26
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF ALFORD TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, CORN EXCHANGE, ALFORD
ON 20th OCTOBER 2015.
Present: Councillors S Devereux, Quantrell, Hounslow, Whitcombe, Freshney, Webb, Allan, Keal, Hopwood, Marsh and C Devereux
Mrs L Croft (Clerk)
APOLOGIES.
(Agenda Item 1.)
91. Cllr S Palmer
Resolved to accept apologies and reasons given.
NEW COUNCILLORS’ DECLARATIONS OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE TO BE SIGNED.
(Agenda Item 2.)
92. Cllrs Marsh and C Devereux sign declarations which were witnessed by the clerk.
To receive any known declarations of unregistered PECUNIARY interest.
(Agenda Item 3.)
93. Cllr Marsh declared an interest in agenda item 8.
To confirm the notes of the meeting held 15th SEPTEMBER 2015 as the minutes and approve the Chairman’s signature.
(Agenda Item 4.)
94. Proposed Cllr Whitcombe
Seconded Cllr Quantrell
Resolved that these be signed by the chairman as a true.
Clerk’s Report following that meeting.
(Agenda Item 5.)
95 Item 72 Clerk had e-mailed the road safety partnership and police regarding the council’s concerns regarding Miles Cross Hill and Saleby Cross Roads.
Item 76f. Clerk, Cllr Palmer and Cllr Marsh had attended the Code of Conduct and DPI training at Manby. The chairman urged councillors to attend and reminded them that there was an evening session still available on 9th November starting at 6pm
Item 78. Clerk wrote to police regarding the caravan on West Street and has also written to LCC and ELDC regarding the caravan in the lay-by.
Item 88c JSTC has no barrier as such across the top of Hanby Lane. The site manager puts out boards prior to the start of the school day and removes them once children are all in school. If a permanent barrier were to be put in pace this would not be closed outside of school times to allow access to the sports hall.
The town has again won a Silver award in East Midlands in Bloom competition.
The town also won the Market Town category of Lincolnshire Best Kept Village and Small Town Competition. Cllr Quantrell suggested that the Council Letterhead should be amended to reflect this new award.
Mayoral Board is currently away being updated.
Table correspondence.
(Agenda Item 6.)
96.
a. Market Times – October 2015
b. Wolds News – October 2015 – March 2016
c. Update from Jonathan Challen on the CCTV Project.
Al 7 town/parish councils have confirmed that they will remain in the CCTV Partnership. The go live date for the installation is likely to be April/May 2016. (E-mail forwarded to all councillors)
d. Link to Area Committee Meeting minutes (E-mailed to all councillors).
e. Town & Parish E-newsletter (E-mailed to all councillors).
N/003/01516/15 Anchor Inn – Change of use, conversion and extension and alterations to an existing public house to provide a bed and breakfast business – Full planning permission granted.
To receive such correspondence the Chairman may wish to put before the Council
(Agenda Item 7.)
97. The Chairman attended the ELDC civic service and the Louth Civic Service, also attended the PPG open day at the Manor House and the honour ceremonies at the Church.
The Access Centre are Launching their Advice Service on Thursday 29th October 10am – 1pm.
They have suggested that the Town Council may wish to participate with other agencies at their regular Thursday sessions, however as the clerk is available in the Corn Exchange this is not necessary.
The Royal British Legion has written to inform the Council that the Remembrance Day Parade will meet at 9.30am on Sunday 8th November. The work on the War Memorial has been completed and looks wonderful. Clerk to write to Jane Cowan to thank her. It was agreed that the wreaths could not be fastened to the War Memorial and Cllr Allan was delegated to arrange holders to display the wreaths at the memorial.
A local shopkeeper had complained about the state of the streets. This has been passed on to ELDC.
REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES.
(Agenda Item 8)
98. Cllr Palmer in his absence provided a written report regarding the site meeting on South Street. The service bus stop is to be moved and a plan is to be worked up.
Cllr Marsh ELDC confirmed that Alford Park and play area was to receive funds for refurbishment of play equipment.
Financial Matters
(Agenda Item 9)
99 a.) To approve accounts for payment
Proposed Cllr Allan
Seconded Cllr Freshney
Resolved that the accounts as put before the Council totalling £13415.98 be paid.
b.) To approve purchase of wreath for Remembrance Day Service
Proposed Cllr Hounslow
Seconded Cllr Allan
Resolved that wreath be purchased.
c.) Accounts Year to date.
Report and accounts noted.
TO DISCUSS PROTOCOLS AND POLICIES.
(Agenda Item 10)
100. Referring back to the letter received from a potential co-optee regarding information discussed in closed session and given that the council has a number of new councillors the Chairman felt it was appropriate to remind councillors of a few points.
While the final results of matters discussed in closed session will come into the public domain. Details of debates held in closed session should not be discussed with members of the public. One reason for this is to allow the clerk time to notify contractors/ candidates of the result of the council’s decision first.
Councillors should remember that they are part of a body and when speaking in public should clarify if they are expressing the councils or their own personal view on a matter.
Councillors are required to raise their hand if they wish to speak, so that they do not speak over another councillor and to allow the clerk to record accurate notes.
It was pointed out the Council has Standing Orders which are the rules by which a council operate and different chairmen can chose to observe them or not. A free flowing debate is often the best way to resolve issues.
It was generally felt that Alford Town Council meetings worked very well.
The chairman suggested that certain policies needed to be written up such as a training policy.
Proposed Cllr Allan
Seconded Cllr Hounslow
Resolved that the Chairman and the clerk work on written policies and bring them back to the council for approval.
TO CONSIDER PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO DEFINITIVE MAP AND STATEMENT OF PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY ALFORD: ALLEGED BYWAY OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC BETWEEN HANBY ANE AND NEW CEMETERY.
(Agenda Item 11)
101. This was a public bridleway. The school was built in 1932 and it became a pedestrian access only. Prior to the 1930’s coffins were wheeled to the cemetery. It is now school property and there is a pubic footpath on the right hand side of the road which has no destination.
TO RECEIVE UPDATE ON CURRENT PROPOSALS FOR CROSSING ON WEST STREET NEAR DOCTORS SURGERY AND CONSIDER CONCERNS RAISED THAT OTHER CROSSINGS SHOUD BE CONSIDERED.
(Agenda Item 12)
102. Cllr Palmers written report confirmed that a Vehicle and pedestrian survey had been carried out and that the location proposed by Cllr Devereux qualified for a crossing when funding allows. The town council need to keep on to highways to ensure that this crossing is high on their list of priorities. ELDC need to be contacted to see how the Town Council can ensure that a S106 can be included in any future large development in Alford to cover possible roundabout/crossings to ensure public safety.
Areas of concern were noted as Tothby Lane junction with West Street, East Street near Mon Ami, congestion outside QEGS.
Building work proposals at QEGS should include onsite parking.
Free ELDC car parks should alleviate on street parking. A mini roundabout at Tothby Lane would help the flow of traffic as would one near the co-op. A working party needed to prepare a list of requirements.
TO RECEIVE UPDATE ON neighbourhood pLAN.
(Agenda Item 13)
103. Certain differences arose at the last meeting which hopefully will be resolved. Councillor Quantrell will chair the next meeting but may have to stand down after that as he has other projects to focus on.
TO RECEIVE UPDATE ON PLANS FOR CHRISTMAS.
(Agenda Item 14)
104. A Rodeo Reindeer is booked and the Scouts are bringing a climbing wall. There will be a large tree in the Market Place as well as the one at the church. An 8 page programme is being produced and posters and programmes will be distributed shortly. Volunteers are needed to help on the day.
Planning and Development to be considered.
(Agenda Item 15)
105.
a. N/003/01752/15 3 & 3A CHURCH STREET, ALFORD. Planning Permission - Alterations to existing ground floor shop and first floor flat over to provide replacement windows and shop door.
Resolved to support on the understanding that the correct materials for a conservation area are being used.
b. N/003/01658/15 The Farmhouse, 126 West Street, Alford. Planning Permission – To continue to use former taxi shop as a coffee bar/café.
Resolved to support
c. N/003/01665/15 THE NURSERIES, 10 FARESTHORPE ROAD, ALFORD. Outline erection of 2 dwellings and associated garages. Decided by Planning Committee 8/10/15 Supported.
Any Matters for discussion or inclusion in next agenda.
(Agenda Item 16)
106. a. Winter plan required.
b. Cemetery Chapel Cllr Alan is meeting with the estate agents to mark out the boundary.
c. Cllr Hounslow gave his apologies for the next area committee meeting.
d. Clerk to enquire about the road sweeping schedule.
e. The information boards in the car parks were due to be refurbished, this has been delayed until next financial year. Cllr Marsh suggested the clerk contact Adam Grist regarding funding.
f. Cllr Hopwood had been approached about a no ball game sign. This may be a Waterloo Housing matter depending on where it is.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.25pm.
Appendix Item 99a.
ALFORD TOWN COUNCILAccounts for Payment / Meeting / 20th October 2015
Payee / Total
Employee related payments / 2556.59
Martin Dennis / 40.00 / clearing cemetery October
Petty cash / 80.00
LALC - / 31.50 / training courses Cllr Hopwood
Glendale Countryside Ltd / 1075.00 / Grounds Maintenance September 2015
East End Garage - / 30.00 / Tractor fuel
Alford Corn Exchange Community Group - / 2225.00 / Office Rent/ Room Hire
East Lindsey District Council - / 4752.50 / CCTV Maintenance Contract
DS Traffic Management Ltd / 204.00 / Alford Rocks Diversions
Stamford Stone Co. / 325.04 / War memorial stone
C.F.Corporate Finance Ltd / 118.64 / Printer lease
ESPO - / 32.18 / Public toilet supplies
Scott Wells Electrical - / 70.00 / Electrical report Compound
SLCC / 149.00 / annual subscription
Royal British Legion / 20.00 / Wreath
E-on / 20.29 / Clock supply South mkt place
E-On / 25.28 / Chapel electricity
SSE / 97.86 / Electric public toilets
PWBL - / 1563.10 / Cemetery Lodge loan
13415.98
Income
15/9/15 -19/10/15
Market Income / 1290.50
Burial board / 125.00
Other / 31580.63
Total Income / 32996.13
Other details
450.00 / Lodge rent
Petty cash / 4154.13 / War Memorial donation
15/9/15 -19/10/15 / 2008.50 / Christmas donation/grant and stall hire
opening balance / -20.16 / 24968.00 / Precept/council tax grant
Postage / -10.26
Petty cash / 50.00
Photocopies/ paper / 2.55
Window cleaning bus shelter / -30.00
Mileage re-imbursement / -11.70
-19.57
20th October 2015 Minute 91 - 106