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Page 134 BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Full Brandon Town Council Monday 07 April 2003 at 7:00 pm at the (New) Forest School, Bury Road, Brandon
Present: Cllr A P Saxby (Chairman), Cllr Mrs J A Ahern (Vice-Chairman), Cllr E V Ashley, Cllr P S Baldwin, Cllr Ms J S Bourton, Cllr S J Edwards, Cllr Mrs S Jones-Weetman, Cllr Mrs S Jureko, Cllr Mrs E Milner, Cllr P R Ridgwell, Cllr R Silvester, Cllr A Thorne and Cllr N A Vant.
Also Present: Linda Sherer (Town Clerk); 2 police officers, 2 members of the press, 8 members of the public. The Town Clerk wished to tape record the Meeting with the agreement of Council. The Chairman expressed reservations and there were concerns as to the storage of data thus collected and any implications of the Data Protection Act 1998. It was agreed not to tape this meeting but to allow the Town Clerk to verify the legal situation in this respect and to add the Item to the next Full Brandon Town Council Agenda, scheduled for Monday 14 May 2003, for the newly-elected Council to debate and decide. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE No apologies tendered; it was noted that Cllr Mrs Jones-Weetman would be late because of a prior engagement. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST and ADDITIONS TO REGISTER
OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS [PCC of C 2001/LGA 2000] N.B. Councillors must sign the Declarations Book before leaving the Meeting. Cllr Baldwin declared an interest in Agenda Item 25. and duly signed the Declaration of Interests book at this time. (Cllr Mrs Jones-Weetman on her arrival declared an interest in Agenda Items 17 and 23 and duly signed the Declaration of Interest book).
3.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (PUBLIC ITEMS) ON 03 MARCH 2003
Resolution Record No. BTC216/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : 9 for, 0 against, 3 abstentions.
THAT THE MINUTES OF THE FULL BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY 03 MARCH 2003 (PUBLIC ITEMS) BE ACCEPTED AND SIGNED AS A TRUE RECORD.
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4.
PUBLIC FORUM Resolution Record No. BTC217/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : unanimous.
THAT THE MEETING BE TEMPORARILY ADJOURNED FOR PUBLIC FORUM AND TO RECEIVE REPORTS IF ANY FROM THE POLICE, RAF COMMANDER, COUNTY AND/OR DISTRICT COUNCILLORS.
Cllr Mrs Jones-Weetman joined the Meeting and signed the Declarations of Interest book in relation to Items 17 (Allotments) and 23 (Table Tennis Table).
5.
REPORT FROM THE POLICE The Chairman welcomed Sgt Benford and Pc Starnes to the Meeting. Sgt Benford introduced himself and explained that would be taking up his new post in Brandon within the next two weeks.
The monthly crime statistics had been provided by the Community Beat Officer, Pc Keith Grant.
41 crimes recorded for the month of January 2003 of which 31% show as detected 48 crimes recorded for the month of February 2003 of which 29% show as detected 64 crimes recorded for the month of March 2003 of which 14% show as detected
It was noted that the number of crimes had increased. It was further noted that traffic built up on yellow cross-hatched areas which should be kept clear. Pc Starnes suggested taking registration numbers of such vehicles and reporting this to the Police. He noted that the yellow markings may not be sufficiently clear and might need repainting. It was noted that some drivers might not understand the significance of the yellow cross-hatching.
Section 17 of Crime & Disorder Act 1998 : Brandon Town Council continues to be aware of its duties and responsibilities under this Act. 6. REPORT FROM RAF LAKENHEATH Squadron-Leader M Turner, RAF Lakenheath Commander, noted that some 500 personnel had been redeployed to the Gulf. He informed the Meeting that the Ministry of Defence had applied for a further six months extension of the temporary Lords Walk Closure. The Council’s position that Lords Walk should not be closed was reiterated.
Resolution Record No. BTC218/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : 10 for, 3 against, 0 abstentions.
THAT BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL AGAIN WRITES TO THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, ROYAL AIR FORCE, USAFE AND ANY RELEVANT AUTHORITIES, REPEATING ITS OBJECTION TO THE CLOSURE OF LORDS WALK AND ENQUIRING WHAT IF ANY ALTERNATIVES HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED. Page 136
7. REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND/OR DISTRICT COUNCILLORS Apology received from County Cllr Bill Bishop. Both District Cllrs Edwards and Silvester noted that this was a quiet time at FHDC.
Resolution Record No. BTC219/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : unanimous.
THAT THE MEETING BE RECONVENED FOLLOWING PULBIC FORUM AND REPORTS IF ANY FROM THE POLICE, RAF COMMANDER, COUNTY AN/OR DISTRICT COUNCILLORS.
8. TOWN CLERK’S REPORT The Town Clerk had circulated a three-page report, updating Councillors on the previous month’s main activities.
(i) That BTC already has ongoing contracts with TXU Energi (now Powergen for power; with Eastern Contracting (now Alfred McAlpine Asset Management viz. A M Lighting) for streetlight monthly maintenance; with Eastern Contracting (now A M Lighting) for additional repairs, provision of new streetlights etc in conjunction with 24/7 for power; with British Gas for supply to Old School House and Gasforce for equipment inspections. All these could be renegotiated in time for consideration in the next Precept (2004/2005) commencing at the October 2003 Meeting.
(ii) That a resident had complained that no back existed to the George Street bus shelter. It was agreed that quotations should be sought for the provision of a metal back to this shelter.
Resolution Record No. BTC220/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : unanimous.
THAT QUOTATIONS BE SOUGHT FOR PROVISION OF A METAL BACK TO THE GEORGE STREET BUS SHELTER IN RESPONSE TO A COMPLAINT FROM A RESIDENT.
Additional points were raised in connection with the location of the bus shelter. It was agreed to defer these to the next meeting. Various suggestions included : moving the bus shelter back to allow for a bus lane, checking ground conditions in the area and querying suitability of a bus stop near a Fire Station exit and the weight-bearing conditions of the area over cellars.
(iii) Three Insurance Quotations had been sought by the Town Clerk from : Cornhill Insurance (£3,672.58), Zurich Municipal (£4,699.08) and AXA (not able to quote for Public Liability Cover). It was agreed that the Cornhill quotation be accepted for 2003/2004 BTC full Insurance cover.
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Resolution Record No. BTC221/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : unanimous.
THAT THE QUOTATION FROM CORNHILL INSURANCE BE ACCEPTED FOR THE FULL BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL INSURANCE COVER FOR THE PERIOD 01 APRIL 2003 – 31 MARCH 2004 BOTH DAYS INCLUSIVE IN THE SUM OF £3,672.58 INCLUDING IPT.
(iv) The year 2004 will be the 110th Anniversary of Brandon Town (1894 Parish) Council – Members may wish to consider a commemorative event.
(v) Town Clerk Annual Leave Entitlement (5 days of 20) 22 Apr – 28 Apr 2003 (5 days of 15 remaining) 21 Jul – 25 Jul 2003 and offices to be checked daily by Senior Town Keeper.
It was noted that the Town Clerk had passed the first two Assignments of University of Gloucestershire Local Policy Course kindly sponsored by Brandon Town Council (EL105 Community and EL110 Procedures).
It was agreed that the Town Clerk receive formal training In Website Design.
Resolution Record No. BTC222/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : 10 for, 1 against, 1 abstentions, 1 did not vote.
THAT THE TOWN CLERK RECEIVE FORMAL TRAINING IN WEBSITE DESIGN TO FACILITATE UPDATING OF THE CURRENT BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL WEBSITE.
(vi) Research had been conducted into comparative costs of gravedigging using outside agencies: £50 per hour per two man team for re-opening of 3 hours; new grave of 5 hours; estimate re current number of graves £12,500 p.a.
(vii) Hanging Baskets for Summer 2003 : it was agreed that Mrs Langley be approached for a further year and that care be taken to ensure that the supplier of the Watering System calibrates the pipes correctly. The Brandon & District Chamber of Trade had advised that it would not be providing its usual eight High Street baskets this year but had kindly offered to donate its baskets and watering systems to the Town Council plus a sum of money towards flowers. It was agreed to accept this offer to ensure the Town still had all baskets.
Resolution Record No. BTC223/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : 10 for, 0 against, 1 abstentions, 2 did not vote.
THAT BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL ACCEPTS THE DONATION OF EIGHT BASKETS AND WATERING SYSTEMS PLUS CASH CONTRIBUTION FOR 2003 SUMMER HANGING BASKETS FROM BRANDON & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF TRADE. Page 138
(viii) Christmas Lights for 2003 : discussion took place as to the merits of all white lights per 2002 or coloured lights per 2001. It was agreed that the lights again should be all white. It was agreed to accept the quotation of R Lake for a third year with a proviso that discussion take place thereafter to consider alternative quotations in future years. It was indicated that the estimate from R Lake should be per 2002 plus inflation (not including the cost of the vandalism).
Resolution Record No. BTC224/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : unanimous.
THAT BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL AGREES TO APPOINT R LAKE TO PROVIDE THE 2003 BRANDON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS (FOR A THIRD YEAR) IN ALL WHITE SCHEME SUBJECT TO ESTIMATE BEING PER 2002 COSTS PLUS INFLATIONARY INCREASE (NOT INCLUDING THE COST OF THE VANDALISM IN 2002).
(ix) Room Hire charge waiver for one night : Brandon Oddfellows had rented an upstairs room at Old School House in December 2002 and had to abandon the meeting because of a central heating fault. They requested no charge for their January 2003 Meeting to compensate for this. Amount in question : £6.30.
Resolution Record No. BTC225/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : unanimous.
THAT BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL AGREES TO WAIVE THE JANUARY 2003 CHARGE OF £6.30 TO THE BRANDON ODD-FELLOWS TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CENTRAL HEATING PROBLEM AT THEIR DECEMBER 2002 MEETING.
(x) Nine Stiles Walk 2003 confirmed date : FRIDAY 20 JUNE 2003 at 7:00 PM
Resolution Record No. BTC226/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : 10 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions, 3 did not vote.
THAT BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL CONDUCTS THE 2003 NINE STILES WALK ON FRIDAY 20 JUNE 2003 AT 7:00 PM COMMENCING AT THE BRANDON ORCHARD STILE IN COULSON LANE.
(xi) Cemetery Meeting 2003 confirmed date : WED 09 JULY 2003 at 7:00 PM
Resolution Record No. BTC227/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : 10 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions, 3 did not vote.
THAT BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL CONDUCTS THE 2003 CEMETERY MEETING ON WEDNESDAY 09 JULY 2003 AT 7:00 PM TO WHICH ALL COUNCILLORS ARE INVITED FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TOWN KEEPERS. Page 139
(xii) Purchase of new Telescopic Pole Saw : a new saw had been purchased to replace an older item irreparably damaged to facilitate cemetery and town maintenance at a cost of £176.33 including VAT and carriage.
(xiii) Adoption of Town Clerk’s Report as circulated :
Resolution Record No. BTC228/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : 11 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions, 2 did not vote.
THAT BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL CONDUCTS THE 2003 CEMETERY MEETING ON WEDNESDAY 09 JULY 2003 AT 7:00 PM TO WHICH ALL COUNCILLORS ARE INVITED FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TOWN KEEPERS. 9. RESIDENT’S COMPLAINT
RE HGVs IN BRANDON Mr Lukaniuk had written to enlist Brandon Town
Council’s help in contacting Milbank Industries to request them to desist
from driving their concrete-laden, HGV vehicles through Brandon and up and
down the High Street. He thought
that a Section 109 Agreement might be in place in this regard. It was agreed
that the Norfolk County and Breckland District Councils would be the
appropriate Authorities in this matter.
It was agreed to write to both Authorities in this respect. Resolution Record No. BTC229/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : unanimous.
THAT BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL WRITES TO (1) MILBANK INDUSTRIES TO REQUEST THEM TO DESIST THE ACTIVITY AND TO (2) NORFOLK COUNTY AND BRECKLAND DISTRICT COUNCILS TO REQUEST ENFORCEMENT OF ANY EXISTING SECTION 109 AGREEMENT TO DETER CONCRETE-LADEN, HGV VEHICLES FROM TRAVELLING THROUGH BRANDON AND PARTICULARLY ITS HIGH STREET ON A REGULAR BASIS. 10.
URGENT BUSINESS (A) Letter from SCC Environment & Transport ref A 1065 Junction with Crown Street, Brandon Traffic Island – including drawings 504/01/00/1065/PI/EJP showing possible widening on the south side on Mile End Road to allow large vehicles to turn right out of Crown Street without being inhibited by the existing traffic island.
Resolution Record No. BTC230/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : 10 for, 2 against, 0 abstention, 1 did not vote.
THAT BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL ADVISES NO OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED WORKS AS SPECIFIED BY SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL IN RESPECT OF CROWN STREET BRANDON TRAFFIC ISLAND REFERENCE 504/01/00/11065/PI/EJP.
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11. REPORTS FROM BRANDON TOWN COUNCILLORS (1) Cllr Mrs Milner drew attention to a missing sign in Woodlands Rise which had caused difficulties for Emergency Services, searching for a particular house, as it should have shown the numbers of certain properties.
Resolution Record No. BTC231/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : 10 for, 2 against, 0 abstention, 1 did not vote.
THAT BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL WRITES TO FOREST HEATH DISTRICT COUNCIL SEEKING A REPLACEMENT SIGN FOR WOODLANDS RISE BEARING THE APPROPRIATE HOUSE NUMBERS, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
(2) Cllr Baldwin noted that the 40 mph warning sign in London Road was not working and the Town Clerk was asked to write to SCC again in this regard. It was also noted that the warning sign in Thetford Road was working too soon and this fact also should be reported.
(3) Ling Heath Trust Representatives : it was agreed to defer this matter until the new Council was in place.
Resolution Record No. BTC232/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : unanimous.
THAT BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL DEFERS DISCUSSION OF THE MATTER OF ITS LING HEATH TRUST REPRESENTATIVES UNTIL THE NEW TOWN COUNCIL IS IN PLACE ON 14 MAY 2003.
12.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS F/2003/149 : 19 The Chase, Brandon. Erection of single-storey front/side extension for Mr Salmon. Resolved : NO OBJECTION F/2003/154 : 13 Field Road, Brandon. Erection of single-storey side extension with roof accommodation (demolition of existing side lobby and shed) for Mr Wheeler. Resolved : NO OBJECTION F/2003/168 : 27 George Street, Brandon. Erection of two-and-a-half storey dwelling (demolition of 3 existing garages) for A McBane. (1 abstention from this vote) Resolved : NO OBJECTION F/2003/169 : 8 Seymour Avenue, Brandon. Erection two-storey rear extension for Mr & Mrs Flowers. Resolved : NO OBJECTION
F/2003/177 : Heathcote House, Warren Close, Brandon. Erection of greenhouse in communal garden for Orbit Housing Association. Resolved : NO OBJECTION Page 141 Resolution Record No. BTC233/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : unanimous except F/2003/168 (1 abstention).
THAT BRANDON TOWN COUNCIL RESOLVES NO OBJECTION TO (1) PLANNING APPLICATIONS F/2003/149, 154, 168, 169 and 177 (AS LISTED ABOVE); (2) STREET NAMING 1 – 20 MILLERS LANE, BRANDON; AND (3) RESOLVES TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE 30 MPH SPEED LIMIT IN LONDON ROAD. 12(f) Street naming and numbering in
Brandon
Letter circulated re. “1 – 20 Millers Lane, Brandon”. Resolved : NO OBJECTION
12(h) 30 mph Speed Limit on A1065
London Road, Brandon
Proposal to seek extension of 30 mph speed
limit on London Road to Brandon sign. Letter circulated from Brandon Residents’
Association Chairman H C Clarke Esq. Resolved : SUPPORT PROPOSAL 13. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 2003 ACCOUNTS
FOR PAYMENT Cllr Thorne declared an interest in line item 268 and duly signed the Declaration of Interests Book and did not vote.
Resolution Record No. BTC234/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : 8 for, 0 against, 2 abstentions, 2 did not vote, 1 declared an interest and did not vote (Cllr Thorne).
THAT THE PAYMENTS ON THE LIST SUBMITTED FOR MARCH 2003 (PUBLIC ITEMS) AND REPRODUCED HEREUNDER BE APPROVED.
Resolution Record No. BTC235/07/Apr/03 : CARRIED : 8 for, 0 against, 3 abstentions, 2 did not vote.
THAT THE PAYMENTS ON THE LIST SUBMITTED FOR MARCH 2003 (CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS) AS CIRCULATED TO COUNCILLORS BE APPROVED.
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