| Town Council minutes 20 May 2009 |
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Subject to adoption at the Town Council meeting being held on 17th June 2009 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF AMPTHILL TOWN COUNCIL held at the Council Offices,66 Dunstable Street, Ampthill on Wednesday 20th May 2009 at 7.35pm Present: Councillors: Cllr R Holden (Chairman), Mrs A M Wright, Mrs S Bacon, R A D Chappell, P Duckett, P A Eversley, Mrs P K Foster, M A Smith, G Pascal, G Summerfield, R Tebbutt, Mrs M E Wilson and Dawn Sutherns, Clerk. Also present were P.C Element, PCSO Liddon and Mr & Mrs Ellliot from Ampthill & District Photography Club. 1. Apologies Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs M Wright (on holiday). 2. Period of Public Participation There were no members of the public present. 3. To receive a report from a representative of Bedfordshire Police P.C Element advised that PCSO Leigh Iddon is helping out as the due to holidays and long term sickness the team has no PCSO at the moment. P.C Element then went on to give the following information:· Anti Social Behaviour have fallen since last month from 7 to 5 incidents.· Recorded Crime incidents have reduced by eleven to 21.· House Burglaries incidents reduced by three to one.· Thefts of motor vehicles have stayed the same with one incident this month.· Thefts from motor vehicles have stayed the same at one incident this month, a theft of a handbag.· Violent crime incidents have reduced from five to three. Included in these incidents was one of a domestic nature and an incident occurring on Station Road where the culprit has been arrested.· Criminal damage incidents have increased by three to thirteen including things being thrown off the bridge across the A507, a window being broken, damage to a tyre on a vehicle and damage to a Police cell by someone in custody.· Other burglaries have reduced by two to two incidents. · Theft etc shows a decrease on last month of six from fourteen to eight. There is a spate of thefts of plant tubs and hanging baskets, a pedal cycle, a garden fork and some aftershave have also been stolen.· Drugs incidents remain at three, street cautions have been given for an incident in Station Road and a person in Police Custody was found to be in possession of drugs.· There has been alcohol ceased in Ampthill Park.· A £30 fixed penalty ticket has been issued to a person who consistently parks in a restricted area. The CCTV system has assisted in detecting a number of incidents resulting in two arrests that can be attributed as a direct link from the monitoring station at Stevenage. Incidents caught on the cameras so far include:Youths trying to open shop doors, two males chasing a third, males arguing with door staff at the White Hart Hotel, a window being broken, a drunk male trying to gain access to the White Hart Hotel and the location of a vulnerable person. The Door Staff at the White Hart Hotel are now wearing yellow jackets in order that they are easily identified by the camera monitoring operators. The Youth Night Club has been held again and twenty attended, there are three more dates lined up for further events. P.C Element then asked the Council to think about whether they could identify an area where young people can have some bike jumps. Resolved that this matter be given to the Youth Working Group to consider. A questions and answers session then took place with the following information being given: · It is not pleasing to see drug incidents in the Town, but it is pleasing to see the perpetrator has been caught.· Members are delighted to see that the benefits are being seen of the CCTV system, the results given are showing that the whole of the community is being cared for and it was the right thing to do for the town and the residents of Ampthill. The CCTV makes the town a safer place foe everyone. · The Police structure has been reorganised in line with the boundaries of Central Bedfordshire, the team is lead by Inspector T Cooling, there are five Sergeants running the Biggleswade and Ampthill Stations. C.I.D is retuning to the Ampthill Station and the Safer Neighbourhood Team is moving into the Citizone building. · Requests have been made for Police presence at Millbrook Church Fete on 13th June and on Woburn Street on Aragon Day 25th July. P.C Element advised that he now works shifts and is not able to say whether he will be available, all requests now go through to Sergeant N Denham. · Vehicles are still be parked close to the junction of roads. P.C Element advised that a recent court case ruled in favour of “creating an unnecessary obstruction” for a recent example of this type of parking. P.C Element is to find out more about the case. · A local Royal Mail employee insists on riding a bicycle on the pavements through the Town. P.C Element advised he would write to the Royal Mail office to raise this issue. 4. To receive and record declarations of interest, whether personal or prejudicial Cllr P Duckett declared a personal interest in the item concerning the Rotary’s request to share the Christmas tree for a Tree of Light as he is member of the Rotary Club. 5. Town Mayor's Announcements The past Mayor Cllr G Summerfield gave details of the events he had attended during the first half of May.1 8th April Luton Mayors Dinner. 19th April Ampthill’s Mayor’s Charity Lunch. 26th April Biggleswade Civic Service. 29th April Central Bedfordshire Council Conference for Town & Parish Councils. 1st May Progressive Dinner. 3rd May Houghton Regis Civic Service. 6th May Diane Ingle’s President’s Day. Diane has been appointed President of Bowls England. 9th May Flitwick Mayor’s Casino night.10th May am Arlesey Civic Service. 10th May pm Sandy Civic Service. 11th May Leighton Linslade Mayor’s Farewell Dinner. 13th May Houghton Regis Charity Dinner. 16th May The Frog Race, this raised approx £1,600 towards Cllr Summerfield’s Charities, Houghton Close Surgery has already received £1,500 for a blood pressure machine and Greensand Surgery has received £1,400 towards a treatment table. 17th May Ampthill Lions Charity Lunch. 6. Minutes of the Council meeting held on 15th April 2009 pages 101 to 109 The minutes having been circulated to Members prior to the meeting were taken as read and signed as a true copy. Matters arising from previous minutes for note. 7. Power of Well Being Training (see minute no 352) The training session has been rearranged for 30th June 2009, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, it is imperative that 80%, i.e.10 Councillors are present for the training. Apologises have been received from Cllr Mrs Bacon as she will be away on holiday. 8. Nottingham Rooms (see minute no 370) Mr Carr, the Town Councils Handyman, has provided a report on the work he considers necessary to bring the Nottingham Rooms up to a decent standard. As there will be a cost implication the Council may wish for the work to be costed out, painting would be able to come out of maintenance and repair, but replacement flooring and cupboards may need to wait until next year. Cllr Mrs P Foster advised that the Parkside Management Committee have decided that they will not be able to fund the Rebuilding of Parkside Hall and are considering refurbishment. Resolved: i) that Mr Carr be asked to look at the Fascia boards to see if they need attention. ii) Quotes are to be obtained for the maintenance and repair work from local traders. iii) This matter is to be placed on the Parks, Open Space and Burial Ground Committee agenda for the meeting on 3rd June. 9. Parkside Parking (see minute no 372) Cllr Mrs P Foster advised that the advice from the Village Halls Adviser at BRCC was that the parking areas should be kept free for users of the Hall and therefore it was not felt that a meeting to discuss using the car park for overspill for the town was necessary. 10. To hold a discussion with Ampthill & District Camera Club relating to their application for a grant under section 145 of the Local Government Act 1972 in the sum of £500 to support an open day on 6th June and further consideration of awarding a grant. Mr & Mrs Elliot gave a presentation on three aspects: · The Club, The Vision for the Exhibition and The Exhibition itself. Members then asked questions gaining the following information: · Younger people are included in the membership. · The Exhibition could be held in Ampthill in other years rather than Millbrook. · Cllr G Pascal offered to help. · Prints could be sold to help with the costs · Members live in Ampthill, Flitwick, Silsoe and Clophill. After discussion it was: Resolved that the sum of £500 be given as a donation towards the Exhibition however should the event not be held in Ampthill next year it is unlikely that another donation would be forthcoming. 11. Treasurer’s Report Current Balances as at 30th April 2009. Resolved the report as appended to these minutes be noted. 12. To consider the Budget comparison of expenditure and income against estimates month 1 Members were provided with a copy of the estimates showing the expenditure and income for month one against the budget, as appended to these minutes. Resolved the report as appended to these minutes be noted. 13. To consider the payment of all monies on the list of Supplier Invoices Due to the 19th May 2009 Members were provided with a copy of the list of Supplier invoices due as appended to these minutes. Resolved that: i) All monies on the list be paid. ii) The Clerk investigates the cost of an alternative Accounts and Payroll provider as the support costs from SAGE are increasing. iii) An request is to be made to Paul Harney for permission for five brackets and hanging baskets to be placed outside the new shop units on Bedford Street. 14. To receive a copy of the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2009 Members were provided with a copy of the Statement of Accounts as appended to these minutes, these figures have been approved by the Internal Auditor. Resolved that the Statement of Accounts be approved and be signed by the Mayor and that the Internal Auditors report dated May 2009 be accepted. 15. To receive a copy of the current Asset Register. Members were provided with a copy of the current Asset Register. The Clerk advised that the Insurance Schedule covering the year 6th June 2009 to 5th June 2010 will be amended to reflect the insurance values shown in the Asset Register as prepared by the District Valuation Office. Resolved that the Clerk raises an enquiry with the District Valuer as to why assets shown as community asset at £1 are then given a value under land rental. To approve and adopt the Committee report as follows: 16. Finance Policy and General Purposes Committee of 6th May 2009. Pages 1 to 3Councillor Summerfield presented the report and asked for its adoption. Resolved that the report be amended to show Cllr G Pascal’s attendance, the report was then adopted as amended. Councillor Holden then asked for Councillors to form a Working Group to compile a Business Plan for the Town Council it was: Resolved that Cllrs Mrs S Bacon, Mrs P Foster, R Tebbutt and G Pascal form the Business Plan Working Group and meet to draw up a plan to bring back to the Finance Policy and General Purposes Committee. 17. Highway Safety Working Group of 20th April 2009 Pages 1 to 4. Councillor Summerfield presented the report and asked for its adoption. Resolved that the report be adopted. 18. Written Meeting Debriefings · Central Bedfordshire Council Town & Parish Councils Conference of 29th April 2009 Resolved that the report be noted. · BEAR Project joint Councils meeting of 5th May 2009. Resolved that the report be noted. Members were advised that Cllrs Summerfield and Holden attended the Central Bedfordshire Council Executive meeting at Dunstable where the option to purchase the land at Rookery Pit was being considered. There was no representation from any other Town or Parish Council’s. A debate was carried out over fifty minutes and the decision was taken to take up the option to purchase. Resolved that: i) The information that Ampthill Town Council is still active on this matter is to be placed on the website. ii) A further meeting of local Councils is to be held after the elections in June. 19. To consider a request from Ampthill & District Rotary Club to share the Town Council’s Christmas Tree as a Tree of Light again this Christmas, sharing the donations between the Mayors Charities and their own chosen Charities. Members were pleased to receive this request and it was: Resolved that the offer is accepted with open arms. 20. Correspondence a) CPRE Bedfordshire Matters - Spring/Summer 2009. b) Central News – Nos 1 & 2 c) Clerks and Councils Direct - May 2009 d) Direct Information Service issue nos 706 & 707 e) The Playing Fields – Spring 2009 f) Bedfordshire Bugle May 2009. Copy provided for Members.The Town Council’s Deputy Clerk has been given recognition for passing her CILCA qualification. Resolved that the Deputy Clerk be rewarded with a £416 salary increase, this is half an increment on the salary scales. 21. Consideration of whether any Press Releases are to be made. Members raised the following items for Press Releases. i) New Town Mayor and Retiring Mayor ii) Tree of Light iii) CCTV – P.C. Element is to be asked to provide a short report. iv) The Clerk is to forward Mr C Garrand’s report on Katherine’s Cross to Cllr Pascal. 22. Cllr Mrs Wilson then passed the following motion “That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted relating to staff and financial matters, it is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be temporarily excluded and that they are instructed to withdraw” To approve and adopt the confidential minutes of the following meetings: 23. Town Council meeting held on 15th 2008 page 110 This minute is appended for Members only. 24. Report of the Highway Safety Group meeting held on 20th April page 5 This minute is appended for Members only. 25. Report of the Staffing Panel meeting of 13th May 2009 This minute is appended for members only. 26. To receive correspondence in relation to a property matter. This minute is appended for members only. 27. To receive correspondence in relation to land ownership This minute is appended for members only. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.45pm. CHAIRMAN DATED |