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Minutes of the meeting of the Kesgrave Town Council held on Monday 14th April 2008 at 7.15pm in the Council Chamber.

Present:

In attendance:

1. Apologies

Mr K Beecroft – Holiday
Mr R Bridgeman – Family commitments
Mr A Comber – Holiday
Mr C Dowsett – Resigned
Mrs J Klaschka – Illness
Mrs N Goodchild – Illness
Rev R Spittle – Family commitments
Mr M Grimwood (District Cllr) – Illness


2. Declarations of Interest

Mrs Ogden declared a personal interest in Item 8.a.iii., Planning & Development Matters Application C08/0394 and C08/0395 being a family member and acquaintance of employees at The Farmhouse and remained in the meeting while the matter was under consideration;

Mr Bugg declared a personal interest in Item 8.a.iii., Planning & Development Matters Application C08/0635 being a School Governor at KHS and remained in the meeting while the matter was under consideration;

Mr Briggs declared a personal interest in Item 8.a.v., Planning & Development Matters Application C08/0135 being a member of the KWMCC, and remained in the meeting while the matter was under consideration;

Mr Bugg declared a personal interest in Item 8.a.v., Planning & Development Matters Application C08/0135 being a member of the KWMCC, and remained in the meeting while the matter was under consideration;

Mr Mills declared a personal interest in Item 8.a.v., Planning & Development Matters Application C08/0135 being a member of the KWMCC, and remained in the meeting while the matter was under consideration;

Mrs Ogden declared a personal interest in Item 8.a.v., Planning & Development Matters Application C08/0135 being a member of the KWMCC, and remained in the meeting while the matter was under consideration;

Mr Briggs declared a personal interest in Item 11, KWMCC Lease being a Member of the KWMCC, and remained in the meeting while the matter was under consideration;

Mr Bugg declared a personal interest in Item 11, KWMCC Lease being a Member of the KWMCC, and remained in the meeting while the matter was under consideration;

Mr Mills declared a personal interest in Item 11, KWMCC Lease being a Member of the KWMCC, and remained in the meeting while the matter was under consideration;

Mrs Ogden declared a personal interest in Item 11, KWMCC Lease being a Member of the KWMCC, and remained in the meeting while the matter was under consideration;


3. Minutes of the last regular meeting held on 10th March 2008

The minutes of the last meeting having been circulated were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman.


4. Matters arising

a. Late items for information The Clerk suggested, and Council agreed, that their thanks be recorded for the attendance of Mrs Dunnett at the last meeting to take minutes in the absence of Mrs Francis.


5. Chairman’s Report

The Chairman reported he had:

The Clerk explained the resignation procedure, the first stage being the posting of statutory notices advertising the vacancies.

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 Hudson, County Councillor, informed Council that:

Mr Klaschka, as County Councillor, reported on:

Mrs McCullum, District Councillor, reported:

She also reported that nearly sufficient funds have been raised for the Music Festival to be staged. An Easter Egg Hunt and a Bike Rally fund raising events have been successfully held and requests have been received for these to be repeated next year.

Council thanked Mrs McCullum for her sustained efforts in organising the innovative Bell Project.

Mrs Ogden, as District Councillor, reported:

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

Mrs Neale, as District Councillor reported:-

Sergeant Richardson, SNT; – gave a report for the Police on crime figures and the reporting of crimes, which is held on file. He also thanked Mrs McCullum for her involvement in the Bell Project and though locally the outcome was disappointing, the initiative has been promoted by the Police Inspectorate throughout England and Wales. – and explained the 3 parishes need to put forward suggestions of sites to be considered for the Speedwatch project.

Mrs Brown, as PTLO, stated several establishments in Kesgrave had been issued with bus timetables for distribution on request.

Mrs Brown, as LHR, circulated photographs.

Presentation by Mary Neale, District Councillor, on The Local Government Review.

Mrs Neale gave a presentation on the Suffolk Coastal stance regarding the Local Government Review highlighting its background, criteria and the timetable to 31st December 2008. Members had been issued with the special edition of the Suffolk Coastal Parish Bulletin relating to The Local Government Review which is attached at Annex 1 to the permanent copy of these minutes.

– to allow members of the public to speak

Mr Walkling expressed his frustration in the parking issues which still exist at the Alice Grange development where workmen's vehicles regularly obstruct access to the dropped kerb. Sgt Richardson explained he had spoken to the foreman, but because of the number of sub-contractors on site it was difficult even for him to enforce more considerate parking. The build is nearly complete and parking issues there will soon be resolved. The Clerk volunteered to investigate another avenue to try to address the situation.

Mr Walkling also asked if a letter to SCDC could be sent reminding them of the conditions regarding delivery times put on David Wilson, the developers of the site to the east of Wilkinson Drive. He suggested even stricter conditions could be put on the developers of the remaining site (Area FF) to the east of the school because of the operating times of the Nursery. It was agreed this suggestion should be implemented and the Clerk will write to SCDC accordingly.

It was agreed to change the order of items on the agenda to consider those issues which were of particular interest to the residents present to be heard ahead of Notices and Correspondence.

10. Ipswich Unitary Status/The Local Government Review

Members had been issued with copies of the draft questionnaire. No adjustments were considered necessary apart from capitalisation of T and C in Kesgrave Town Council. It was agreed this questionnaire would provide very necessary evidence to support the Council's position with regard to not being absorbed by Ipswich in any Boundary Review and therefore funding of the printing and insertion costs of £220 was agreed.

It had been established that David Offord of Penzance Road Post Office, the Charity Shop and the Town Council Offices would be collection points and other places were considered. Later: The Veterinary Hospital agreed to be a collection point to the east of the Town and this was added to the list on the questionnaire and the Council article in Kesgrave News.


12. Public relations

This item had been requested at the March meeting as a result of the exclusion of Public and Press for Item 13 of that agenda.

a. Wikipedia Mrs Ogden reported that any references to quotations by Kesgrave Councillors on the Racism issue have been taken off the site.

b. Media Members had nothing they wished to raise.

c. Racism Members had nothing they wished to raise.

The Member of the Public who had asked for this item to be brought forward asked if a second adjournment could be held, and the Chairman agreed.

Mr Copping expressed his disappointment that the Racism remarks quoted by one Councillor in the media in August 2007 had not been rebutted by Council.

The Clerk explained there were difficulties with copy and print deadlines for the Community magazines which do not enable quick responses, and that in the interim the County Councillor had advised the Town Council they should not raise the issue. It was considered there was not a Racism issue in Kesgrave; the difficulties had been with too many people wishing to use too few buses and as had already been heard earlier in the meeting this issue has been addressed. Council recognise that residents do not always understand that individual comments made by Councillors are not necessarily those of the Council and that Council's view is expressed by the Clerk, and occasionally by the Chairman.

Mr Copping asked if Council have learned from this episode and the Clerk confirmed that she would in future recommend to Council that a swift rebuttal be made when necessary to counter an individuals statement. Council indicated their agreement in this stance, and Mr Copping stated that he was therefore content with the result.

Three members of the public left the meeting


6. Notices and Correspondence

a. The Local Councillor Mrs Evans drew Council's attention to an article regarding planning for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in the East of England.

Mrs McCullum left.

b. Other Items for Discussion The Deputy Clerk advised Council of the following:

8.D. The Audit Commission have issued a letter of appointment for BDO Stoy Hayward as Auditors for 2008/2012.

9.D. A Parish Bulletin Local Government Special April 2008, already mentioned as an attachment at Annex 1 had been received in addition to the usual Parish Bulletin.

10.D. Various documents from SALC had been received including notification of an Employment seminar and New Councillor courses.

11.D. A request for information under the Freedom of Information Act had been received. A fees Notice has been issued but payment has not yet been made.

14.D. A thank you from Kesgrave and District Help Centre for the KTC grant had been received.

18.D. Following changes in Corporate Homicide and Corporate Manslaughter law, Zurich has sent notification of increased cover which has been included in the policy.

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.

Three members of the public left.


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 were reminded that some payments had been agreed with the Chairman of Finance and Resources in order that they could be paid before the year end. Council agreed the Receipts and Payments for April be accepted with no further discussion and settlement of the accounts was approved.

b. Transfer between accounts Council agreed a transfer of £8,600 be made from the Tracker Account to the Ordinary Account.

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

Transfers to/from Reserve funds in March 2008

Product/service - Amount - Reserve fund
CWG fencing & planting - £1,350.00 - From CWG
Long Strops Pond management - £130.00 - From Conservation
SCC Locality Budget - £700.00 - To Locality Budget 07/08

Transfers to/from Reserve funds in April 2008

Product/service - Amount - Reserve fund
RFC Grass cut - £18.60 - From RFC
Photocopier rent - £1925.00 - From Photocopier

d. Audit Arrangements BDO Stoy Hayward have set the Audit date for 18th July. Notices will be posted at the appropriate time.

e. Late items for information None.


8. Planning and Development Matters

a. Planning applications received since 7th March 2008 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 4 to the permanent copy of these minutes. The P&D Committee then approved this list and the comments en bloc.

c. Street naming None.

d. Late items for information None.


9. Recreation and Amenities Matters

a. Draft Minutes of the last Committee meeting. This meeting, which was to have been held on 7th April 2008, had not been held as insufficient Members were able to be present to constitute a quorum.

The following items had been brought forward for information:-

i. Reprint of Parish Walks The leaflets are in the process of being printed. The supplier of the plastic wallets has gone into receivership but a substitute has been located which will incur additional cost of approximately £150. However costs are passed on to the purchaser of the walks packs and Mr Hudson, County Councillor, has also provided £1,000 from his Locality Budget for this project. Council expressed their appreciation to Mr Hudson.

ii. Litter pick The Annual Spring Clean litter pick taking place on 18th April is to have local schools participating. Kesgrave High School will pick on the 17th as this fits in with their curriculum better and Gorseland and Cedarwood Primary Schools are to participate on the Friday.

b. Roads, footways and footpaths The Deputy Clerk advised Council that the volunteers for the Speedwatch project from the 3 parishes need now to complete forms in order for them to be vetted. They will then need to meet to consider who to make their co-ordinator and how to proceed. Martlesham have matched the funding from Rushmere for this project so £2,200 is now available. Members were asked to inform the Clerks of suggested sites for consideration as mentioned by Sgt Richardson in his report.

c. Late items for information None.


10. Ipswich Unitary Status/The Local Government Review

This item had been taken immediately after the adjournment and is minuted there.

Two members of the public left.


11. KWMCC lease

The Clerk explained this was a lease with O2 for the telecommunications facility on the Tennis Court. The document has not yet been completed by KWMCC but needs countersigning by KTC as Custodian Trustees. Council agreed the Chairman, and Vice Chairman if a second signature was required, be authorised to sign the document when it is received. Later: Mr Briggs and Mrs Evans signed the document.


12. Public relations

a. Wikipedia

b. Media

c. Racism

This item was taken after Item 10 which followed the adjournment and is minuted there.


13. Youth Provision

a. Youth Club Members had been issued with a copy of Mr Beecroft's report which is attached to at Annex 5 the permanent copy of these minutes. Mrs Evans added she was looking forward to the next Ready Steady Cook competition at the Youth Club

b. Cedarwood Green Annual Event 13th August Members attention was drawn to the information contained in the Project Officer's report which had been issued and is attached at Annex 6 to the permanent copy of these minutes.

c. Other youth issues None.


14. Report from Clerk and Press Officer

1. The lady killed in a hit and run accident on Easter Sunday was Susan Garnham. Susan was the wife of Mike Garnham who assisted Sue Hall, Project Officer, and the Clerk through the Cedarwood Green project. Condolences were sent from the Council and the Project Officer and Clerk attended the cremation.

2. The Clerk stated she wished to record her thanks to Keith Beecroft for his help over the last few weeks in delivery rounds when the Council had been short staffed.

3. The Clerk suggested sending a 'Get Well' card to Mrs Goodchild and Council agreed.

Articles for inclusion in May Kesgrave News have been submitted on:–
Page 3 Boundary Review
Others Dobbs Lane
ATM presentations
Litter picks
Overhanging branches


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

None.


16. Date of next meetings –

Annual Town Council Meeting – Monday 12th May 2008 in the Council Chamber
Annual Town Meeting – Monday 19th May 2008 in the Council Chamber
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.00pm.

Chairman
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