MINUTES OF A MEETING OF

AMPTHILL TOWN COUNCIL

Held at the Council Offices, 66 Dunstable Street, Ampthill

on Wednesday 21^st December 2011 at 7.30 pm.

Present: Cllr Sally Bacon (Mayor), John Bingham, Michael Blair, Michael Cook,               Penny Foster, Sue Hinkin, Mark Smith, Roy Tebbutt, Stephen Whittaker, Margaret Wilson, and Dawn Sutherns, Town Clerk.

Also present were 7 members of the public 2 of whom had registered to speak and Kate Elliott-Turner, Town Clerk of Stotfold Town Council.

210.          To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllr Margaret Wright (on holiday), Cllr Paul Duckett (another commitment) and Mr Antony Northey (another commitment).

 211.          To receive and record declarations of interest of a personal nature.

There were no interests declared.

212.          To receive and record declarations of a prejudicial nature.

There were no interests declared

 213.          Public Participation.

Mr Hall addressed the Council in relation to road safety issues in Church Street; the written report is as appended to these minutes.

Mr Hall was thanked for his presentation and Cllr Mrs Sally Bacon advised that the Clerk would send his report to Central Bedfordshire as the responsibility for the highways lies with them.

Mr R Dickinson addressed the Council in relation to the wish to see Russell House listed.

Cllr Sally Bacon asked members if they were happy to discuss item 13 on the agenda as the next item, this was agreed.

214.          To consider the matter of Russell House and its future use. (Cllr Mark Smith)

Cllr Mark Smith advised that he has spoken to Mr Dickinson at the recent Councillors Surgery and asked the Council to support the listing of Russell House. It was built in 1895 by Joseph Rushbrook and extended during the early part of the twentieth century before being transferred over to Bedfordshire County Council for use as an educational teaching establishment. The design of the house was very advanced at the time providing six bathrooms, lifts and a swimming pool.

Members then went on to discuss this matter with the outcome being that it was felt this building should be preserved and brought into the development of the site as a listed building.

Cllr Mike Blair then went on to advise that he had been speaking to the Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council and the Chief Asset Officer in relation to Russell House and they have indicated that they would like to enter into negotiations with the Town Council to use the area at the front of the house as a long term car parking area.

This would be granted a peppercorn lease which would stay in place until the site is sold for development. 

The Park Development Manager has looked at the site and has established that the work to clear the area could be carried out by the park team and it is thought that the area could be brought up to a decent standard for car parking for between twenty to thirty cars for the cost of between £500 to a £1,000.

Cllr Mike Blair asked the Council to endorse him and the Clerk entering into the negotiations to bring a proposal back to the Council to consider.

Cllr Sally Bacon asked Councillors to consider the two items separately.

It was then firstly:

Resolved that the Clerk investigates the method of listing a building and brings this back to the next meeting.

 It was then:

 Resolved that the Clerk and Cllr Mike Blair enter into the negotiations with Central Bedfordshire Council to bring the proposals back to the Council to consider in relation to using the front of Russell House as a car parking area.

 215.          To receive a report from a representative of Bedfordshire Police if in attendance.

There was not a Police Officer in attendance at this meeting.

216.          Town Mayor’s Announcements

26th November    Civic meal at The Chequers to welcome visitors from Nissan.

27th November    Lights switch-on.

28th November    Entertaining visitors from Nissan with a tour of Stockwood Park          and reception in the evening.

30th November    St Andrews Civic dinner with Mayor of Flitwick at Rufus Centre.

3rd December      Houghton Regis Christmas Carol Service.

4th December      Councillors Christmas lunch.

11th December    Central Beds Chairman's Civic service at Priory Church Dunstable.

16th December    Fire and Rescue Christingle Service Woburn Parish Church.

18th December    Bedford Borough Councils Carol Service, Queens Park.

18th December    Drawing of a raffle for Charitable causes, The Albion.

19th December    Carols around the Tree.

24th December    Civic Carol Service, Ampthill Church.

217.          To confirm and sign as a true record the minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 16^th November pages 52 to 58. 

The minutes having been presented to Members were taken as read.

An amendment was made to minute 179 the word apologises to read apologies.

Cllr Margaret Wilson asked that she be included in the Jubilee Working Group.

This was then approved as amended as a true record.

218.          To consider matters arising from previous Town Council minutes as appended in Clerk’s report for information purposes and for noting only.

The Queen’s jubilee celebrations (see minute no 205)

The first meeting of the Working Group is to be held on Tuesday 10^th January 2012, here in the Council Chamber at 7.30pm.

There were no other matters arising to report.

 219.          Treasurer’s Report

·         Current Bank Balances as at 30^th November 2011.

·         Income & Expenditure to 30^th November 2011.

·         Receipts and Payments for 1^st November to 30^th November 2011.

Members raised the following matters for the Clerk to action:

i)                    Enquires are to be made of other companies to see if they would like to quote for the street lighting columns maintenance.

ii)         The Park Development Manager is to be asked if the cutting of the grass verges in the town could be carried out by the park staff.

220.          To consider and approve the payment of all monies on the list of Supplier Invoices due to the 14^th December 2011.

Members were provided with a list as appended to these minutes.

Resolved that all payments be made.

 221.          To consider and approve the payment of all monies on the list of Supplier Invoices due received between 15^th and 21^st December 2011.

Members were provided with a list as appended to these minutes.

                        Resolved that all monies be paid.

 222.          To consider the draft budget for 2012/2013 and the precept sum arising from this in the sum of £498,426 to be submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council.

Members were provided with a spreadsheet to support this figure as appended.

The Clerk advised that the Band D equivalent this year has risen to 2942, this therefore equates to the Ampthill Town Council’s part of the Council Tax being £169.41 per household per annum, 47p per day.

Last year this sum was £175.03 per annum therefore in real terms the precept is 3.25% lower.

Members discussed this matter, the Council are operating their services at the same and spending less money to do so, the budget stands up well and lively debates had been held to arrive at the figures.

It was therefore:

Resolved that the sum of £498,426 is to be submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council for the precept sum for 2012/2013.

 Committee Reports

 223.          Planning Committee meeting held on 23^rd November 2011

Cllr Sally Bacon presented the report to members of the Planning Committee and asked for its approval.

With regards to minute no 2 the word pole is to be amended to poll.

             The report was then approved as amended as a true record.

             Cllr Sally Bacon then asked the Council to adopt the report.

             The report was then adopted.

 224.          Finance, Policy and General Purposes Committee meeting held on 7^th December          2011.

Cllr Sally Bacon presented the report to members of the Finance, Policy, and General Purposes Committee and asked for its approval.

Those in attendance is to be amended to include Cllr Mark Smith.

            The report was then approved as amended as a true record.

             Cllr Sally Bacon then asked the Council to adopt the report.

             The report was then adopted.

 225.          Written reports from Community Organisations:

·                     Central Bedfordshire – Let’s talk together Ampthill & Flitwick Policing Team area 15^th November 2011.

·                     Ampthill Community Safety Group meeting of 29^th November 2011.

·                     REVAMP meeting of 28^th November 2011.

 The reports were noted.

 226.          To receive and approve the first draft of the Parks for People lottery application and to make constructive comments to be included before the second draft is put to the Council in January 2012.

Members were provided with a copy of the first draft application form and were impressed with the information contained in the application form and raised a few comments to assist the next draft.

·                     Mention is to be made of the Centre Parcs development.

·                     A review is to be made to ensure that information is not repeated in the same manner throughout the application.

·                     The fireworks, galas, dog shows etc are to be included under the agreement and licences to use the park.

Members thanked the Clerk and the Park Development Manager for the hard work they have put into drawing up this application.

It was then:

            Resolved that the first draft be approved.

227.          To receive the report from the Parkside Task Force meeting of 14^th December 2011.

Members were provided with a copy of the report.

The report was noted.

Cllr Sally Bacon advised that due to other commitments Cllr Paul Duckett had been unable to attend the Parkside Task Force meetings and there the Council were asked to accept Cllr Roy Tebbutt as a substitute member.

It was then:

Resolved that Cllr Roy Tebbutt is appointed in substitution for Cllr Paul Duckett.

 228.          To consider any recommendations arising from the Parkside Task Force meeting of 14^th December 2011.

There were no recommendations arising.

 229.          Central Bedfordshire Councillors Communication.

Members were provided with a copy of a report as appended to these minutes and then went onto ask questions which resulted in the following information being given:

·                     The Car Parking Strategy is in its draft form and is out for consultation.

·                     The centre of Ampthill was not designed for cars and the Council and residents should accept the fact that there is no answer to the lack of car parking facilities as there is no short term solution.

 230.          To consider any recommendations arising from the above reports.

There were no matters to consider.

231.          Correspondence

·               C P R E - Bedfordshire Matters. Autumn/Winter 2011.

·               Poppy Appeal, thanks from the Royal British Legion for the sum of £10.15 collected in the Town Council offices.

·               D.I S, Extra issues 772 and 773.

·               LCR – Winter 2011

·               CBC Economic Development Plan – November 2011

·               Notice of Town & Parish Conference at Central Bedfordshire Council to be held on 25^th January 2012 , with the specific objective of discussing the 2012/2013 budget, two representatives are invited to attend.

The Clerk advised that she would be in attendance and if any other Councillor wished to join her they should let her know as soon as possible.

·               BEDS-SPREAD - December 2011,

 The items of correspondence were noted.

 232.          Consideration of whether any Press Releases are to be made.

Members considered this matter and it was

            Resolved that press releases could be placed for the following items:

1. i)        The Town Council through careful budgeting are keeping the precept at the same level as 2011/2012.
2. ii)      The funding of the replacement light columns in Church Avenue   and Meadow Way.
3. iii)    The Council’s efforts in relation to the free Christmas Shuttle Bus.

 233.          Cllr Roy Tebbutt then moved the following resolution:

“That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted relating to staffing it is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be temporarily excluded and that they are instructed to withdraw”.

 234.          To confirm and sign as a true record the confidential minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Wednesday 16^th November 2011 page  59.

This minute is appended for members only.

235.          To confirm and sign as a true record the confidential minutes of the Finance, Policy & General Purposes meeting held on 7^th December 2011 pages 5 to 6.

This minute is appended for members only.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30pm.

CHAIRMAN                                                              DATED