Town Council mins 18 Nov 09

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF

AMPTHILL TOWN COUNCIL

held at the Council Offices,

66 Dunstable Street, Ampthill

on Wednesday 18^th November 2009 at 7.30pm

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

Also present were P.C Element, Kristina Gisonni, the Licensing Officer for the Police, one member of public and three representatives from Flitwick and Ampthill Sea Cadets.

165. Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllr G Summerfield (another commitment) and Mrs P K Foster (work commitment).

166. Period of Public Participation

Mrs A Vickers addressed the Council on her concern regarding cyclists using the pavements in the Town Centre causing a safety issue to pedestrians.

Cllr Holden advised that this is an issue that the Town Council has discussed previously and asked P.C Element to give the legal stance on this matter.

P.C. Element advised that if a Police officer sees an older child, teenager or adult riding on the footpath they will approach them and get them to get off and push their bikes or ride on the carriageway.

There is dispensation for up to a certain age and size of wheels that is supposed to ensure that young children are allowed to ride on the footpaths, but unfortunately some adult size bikes now have small wheels i.e. BMX bikes.

P.C. Element advised that it was best to leave the Police to deal with any offenders.

It was advised that Post men and women will be given vans to deliver post next year so they will not be using bikes as much.

P.C Element will arrange for this message of safety to be raised in talks at Redborne School as the school is already involved in a bike safety campaign.

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

Cllr Mrs Wright declared an interest in the item concerning the Visitors Centre as her husband is the Architect.

168. To receive and record declarations of interest of a prejudicial nature

Cllr Mrs Wright declared an interest in the item concerning the Visitors Centre as her husband is the Architect.

169. To receive a report from a representative of Bedfordshire Police

P.C Element gave the following information on crime figures for October:

Anti Social Behaviour has fallen since last month from 43 to 16 incidents.
Recorded Crime incidents have reduced by two to 22.
House Burglaries increased by two incidents
There have been three incidents of thefts of motor vehicles this month.
Thefts from motor vehicles have increased. People are still leaving valuables on show.
Two violent crime incidents have been recorded as two, two people have been arrested. The person assaulted has advised that he does wish to press charges.
Other burglaries have reduced by one to two incidents.
Theft etc shows a decrease on last month from ten to six.
Drugs incidents remain at three, an arrest has been made for possession of heroin and cocaine.
Criminal damage has been caused to two windows in Dunstable Street.

Speed checks have been carried out in Maulden Road and Church Street, three cautions have been given. The Speed Indication Device has also been used in Church Street and five 176’s tickets have been given.

P.C Element was asked to give some attention to the inconsiderate parking in Sidney Road.

P.C Element advised that he had received e-mails from a Councillor concerning matters happening in the Town Centre on the evening of the Firework Display and invited members to discuss this.

The following information was given:

Any altercations cannot be directly linked to one establishment.
People getting out of taxis with cans of alcohol, the Police will speak to the taxi drivers and advise them they should not be letting people in their vehicles with opened cans of alcohol.
People walking along with glasses, the Police will advise Licensees at the next Pubwatch meeting to be vigilant of this.
People urinating in the street, this should be reported at the time it happens and then the Police would be able to gain CCTV images as this is a criminal act.
The area around the back of Cheeseman’s Chemist is always being used as a toilet area and traders in the area always have to clear up. P.C Element asked that the gates be closed to prevent this.
No action can be taken on a review of licences until firm evidence is obtained. There would only be one chance of success and it is better to work with the Licensee to find a way forward, this process has already been started by the Ampthill Community Safety Group.
Restaurants may be serving alcohol to under age people- The Police are working with Trading Standards in establishments in Flitwick and Ampthill to try and tackle this.
Government guidelines state that Public Houses should stagger closing times, when all the Public Houses closed in Ampthill at the same time as recently as five years ago the problems in the Town Centre were much worse.

P.C Element advised that after the Fireworks Display there was a group of teenagers gathering in the children’s play area in the park, a lot of alcohol was seized, names taken and letters will be sent to parents. Officers were present in the Town and there were no fights or damage caused during this evening.

The following action was suggested:

John Plummer, Chairman of the Ampthill Safety Group is to be asked to prepare an article on Pubwatch and give people the number to call if they see any problems; 01234 841212, this can then be placed in the next edition of Around the Pump.

Cllr Holden then gave thanks to P.C Element and his team for their help and support at the three community events this last month; the Fireworks Display, Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. P.C Element advised that he would be in attendance on 29^th November at the Switch On of the Christmas Lights and he has two PCSO’s on standby.

170. Town Mayor's Announcements

Cllr R Holden gave details of the events he had attended during the past month.

23^rd October Alameda School Democracy Day.
25^th October Flitwick Town Council’s Civic Service.
26^th October Beds & Luton Fire & Rescue Service Presentation of Awards
27^th October The University of Bedford Degree Ceremony
6^th November Reception for the Deputy Mayor of Nissan-Lez- Enserune.
6^th November The Firework Display in Ampthill Park
11^th November The two minutes silence on the Market Square.
15^th November Dunstable Town Council’s Civic Service
15^th November Young People of the Year Awards at Woburn Abbey

171. Minutes of the Council meeting held on 21^st October pages 48 to 53

The minutes having been circulated to Members prior to the meeting

An amendment is to be made to minute no 157 to insert Parks, Open Spaces and Burial Ground instead of Planning committee.

They were taken as read and signed as a true copy.

Matters arising from previous minutes for note.

172. To consider purchasing a permanent sign (see minute 154)

At the Park Management Advisory Meeting held on 26^th October it was felt that a positive slant should be placed on the permanent signs, the wording has been changed to:

“Welcome to our Country Park, we are lucky to have a number of different wildlife species living here and we suggest that dogs are kept under close control for the safety of both the dogs and the wildlife"

173. Planning Committee held on Wednesday 23^rd September 2009 (see minute no 156)

The letter has been sent to Anne Sammė, Planning Officer to raise the Council’s concern over their comments not being heard on the application for football pitches adjacent to A507, there has been no reply to date.

174. Fencing along Kings Arms Path

No action has been taken to repair or replace the chain link fencing along the boundary of the White Hart and people are getting caught on it. The Clerk will contact Punch Taverns again.

175. To receive a presentation from the Flitwick and Ampthill Sea Cadets to support the request for a donation.

Leading Cadet Beetle and Leading Cadet Newton gave a presentation which provided the following information:

The existing boat is getting old and needs a lot of maintenance.
The existing boat is very heavy
Younger Cadets are unable to carry the boat or get into it easily as it is designed for adults.
There is no funding from the Ministry of Defence for the Sea Cadets.
As a Charity the Sea Cadets have to do fundraising and their normal fundraising will take too long to obtain enough to purchase a new boat for £2,331.
Grants are also being sought from Flitwick Town Council and Ampthill Lions.

Cllr Holden thanked the Cadets for their presentation and advised how impressed he had been when he had visited the unit earlier in the year.

Cllr Mrs Wilson congratulated the Cadets for their informative presentation.

Donations

176. Request for a grant from Flitwick and Ampthill Sea Cadets in the sum of £750 towards the cost of a new rowing boat, under section 137 Of the Local Government Act 1972 (Free Resource)

After receiving the presentation Members were happy to:

Resolve that the sum of £750 be granted to Flitwick and Ampthill Sea Cadets.

177. Our Marston Vale

Cllr Pascal advised that the Action Group had decided that to encompass a wider audience a coalition group be formed that could discuss any issues concerning the Marston Vale area as they arise.

Resolved that Ampthill Town Council join the coalition.

178. Treasurer’s Report

Current Balances as at 31^st October 2009

Resolved the report as appended to these minutes be noted.

179. To consider the Budget comparison of expenditure and income against estimates month 7 – October

Members were provided with a copy of the estimates showing the expenditure and income for month seven against the budget, as appended to these minutes.

Resolved the report as appended to these minutes be noted.

180. To consider the payment of all monies on the list of Supplier Invoices Due to the 19^th May 2009

Members were provided with a copy of the list of Supplier invoices due as appended to these minutes.

Resolved that all monies on the payment sheets be paid.

181. To receive the half year internal audit report from Landers Accountants.

Members were provided with a copy of the half year report as appended to these minutes.

Resolved:

i) That the report be noted.

ii) That the Clerk be congratulated on keeping the financial records to the satisfaction of the Internal Auditors.

182. To approve the Fixed Price Agreement fee for next year’s Internal Audit from Landers Accountants in the sum of £3,500 , which is a nil increase on 2009/2010 fees.

Resolved that the fee be accepted at £3,500.

To approve and adopt the Committee and Working Group report as follows:

183. The Highways Safety Group meeting held on 21^st October 2009

Cllr Holden presented the report of the Highways Safety Group meeting held on 21^st October 2009 and asked for its adoption.

Resolved that the report be adopted.

184. Farmers Market Working Group meeting held on 27^th October 2009

Cllr Holden presented the report of the Farmers Market Working Group meeting held on 27^th October 2009 and asked for its adoption.

Resolved that the report be adopted.

185. Financial Working Group meeting held on 28^th October 2009.

Cllr R Holden presented the report of the Financial Working Group meeting held on 28^th October 2009 and asked for its adoption

Resolved that:

i) The report be adopted.

ii) A Councillor is trained alongside the Staff on the new financial package.

186. Youth Working Group meeting held on 28^th October 2009.

Cllr R Holden presented the report of the Youth Working Group meeting held on 28^th October 2009 and asked for its adoption.

Cllr P Eversley is to be added to those in attendance.

Resolved that the report be adopted

187. Pride in Ampthill Meeting held on 28^th October 2009.

Cllr Holden presented the report of the Pride in Ampthill Meeting held on 28^th October 2009 and asked for its adoption.

Cllr Mrs M Wright is be removed from those in attendance

Resolved that:

i) The report be adopted

ii) The light on Picture Corner is still out; this is to be reported again.

188. Finance, Policy and General Purposes meeting held on 4^th November 2009. pages 1 & 2.

Cllr R Holden presented the report of the Finance Policy and General Purposes meeting held on 4^th November 2009 and asked for its adoption

An amendment is to be made to minute 4 to include the following wording:

“Cllr Tebbutt will talk to the Greensand Trust and bring this back to the Town Council to work with the car parking scheme in total”

Resolved that the report be adopted as amended.

189. Planning meeting held on Monday 9^th November 2009.

Cllr R Holden presented the report of the Planning meeting held on 9^th November 2009 as asked for its adoption.

Resolved that the report be adopted

Cllr S Bacon advised that the Committee’s suggestion for the name of Burgess Court to be used for the development on Oliver Street has been accepted by the Developer.

A Member advised that Central Government has plans to fast track applications for wind turbines.

Resolved that an agenda item be placed for the next Planning Committee to advise Central Beds on the Council’s objections to this move.

190. Report of a joint meeting held between Town Councillors and REVAMP held on 11^th November 2009.

Cllr R Holden presented the report of the joint meeting held between Town Councillors and REVAMP held on 11^th November 2009.

Resolved that the report be adopted.

Cllr M Smith advised that he had heard today that WREN will no longer be funding any rebuilds, but may still consider renovations; this may have an effect on the Parkside hall plans.

191. Written Meeting Debriefings

Report from the REVAMP meeting held on 8^th October 2009

BATPC meeting of Central Bedfordshire Local Strategic Partnership Board held on 22^nd September 2009

Ampthill Community Safety Forum held on 5^th October 2009.

Ampthill Community Safety Group held on 13^th October 2009.

Ampthill Park Management Advisory meeting held on 26^th October 2009

Resolved that all report be noted.

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

There were no recommendations arising.

193. To consider a request to hold another Doggie Day Out event in 2010

Members had been provided with a copy of the proposal as appended to these minutes.

A discussion took place with the following comments being made:

Last year’s was a successful day, but it was too widely advertised and the car parking could not cope.
The event was turned into a national event rather than a local event and this is not to be encouraged this year.
This year’s event should be kept to a more modest affair.
A charge will be made this year for use of the park
A donation will be sought to come directly to the Town Council for use of the park.
The numbers attending are to be restricted; this could be achieved by selling tickets.
A confirmed car park plan is to be submitted to the Town Council.
Copies of any licences are to be submitted to the Town Council.
A Risk Assessment and Health and Safety Audit are also to be submitted to the Town Council.

These conditions are the same for any major event taking place in the park i.e. the Festival and the Firework Display.

After this discussion it was:

Resolved that Cllr R Holden, Mrs M Wilson and the Clerk meet with the Greensand Trust as soon as possible to talk the matter through and report back to the Town Council at the December meeting.

194. To consider supporting the Christmas Tree Festival in St Andrew’s Church, Saturday 5^th December 10.00am to 5.30pm and Sunday 6^th December 11am to 5.00pm. Entry charge £2.50.

Resolved that Cllrs Mrs Wilson and R Tebbutt will dress a tree for the festival based on the theme of Working Together.

195. To approve the placing of an order for OMEGA Financial Director accounts package in the sum of £1,705, additional costs: £1,596 for 4 days staff training, £672 for software support and maintenance (per annum) and travel costs at 35p per mile (approx £270) total cost £4,248. The invoice will be received for payment in the next financial year.

Resolved that an order be placed.

196. The Boundary Commission Committee for England- review of Central Bedfordshire

A total of 59 Councillors is proposed for Central Bedfordshire, any representations are to be sent by 11^th January 2010.

A Member made the following comment:

That he objects to the system that is based on urban conurbations rather than rural areas. It would be wrong to reduce the number of people representing these smaller areas. Minority groups in outlying villages are not being reached at the moment and this will become worse if elected representation is reduced.

Resolved that any further comments be forwarded to the Clerk before Christmas and she will then forward them to the Boundary Committee.

197. Correspondence

Direct Information Service issues 720 and 721

Bedfordshire Bugle copied for Members

Resolved that the Clerk obtains details on the funding for transport notice boards under the Local Transport improvement grants scheme

Central Bedfordshire Local Bus Review- copied for Members

Resolved that an article is placed in the next Around the Pump to bring this matter to resident’s attention, comments can then be collated by the Town Council to forward on to Central Bedfordshire Council.

Winter Salting – radio broadcast heard by Cllr Holden

Cllr Holden had heard a radio broadcast in which Cllr David McVicar of Central Bedfordshire advised that if not enough salt is available this winter they will have to concentrate on A roads.

Resolved that a letter is sent to Central Bedfordshire

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

Resolved that an article be drawn up with regards to the grant made to the Flitwick and Ampthill Sea Cadets.

199. 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: