY DISTRICT COUNCIL
Town Mayor:
This was tabled and contained details of functions attended, as well as information relating to the need to evaluate the position regarding Mayor’s appeal.
Lincolnshire County Council: No member present.
East Lindsey District Council:
Cllr Howard tabled his report which covered cuts to staffing posts, Meridian review, planning and Icelandic banking situation. He gave a verbal update on numbers from Mablethorpe, Trusthorpe and Sutton postcode area using the Meridian Centre – of 13,000 key card holders only 3% (approximately 500) came from this area.
72. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES, TOWN CLERK AND POLICE
Police
Inspector Ball was invited to update on policing issues in the area and outlined his area of responsibility – being east coast from Theddlethorpe to Wainfleet and inland Alford/Manby area. He will be in Mablethorpe station 2 days a week and available. Key themes for concern include anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and driving issues.
Concerns raised at forums and meetings included youth drinking, Seacroft Road car park and bus shelter, speeding Quebec Road and chalet damage. There had been no reports of issues on Seacroft Road car park recently and police were working with ELDC regarding the bus shelter.
Drinking and Public Places Order for Sutton – police gathering data to re-visit in a year with accurate figures and promenade patrols had been increased to combat criminal damage.
Recent court cases included fraud; stolen credit cards; drugs; threatening behaviour; handling stolen goods and driving offences. The Road Safety Partnership has monitored Quebec Road for speeding and decreed it was not a “hot spot” for accidents.
Questions from councillors included parking problems in the town – will look at enforcement in dangerous situations; request for police to put pressure on LCC regarding de-criminalisation of parking. Following report of Inspector Ball’s attendance at Sutton 1st meeting, concerns were raised over inviting tradesmen into people’s homes and compiling list of reputable firms in terms of protecting vulnerable people and need for accountability.
Quebec Road – councillors confirmed there had been a fatality on Quebec Road.
The Chairman thanked Inspector Ball for his comprehensive and useful report.
Mablethorpe Area Partnership:
Cllr G Parkhurst updated members on the work of the Partnership and Town Centre Manager since the last meeting. The bid for directional signs, website, cycle racks and BB interpretation boards had been successful; City Scope map boards should be in situ shortly, additional banners may be in place on posts on Victoria Road; Tide Gallery had submitted funding bid to RDPE; Motorcycle Festival to be held 19th March 2011; working to have Mablethorpe included by coach operators as day trip destination.
Acre Gap:
Cllr Mrs M Rolls advised that work was progressing well, next meeting scheduled for Friday 18th February to discuss future management plans.
Christmas:
Cllr Miss H Parkhurst confirmed planting of the trees on the dunes had gone well, the Community Payback team had assisted.
Boatshed:
Cllr S Pratley tabled his report which covered use of computers in the centre was increasing, people happy with facilities for meetings, South Lincs CVS use the building each Friday; lead organisation for People’s Millions; will be hosting Jobs Fair on 25th February.
Neighbourhood Management:
Cllr Mrs J Taylor’s report was attached to the agenda and covered issues raised at Mablethorpe, Trusthorpe and Sutton Board Meetings. These included: possibility of a Town Warden, presentation by Street Scene Team Manager, children riding on pavements with no lights, sand clearance (Easter – September only), pot holes, police drop in, Saturday Night Project, responsibility for business generated litter, dog fouling, grit bins, Broadway re-surfacing.
Playing Fields Association:
Dog fouling is still a problem.
Tourism Forum:
Next major event is the Motorcycle Festival.
Open Circle of Friends: Nothing to report.
Town Clerk:
The Clerk’s report was attached to the agenda and covered training; forthcoming in-house event for would-be councillors; Clerk to sit in with Neighbourhood Management and Police Drop In surgery on 21 February; replacement directional signage grant; Acre Gap; Switch on progress; grounds maintenance; Flood Awareness event; Beach replenishment and Coastal Country Park drop in. She also verbally updated members on attendance at briefing session regarding nominations and elections; next Society of Local Council Clerks meeting in March.
73. TOWN PLAN
A report outlining the benefits of a comprehensive community led Town Plan was attached to the agenda. The Clerk confirmed its usefulness as a supporting document for organisations applying for grant aid as well as providing policy guides for the future.
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the Town Council commence the process of leading on a community led Town Plan with guidance from Community Lincs.
74. BEACH CHALETS – UPDATE ON ELDC PROPOSAL
During discussions on the accompanying document, there were concerns regarding demolition and non re-building of the chalets, design issues, sales and future of Bathing Beauties huts. The Clerk outlined the proposal by ELDC to demolish 33 chalets near Queen’s Park and re-build 18 for sale. The 15 not to be re-built were 15 currently not let and boarded which suffered from vandalism. The Chairman reminded members of the resolution of the Community Amenities Committee of
17 January 2011 (Minute 65) which followed a presentation and discussion with ELDC officer.
Following further discussion it was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the bullet points agreed at the Community Amenities Committee on 17 January 2011 be forwarded to ELDC together with additional points from this meeting. The points raised are:
· Complaints received regarding condition of chalets
· Concerns over a “blank” area being left by demolished and not re-built chalets.
· Concerns if none sold, and “off plan” sales.
· Existing private leased chalets not being maintained.
· Money from sales/leases must be ring fenced for chalet refurbishment.
· Town Council to have sight of redevelopment plans.
· Colour palette for chalets for sale to be agreed as part of lease.
· If all chalets are not suitable for disabled, then at least one should be disabled friendly (noted that one of the chalets scheduled for demolition is specifically for disabled).
· All 18 chalets to be built as one development, regardless of sale procurement.
· No retail units.
It was also suggested that the chalets built for Bathing Beauties be improved, discussion continue regarding Jabba and the Town Council be involved in all stages of the proposal.
75. VACANCY
The Clerk confirmed that as it was close to the elections the ELDC Returning Officer would not be asking for election to fill the Trusthorpe vacancy. However, the Town Council could follow the co-option procedure if it wished.
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: Not to take any action to fill the vacancy due to the proximity of the election.
76. COMMUNICATIONS
Cllrs G Parkhurst and B Dobbs updated members following a recent meeting with HSBC officials, when it was stated that the branch was the lowest used for banking in the East Midlands and had run at a loss for the last 3 years, and the proposed closure would go ahead.
77. ORDERS FOR PAYMENT
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That orders for payment totalling £21,864.58 be authorised.
The meeting closed at 8.30 p.m.
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