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Town Council - Council Minutes
Minutes of the April meeting of this Council held at the Council Chamber Broad Street on Monday 16 April 2007 at 8pm.
Clls Evans (in the chair), Caswell, Fisher, Groom, Jermy, Jervis, Palin, Warnes, R Went, Wolfenden and Woods.
Also present were The Press and 2 members of the public.
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from Clls Curtis, Derges and S Went
2. Interests
No Interests were declared.
3. Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2007 were approved and duly signed.
4. Matters arising
Cll Evans reported that Mr C Reeve was reviewing the Town Plan
information.
The Clerk reported that Suffolk County Council (SCC) highways were
considering matters relating to the 15 July street closure.
Cll Evans noted that the Waveney Economic Partnership did not support a
Bungay Bypass.
Cll Evans noted that the abandoned cycle had been removed.
Cll R Went reported that the service road to the Bowls Club had now been
repaired.
5. Correspondence
Mrs L Wolton, a Ditchingham resident, expressing concern about economic development issues relating to Bungay. Cll Evans had replied as Town Mayor.
SCC concerning proposals for a unitary council for Ipswich.
Copy letter to District Council Chief Executives from Department for Communities and Local Government about proposals for future unitary structures.
Bungay Outney Common Owners declining to put a sign at the entrance to the road to
the Common car parks showing that public parking was permitted on the parking area
adjacent to the golf club members parking area. The Council had requested this to
prevent public parking on the approach to this road. The Owners suggested that 'no
parking' restrictions should be enforced at the entrance. This matter will be followed
up at the Common Owners AGM.
Town Plan report from Mr Reeve.
Suffolk Acre renewal for 2007/2008 at a cost of £20.00. This was agreed.
SCC giving notice of road closure of part of Southend Road between 23 April and 3
May to allow utility works.
WDC giving notice of District Council elections on 3 May 2007 and WDC detailing
requirements relating to these elections.
Mr Limmer who visited the Fisher Theatre recently and noted the poor outlook from
the bar area. This was caused by bins outside the property opposite. It was noted that
as these were believed to be on private land and there was no other place to put them
it was difficult to see how this problem could be addressed.
SCC who were seeking information about exercise provision for adults and older
people.
Bungay in Bloom and Bungay Festival seeking grants. To be considered to the
Finance & General Purposes Committee(F&GPC).
WDC advising that the new property in Tower Mill Road would be numbered 20a.
SCC advising further consultation on the mineral development plan.
WDC advising development of a play strategy.
Audit Commission advising appointment of Lubbock Fine as external auditor to
Bungay Town Council.
WDC Section 106 report. To be considered by F&GPC.
6. To consider plans received, receive a report from the Planning Committee and
receive planning decisions from WDC
The following plans were considered:-
DC/07/0823 & 0824/LBC, Mr J Hartcup, listed building consent, construction of a garage for cycle/refuse storage and extension of amenity space, Crown Court, Cross Street. Refusal recommended . Proposals represent overdevelopment of this area resulting in loss of car parking space to the detriment of the commercial and residential units at Crown Court.
DC/07/0752/CCC, Suffolk County Council, consultation relating to the creation of synthetic grass area and extension of hard surface play area, St Edmunds County Primary School, St Marys Street. Approval recommended.
DC/07/0800/FUL, T-Mobile UK Ltd, installation of a 20m timber telecommunications mast with cabinets, site rear of Utilux(UK) Ltd, Hillside Road East. Approval recommended.
DC/07/083 3/FUL, Mr & Mrs R Tovell, construction of a single-storey, front extension and erection of a rear conservatory, 10 Mountbatten Rd. Approval recommended.
The Planning Committee met on 2 April 2007. Present were Clls Evans, Fisher, Palin, Warnes and Wolfenden.
The following plans were considered :-
DC/07/073 2/FUL, Mr & Mrs D Sinden, construction of a house, site to the west of 9 Wharton Street. Refusal recommended. The appearance of the proposed dwelling with its vertically dominant front elevation and narrow, high dimensions considered to be out of keeping with residential property in this conservation area location and to represent overdevelopment of the site. While the proposed boundary wall with the Wharton Street car park was a distinct improvement the proposed dwelling presents a stark and unattractive elevation on the car park side. It was also considered that the proposed dwelling, given its height, is too close to Trinity Villa harming the amenities of the occupiers of this property in terms of sunlight, outlook and privacy to an unacceptable degree.
DC/07/0717/FUL, Mr & Mrs L Moller, construction of a single storey rear extention, Orchard House, Upland Hall Farm Rd. Approval recommended.
DC/07/0728/FUL, Mr D Robinson, construction of a 2 storey side extension and single storey rear extension, 132 Hillside Road West. Approval recommended.
The Committee received information about the changes in planning services in the Broads from 1 April 2007 and the Heritage Protection White paper.
The following planning decisions were received from WDC:-
DC/06/1298/FUL, Mr R Youngs, construction of a single storey side extension, The
Lodge, Castle Orchard. Approved.
DC/06/1338/ADI, Lloyds TSB, replacement of illuminated fascia board and provision
of a hanging sign, 11 Market Place. Approved.
DC/07/0509/LBC, Lady Beecham, internal and external alterations and repairs, 17
Earsham St. Approved.
DC/06/1292/FUL, J W Munnings, construction of 2 semi detached 2 storey dwellings,
plots 5 & 6, adjacent to the former Watch House PH, Beccles Rd. Refused.
7. To receive a report from the Finance & General Purposes Committee.
The meeting was held on 4 April 2007. Present were Clls Evans, Fisher, Palin,
B Warnes, R Went and S Woods. Apologies were received from Clls Groom, Jermy
& S Went.
It was agreed that a timetable would be set for moving the Town Plan forward. It was
anticipated that councillors and others would be asked to lead on particular aspects.
The following cheque was approved for payment and cheques duly signed:-
Mr A Newberry, Riverside and litter pick, £81.60.
Cll Evans reported that WDC were proposing to hold a meeting for town and parish
councillors at Lowestoft on 12 April 2007.
It was suggested that the current working
arrangements with Ian Gregory were a excellent model for joint Town Council/WDC
working.
Cll Woods said that he would speak to Cll Bee about the possibility of
putting in place similar arrangements for other areas of mutual interest.
8. Traffic Committee
This committee met on 4 April 2007. Present were Cll Evans, Fisher, Jervis, Palin, Warnes, R Went and Woods. Apologies were received from Clls Groom, Jermy and S Went.
Information was received from SCC of proposed amendments to advance HGV signing. These were approved but it was noted that there was still a need for change to the sign by the roundabout at the end of Broad Street, to show that there was no access for southbound HGVs.
It was agreed that Mr McGregor of SCC be invited to view traffic in the town and speak to the Council. Dates in late May would be offered.
It was announced that a special meeting would be held on 1st May 2007 primarily to consider the 2006/2007 accounts and to deal with any plans received. No committee meetings would be held on the 7th May because this would be after the elections but before the Annual Meeting of the Council which would be held on the 21st May.
9. Riverside Centre Report
The Clerk reported on a letter received from Bungay Area Community Transport (BACT). They requested that the Council reconsider the division of the refuse collection charge between those using the Riverside Centre. They currently pay half of this and consider that they should not pay more than a third of the WDC quarterly charge. They also commented that the proposed new arrangements for door opening seemed cumbersome and considered that it would be more economical to repair the current system.
The Clerk reported that the current door control unit had been replaced once and now needed replacing again, all this in a 18 month period. Although the Council would not have to pay to replace the current unit because it had only recently been fitted, funding future possible replacements at about £300 a time appeared to be an unacceptable option for the Council as the current system was installed solely for the use of BACT and added a further complication for occasional users of the Centre.
It was not considered that the proposed new system would be cumbersome to operate as it would utilise the existing remote door opening system and would allow those in the BACT office to view those seeking entry.
10. Police Report
No police report was available. Cll Evans reported on vandalism at the Sandy which had been reported to the Norfolk police. He hoped that Suffolk police could mount occasional patrols on the Suffolk side to deter incidents.
11. Civic Evening
Councillors were reminded about the arrangements for the Civic Evening and Award presentations at the Community Centre on Friday 20 April. Tickets, priced £10.00 were available. A raffle would be held for the benefit of Bungay in Bloom. The Town Mayor reported that he had distributed his annual allowance to various local charitable causes..
12. Council Representatives
Cll Jervis reported from the Joint Tourist Committee that the new Bigod Way leaflet
was available. He thanked Committee members for their help in the production of this
popular leaflet.
Cll Warne's said that the Christmas Lights Committee were seeking ideas for a
central display.
Cll Fisher said that the Festival Committee would be finalising the programme on the
30 April.
Cll Caswell said that the printed programme should be available by the date
of the Garden Fair.
Cll Wolfenden reported on the official opening of the latest piece of the equipment at
the skate park.
Cll Evans said that he was still awaiting a date for a further meeting with SCC and
WDC about the Honeypot plans.
13. County Councillors Report
Cll Rose reported that he had spoken to Keith Sampson of SCC about the timetable
for dealing with the waiting limit proposals. Mr Sampson appreciated that
consideration would be delayed because of the elections. Cll Woods suggested that
initial consideration could be given at the special meeting.
Cll Rose was speaking to SCC about problems with the pavement outside Martins in
the Market Place.
The proposed flashing speed warning signs in Hillside Road East and the St Johns
Road crossing were being delayed because of concerns about meeting future
maintenance costs. He wondered whether the Town Council would fund this.
14. District Councillors Report
Cll Woods reported that he had taken up with WDC maintenance problems at public WCs in the town. He noted that parking in St Johns Rd was causing problems for those exiting Pilgrims Way.
15. Cheques for payment
The following payments were approved and cheques signed:-
Waveney District Council, annual playground inspection, £64.63; Scottish Power, electricity Riverside, £620.37; C M Stanforth, bus shelter cleaning, £75.20; Wood Electrical, work at Riverside, £204.21; Waveney District Council, rates hut at Riverside, £9.32; A Newberry, Riverside and litterpick, £81.60; Bungay Black Dog Marathon, donation, £60.00.
17. Other business
Cll Palin noted that the seat at Annis Hill Lane needed moving as agreed.
Cll Groom noted that a dog bin had been vandalised on the Common.
Cll Jermy said that he had been very pleased to serve on the Council and thanked
those who were not standing for re-election.
Cll Warnes said that she would miss
working on the Council.
Cll R Went wished newly elected councillors success.
Cll Evans reported that an insurance claim was to be made for the damaged bus
shelter in Earsham Street.
The meeting closed at 9.40pm
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