MINUTES OF A MEETING OF AMPTHILL TOWN COUNCIL

held at the Council Offices,66 Dunstable Street, Ampthill

on Wednesday 18^th March 2009 at 7.30pm 

Present:  Councillors: G Summerfield (Chairman), Mrs S A Bacon, P A Duckett, P A Eversley, Mrs P K Foster, R A Holden, G Pascal, M A Smith, R Tebbutt, Mrs A M Wright, Mrs M E Wilson and Dawn Sutherns, Clerk. 

Also present were P.C. Element and 4 members of the public. 

Councillor Summerfield advised members that he had two residents in attendance that wished to address the Town Council on the parking problems in Church Street as such he wished to bring this matter forward after the Public Participation. 

309.       ApologiesThere were apologies from Cllr R Chappell (ill health).  

310.       Public ParticipationThere had been no requests to speak recorded. 

311.       To receive information on the parking problems in Church Avenue and to look at the way forward. 

Standing Orders were suspended at 7.32pm to allow residents of Church Avenue to address the Council.           

Mrs Katrina Armstrong and Mrs Jackie Bergman advised members of the problems caused by inconsiderate parking in Church Avenue this matter had first been raised two years ago and if anything has got worse. There is concern over emergency vehicles being able to access properties and also of safety issues when trying to get on or off driveways. 

Standing Orders were resumed at 7.35pm. 

Cllr Summerfield advised that he had spoken to the two ladies and advised them that two years ago Basil Jackson of Bedfordshire Highways had visited the town and taken a tour around most of the problem areas, including Church Avenue. The Town Council have since that meeting been badgering the County Council to take action on painting the H bars across the driveways in Church Avenue. The planning approval granted last week for the long term car park at Gas House Lane may alleviate the problem a little, but it is not known how long until the car park will be built. Members agreed that the lack of common courtesy shown by drivers may be improved if the H bars are installed. The Highway Safety Working Group is to meet on 19^th March and the matter will be given more consideration. 

Standing Orders were suspended at 7.55pm to allow P C Element to address the Council.  

P.C. Element gave the answer to the question raised on whether it is an offence to block a driveway. If there is only a partial blocking the Police do not have the powers to do anything however if the whole driveway is blocked the vehicle can be recovered. 

Standing Orders were resumed at 7. 57pm.            

It was then:                        

Resolved that the Clerk

i)          Writes to Basil Jackson insisting that the white H bars are painted as a matter of urgency as residents have been waiting two years. This is to be chased if no response is received within two weeks of the date of the letter. 

ii)        Writes to the Worshipful Master of Ampthill’s Masonic Lodge Bro. Denis Perkins to respectfully request that he asks members of his Lodge to be aware of the problems of inconsiderate parking in Church Avenue.  

iii)      Contacts Mid Beds District Council to request that they ask the Traffic Enforcement Officer to visit the area of Church Avenue. 

iv)      Contacts Waverly Plc to enquire on the timescale for the development of the car park.

 It is to be noted that these measures will only serve as an interim solution to the problem.           

313.         Report from P.C. Element on behalf of Bedfordshire Police.

P.C Element gave a report containing the following information:·      Anti Social Behaviour incidents have fallen by four since last month.·      Recorded Crime incidents have reduced by one to 24·      House Burglaries incidents reduced by two to one.·      Thefts of motor vehicles have increased by three incidents to four, these were vehicles taken from the Industrial Estate.·      Thefts from motor vehicles have decreased by six incidents to one.·      Violent crime incidents have increased by one incident to five, including one incident of domestic nature and an incident occurring on the Kings Arms Path which has resulted in an arrest.·      Criminal damage incidents have increased by two to thirteen.·      Other burglaries have increased by one incident to three, one from the Industrial Estate, a theft from a shop and a jacket stolen from a public house. The CCTV system has assisted in detecting three incidents relating to criminal damage, alarm activation and a male trying to get away from the Police. The application for a licence for the Airways radio is now with OFCOM. There are plans for a knife arch to be used at the White Hart, the arch detects any metal on a person as they walk through it, and the area of the metal is highlighted reducing the need for a full search Members then raised the following matters: ·       The Travellers Group camped in the layby at Lockheed Martin have been served notice, but as the area is not in the Ampthill Safer Neighbourhood Team area details are not known as to when they will be moved on. ·       The CCTV camera in the Zig Zag’s is now completely static. The lighting levels are not sufficient for the camera to pick up images at night, when the post was installed for the camera the double lighting column was removed. 

Resolved that the Clerk contacts Quadrant Security Group to request that the lighting is upgraded on the grounds of safety for path users. 

·       The campervan in Alameda Walk is still parked without tax; this belongs to a resident of Alameda Walk who is very ill. It is on Town Council land and it is therefore down to the Council to get the vehicle moved. 

·       The light on the wall at Picture Corner was knocked off over a year ago and has not been replaced. 

313.         To receive and record declarations of interest, whether personal or prejudicial.

Cllr Mrs Foster declared an interest in the item concerning Around the Pump as she is the Accountant for Corporate Creations. Cllr M Smith declared an interest in the item concerning Around the Pump as he is a customer of Corporate Creations and has placed advertisements in the newsletter. 

314.         Town Mayor’s Announcements.

Cllr G Summerfield gave the following information on the activities he has carried out:

·        30^th January 2009   Wine Tasting Fund Raiser.

·        1^st February            2009    Attendance at The Fuddler Awards.

·        14^th February 2009 Valentine’s Dance. Approximately £1,000 was raised.         

 ·        15^th February 2009 Civic Service, thanks were given to Councillors who assisted on the day,

Cllr Summerfield praised the flag bearers and said how pleased he was with how many people were in attendance.

·        20^th February 2009 Attendance at Mid Beds District Council Civic Reception.

·        24^th February 2009.            Attendance at the Mayor’s Dinner in Luton.

·        1^st March 2009        Attendance at Leighton Linslade Civic Service.

·        6^th March 20009     Attendance at Bronte Night at Parkside Hall.

·        8^th March                Attendance at Biggleswade Charity Lunch. Cllr G Summerfield went on to give details of his future fund

raising events:

·       23^rd March 2009       Chinese Meal

·       2^nd April 2009           Progressive Supper

·       19^th April 2009          Spring Lunch

·       16^th May 2009          Frog Race      

315.         To confirm and sign as a true record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 18^th February 2009 pages 81 to 88

The minutes having been circulated prior to this meeting were taken and read; Minute no 227, page 82; the Jewellers who had the smashed window was Heather Goldsthorpe and this is to be amended.The minutes as amended were then signed as a true copy. 

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

316.         Police Report (see minute no 277)

Following the meeting an e-mail was sent to Robbie Holbeck of Stevenage Borough Council requesting that the Town Council receive a report as to the CCTV recordings over the weekends of 6^th/7^th and 14^th/15^th February.

A response was received to advise that under the Data Protection Act information can only be released to the Police if an investigation is ongoing. I then requested P.C Element to request the information and I was told the same information. 

If P. C. Element creates a URN number (Unique Reference Number) the copies can be released to him. 

317.         To consider inviting a guest speaker to the Annual Town Meeting on 8^th April 2009. (see minute no 296)

Mr Chris Garrand has agreed to give a presentation to the Annual Town Meeting on the Katherine Cross Project. The photographs of the project will be board mounted and will remain the property of the Town Council after the presentation. 

318.         Treasurers Report           

(a)        Budget Comparison    February 2009            

(b)        Current Balances        February 2009                        

Resolved that the reports be noted. 

319.         To consider the payment of all monies on the list of aged creditors to the 17^th March 2009 

Resolved that all monies on the schedule as appended to these minutes be paid. 

320.         To consider the purchase of a 3 hour fire safe to store and protect the burial records, maps and registers in the discounted sum of £1,235.89  

Resolved that a fire safe be purchased for the maximum price of £1,235.89. 

To approve and adopt the Committee report as follows: 

321.         Planning meeting of 23^rd February 2009.

Cllr Holden presented the report of the meeting to Members of the Council and asked for their adoption. 

Resolved: That the report be approved and signed as a true copy. 

Cllr G Summerfield advised that he had asked for the planning application for 61/63 Arthur Street to go to Committee if the Officers are of mind to approve it. 

Resolved that Cllr R Holden will attend the Development Control meeting at Mid Beds or Central Beds to represent the Council if it goes to Committee. 

322.         Planning meeting of 16^th March 2009

Cllr Holden presented the report of the meeting to Members of the Council and asked for their adoption.

Resolved: That the report be approved and signed as a true copy. 

323.         Finance, Policy and General Purposes of 4^th March 2009

Cllr Summerfield presented the report of the meeting to Members of the Council and asked for their adoption. 

Resolved: That the report be approved and signed as a true copy. 

324.         County and District Councillor Communication

County and District Councillor Summerfield advised that with Central Beds starting on 1^st April Councillors are receiving training on planning matters such as minerals and waste. Planning meetings are to be held all day with the mornings dedicated to Minerals and Waste and the afternoons Development Control applications, there will be two meetings a month one at Chicksands dealing with the old Mid Beds area and one in Dunstable dealing with the old South Beds area. 

District Councillor M Smith advised that a number of people are leaving Mid Beds;

John Philippson- Senior Committee Administrator

Peter Jones,                 Licensing Manager

Tony Bowser                Audit Manager

David Sutherland          Chief Finance Officer

Lisa Morrow                  Home Environment Officer

Simon Redmore           Deputy Chief Executive

Catherine Ruvolo          Communications Officer.           

Central Bedfordshire has set a Council Tax increase at 2.5%. Tricia Turner, Leader of Mid Beds has given a radio interview relating to the letter received from Ampthill Town Council relating to the reuse of The Limes and Russell House if premised are needed to relocate staff to as a short term solution. 

Meeting Debriefings: 

325.         Report from the Community Safety Forum meeting of 24^th February 2009. 

Resolved: That the report as appended to these minutes be noted. 

326.         Report from the Action for Market Towns meeting of 2^nd March 2009. 

Resolved: That the report as appended to these minutes be noted.

327.         Report from the Bedfordshire Playing Fields Association  

Resolved: That the report as appended to these minutes be noted. 

328.         Six Monthly Review of the relocated Farmers Market. Report from the meeting held on Friday 27^th February 2009. 

Resolved that the report as appended to these minutes be noted.            

It was further: 

Resolved that the draft Farmers Market posters and flyers be sent to Mid Beds District Council for production. 

329.         To receive Cllr G Pascal’s ideas relating to Around the Pump.

Cllr Pascal advised that Around the Pump is the Town Council’s way of communicating with the residents of Ampthill, to date the January issue has not been uploaded to the Website. Areas of the town are not receiving a copy, these matters need resolving. 

It may be a good exercise to look at how the information is presented and enhance the look of the newsletter.  It is not known how much Corporate Creations gain in revenue for the adverts, the Clerk advised that the advertisement revenue keeps the printing and editorial costs down. It was decided that the key issue was to ensure the newsletter gets delivered to all households.A mailing list is already set up on the website to enable people to request a copy. 

It was therefore: 

Resolved that:

i)           The quote from Oracle in the sum of £200 to £250 to deliver Around the Pump is to be accepted along with the £45 for Corporate Creations Printers to fold the Newsletter into an A5 size for easier delivery.

ii)         The Website needs updating on a regular basis.

iii)         The editorial group is to look at the design on a regular basis. 

331.         To appoint a small Working Group of Councillors to take forward the idea of an event to mark the restoration of Katherine’s Cross linking in with the Aragon Day Committee’s plans. 

Resolved that:

i)           Cllrs G Summerfield, R A D Chappell, R Holden, Mrs M Wright and Mrs M Wilson will take this project forward.

ii)         The Clerk is to advise the Chairman of the Aragon Day Committee, Barry Dackome of the Council’s wish to work with them.     

331.         To receive a copy of the Power to Promote well-being of the area: Statutory guidance for local councils.

Members were provided with a copy of this document. The provision for Power of Well Being extended to Town & Parish Councils came into force on 31^st December 2008. 

The Power can be used to improve the economic, social or environmental well being of the Council’s area.

However there are conditions placed on the eligibility to use the power:

§         A qualified Clerk

§         A minimum of two thirds of vacancies on the Council filled at the last election.

§         Eighty per cent of Councillors trained in the use of the well-being power.

§         Publication of a statement of intent as to community engagement. Ampthill Town Council fills the first two conditions.

The third condition of training is being dealt with via the County Training Partnership via Bedfordshire Association of Town & Parish Councils; details will be received in the near future. 

The Clerk advised that it would be beneficial for the Town Council to have the training first and then decide whether the Council wish to adopt the Power, if this is the case then the power under section 137 of the Local Government Act is removed, the eligibility will start on the date the Council passes the resolution and ends on the day before the Annual Meeting in a year of ordinary elections. 

Money has to be raised via Precept for any projects the Council may wish to use this Power for. 

Resolved that the Clerk advises Louise Ashmore that the Town Council would like training on the Power of Well Being.  

332.         To receive a consultation document on the updated Mapping Project for the Mid Beds Cycle route. Comments are to be sent back to the Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity by 31^st March. 

Resolved that:

i)          The cycle route number 1 goes straight through the Town Centre and is not practicable due to the narrow roads.

ii)         BRCC could talk to SUSTRAN and try to establish a precedent for a cycle route from the back of Ampthill Park linking up with the Forest Centre in Marston Mortaine.

ii)         Members are to provide the Clerk with any other comments by 27^th March. 

333.         To consider hiring the BRCC RAVE BUS for a four hour period on a Friday in the Summer School Holidays to be in Ampthill Park for the Alameda School age young people. The hire fee will be £150.

In Democracy Week the students at Alameda School voiced their disappointment that there was nothing for them to do in the Town. At the time the Clerk said she would look to see what could be provided, not as a long term, but as some activity during the summer holidays. 

The Rave bus can be hired and used as a Youth Meeting place; it has Freeview television, DVD and CD facilities and can accommodate 15 at a time. The Clerk has approached Katy Henman at Mid Beds District Council and she is sure that a Youth Officer will be able to assist on the day.  If the Council are of a mind to hire the bus, the Clerk will arrange a meeting between the School Council and the Youth Officer and we can work out a range of activities.

 Resolved that the Council support this project with the funding being taken from Other Donations budget. 

334.         Correspondence

·      Local Government Review - March 2009.

·      Direct Information Service issue 703

·      Town & Parish STANDARD, the Standards Board for England, issue 4

·      Bedfordshire Bugle - March 2009

·      Advance notice of Public Meeting to be held by Nadine Dorries M.P. with the purpose to evaluate intended development in Mid Bedfordshire on 6^th May, 8.00pm start at Woburn Safari Park. Further details to follow.

·        Bedfordshire Bugle March 2009

·        Copy of minutes from the Ampthill Community Safety Group 

Resolved that the Clerk contacts David Martin at Waitrose to enquire why the Town Council were told they could not have the 28^th March, but now appears to be free for the Community Safety Group. The Town Council still wish to hold a Councillors Surgery on 28^th March. 

·        Correspondence from Ampthill Community Safety Group suggesting additional CCTV coverage along Woburn Street.

·        Mid Beds District Council – offer of an Ornamental Pear tree to commemorate the partnership working between them and the Town Council. Acceptance required before 27^th March. 

Resolved that the Town Council accept the offer of a tree to be placed in the Burial Ground. 

·        Mid Beds District Council- invitation for a representative from the Town Council to attend a tree planting ceremony at Priory House Chicksands to commemorate Mid Beds District Council. 

Resolved that Councillor Summerfield will attend, Councillor Holden will act as a substitute if necessary. 

335.         Press Releases 

Resolved that a press release will be prepared relating to the joint activities on Aragon Day to mark the restoration of Katherine’s Cross.     

336.         To consider a motion to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting. 

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

337.         To approve the confidential minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 21^st February 2009 page 89.

This minute is appended for Members only

338.         To approve the confidential minutes of the Staffing Panel meeting held on 25^th February 2009

This minute is appended for Members only.  

339.         To receive a report from the Town Council Working Party of 28^th February 2009.

This minute is appended for Members only. 

340.         To receive a report from the Town Council Working Party of 7^th March 2009.

This minute is appended for Members only. 

341.    To receive the Feedback Form for actions taken from Working Groups

This minute is appended for Members only. 

342.        To receive correspondence in relation to legal issues

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.05pm  

CHAIRMAN                                                      DATED