You are here: Meeting Minutes > 2007 > 12 Mar 2007

Minutes of the meeting of the Kesgrave Town Council held on Monday 12th March 2007 at 7.15pm in the Council Chamber.

Present:

In attendance:

In the absence of Mr Whinney, Mr Briggs, Vice-chairman, chaired the meeting.

1. Apologies


2. Declarations of Interest

Mrs Evans declared a prejudicial interest in item 8.b,3.iii, Planning & Development Matters, Application C02/0202 being a near neighbour, however there being no discussion she was able to remain in the room.

Mr Gibbs declared a prejudicial interest in item 7.d, Financial Matters, Resolution for donation to Kesgrave & District Help Centre being a Committee member, however there being no discussion he was able to remain in the room.

Mr Grimwood declared a prejudicial interest in item 7.d, Financial Matters, Resolution for donation to Kesgrave & District Help Centre being a Committee member, and left the room while the matter was under consideration.


3. Minutes of the last regular meeting held on 12th February 2007

After Members were informed of an alteration, at page 281 to change Annex 5 to Annex 6, the minutes of the last meeting having been circulated were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman.

Mr Comber arrived.


4. Matters arising

a. Response from KHS regarding school parking policy In response to the KTC concern regarding the provision for student parking within the school grounds KHS had sent a letter which was read to Council and is attached at Annex 1 to the permanent copy of these minutes. It was understood from Mr Bugg, Governor, that future developments being considered at present may enable some 6th Form students living at a distance from the school to be granted permission to park in the school grounds.

b. SNT Logo Members were reminded of the request from Sgt Richardson asking for KTC to consider including the SNT Logo on all official stationery and an example was presented to Council. It had also been agreed last month the request should have the support of all 3 ‘3 Parishes Together’ Councils. It has since been established that Martlesham PC has declined to include the logo and Rushmere St Andrew PC are also reluctant to do so. As it had been agreed the decision should be unanimous it was suggested Sgt Richardson should approach Martlesham again. After further discussion it was decided to try and include the SNT Logo on KTC letters in the footer for an interim period for reconsideration when Martlesham has been approached. Later: At the 3PT meeting Sgt Richardson agreed to seek further information on the choice of logo. Insertion into KTC letters has therefore been put on hold.

c. Late items for information - None.


5. Chairman’s Report

In the absence of the Chairman no report was received.

---

An adjournment was declared:

– to receive reports from the County and District Councillors, Police, Crime Prevention representatives, Public Transport Liaison Officer and Local History Recorder

Mr Hammond, District Councillor, had nothing to report.

Mr Grimwood, District Councillor, had nothing to report.

Mr Bugg, as District Councillor, had nothing to report.

Mrs Read, as District Councillor, had nothing to report.

There was no Police presence but Members had been issued with a written report which is held on file.

Mrs Brown as PTLO stated:
– concerns had been raised regarding the condition of the grass verges in Bell Lane, between Twelve Acre Approach and Penzance Road, because of the over-running by buses and asked if enquiries could be made to improve the situation;
– in response to a letter of concern regarding the transition between Services 34 and 171 SCC had replied stating the teething problems were being addressed;
– there is evidence of litter in the lay-by opposite Kesgrave Fisheries and asked if it could be cleared.
Mrs Brown as LHR had nothing to report.

– to allow members of the public to speak

Mr Hammond expressed his concerns over a tree, within the grounds of The Farmhouse PH, which in his opinion appeared to be leaning excessively into Pilboroughs Walk. The Clerk will investigate.

Mr Bugg announced Nigel Burgoyne had been appointed as the new Headteacher for KHS.

Mr Walker, of Peart Grove, raised several concerns regarding Cedarwood Green POS:

– the project being one of the largest financial commitments undertaken by KTC he suggested it is irresponsible to sign contracts committing KTC rather than delaying until after the elections in May.

It was explained the Landowner of developable land to the west of Cedarwood School has given permission for construction vehicles to have access over this land however discussions are taking place between this landowner and prospective developers and so the permission is not without a time limitation; it is therefore necessary to proceed with regard to contract schedules.

– the result of the elections should provide a mandate on whether or not to proceed with the facility. Those present were reminded that the Town Poll had been held at the demand of residents to address this. The turnout was poor and the result not legally binding on the Town Council.

– Consultation with local residents had not taken place after the planning permission had been given as was initially implied although young people had been consulted. It was explained when SCDC receive a planning application consultation is part of the process and any comments received are taken into consideration before approval/refusal is given. Young people do not always have the confidence to attend meetings like those at KTC and need to be approached within their own environment. Adult residents however have ample opportunity, and have made use of this, to attend meetings and correspond through emails to seek answers to their questions and put their point of view across.

– the Mosquito System is not to be installed because of budgetary constraints why, therefore, has a request from the Youth for more seating been accepted. This statement was corrected as the Mosquito System has not been rejected, ducting has been incorporated in the tender document and when information has been received with regard to the legalities of installing this system on local authority land and the need is established, funding will be available. The proposed seating replaces that already located within the games court fencing as ‘time-out seating’, which has been altered by the Council for health and safety reasons.

– why when planning permission is valid for 3 years is there such an urgent hurry to install this facility before May. The position with regard to the present landownership of land to provide access for construction vehicles had already been explained.
Mr Waterfall, of Curtis Way, raised the following concerns:

– reiterating his disappointment, stated at the November meeting, with the response by the Suffolk Coastal Development Control Committee at their meeting in September, when evidence from an Environmental Officer, Clive Peak, had not been heard. The Clerk stated KTC has no jurisdiction over SCDC and therefore any matters involving SCDC should be addressed to them. Mr Hammond also stated in defence of the Suffolk Coastal Committee the evidence mentioned had been in Members papers but not emphasised during the meeting.

– who will be responsible for maintaining the landscaping on POS K. The Clerk stated this issue was still being discussed but if KTC decline to take ownership then SCDC are duty bound to do so;

– if activities are to be organised by Suffolk Coastal Leisure on Cedarwood Green POS how will the possibility of excess vehicle movements be addressed. The Clerk stated Suffolk Coastal Leisure had, in previous years, organised activities, during the day and early evening, on MSG and Oak Meadow when the Youth usually attended on foot/cycle and no disruptions had been recorded.

Mr Walker also informed the meeting that Miss Hall, KTC Project Officer, was invited to meet with local residents at any time and the Clerk will convey this to her.

---

6. Notices and Correspondence

a. The Local Councillor No comments were made.

b. Other Items for Discussion

5.D. A thank you letter had been received from a resident regarding the new lighting in the footpath between Bell Lane/Montana Road.

A copy of the lists of Notices and Correspondence, including those for information only, and Reports and Mandates received were issued to each Councillor and are attached at Annex 2 to the permanent copy of these minutes.


7. Financial Matters

a. Receipts and Payments Copies of the statements of Receipts and Payments were issued to each Councillor and are attached at Annex 3 to the permanent copy of these minutes. Council agreed the Receipts and Payments be accepted with no further discussion and settlement of the accounts was approved.

b. Transfer of Reserve Funds Council agreed that funds be transferred as detailed.

Product/service Amount Reserve fund
RFC Inspection 26.85 From RFC
RFC Hedge cut 13.42 From RFC
Rental (14/03/07 – 13/06/07) 677.21 From Photocopier
Suffolk Police Authority 1,000.00 To 3PT

c. Town Plan Steering Group Members had been issued with the draft minutes of the meeting held 19th February 2007 which are attached at Annex 4 to the permanent copy of these minutes.

Mr Grimwood left the meeting while the following item was discussed.

d. Resolution under Section 137 for donation to Kesgrave & District Help Centre

The Council resolved that in accordance with its powers under Sections 137 and 139 of the Local Government Act 1972, it should incur expenditure with respect to Item 7.d.Donation to Kesgrave & District Help Centre which, in the opinion of the Council is in the interest of the area or its inhabitants and is cost effective.

e. Resolution under Section 137 for donation to Kesgrave Library

The Council resolved that in accordance with its powers under Sections 137 and 139 of the Local Government Act 1972, it should incur expenditure with respect to donation to Kesgrave Library which, in the opinion of the Council is in the interest of the area or its inhabitants and is cost effective.

2 members of the public left and Mr Grimwood returned.

f. Independent Internal Auditor report The audit was held in December 2006, and the report which is held on file, was relayed to Council. It was accepted that in future an item will be placed routinely on the agenda for agreement by Full Council of the amount to be transferred electronically by the Clerks between the two KTC accounts.

g. Late items for information
– The Audit Commission have appointed Lubbock Fine as External Auditors for the coming year.
– Members attention was drawn to the Setting of Amounts of Council Tax article placed by SCDC in the EADT which shows that KTC remain 26th highest parish out of the 101 in the District despite the loading for the Sports Hall.


8. Planning and Development Matters

a. Draft Minutes of the last Committee meeting held on 26th February 2007 were issued to Councillors and are attached at Annex 5 to the permanent copy of these minutes.

b. Planning applications received since 9th February 2007 The list of planning applications where comment was required, those which were not contentious and the decisions received, had been issued to each Councillor and is attached at Annex 6 to the permanent copy of these minutes. Those plans for which comment was required were displayed and further comments were invited, but none were made. The P&D Committee then approved this list and the comments en bloc

c. Street naming None.

d. Local Development Framework Core Strategy Issues and Options Consultation

Members had been issued with a copy of the questionnaire and the responses which had been agreed at the two meetings held in February and this is attached to the permanent copy of these minutes at Annex 7. It was noted that apart from question 13 the responses at the second meeting had in the main augmented those at the first meeting. Members therefore had to decide on their response to Question 13. The document had been issued to the Town Plan Steering Group members who had attended the first meeting with a request for additional responses in the light of the discrepancy between the two meetings. Two responses had been received and these were read to Council. Council discussed the situation but could not come to an agreement on which Option they preferred and the Clerk will therefore respond to SCDC explaining the dilemma and putting forward the arguments for and against Options 1, 2 and 3.

Mr Hammond left.

e. Late items for information None.


9. Recreation and Amenities Matters

a. Roads, footways and footpaths The Deputy Clerk advised Council of the following matters. - A1214 Queues which, following correspondence between KTC and SCC, have diminished considerably in length in the morning peak. It is understood some changes have been made to the timings of the traffic lights and regardless of the weather conditions the queues to leave the Grange Farm development are now on average only a few cars long.

- A consultation document had been received from SCC on the proposed treatment of the Grange Lane/Dobbs Lane junction. The map was displayed and Members advised of the various treatments proposed. Residents in the area have been consulted and a question has been raised about the parents waiting at the new school gate, so close to the junction. The Governing body have responded that parents wait inside the current gate and it is expected will do so at the new entrance but if necessary hard standing will be provided for this purpose. It was confirmed “20’s plenty” cannot be provided as the school entrance is not onto Dobbs Lane. The Council were pleased with the proposals which it is hoped will address a very long standing problematic situation. However Council wished the response to include a request for consideration of ways in which drivers travelling on Dobbs Lane from the south could be discouraged from speeding.

- Following on from the above Council also discussed the possibility of speed restrictions on Foxhall Road. It is well known, but unfortunately not documented, that accidents frequently occur at the junctions of Dobbs Lane and Bell Lane with Foxhall Road. It was agreed a letter be sent to SCC asking for the 30mph speed limits on Dobbs Lane and Bell Lane to be extended to Foxhall Road and for Foxhall Road to have a 40mph speed limit from the current 30mph limit at the Stadium entrance through to the roundabout at its junction with the A12.

Mr Grimwood left.

b. Late items for information Members were advised of the updates received from Libraries, Archives and Information with regard to the Kesgrave Library. These will be reported in full to the R&A meeting on 26th March and included in those minutes.


10. Project Officer

Members were issued with the latest report from the Project Officer which is attached at Annex 8 to the permanent copy of these minutes.


11. Youth Provision

a. Youth Club Mr Beecroft and Mrs Evans have attended the Youth Club recently but had nothing further to report.

b. Other Youth Issues None.


12. Delegation of Authority to sign Adoption of Land documents

The Clerk explained it may be necessary to sign a document for the transfer of land before the next Council meeting, which because of Easter will not be held until 16th April. SALC had advised that rather than call an Extraordinary meeting a Delegation of authority to sign would be in order. It was agreed that the Chairman and Vice Chairman will sign the document in the presence of the Clerk, who has the authority to apply the seal, and in the presence also of the Chairman of Finance and Resources and two other Councillors who are available at the appropriate time.

The exact area of land to be taken by KTC was still to be agreed. Although currently the intention had been just to take the area of Cedarwood Green the original intention had been to take all of POS K. The agreement covering the Grange Farm development allows KTC to have first refusal of ownership of any areas of POS the landowner wishes to transfer, with SCDC being obliged to take any areas KTC do not wish to own. There is no obligation for SCDC to take ownership from KTC if they subsequently change their mind. The current landowner wishes to hand over the whole area at one time which brings 3 parties with 3 solicitors into the arrangements. It was therefore agreed that if matters could be expedited more speedily KTC would accept all of POS K.

There was also some discussion on the sculptures the Landowner wishes to put onto POS K. A planning application has yet to be lodged but the upkeep of the sculptures is not included in the commuted sum which will be made available on transfer. Councillors expressed concern over the possible difficulties which would result from these structures and if the whole of POS K is to be adopted by KTC the Clerk was instructed to discuss the situation with the landowner. Various suggestions were made to ameliorate the responsibility which will fall to the new landowner which included that the ownership of the sculptures remain with the present landowner or that a more suitable open space, where there is less possibility for vandalism and where the sculptures could be admired by more people, would be Rupert Fison Square.


13. Report from Clerk and Press Officer

1. The Clerk drew Member’s attention to the nomination forms for the forthcoming election made available to them in their meeting pack and reminded them that profiles must be with Kesgrave News on Thursday 15th March. They were also supplied with a draft copy of the Town Council article for the April edition of Kesgrave News which outlines the election timetable.

2. Sgt Richardson of the Safer Neighbourhood Team had asked for an informal response from the three participating Councils on the possibility of funding for a PCSO. The cost over three years will be in the region of £93,000 which may be partially funded by BT. Council considered the request and discussed its implications, the need for Council funding to provide further manpower for the SNT and the possibility that if put in place Kesgrave would be expected to fund the greater proportion of money but would have no assurance the resource was not then used in the neighbouring parishes. There was a general reluctance to accede to the request and Members were agreed it would not in any case be possible to enter into such an agreement for the 2007/8 as the budget had already been set; it was understood similar decisions had been made by both Martlesham and Rushmere. It was also agreed this could be an issue considered within the Town Plan Revision and Rushmere and Martlesham should be advised of this intention in the hope that they might consider it similarly.

Articles for inclusion in April Kesgrave News have been submitted on:–


14. To receive such other communication or matters of sufficient urgency and importance that the Chairman will allow for discussion

None.


15. Date of next meeting

– Monday 16th April 2007 in the Council Chamber

This date being necessary as the second Monday is Easter Monday.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.07pm Chairman

• [History]
• 2011-06-01 14:41:38
• Owner: KesgraveTownCouncil
• Search:
• Change settings/Logout

Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional :: Valid CSS :: Powered by WikkaWiki