DOWNHAM MARKET TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY, 10TH NOVEMBER 2009 AT 7.30PM

Present: The Mayor Cllr J W Doyle
The Deputy Mayor Cllr J K Fox
Councillors S W Blyth
S J Collins
H M Cross
F E Daymond
S F Geary
Mrs K Mellish
Mrs S M Nunn
C Pyatt
C T Sampson
D J Sharman
A D Stacey
Mrs V F Starling
S C Teverson
W A Wallace
Norfolk County Councillor Mrs S E L Hutson
Norfolk Constabulary Insp M Bates
Town Clerk Mrs J M Markwell
Deputy Clerk Mrs S D Porter
Members of Public 2

The Mayor, Cllr Doyle, notified those present of the emergency evacuation procedure from the Town Council offices.

1602. To receive Members' Apologies for Absence

Apologies had been received from Cllr J Groom (work commitment), Cllr R Leach (family commitment), Cllr J J Reed (holiday), Borough Cllr J R Legg and Borough Cllr A M Lovett.

The apologies were accepted.

Cllr Mrs Nunn would be late to the meeting.

The Mayor announced the death of Mrs Carol Tipton. Carol had worked for the Council for many years and was a respected colleague and friend of both Councillors and staff. The Mayor asked all Councillors to stand for a few moments silence in tribute to Carol.

1603. To receive Members' Declarations of Interest

The Mayor, Cllr Doyle, Cllr Fox and Cllr Wallace declared a pecuniary interest in Item 1609, To Approve the Payment of Bills.

Adjourn meeting for public participation and reports

The Mayor, Cllr Doyle, adjourned the meeting.

Police

Inspector Bates reported that crime in the Town had been quiet over the past two months; most of the current problems had occurred in the outlying villages. In Downham Market there had been:
- 1 burglary dwelling.
- 1 burglary business premises.
- 0 vehicle thefts, although there had been some thefts from vehicles.
- 6 assaults and various criminal damage incidents to Town objects, mainly carried out by the same offenders.
- A few minor domestic incidents, mainly involving young people and mobile phones.
- 5 handbag and purse thefts, particularly from the elderly.

Norfolk Constabulary had applied to the BCKL&WN for a Dispersal Order in the area adjacent to the Tesco store. There was an ongoing problem with young people gathering there, intimidating shoppers and users of the Priory Centre. This would be for a trial period of three months and would be monitored monthly by the Police Superintendant. The Order would give the police additional powers to move people on and if they refused, further action could be taken against them.

Cllr Mrs Hutson arrived at the meeting at 7.35pm.

The police had received letters of complaint about the siting of the kebab van in Cannon Square, the main concerns being that it attracted general disorder there and because two parking spaces were regularly reserved for the van. It had now been confirmed that this area was a public highway and therefore the police could issue parking tickets, which meant all vehicles would be ticketed if their stay exceeded the waiting period. Cllr Mrs Hutson advised that there were also concerns regarding the kebab van pouring hot oil onto the road causing damage to the yellow lines. Cllr Mrs Mellish advised that this had been reported to Environmental Health at the BCKL&WN.

The next CAG meeting would be held on Tuesday, 15th December 2009.

Concern was raised about skateboarders and cyclists causing problems to pedestrians using Wales Court and no one seemed to know who had keys to the bollards at the entrance to the area. Inspector Bates advised that he would check to see if a set was being held at the Police Station.

Inspector Bates left the Council Chambers at 7.45pm.

County Councillor

Cllr Mrs Hutson advised that the delay on alterations to the road adjacent to the bus stop in Bridge Street was linked to the BCKL&WN; the three taxi ranks would need to be moved and no road changes could be made until a new taxi rank site had been designated.

The trees adjacent to the A1122 had been removed and no further cutting of the trees would be taking place.

Borough Councillors

There was nothing to report to this meeting.

Public Participation

Q: Is it possible for the Council to investigate a safe crossing at the entrance to the Hollies Car Park (Paradise Road entrance)? Many young families use this area to cross and there is serious concern that there is no safe crossing point.
A: This request would be forwarded to the Car Parks and Highways Committee for investigation.
Q: Many rail users are parking their vehicles in the Elizabeth Avenue/Porter Street area and are causing congestion. Is it possible for yellow lines to be placed in that vicinity?
A: This request would be forwarded to the Car Parks and Highways Committee for investigation.

The Mayor, Cllr Doyle, resumed the meeting.

1604. To approve the Minutes

The minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Tuesday, 13th October 2009 (pages 2925-2932) were approved and signed as a true and accurate record.

1605. To receive correspondence

A list of correspondence had been circulated (Appendix 1).

A letter had been received advising that some cars exiting the Hollies Car Park onto Bridge Street did not always realise that the road was one way. Although there was a large one way directional sign, a smaller finger post indicates that the station is to the right, and it seems that drivers are looking at this sign and turning right. It was suggested that further signage be erected in order to avoid confusion. This would be referred to the Car Parks and Highways Committee.

1606. To receive Councillors questions

There were no Councillor questions.

1607. To Adopt the Standing Committee Minutes

Planning and Environmental Committee

Proposed - Cllr Geary Seconded - Cllr Mrs Mellish

'That the minutes of the Planning and Environmental Committee meeting of Tuesday, 20th October 2009 (pages 2936-2940) be adopted.'

All in favour

Finance and General Purposes Committee

Proposed - Cllr Geary Seconded - Cllr Sampson

'That the minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting of Tuesday, 6th October 2009 (pages 2919-2922) be adopted.'

All in favour

Development Committee

Proposed - Cllr Mrs Starling Seconded - Cllr Blyth

'That the minutes of the Development Committee meeting of Wednesday, 21st October 2009 (pages 2941-2943) be adopted.'

All in favour

Car Parks and Highways Committee

Proposed - Cllr Blyth Seconded - Cllr Daymond

'That the minutes of the Car Parks and Highways Committee meetings of Tuesday, 8th October 2009 (pages 2923-2924) and Wednesday, 14th October 2009 (pages 2933-2935) be adopted.'

All in favour

1608. To receive the Clerk's Report

The Clerk had nothing to report to this meeting.

1609. To approve the Payment of Bills

A list of bills had been circulated (Appendix 2).

The Mayor, Cllr Doyle, Cllr Fox and Cllr Wallace had declared a pecuniary interest in this item.

Proposed - Cllr Teverson Seconded - Cllr Geary

'That the bills be paid as per the attached list.'

For - 12 Against - 0 Abstentions - 3 (Declared Interests)

1610. To receive reports from the Working Parties

i. Local Development Framework - The BCKL&WN LDF Team would be holding a meeting the following week and details would be available thereafter.

ii. Old Fire Station Site - Heritage Centre - There was nothing to report to this meeting.

1611. Report from the Youth Council

A report regarding the Youth Council meeting held on Thursday, 29th October 2009 had been circulated (Appendix 3). The report was noted.

1612. Report from Cllr S C Teverson - Norfolk ALC and NALC

Cllr Teverson advised that there was nothing urgent to report but that he would produce a written report and circulate it to all Members.

1613. To discuss the Review of the Town Council Structure

Cllr Stacey reported that the Standing Orders Working Party was currently reviewing the Standing Orders. The new Council structure would be an annexe to the amended Orders.

1614. To receive reports from representatives of Outside Bodies

i. Joint Burial Committee - A report had been circulated (Appendix 4). The report was noted.

ii. West Norfolk Sports Forum - There was nothing to report to this meeting.

1615. Town Hall

i. Report from Town Hall Interim Management Team - Cllr Fox read a report from the Chairman of the Town Hall Management Team (Appendix 5). There were no questions.

1616. Report on the Howdale Community Centre

A report from the Chairman of the Howdale Community Centre Management Committee had been circulated (Appendix 6).

Cllr Pyatt proposed that the current Management Committee should administer the whole site now that the Town Council had ownership. It was felt that further information should come forward in order that the Council could make an informed decision. It was therefore agreed that this item be deferred to the Full Council meeting on Tuesday, 12th January 2010.

1617. To discuss retaining the ATC Hut

Confirmation had been received from the East Anglian Reserve Forces and Cadets Association to accept the Town Council's offer to purchase the ATC hut for £1.00.

Proposed - Cllr Sharman Seconded - Cllr Cross

'That this Council permits the Clerk to undertake the necessary transactions for the purchase of the ATC hut.'

All in favour

1618. Car Park Charging

There was nothing to report to this meeting.

1619. To discuss taking back the Town's remaining assets held by the BCKL&WN

A report regarding the Town's remaining assets held by the BCKL&WN had been circulated (Appendix 7). The report was noted.

Cllr Mrs Nunn arrived at the meeting at 8.13pm.

1620. To discuss East of England Plan > 2031 Scenarios for housing and economic growth (all Cllrs have received a summary

A report regarding the East of England > 2031 had been circulated (Appendix 8). Councillors were invited to comment on the consultation document by Tuesday, 24th November 2009.

1621. To discuss a recommendation from the Planning and Environmental Committee that this Council submits a S106 priority list to the BCKL&WN

A recommendation from the Planning and Environmental Committee regarding a S106 priority list had been circulated (Appendix 9).

Concern was raised that the wish list should be a detailed report specifying the need and the funds required for each item. This matter would be referred back to the Planning and Environmental Committee for further discussion. Councillors were invited to submit any other suggestions for S106 funds to the Chairman or Vice Chairman.

Cllr Teverson would circulate the formula for calculating S106 money to the Committee Members.

1622. To discuss the Town's boundaries in relation to proposed future developments

The Mayor, Cllr Doyle, advised that the Planning and Environmental Committee had suggested that a Community Governance (Parish) Review be undertaken with regard to the proposed plan North of Downham Market. It was felt that although the majority of the development would be built in Wimbotsham, most of those residents would use the services in Downham Market.

A short discussion took place and it was agreed that the neighbouring parish Councils and public should be consulted prior to this Council making any decisions. The Mayor, Cllr Doyle, agreed to formally invite all neighbouring parishes to a meeting asking for their views on a possible boundary change.

1623. To discuss dispersal order in the area of Tescos

All Councillors had been invited to submit their comments regarding Norfolk Constabulary's Dispersal Order on the area outside the Tesco store and a copy of the responses had been circulated (Appendix 10).

Concern was raised that if police officers and PCSOs moved groups of people on, who they believed were causing problems, the groups would assemble elsewhere in the Town.

It was suggested that when the Council acquired the ATC hut, this could be a good base for youths to congregate at.

Members agreed to support the Dispersal Order for a limited period of time.

Proposed - Cllr Stacey Seconded - Cllr Mrs Nunn

'That this Council supports the Dispersal Order placed on the area adjacent to the Tesco store for a period of three months.'

For - 13 Against - 3 Abstentions - 0

1624. To discuss the suggested policy for Councillor Code of Conduct as submitted by the BCKLWN

The BCKL&WN Councillor Code of Conduct had been circulated (Appendix 11). Members agreed that this Council should adopt the BCKL&WN Councillor Code of Conduct. It was noted that the Standing Orders would also need to be amended to incorporate this document.

Proposed - Cllr Sampson Seconded - Cllr Mrs Mellish

'That this Council adopts the BCKL&WN Councillor Code of Conduct document.'

All in favour

1625. To discuss allotments

A report from the Allotments Working Party had been circulated (Appendix 12).

The Council agreed to permit the Allotments Working Party to continue negotiations with land owners for the possible use of allotments. The Chairman of the Working Party would report at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday, 12th January 2010.

1626. To discuss current strategy documents:
a) Great Ouse Tidal River Strategy Review
b) Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework

The aforementioned documents had been circulated to all Members.

Cllr Daymond agreed to examine the Great Ouse Tidal River Strategy Review.

The Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework document was noted.

1627. To discuss any urgent items as agreed by the Mayor

Cllr Mrs Nunn enquired whether the Council provided cutlery and/or cups and saucers at the Town Hall. The Mayor, Cllr Doyle, confirmed that users of the Town Hall brought their own equipment. This matter would be referred to the Town Hall Management Committee meeting.

1628. Mayor's Announcements

- Wednesday, 11th November 2009 - Remembrance Day, Town Square.
- Wednesday, 23rd December 2009 - Mayor's Tea Dance, Town Hall, the proceeds of which will go to the Mayor's Charity, 'Rebecca's Wishes'.
- The Civic Service and Mayor's At Home will both take place in 2010.

1629. Report from Human Resources Working Party, discussion and recommendations to Full Council

a) To discuss Human Resources report - A report was circulated to all Members (Confidential Appendix - due to the confidential nature of some of the items). Cllr Sampson reminded Councillors that any complaints regarding members of staff should be reported directly to the Town Clerk, or directly to the Chairman of the HR Committee if the complaint was concerning the Town Clerk.

b) To discuss any Human Resource confidential items

Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 - following the exclusion of the public and press

Proposed - The Mayor, Cllr Doyle Seconded - Cllr Blyth

'To invoke Standing Order 5a, that in the view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted, it is advisable in the public interest, that the public and/or the press be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to withdraw.'

All in favour

Two members of public and Cllr Mrs Hutson left the Council Chambers at 8.45pm.

See Confidential Report.

The Mayor, Cllr Doyle, closed confidentiality and resumed the meeting.

The Mayor thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.50pm.