MINUTES OF SHERINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TOWN HALL, SHERINGHAM, ON TUESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2015 AT 8.00 PM
PRESENT: The Town Mayor – Cllr D Gooch
The Deputy Mayor – Cllr M Hill
Cllrs Ashcroft, Bush, Craske, Cox, Farley, Fields,
McGinn, Ringer, Smith, Withington & Worboys
Dst Cllrs Oliver & Shepherd
Deputy Town Clerk & Clerical Assistant
7 Members of the Public
9810. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER APOLOGIES:
Cllr Brooks sent apologies, her daughter’s birthday, Cllr Ward sent apologies, away on holiday and Cty Cllr Hannah sent apologies.
9811. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST RELATING TO BUSINESS BEING TRANSACTED AT THIS MEETING:
Cllrs Bush & Worboys declared interests, as allotment tenants. Cllr Cox declared an interest in item 15, he is known to the applicant. The Deputy Mayor declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in item 23, he is an employee of the firm.
9812. ITEMS REQUIRING A RESOLUTION UNDER THE PUBLIC BODIES ACT (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS ACT 1960) TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND PUBLIC UNDER SECTION 1C OF STANDING ORDERS:
Cllr Cox recommended taking items 15 and 24 under Standing Order 1C.
9813. TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 7TH JULY 2015:
Cllr Cox PROPOSED acceptance of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 7th July 2015, seconded by Cllr Smith. IT WAS AGREED.
9814. PRESENTATION OF 2015 BEST KEPT ALLOTMENT AWARDS:
The Mayor welcomed and introduced the winning Allotment Tenants for
the 2015 awards for 10 rod, 5 rod and raised bed allotment plots.
The winners are the Tenants from allotment plots 19, 55a and 97. The
Tenants were congratulated on all their hard work and were presented
with certificates and trophies to hold until next year.
9815. POLICE REPORT:
There was no Police report on this occasion.
9816. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES – FOR INFORMATION ONLY:
The Deputy Clerk informed Members that regarding Town Hall refurbishments the contractor asked to replace the interceptor in the Town Hall drains has been furnished with a copy of the original site inspection and it is hoped the work will be completed soon. Cllr Farley referred to minute 9800, in which the Town Council had not granted permission for Muzillac Twinning Association to display a gift at the Community Centre and suggested it is displayed at the Town Hall. However the TA have approached the Library, who have agreed to the gift being displayed at Sheringham Library.
Six Members of the Public left the meeting.
9817. TOWN MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Town Mayor reported attendance at the following events:
Tuesday 21st July – First Night of Summer Rep:
Saturday 25th July – Harley Davidson Rally
Sunday 26th July – Display of Planes for Carnival
Friday 31st July – Prince & Princess Selection Disco
Sunday 2nd August – Carnival Crowning Event
9818. COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS:
Cty Cllr Hannah submitted a report which was circulated to Members –
see attached appendix 1. He also submitted the Norfolk PCC Annual
Report for 2014/15, a copy of which was circulated to all Members.
Dst Cllrs Shepherd and Oliver submitted a report as follows:
Sheringham South is relatively quiet at the moment, people are taking
advantage of the weather and having building works carried out,
gardens are looking smart with one or two having overhanging hedges.
Butts Lane has now been cleared but there is a piece of land at the
junction of Churchill Crescent and Campion Way that is very
overgrown, it is owned by Norfolk Homes who have no intention of
cutting it, however they would be willing to pass it on to STC. District
Council are offering a training event on Register of Interests and
Declaration of Interests. A letter has been sent to Cty Cllr Hannah
regarding the absence of a roundabout at the junction of Holway
Road/A148, asking “why isn’t requiring the developers to meet the costs of a roundabout an acceptable funding solution”.
Cllr Cox made a statement in response to the comment at the end of Cty Cllr Hannah’s previous report as follows:
When you are speaking in a Council debate it is most disconcerting to have your concentration disrupted by a conversation being conducted close to you in the public gallery. I asked the two gentlemen, politely, to stop talking because the Council was in session. That was how I referred to them, if I raised my tone of voice it was by a fraction, just to achieve my aim. There was no outburst, there was no intention to admonish or to insult. With all his years of experience as a Councillor Brian Hannah knows that anyone in the public gallery does not talk while the council is in session. I was surprised by Cty Cllr Hannah’s actions at the meeting on 7th July and I am appalled by the comment in his report for this meeting. I will not attempt to speculate on the reasons why Cty Cllr Hannah has decided to turn a trivial matter into a personal attack on me, this statement is not a personal attack on him. My only guilty act was not asking the Chair to silence the public gallery, listing Cty Cllr Hannah’s guilt would serve no purpose. I do not expect him to apologise to me, I am willing to accept that there has been over reaction by the people involved and that should be the end of the matter, as it should not occupy Council time.
9819. TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
OF 7TH JULY 2015 AND 21ST JULY 2015:
Cllr McGinn PROPOSED acceptance of the minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 7th July 2015 and 21st July 2015, seconded by Cllr Smith. IT WAS AGREED.
9820. TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 28TH JULY 2015:
The Mayor asked for an amendment to item 5e to delete “financial” on line 4 and insert “ILCA”. Cllr Fields so PROPOSED acceptance of the minutes of the Employment Committee meeting of 28th July 2015, seconded by Cllr Cox. IT WAS AGREED.
9821. RESOLUTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING FOR UP TO 15 MINUTES FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON MATTERS RELATING TO BUSINESS BEING TRANSACTED THIS MEETING:
No Members of the Public wished to speak.
Dst Cllrs Shepherd and Oliver left the meeting.
9822. FINANCE:
(A) ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT:
The accounts for payment having been previously circulated, Cllr McGinn PROPOSED acceptance of the schedule of accounts in the sum of £19,696.74 inc vat, seconded by Cllr Cox. IT WAS AGREED.
(B) BUDGET ANALYSIS FOR INCOME/EXPENDITURE TO 30TH JUNE 2015:
Receipt was noted of the budget analysis spreadsheet for income and expenditure up to 30th June 2015, for information.
(C) FURTHER QUOTATION FROM SECURE DEFENCE UK LTD FOR CCTV HARDWARE:
A further quotation has been received for an external CCTV camera for the front of the Town Hall and an internal camera at the Town Hall, in the sum of £3,574.50. Cllr Cox PROPOSED acceptance of the quotation to obtain an internal CCTV camera, essential for security of the Town Hall, and an external camera for additional security of the Town, seconded by Cllr McGinn. IT WAS AGREED. The money to be taken from the 97 Rating Act and contingency budgets.
(D) GRANT APPLICATIONS:
i) BITTERN LINE:
Cllr Cox PROPOSED the award of a grant in the sum of £500 to the Bittern Line, seconded by Cllr McGinn. IT WAS AGREED. The money to be taken from the contingency budget.
9823. RECOMMENDATION FROM CASUAL VACANCY INTERVIEW PANEL:
Following interviews of prospective candidates to be co-opted to STC, Cllr Ashcroft PROPOSED Mr Peter Burns is appointed to the North Ward, seconded by Cllr Cox. IT WAS AGREED.
9824. UPDATE FROM WORKING PARTY ON ALLOTMENT RENTS FOR 2016/17:
The Deputy Mayor informed members the Working Party have reviewed the expenditure incurred at the Allotment Site and so PROPOSED the rental fees are increased to £48 for a 10 rod plot, £24 for 5 rod and raised bed plots effective 1st October 2016, seconded by Cllr Fields. IT WAS AGREED.
9825. UPDATE ON YOUTH TRUST DEED:
Cllr Smith reported that the Working Party have drawn up guidelines and an application form for the grant process, nplaw have advised the Working Party are working along the right lines but a little further work is needed. The documents will be finalised and put to the September Town Council meeting for approval.
9826 CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING WESTON TERRACE:
An email has been received regarding concern over vehicles accessing properties on Weston Terrace via the Common. A full debate ensued regarding access to properties on Weston Terrace with new Members being informed of previous actions taken by the Council to prevent vehicles driving over the Common. Reference was made to a recent planning application to which the Council objected, however it was noted access over the Common is not a planning matter it is a civil matter. Cllr Cox so PROPOSED the Council immediately erects wooden posts along the boundary to match the posts on the North side of the Common to prevent vehicular movement over the Common to/from Weston Terrace, seconded by Cllr Craske. IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED.
9827. MEETING AT THE SSSI WITH NATURAL ENGLAND AND REQUEST FROM NORFOLK TRAILS REGARDING THE EXPLORE MORE COAST PROJECT:
The Deputy Mayor suggested that Members meet at the SSSI Common along with Helen Dixon, Natural England, and Russell Cox to look at the works carried out on the Common. STC have also been approached by Norfolk Trails regarding the Explore More Coast project, they wish to erect “Circular Walk” signage and a sleeper bridge. The Honourable Warden has also submitted a report on proposed bridges. The Deputy Mayor PROPOSED a site meeting is carried out on 14th August and to also invite Jack Davidson from Norfolk Trails, with all paperwork being provided to both Natural England and Norfolk Trails, seconded by Cllr Cox. IT WAS AGREED.
9828. FLY THE RED ENSIGN FOR MERCHANT NAVY DAY:
The Town Council have received notification from Bruno Peeks, Pageantmaster, of the Fly the Red Ensign for merchant Navy day on 3rd September 2015. It was agreed the information was received too late to participate in 2015 but it will be discussed at a future Council meeting to decide whether to participate in September 2016.
9829. NNDC SESSION ON REGISTER OF INTERESTS AND DECLARATION OF INTERESTS:
NNDC are holding the third of their Standards events on Register of Interests and Declaration of Interests on 21st September 2015. Members able to attend will inform the Clerk by 28th August.
The Deputy Mayor left the meeting.
9830. REQUEST FROM BLYTHS TO ERECT A WOODEN CROSS ON A PURCHASED GRAVE:
The Deputy Clerk reported a request has been received from Blyth and Sons Ltd to erect a wooden cross on the purchased grave of parents whose stillborn infant is buried at Colney. Cllr Fields PROPOSED approval is given to place a wooden cross on the purchased grave, seconded by Cllr Ashcroft. IT WAS AGREED. Cllr Cox abstained from the vote.
The Deputy Mayor returned to the meeting.
9831. THE CLERKS REPORT:
The Clerk has the following correspondence in the office.
Aggregate Dredging and the Norfolk Coastline Pamplet.
Letter from Sheringham in Bloom thanking STC for the recent grant.
Cllr Cox PROPOSED taking items 15 and 24 under Standing Order 1C, seconded by Cllr Fields. IT WAS AGREED.
9832. UPDATE ON REQUEST FROM ON-LINE WEB MARKETING
REGARDING COMMUNITY CENTRE:
Cllr Cox PROPOSED that On-Line Web Marketing are offered a three year lease effective 1st January 2016 and move form Room 2 to Room 4 at Sheringham Community Centre, with an annual rent of £10,666 payable monthly in advance, seconded by Cllr Farley. IT WAS AGREED.
The Deputy Clerk and Clerical Assistant left the meeting.
9833. STAFF MATTERS:
Cllr Cox PROPOSED that a letter of acceptance of resignation is sent to the Deputy Clerk thanking her for her service to the Council, seconded by the Deputy Mayor. IT WAS AGREED. Cllr Cox PROPOSED that STC advertise for two permanent Members of Staff for the Community centre, seconded by Cllr McGinn. IT WAS AGREED.
9834. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 1st September 2015.
Cllr Cox PROPOSED coming out of Standing Order 1C, seconded by Cllr McGinn. IT WAS AGREED.
The meeting closed at 10pm.
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