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Bungay Town Council - Council Minutes

Minutes of the March meeting held at the Council Chamber, Broad Street, Bungay on Monday the 15th March 2004 at 8.00pm.

Present: J Palin (in the Chair), S Curtis, M Evans, A Fisher, J Groom, D Jermy, J Jervis, S Revell, B Warnes, R Went, S Went, S Woods and D Wolfenden.

Also present were Cll M Rose(SCC), the Town Recorder, PC Skuse, the Press and one member of the public.

1. Apologies

Apologies were received from Clls Caswell and Derges.

2. Declarations of Interest

Cll S Went declared an interest in matters relating to Bungay in Bloom

3. To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 16th February 2004 were confirmed and duly signed.

4. To deal with matters arising

There were no matters arising

5. To receive correspondence

The following correspondence was received:-

Grant applications from Godric Cycling Club and Bungay in Bloom. To be considered by the Finance & General Purposes Committee.
SCC modification order relating to Footpath 30.
Mr J Wall objecting to proposed removal of tree adjacent to Castle Visitors Centre. Castle Trust had sought consent to remove this because it was considered a danger to the Centre. It was understood the Waveney District Council had consented to this proposal. Advised re drainage problems in priory Lane. County Council to be advised.
Broads Plan 2004.
Mrs P A May objecting to windfarm proposals at Flixton. A press report had incorrectly referred to the Council's position on this and Mrs May had been advised of the correct position.
Ipswich Borough Council for Waveney District Council(WDC) advising that the street closure for the Bungay Black Dog Marathon on 4.4.04 would commence at 9.30am, 1 hour earlier than previously stated.
Norfolk County Council re minor diversion to take footpath to new bridge.
WDC Local Plan Revised Draft.
Cll M Rose, e mail re proposed lighting scheme for Priory Lane.
Beccles & District Regeneration Ltd. Agreed that Ms C Moore be asked to speak to the Council about the Market Town Initiative.
Copy of a letter from SCC to Mr Evans re repaving of Earsham St and advising proposals to resurface A144 in St Marys St, Market Place and Chaucer St.
Bungay Community Projects re Focus Meeting on 24.3.04 and 'Getting Involved in Bungay' day at Community Centre on Saturday 27th March. Clls Evans, Fisher and Warnes to attend.
Office of Deputy Prime Minister re local investigation of allegations of misconduct.

6. To consider plan received receive a report from the Planning Committee and planning decisions from Waveney District Council

The following plans were considered:-

W9612/3, Mr T & Mrs G Cosgrove, listed building consent, single storey rear infill extension and internal and external alteration, 6 Bridge St. Approval recommended subject to conservation officer consent.
W18948, Mrs J Gardner, construction of a conservatory, 16 Quaves Lane. Approval recommended.

The Planning Committee meet on 1.3.04. Present were Clls Palin, Curtis, Evans, Fisher, Groom and Wolfenden. Apologies were received from Cll Derges.
The following plans were considered:-

W10377/5, Messrs Wilkinson & Hillyard, erection of 2 garages, Castles, 35 Earsham St. Refusal recommended. Materials and design inappropriate in conservation area. Position may obstruct gate to neighbouring property and position in relation to footpath unacceptable. Subject land forms part of a larger area and proposal for whole site should be considered rather than piecemeal development.

It was recommended and agreed that members should be able to attend future Suffolk Preservation Society planning seminars with the Council paying the attendance fee and travel expenses.
It was reported that work being carried out at the Clays lorry park in Outney Rd may block the footpath at that location. Agreed matter be taken up with SCC.
Cll Palin reported that he had written to SCC about complaints about the new speed table at Hillside Rd East following contact with those who live nearby.

There were no decisions to report from WDC.

7. To receive a a report from the Finance & General Purposes Committee and to deal with financial matters arising

This committee met on 1.3.04. Present were Clls Palin, Curtis, Evans, R Went and S Woods. Apologies were received from Caswell. The following interest were declared:-
Clls Palin and R Went, Community Transport; Cll Palin, Choral Society; Cll Curtis Flower Club.

It was recommended and agreed that WDC be asked to carry out the quarterly and annual safety inspections at the Common Playground and they were to be asked to train a council nominee to carry out the weekly ones. WDC were to be asked to carry out the work required by the recent inspection.
It was recommended and agreed that a grant of £1000 be made from the Bungay Community Fund to Beccles & Bungay Area Community Transport.
It was recommended and agreed that grants of £150, £175 and £150 be made respectively to Bungay Black Dog Marathon, the Bungay Choral Society and the Flower Club.
Balances of £128264.71 were reported(general account £49381.28, Staithe project £78883.43)

8. To receive a report from the Traffic Committee

The committee met on 1.3.04. Present were Clls Palin, Curtis, Fisher, Jervis, Warnes and R Went. Apologies were received from Clls Caswell.
The following action plan was proposed and agreed in relation to the bypass campaign:-

The Clerk reported that he had written about the bypass to all those members and officers in accordance with the list provided by Cll Rose. Other groups in the town and members of the public were invited to write direct to SCC about the need for a bypass to relieve particular traffic problems.
It was recommended and agreed that an application for funding bus shelters be made to SCC. Preferred locations in order of priority were Queens Rd/ Hillside Rd West, Joyce Rd and Garden Close/Beccles Rd. It was suggested that the Co-op could fund a shelter at Joyce Rd as this would be used by customers of the new store.
SCC proposals for a dedicated bus stopping place by the bus stop in Trinity St were agreed.
The delay in completing the works in Hillside Rd East were noted in respect of the marathon on 4th April. SCC to be made aware of this.
It was agreed that Cll Woods join the traffic committee.

9. Matters Relating to the Staithe project

It was agreed that this matter be considered in committee following agenda item 15.

10. Annual Town Meeting of the Council

It was agreed that this be held at the Community Centre on either the 10th or 13th of May at 7.30pm.

11. Reports from Council Representatives

Cll Jervis reported that the Tourist Committee were proposing to revamp the town trail leaflet. Grants were to be sought for this. The next tourist meeting would be held on 14/4/04 and the Bungay in Bloom AGM on 22/3/04.
Cll S Went reported from the Fisher Theatre Board that tenders for works were going out in June with the aim of completing the work in early 2005.
Cll Fisher reported from the Youth Support Group on equipment storage problems. Drug support work was being carried out in local schools to address the high level of youth drug use in the area. He reported that a Festival meeting was to be held on 30.3.04 in the Council Chamber at 7.30pm.

12. County Councillor’s report

Cll Rose reported on action being taken by SCC in relation to the travellers on the old railway yard site.
The question of cars parking outside banks to use the ATMs was raised at the Forum meeting and the police and traffic wardens would be taking action on this.
Highway safety matters relating to the Bardolph Rd/Upper Olland St junction were being discussed with SCC as were financial matters relating to the Priory Lane lighting scheme.
He had been made aware of possible conflict between cyclists and vehicles at the top of Bridge St but did not consider this a problem.
Cll Fisher reported the need for more positive signing on the bypass to stop southbound HGVs entering the town.
Cll Jermy expressed concern at the low lighting levels in Earsham St
Cll Evans asked that the gate to the old railway yard be properly secured when the travellers had gone.

13. District Councillor’s reports

Cll Jermy reported on a 3.9% increase in council tax. He had hoped for a lower increase.
Cll Groom reported from the Forum on a meeting arranged with AWA and residents to consider long standing flooding problems at the back of St Johns Rd.

14. Cheques for payment

The following payments were approved and cheques duly signed:-

Edgar Watts Ltd, trees, £17.11; A Newberry, litter picking, £56.16; PDQ Digital Media Solutions Ltd, Bigod Way plinthe, £276.13; Essex and Suffolk Water, re allotments, £56.10; EAC Document Solutions Ltd, service charge, £42.65; Bungay Flower Club, donation, £150; Bungay Choral Society, donation, £175.00; Bungay Black Dog Marathon, donation, £150.

15. Other business

Cll R Went reported widespread flyposting of the town by those opposed to the Flixton windfarm.
Cll Palin reported that Castle Lane needs clearing. Mr Newberry was to asked to deal with this.
Cll Curtis reported concerns from residents about the travellers at the old railway yard site in Outney Rd.

9. Matters Relating to the Staithe project

Designs for a gate and bollards at the Staithe were considered. These were rejected and it was recommended that rustic bollards and a gate incorporating a wherry design would be more appropriate at this location.
It was agreed that Mr P Watts be asked to grant a lease to the Town Council over the footpath land at the Staithe so that project money could be spent on it.
The Clerk withdrew and, in his absence, it was agreed that he be paid a project management fee of £431.25 per month for managing the Staithe project. Assuming the project period ran until December 2004 this would result in a project management fee approx. 25% lower than the amount budgeted for this purpose.
The Clerk returned and, at his request, it was agreed that the April meeting of the Council be held at the Council Chamber on Tuesday 13th April at 8.00pm. This meeting would be preceded by a meeting of the Civic Award panel at 7.00pm and the Bezant Cup panel at 7.30pm.

The meeting closed at 9.50pm.

Signed.........................................
Date............................................

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