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Minutes

Bungay Town Council - Council Minutes

Minutes of the the Annual Meeting of this Council held at the Council Chamber, Broad Street, Bungay on Monday 15th May 2006 at 8pm.

Present were Clls Caswell, Curtis, Evans, Derges, Fisher, Groom, Jervis, Palin, Warnes, R Went and Wolfenden. Also present were Sgt Goodfellow and 3 members of the public.

Before the meeting commenced the Civic Award was presented to Mr L Fenn

1. To elect a Town Mayor for the forthcoming year.
On the proposal of Cll Warnes, seconded by CU R Went Cll Evans was elected to serve as Mayor for 2006/2007. Cll Evans accepted office and thanked Cll Caswell for his year of service to the town.

2. To elect a Deputy Town Mayor for the forthcoming year
On the proposal of Cll Palin, seconded by Cll R Went, Cll Groom was elected Deputy Town Mayor for 2006/2007.

3. To receive a declaration of office from the Town Mayor
Cll Evans signed a declaration of office which was countersigned by the Clerk

4. Apologies
Apologies were received from Cll Jermy, Revell, S Went, Woods and M Rose(SCC).

5. Minutes of the last meeting
Subject to it being noted that the Clays plan on pi277 was recommended for approval the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2006 were approved and duly signed.

6. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.

7. Correspondence
The following correspondence was received:-

Waveney District Council (WDC) on site specific issues relating to the Core Strategy. To be considered by the Finance & General Purposes Committee (F&GPC).
Suffolk County Council(SCC) on matters relating to the mineral extraction plan. To be considered by the F&GPC.
Cll Rose with his views on proposed changes to policing in the Bungay Division. Council supported in principle any proposals which increased police resources in Bungay.
Cll Rose on problems in putting the Boyscott Lane lighting improvements in place. He will take up the question of running costs at a meeting on the 17th May. 2 residences had objected to the proposals. The Council considered that on safety grounds there were good reasons why lighting in this area should be upgraded and wished to see difficulties resolved and the work put in hand.
Bungay Joint Tourism Committee giving notice of next meeting at the Castle Visitors Centre 21 June 2006.
WDC advising housing naming and numbering in Broad St, St Johns Hill and adjacent to the former Watch House PH in Beccles Rd.
J R G Williams seeking the Council's support for an inquiry relating to planning proposals relating to Mid Suffolk. As this was outside the district, did not have any direct impact on Bungay and the Council had no detailed knowledge of the proposals or the sites concerned it was decided to leave this letter on the table. The Clerk reported that an allotment holder had expressed an interest in forming an allotment association and nominating one of their number to run the allotments in Flixton Rd. As owners of the land the Council would continue to set the rents levels, receive the rents, meet the expenses and remain in overall control. It was noted that the Clerk had taken over this role when a former allotment holder had ceased to carry it out and no other holder was willing to take it on. This would not normally form part of his duties. It was agreed that the proposal be agreed in principle.

8. To consider plan received, to receive a report from the Planning Committee and notice of planning decisions from Waveney District Council
The following plan was considered.- Wl 9061/1, Mr S Jordon, construction of single story dwelling and alteration to vehicular cross over, land adjacent to 20 Tower Mill Rd. Refusal was recommended on the grounds that the site was too restricted for the proposed development and likely to have a detrimental effect on neighbouring property.

It was reported that the Planning Committee meet on 2 May 2006.
Present were CU Caswell, Evans, Fisher, Palin and Warnes. Apologies were received from Clls Curtis, Derges, Revell and Wolfenden.

The following plans were considered:-
W19246/2, Edgar Watts Ltd, approval of reserved matters relating to W19246, construction of a garden centre, land off Flixton Rd. Approval recommended.
W143 63/2, Telford Morton, construction of a rear conservatory, 34 Hillside Road East. Approval recommended.

The following decisions were received from Waveney District Council:-
W8471/20, Clays Ltd, alterations to car and lorry access and creation of additional warehouse space, Clays Ltd, Broads St. Approved.
W1300/17, Admans & Co PLC, provision of additional fire escape door, The Fleece PH, St Marys St. Approved.
W14240/9, Mr & Mrs P Scott, conversion of redundant outbuilding to granny annex and studio/office(amended scheme), Lowlands Barn, Flixton Rd. Approved.
W12097/5, Mrs N Demetriou, construction of a detached garage, The Garden House, 3 Flixton Rd. Approved.
W19686, Mr M Doubleday, 2 storey rear extension, 28 Queens Rd. Refused.
W19573, Mrs M Barrell, OA construction of bungalow etc land to the rear of 36a Wingfield St. Refused.
Wl 1139/12, Saliscrown Ltd, internal and external works, part retrospective, 42 St Marys St and 1A Priory Lane. Refused.

9. To receive a report from the Finance & General Purposes Committee and deal with matters arising
It was reported that the Committee met on 2 May 2006. Present were Clls Caswell, Evans, Groom, R Went and Woods. Apologies were received from Cll Jermy.

Cl Evans declared an interest in matters relating to Bungay Festival and withdrew when this item was being discussed.
A programme of work for the probation team was agreed (clearance of alley way by Wightmans, weeds at Borough Well Lane, paths by Castle Hills, bridle path by Castle Visitors Centre).
It was recommended and agreed to make a donation of £400 to Bungay Festival.
It was agreed to support the Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project.
Further consideration was to be given to making a donation to Childline Midland & East Anglia provided it was established that there was local use of the service.
Details of powers available to the Council under the neighbourhood & Environment Act 2005 were received. It was noted that these powers could be used by WDC and it was agreed to request details of WDC programme for dealing with the matters addressed by the Act.
SID Data supplied by SCC and relating to St Johns Hill, Hillside Rd East and Flixton Road (East) was considered.
If was recommended and agreed that flashing speed warning signs were needed at St Johns Hill, Flixton Rd (just east of Woodland Drive) and as previously agreed at Hillside Rd East.
Other traffic matters were considered. It was noted that lorries were still coming south through the town. Additional signs were needed close to the bypass roundabout at the bottom of Broad Street to direct HGV traffic at this point.
It was noted that there may be a need for a flashing speed warning sign in Broad Street.
It was agreed that SCC be asked to collect traffic data at this point to see whether a warning sign was needed in Broad Street.
It was noted that SCC had not yet responded to the Council request for double yellow signs at various locations including, most importantly, at the junction of Bardolph Rd with St Johns Rd. Generally it was noted that there was an urgent need to replace worn or obliterated white signs. These matters to be taken up with SCC.

The following cheques were approved and duly signed:- A Newberry, litter pick and Riverside, £74.18; Outney Common Owners, rent for Common Playground, £15.00; Bungay in Bloom, donation(section 137 payment), £250.00;

The following payments were approved and cheques duly signed:- A Newberry, litterpicking and Riverside, £74.18; Beccles & Bungay CAB, donation(section 137), £2000; Mr D Wardman, seat refurbishment, £105.60; N Purdy, signs for Riverside Centre, £343.

10. To consider matters arising from the Town Meeting
It was noted that there were no matters arising from the meeting other than the need to attract more members of the public to future Town Meetings.

11. To appoint a Planning Committee
The following members were appointed to the Planning Committee for 2006/2007:- Clls Evans, Caswell, Curtis, Derges, Fisher, Palin, Warnes and Wolfenden.

12. To appoint a Finance & General Purposes Committee
The following members were appointed to the Finance & General Purposes Committee:- Clls Evans, Groom, Jermy, Revell, R Wents, S Went and Woods.

13. To appoint a Traffic Committee
The following members were appointed to the Traffic Committee:- CUs Evans, Groom, Caswell, Curtis, Fisher, Jermy, Jervis, Palin, Warnes, R Went and Woods. 14. Annual Appointments

The following appointments were made:
Crime Prevention Panel/Police Liaison Group, Clls Evans; Emergency Planning, Clls Fisher and Groom;
Bungay Honeypot Centre, Cll R Went;
CAB, Cll Derges;
Joint Tourist Committee, Clls Jervis, Palin, Revell, Warnes and Woods;
Bungay in Bloom, Clls Jervis and S Went;
Outney Common Owners, Cll Jervis;
Bungay Christmas Lights Committee, Clls Curtis, Fisher and R Went;
Bungay Youth Association, Cll Wolfenden;
BACT, Cll R Went;
4 Towns Project, Clls Revell and Wolfenden;
Bungay Youth Project, Clls Revell and Wolfenden.

15. To vote the Town Mayor's Allowance
Cll Evans withdrew and it was agreed that an allowance of £650 would be paid for 2006/2007.

16. To consider the rate to be paid for casual work
It was agreed that the following rates be paid for 2006/2006:-£6.34 per hour where no tools or equipment supplied. £7.40 per hour where tools or equipment are supplied.

17. To receive a report on local policing matters
A report was received from Sgt Goodfellow on current crime statistics which showed a slight increase to 55, 16 of which had been dealt with and 12 pending. He noted the Council's continuing concerns about breaches of the one-way lorry ban. He advised that the 999 number should always be used where it was suspected that a crime was taking place.
Cll Curtis reported that she had witnessed graffiti being spayed in Earsham St and had attempted to contact the police on their normal phone number.
Cll Fisher raised concerns about graffiti and other problems at the towns churches.
Cll Warnes commented that the crime figures showed the need for adequate street lighting in Boyscott Lane.
Cll Groom referred to breaches of the lorry ban by Matthews Transport. In response to a question from Cll Wolfenden, Sgt Goodfellow said that the illegal immigrants discovered in a lorry in the town had been sent to the Croydon Immigration Centre.

18. To receive a report on the operation of the Riverside Centre and related matters
A site visit to the Centre was reported. The BACT manager had raised a number of points, some of which had already been addressed and others were in hand. Some of the matters raised would need further consideration by the Council. It was hoped to organise events at the Centre during the school holidays in August. Clls Caswell and Warnes will assist the Clerk with organising these.

19. Council Representatives
Cll Curtis reported that a full house was expected for the Street Fayre on 21 May 2006.
Cll Caswell said that the Festival Programme would be available for distribution at ther Fayre.
Cll Jervis reported on attendance at the Outney Common Owners AGM on 27/4/06. Improvements were to be made to the stiles on the Riverside walk. They were hoping to get help from the Broads Authority and the Probation Service in carrying out this work. A dividend of £100 per going would be paid in December 2006
Cll Jervis reported that the new Town Guide produced by the Tourism Committee would shortly be available.
Cll Wolfenden reported from the Bungay Youth Association. It was hoped that a sponsored cycle ride would raised £1000 for the Association.
Cll Palin reported that the All Hallows Hospital Advisory Committee were planning to invite SCC leaders to the hospital to see the facilities the Hospital offered to the community.
Cll Evans reported that work preliminary to making a new funding bid for the Honeypot Centre was being undertaken and there was considerable optimism about the prospects.

20. County Councillor's Report
Cll Rose's apologies were noted.

21. District Councillors Reports
It was noted that apart from Planning Meetings, elections had resulted in a quiet period.

22. Cheques for payment
The following payments were approved and cheques duly signed:-

B Lines, renovation of bench, £180.00; Waveney District Council, contribution to Town Centre improvement scheme, £3000.00; Bungay Skip Hire, work at Dinky's Garden, £80.00; F Morrow, work at Riverside Centre, £105.00; BT PLC, phone accounts £161.75; John Groom Catering & Carriages, catering for Civic Evening, £602.00; P Morrow, reimbursements Civic Evening, £158.61; ANewberry, litter picking and Riverside, £74.18; Bungay Honeypot Centre, hall hire Civic Evening; Bungay Black Dog Marathon, £60.00, donation (Section 137 expenditure)..

23. Other business of an important nature
Cll Curtis reported that the barrier was damaged, signs incorrectly aligned and waste bins missing at the Scales St car park.
Cll Groom said that he will arrange for replacement of the bins at this location.
Cll Caswell said that the work in Earsham Street had greatly improved the area by Cork Bricks.
Cll Palin asked that the Town Mayors board be brought up to date.

The meeting closed at 9.35pm .

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