Minutes of the meeting of the Kesgrave Town Council held on Monday 8th February 2010 at 7.15pm in the Council Chamber.
| Present: | Mr K Beecroft (Chairman) | Mr P Mills |
| Mr A Comber | Mrs S Ogden (Vice Chairman & District Cllr) | |
| Mrs S Coupe | Mr C Pryke | |
| Mrs N Goodchild | Rev R Spittle | |
| Mr G Lynch | Mr R Walkling |
| In attendance: | Mrs V R Read (Clerk to the Town Council) |
| Mrs L Bennett (Administrative Assistant to the Town Council) | |
| Mr M Grimwood (District Councillor) – left at 8.35pm | |
| Mrs D McCallum (District Councillor) | |
| Mrs M Neale (District Councillor) | |
| PCSO Jacqueline Byde |
1. Apologies
| Mr R Bridgeman | – Family Commitment |
| Mrs S Evans | – Family Commitment |
| Mr R Haskell | – Illness |
| Mrs J Klaschka | – Illness |
| Mrs E Smith | – Work Commitment |
| Mrs J Francis (Deputy Clerk to the Town Council) | – Holiday |
2. Declarations of Interest
Mr Beecroft declared a personal interest in 8.b, items for discussion, The Resource Unit, being the husband of a Committee Member, remained in the meeting and took part in consideration and discussion of the matter.
Mr Beecroft declared a personal interest in item 10.a, Planning Matters, Area FF and Fentons Wood, being a Governor at Cedarwood School, remained in the meeting and took part in consideration and discussion of the matter.
Mr Comber declared a personal interest in item 8.b, items for discussion, The Resource Unit, being PCP Manager for one of the attendees, remained in the meeting and took part in consideration and discussion of the matter.
Mrs Ogden declared a personal interest in item 10, Adastral Park, being the wife of an employee, remained in the meeting and took part in consideration and discussion of the matter.
Mrs Ogden declared a personal interest in item 12, Boundary Review, being a member of another authority, remained in the meeting and took part in consideration and discussion of the matter.
Reverend Spittle declared a personal interest in item 10.a, Planning Matters, Area FF and Fentons Wood, being the Vice Chairman of Governors at Cedarwood School, remained in the meeting and took part in consideration and discussion of the matter.
3. Minutes of the last regular meeting held on 11th January 2010
The minutes having been circulated were taken as read and approved and the minutes signed by the Chairman.
4. Matters arising
a. Late items for information Members were informed that SCDC had been unable to support the Town Council's request for the naming of the road at 305 Main Road. Mrs Ogden had also petitioned for the Town Council's choice but to no avail.
5. Resolution to exclude the Public under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960
This Council resolves that the public and the press be excluded for consideration of Item 6. Confidential Note regarding Item 7.a.i. of 8th June meeting and subsequent papers, since publicity would prejudice the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business, and that these matters be deferred to follow item 17 on the agenda.
The following item was taken after Item 17 and is minuted there.
6. Confidential Note regarding Item 7.a.i. of 8th June meeting and subsequent papers
7. Reports from Chairman and Vice Chairman
The Chairman reported:
– he had attended a Kesgrave Youth Club Adult Advisory Committee Meeting and the SNT 12PT Priority Task Group Meeting. His written report is attached to the permanent copy of these minutes at Annex 1;
– he had also hosted a meeting at KTC Office with District and County Councillors, one of the topics discussed was improvement and provision of play space equipment. He was made aware Suffolk Coastal are making investigations to find a suitable area for a skateboard park. This will be discussed at R&A. A schedule of works to be undertaken has also been received from Suffolk Coastal who hope to have this completed by April.
The Vice Chairman had nothing to report.
An adjournment was declared:
– to receive reports from the County and District Councillors, and the Police
Mr Grimwood, District Councillor, reported:
– he will be attending the Grants Task Group Meeting on Tuesday 9th February.
Mrs McCallum, District Councillor, reported:
– the 5K Fun Run in aid of St. Elisabeth's Hospice will take place on Sunday 2nd May, children will be encouraged to participate through approaches to the schools;
– there was a problem for many residents of The Walk during the recent spell of bad weather, and she had raised the possibility of providing grit bins in this area with the Clerk. Understanding that this is not possible she raised the possibility of a 'Round Robin' scheme for the elderly, whereby essential provisions could be collected by willing helpers and delivered to their door. This will be put to R&A for a working party to be set up to explore the logistics of a scheme.
Mrs Ogden, as District Councillor, reported on:
– the future extension of Sizewell Power station;
– work to be carried out at Hamilton Gardens in Felixstowe;
– the 'ForestFest' date which has been confirmed as 18th April.
Mrs Neale, District Councillor, reported on:
– Suffolk Coastal's shared Partnership scheme with Waveney District Council and the considerations being made on how it can be expanded;
– a new 'Mow and Grow' service now available to elderly and vulnerable members of the community, whereby for a nominal fee works will be undertaken to clear and tidy gardens. This service is also offered to others at competitive rates.
to allow members of the public to speak
Mr Bradbrook announced that following the recent AGM of KALGA he has been re-elected as Chairman. He questioned availability of land as Council had stated they are trying to find suitable land for a Skatepark. The Clerk reminded the meeting that no land is available at present for allotments and is unlikely to be so until the LDF has been determined but if the Allotment Association became aware of land which might be suitable the Council would investigate the possibilities.
Mrs Mahoney, Tremlett Lane, queried if representation for the allotment holders association will be made at LDF meetings. Mrs McCallum responded she attends these meetings and the Committee are aware of the situation.
Mr Copping asked why allotment land had not been included in the original Town Plan. The Clerk explained there had been no demand from residents at the time. Mr Copping then asked if the twenty year old decision could be overturned and area FF used for allotments. Mr Beecroft informed him that although the original outline permission had lapsed, the land has always been allocated for residential development.
There followed some questions on compulsory purchase and Mrs McCallum offered to obtain official wording from the SCDC Solicitor for the next meeting. She advised residents they need to wait for the LDF determination before land will become available.
Mr Bradbrook stated he had attended a meeting at Martlesham regarding the provision of allotments on the Adastral Park application. Martlesham Allotment Association members had stated they had no intention of sharing allotment land with Kesgrave residents.
Mr Copping asked if it was possible for minutes to be put onto the website immediately following a meeting, in order for members of the public to read what was discussed. At present only agreed minutes are available the following month. It was agreed an Item will be included in the March agenda for Council to consider this request.
The meeting was reconvened and the following two items were brought forward because of the number of residents present who were interested in these items
14. Kesgrave Allotment Association
The Association's questions had been answered during the adjournment.
10. Planning and Development Matters
The revisions to application C09/1269 Area FF and Fentons Wood
Mr Mills summarised the Committee's thoughts on the revised application displayed on the notice board. He invited comments from the Council. Council supported all the comments made by the Committee and considered KTC must ask for conditions to prevent any development in the future within the woodland.
A second adjournment was declared to hear from Members of the Public on this application.
Mrs Neale, District Councillor, explained the SCDC Countryside Team have been working with the developer to enable the woodland to be handed to a Community Trust with a commuted sum which will fund the woodland in perpetuity rather than just 10 years. She expressed the hope that KTC would support this in their letter.
Mr D Walkling spoke of the letters he had sent to both District and County, and copied to KTC, on the road lining in Wilkinson Drive which he believes is incorrect.
The meeting was again reconvened.
8. Notices and Correspondence
A copy of the lists of Notices and Correspondence and Reports, including those for information only, were issued to each Councillor and are attached at Annex 2 to the permanent copy of these minutes.
a. Local Councillor Members made no comments.
b. Items for Discussion
| 1.D. | There was no discussion regarding the Community Magazines. | |
| 3.D. | Mr Comber gave a short resume of the situation with the closure of the Cafe 66 on Fridays and asked if Council considered they should offer their support to this in a similar manner to that of the Library and match funded PCSO. Mr Beecroft explained a Resource Unit Committee meeting held the day after Mr Comber's meeting had agreed new kitchen equipment is needed and a request for financial help may be sent to KTC. Members expressed their intention to consider this request favourably. | |
| 4.D | SCC have arranged for energy monitors to be borrowed free from Libraries to encourage reduction of energy usage. Members were issued with copy letters giving details. |
c. Councillor Representative Reports These had been reported at item 7.
d. Police Matters report
| 1 | 12PT Monthly Parish Council report – by A/Sgt Kay Hammond, this is held on file. |
9. 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 & Payments be accepted with no further discussion and settlement of the accounts was approved.
b. Transfer between accounts Council agreed a transfer of £14,000 be made from the Instant Access Saver Account to the Ordinary Account.
c. Transfer of Reserve Funds The following transfers were agreed
| Product/service | Amount | Reserve fund | |
| SNT Safety Equipment | 75.00 | To 12PT | |
| Recycling Credits | 145.00 | To RFC |
d. Late items for information None.
10. Planning and Development Matters
a. Planning applications received since 8th January 2010 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 revisions to application C09/1269 Area FF and Fentons Wood having already been considered intermediately after the adjournment, a draft response will be drawn up for consideration at the P&D meeting to be held on 15th February.
b. Street naming None.
c. Late items for information Members were advised a CD on the revisions to the Adastral Park application had been received. Although it was understood the Martlesham Allotment Society have stated they do not wish to share facilities with the Kesgrave Society, Council considered a letter should be forwarded in response to the revisions asking for provision to be made.
11. Recreation and Amenities Matters
a. Draft Minutes of the last Committee meeting held on 25th January 2010 were issued to Councillors and are attached at Annex 5 to the permanent copy of these minutes.
Mr Comber, who took the Chair for the meeting, drew Members attention to the various items discussed at the R&A meeting including the Lawn Cemetery Tenders, the cycle and bus map leaflets, the Library agreement to sell walks leaflets and trolley tokens and the aspirations by two members of the community to establish a new Conservation group. He then took Council through the following items.
i. Parking on grass verges (R&A item 6.b.) With Highways agreement a notice has been issued to the SNT for putting on windscreens of cars parked on grass verges, asking the drivers to park more appropriately. The Police are noting the registration numbers of cars where notices have been issued in order to track repeat offenders. It was noted that although the notices were only available the previous week, they are already having a positive effect.
ii. MSG Open Day (R&A item 9.d.) Members were reminded of the request for their presence at the open days and the rotas were circulated to afford the opportunity for volunteers to state the times they will be available.
iii. Play Equipment Improvements and Provision (R&A item 15) The Committee had received a copy of the report by Mr Walkling and the schedule of anticipated work provided by SCS. KTC will be opening a dialogue with the District on changes and improvements to the provision in Kesgrave.
iv. Youth Parliament (R&A item 15) It was noted the Suffolk Youth Parliament will be holding their meeting at the KWMCC on 24th February and their main topic is facilities within the community. Mr Comber will circulate details of the invitation and if possible a Town Council representative will attend.
b. Roads, footways and footpaths The issuing of a notice regarding inappropriate parking had been reported at a.i. above.
c. Late items for information At Mr Mills' request an item will be placed on the next agenda to discuss the street lighting in Edmonton Road.
12. Boundary Review
It is possible that a statement and decision may be made later in the week but this is not certain.
13. Grange Lane
Members were advised the acquisition of land will be completed on 15th February and vegetation clearance will start that week and take 2 to 3 days. The main element of the work will commence on 5th April and take approximately 12 weeks. The Clerk is expecting to speak with the Site Supervisor in the next few days. It is understood the officer will be informing the residents and keeping in touch with the Council but the Clerk will remind him of the need to keep Gorseland and Kesgrave High Schools informed and also BT.
14. Kesgrave Allotment Association This item had been taken immediately after the adjournment and is minuted there.
15. Quality Status
a. Training Needs Members were reminded the bespoke training session conducted by SALC will be held in the Council Chamber on 23rd February starting at 7.00pm. 5 Rushmere St Andrew representatives are expected to attend and the cost will be shared between the two councils.
16. Report from Clerk and Press Officer
1. Members were informed of a Street meet, organised by the SNT, to be held at Glanville Place on 20th February between 10.00 and 3.00. Ward Councillors have been invited.
2. A card was circulated for Members to sign to wish Mr Haskell well and Mrs Ogden will deliver this and an appropriate gift later in the week.
3. A card to David and Christine Offord, retiring from Penzance Road Post Office, was also circulated for signature and individuals made contributions to the retirement gift.
Articles for inclusion in Kesgrave News will be:–
Page 3 The response to be made to the revised application for Area FF with thanks to the members of the public for their helpful protests about development within in the woodland.
Others Annual Town Meeting
Availability of cycle and bus route leaflets
Budget and Precept
17. To receive such other communication or matters of sufficient urgency and importance that the Chairman will allow for discussion
Mrs Ogden asked that Councils thanks to the designer of the new Kesgrave Guide be minuted and passed to Mr Read and this was agreed. Many favourable comments have already been received on the new layout.
18. Date of next meeting – Monday 8th March 2010 in the Council Chamber
The remaining members of the Public left the meeting and Council was able to then consider the following.
6. Confidential Note regarding Item 7.a.i. of 8th June meeting and subsequent papers
Some further information had been made available to the Council since the October meeting which needed consideration.
The debate which followed is minuted, as before, as a confidential note and is held on file.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.15pm.
Chairman
