Sheringham Town Council Meeting
14 June 2011
MINUTES OF THE SHERINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TOWN HALL, SHERINGHAM ON TUESDAY 14TH JUNE, 2011, AT 8.00PM.
PRESENT: The Town Mayor – Cllr D Smith
The Deputy Mayor – Cllr D Gooch
Cllrs McGinn, Booth, Burns, Mrs Ashcroft, Mrs Fields,
Mrs Brooks, Talbot, Bush, Cox, Frazer, Stevens and Cllr Hill
Dist Cllr Smith
Cty Cllr Hannah
The Revd C Sherwood
The Press
Three Members of the Public
The Clerk/Deputy Clerk
The Mayor asked for one minute silence to pay tribute to a former Town Clerk - Mr Wilfred Aherne who recently passed away.
7907. THE OPENING PRAYER: The Revd C Sherwood gave the opening prayer.
7908. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER APOLOGIES: Cllr Hewitt, Birtwell,
Dist Cllrs Shepherd and Oliver.
7909. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST RELATING TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA: Cllr Cox declared the following interests - a personal interest on Item 9 – his Son In Law is an Allotment Tenant. A personal interest on Item 10(i) he is a Member of the Friends of the Sheringham Museum Trust. A personal interest on Item 10(b)(iii) – he is Member of the Friends of Sheringham Little Theatre. A personal interest on Item 15 – he is the Honorary President of the Sheringham Preservation Society. A prejudicial interest on Item 10(b)(ii) – he wishes to exercise his right to speak during Public Participation. The Mayor agreed to take Item 11 (Public participation) in between Items 9 and 10 in order for him to speak to the grant request from Sheringham Preservation Society.
Cllr Hill declared the following interests – Item 10(b)(iv) – he is a Member of Sheringham In Bloom. Item 10(b)(ii) – he is known to the Building Contractor.
Cllr Mrs Brooks declared a personal interest in Item 9 – she is Chairman of the Allotment Association.
Cllr Mrs Ashcroft declared the following personal interests - Item 9 – her Daughter In Law is an Allotment Tenant. Item 10(b)(iii) – she is a Member of the Friends of Sheringham Little Theatre.
Cllr Booth declared a interest in Item 10(b)(ii) – he is also known to the Building Contractor.
Cllr McGinn declared an interest on Item 10(b)(i) – he is Sheringham Town Council’s Representative on the Sheringham Museum Trust.
Cllr Bush declared a prejudicial interest on Item 9 – he is an Allotment Tenant.
The Deputy Mayor declared the following interests – 10(b)(iv) – he is a Member of Sheringham In Bloom. Item 10(b)(iii) – he is a Member of the Friends of Sheringham Little Theatre. The Deputy Mayor stated he is willing to leave the meeting during the discussion of Item 10(e). Cllr Cox stated if a Badge of Office is agreed to be purchased for the Deputy Mayor, then it is the property of the Town Council and not a particular Member and therefore will not be required to leave the meeting.
Cllrs Burns and Mrs Brooks declared a prejudicial interest in item 10(c) – they will be attending at the Joint Summer Conference.
7910. TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17TH MAY, 2011: The Minutes of the meeting having been previously circulated, Cllr Cox PROPOSED acceptance of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 17, May, 2011, Cllr Burns seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
7911. TOWN MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Mayor announced the following attendances:
▪ 19 May – Officially Opening W H Smith, the new store in High Street
▪ 20 May - the Opening Concert for the Crab and Lobster Festival at Cromer Pier
▪ 21/22 May – Crab and Lobster activities in Sheringham
▪ 24 May – Award Ceremony at the Wyndham Arms Public House
▪ 25 May – Chamber of Trade AGM at the Tyneside Social Club
▪ 28 May – Gala Performance of Cromer and Sheringham Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society’s ‘Half a Sixpence’ at Cromer Pier
▪ 2 June – Officially Opening the British Heart Foundation Shop in Church Street, Sheringham
▪ 4 June – Welcoming Keith Vaz MP Chair of House of Commons at the Home Affairs Select Committee to Sheringham for a Public Meeting regarding Restorative Justice
▪ 9/10 June – Welcoming the Daimler and Lancher Club to Sheringham
▪ 10 June – attending funeral of former Town Clerk - Mr Wilfred Aherne
▪ 4 June – attending Sheringham Community Centre to meet the Right Honourable Keith Vaz MP and Norman Lamb MP to discuss amongst other things good practices within the Police Service and on one aspect to highlight the use of the Restorative Justice System, which has been so successful in Sheringham that a Select Committee may appear on National television highlighting how Sheringham is leading the way.
7912. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES: Min 7906 refers: The Clerk read the response from nplaw which detailed their legal fees and entitlements of their services. Cllr Cox recommended STC engages their services and for this item to be placed on the next Full Council agenda.
7913. POLICE REPORT: Sgt A Smith provided a written report which The Clerk relayed to the meeting:
Summary of Crimes and Calls in Sheringham for the period 14 May to 13 June, 2011:
Calls to Police (CADS) – Total 191, including 2 Road Traffic Collisions and 26 Anti-Social Behaviour.
Crimes total 35 – which include: 2 x Assault ABH, 1x Theft from Dwelling (walk-in crime by person known to victim), 2 x Theft from Motor Vehicle, 4 x Theft other, 1 x Arson (fire set in a room of a care home), 3 x Assault and Battery, 1 x Assault on a Police Officer, 1 x Burglary Dwelling, 2 x Burglary from a Building Other than a Dwelling, 4 x Criminal Damage to a Vehicle (cars ‘keyed’ persons unknown), total of Restorative Justice Settlements = 4 during the period for various offences of ASB.
7914. ANY COUNTY/DISTRICT COUNCILLORS WISHING TO MAKE A REPORT: Dist Cllr Smith reported he is undertaking training in matters of Overview and Scrutiny and Planning Committees. He has attended two meetings with Jill Fisher, Corporate Asset Manager at NNDC relating to general amenities and public conveniences in Sheringham.
The Clerk was furnished with a brief report supplied by Dist Cllr Shepherd which was relayed to the meeting:
He is once again on tour with the Sheringham Shantymen and would like to report that the welfare of Sheringham pre. Tesco is in the forefront of all District Councillors thoughts and they will work toward increasing the vibrancy of the Town. He has briefly spoken with STC’s Cllr S Booth, who will be invited to attend meetings to bring his ideas.
7915. ALLOTMENTS, CEMETERY & COMMONS COMMITTEE:
The Deputy Mayor asked for Item 9 (C) of the Agenda to be taken before Items (A) and (B). IT WAS AGREED.
(A) TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 24 MAY, 2011: The Deputy Mayor asked for the following amendments – Page 3, para 6, line 1 – to delete ‘No.38’ and insert ‘No.34’, to delete ’Vice Chairman’ from all items and insert ‘ Chairman’. Cllr Burns asked for an amendment on Item 6 – last para – to delete ‘ Cllr Burns’ and insert ‘Cllr Bush’. With the above amendments Cllr Cox PROPOSED acceptance of the Minutes of the Meeting, the Deputy Mayor seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
(B) TO APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ALLOTMENT SITE INSPECTION – ITEM 7: The Deputy Mayor advised the meeting several complaints have been received by tenants regarding other tenants not adhering the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement. He expressed all tenants have now had sufficient time to settle into their new allotments and STC should now take action to enforce any conditions which are not being complied with. After further discussion the Deputy Mayor PROPOSED approving the recommendations set out in the Allotment Inspection Report, Cllr Frazer seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
(C) TO APPROVE RECOMMENDATION FOR STC TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT WATER BUTTS AND COMPOST BINS AT PHASE ONE ALLOTMENT SITE: The Clerk reported a request has been received from a new tenant to provide a replacement composter. It has become apparent that when allotments are unoccupied, composters/water butts have been removed from the plot. A discussion ensued during which The Mayor recommended deferring a decision until the infrastructure of the Kitchen Academy land is finalised, which will include the purchase of such items. Cllr Cox so PROPOSED accepting the recommendation, Cllr McGinn seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
7916. RESOLUTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING FOR UP TO 15 MINUTES, FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS WITH PREJUDICAL INTERESTS, TO SPEAK ON MATTERS RELATING TO BUSINESS BEING TRANSACTED ON THE AGENDA: Cllr Stevens PROPOSED adjourning the meeting for Public Participation, Cllr Mrs Fields seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
A Member of the Public spoke in relation to the Station Approach Putting Green and the East End Promenade former Toilet Block. A Councillor with a Prejudicial Interest spoke in relation to a grant application from Sheringham Preservation Society.
Cllr Hill PROPOSED reconvening the meeting, Cllr Mrs Brooks seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
7917. FINANCE:
(A) TO APPROVE THE ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: The Schedule of Accounts having been circulated, Cllr McGinn PROPOSED acceptance of the Accounts in the sum of £12,185.33 inc vat; Cllr Cox seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
(B) GRANT APPLICATIONS:
(i) SHERINGHAM MUSEUM TRUST: An application for a grant has been received from the SMT to refurbish their existing displays and prepare new displays in the sum of £5,000.00. A full discussion took place during which Cllr Cox PROPOSED forming a response to state STC does not have funds available in this year’s budget, and to advise them such a large sum will require ample notice in advance of STC’s Precept meeting held in November of each year, Cllr McGinn seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
Cty Cllr Hannah arrived.
(ii) SHERINGHAM PRESERVATION SOCIETY: Cllr Cox left the meeting.
The Mayor informed the meeting this property is in the ownership of STC. He asked for it to be taken into consideration that the SPS has been self funded by its Volunteers for many years and at no cost to STC. He recommended the un- used funds which were previously set aside in the Budget for Sheringham Wood and Town Council Elections, which was transferred to General Reserves at the 17 May, 2011, Full Council meeting, be granted to the SPS. He also referred to the lowest quotation supplied by SPS from Moreton Farrow Building Contractors and recommended accepting Option 2 - North side, along with the West and South side repairs, and finally for STC to organise the repair works in-house in order to recoup the vat. Cllr McGinn so PROPOSED accepting the above recommendations for STC to pay for the repair works and reclaim the vat and to accept Moreton and Farrow’s quotation – Option 2 of the North side repairs along with the West and South side repairs in the sum of £1920.00 + vat and for the funds to come from General Reserves, Cllr Burns seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
Cllr Cox returned to the meeting.
(iii) SHERINGHAM LITTLE THEATRE: Cllr McGinn PROPOSED granting the Sheringham Little Theatre the sum of £2000.00, which has been set aside in the budget under S144/145 of the 1972 LGA, Cllr Cox seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
(iv) SHERINGHAM IN BLOOM: Cllr McGinn PROPOSED granting £2000.00, which has been set aside in the budget under S137 of the 1972 LGA, Cllr Cox seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
(C) TO APPROVE COST OF THE TOWN CLERK AND TWO COUNCILLORS TO ATTEND THE JOINT SUMMER CONFERENCE 2011 AT £40.00 PER DELEGATE: Cllr McGinn PROPOSED approving the cost of The Clerk, Cllr Burns and Mrs Brooks to attend the NALC Joint Summer Conference 2011 at £40.00 per delegate, Cllr Frazer seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
(D) TO OPEN AND CONSIDER TENDERS FOR REPLACEMENT FURNITURE IN LADIES AND GENTS TOILET FACILITIES AT TOWN HALL: The Clerk named the firms approached and then proceeded to open the six quotations received –
Blyth & Son Ltd £959.00 +vat
A Knowles Plumbing & Heating £1150.00 + vat
Mike Lacey £1645.00 inc vat
A R Bignold £866.42 + vat
Fisher – Bullen £1397.50 + vat
On Tap Plumbing and Heating £1082.60 + vat
A R Bignold being the lowest quotation had failed to include the cost of two water heaters and was therefore turned down.
Cllr Cox PROPOSED accepting the second lowest tender from Blyth & Son Ltd in the sum of £959.00 + vat, and for the funds to be taken from Town Hall Repairs in Ear Marked Reserves, Cllr McGinn seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
(E) TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE PURCHASE OF DEPUTY MAYOR BADGE OF OFFICE: Members had previously been furnished with a copy of the detailed costs/options available. After a full discussion Cllr McGinn PROPOSED accepting Option B – HM Silver Gilt, green double mitred ribbon, and leatherette case in the approximate sum of £1342.00 + vat from General Reserves, Cllr Cox seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
(F) REPORT FROM FINANCE OFFICERS REGARDING REVISION OF FINANCIAL STANDING ORDERS: Members had previously been furnished with a copy of the revised Financial Standing Orders. Cllr Cox reported the new points have been highlighted in bold and so PROPOSED STC adopt the revised Financial Standing Orders on behalf of STC, Cllr McGinn seconded. IT WAS AGREED.
(G) INTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH, 2011: The Clerk read the Internal Auditors Report which stated the Council’s accounting records and systems of financial control are adequate and are operating effectively.
(H) LAST QUARTER’S COMPARISON OF EXPENDITURE AND INCOME: Members had previously been furnished with a copy for information.
(I) TO SIGN OFF THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS BOOK FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH, 2011: Cllr Cox PROPOSED, Cllr McGinn seconded signing off the Receipts and Payments book for the year ending 31 March, 2011. IT WAS AGREED.
(J) TO SIGN BALANCE SHEET 2010/2011: Member having been previously furnished with a copy, Cllr Cox PROPOSED, Cllr McGinn seconded, signing off the Receipts and Payments book for the year ending 2010/2011. IT WAS AGREED.