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Bungay Town Council - Council Minutes

Minutes of the November meeting of this Council held at the Council Chamber Broad Street on Monday 19th November 2007 at 8pm.

Present were Clls Groom (in the chair), Fisher, Bedingfield, Blowers O’Neill, Cloke, Evans, Jervis, O’Neill, Palin, Thompson, Ward, Warnes and Woods Also present were the Press and 3 members of the public.

1. Apologies
Apologies were received from Cll Shepherd

2. Interests
No interests were declared.

3. Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 15th October 2007 were approved and duly signed subject to adding the word ‘first’ at the end of line 4 of item 4.

4. Matters arising
Cll O’Neill asked whether anything further had been heard from Waveney District Council(WDC) about devolution of functions to parish councils. The Clerk confirmed that nothing further had been heard
In response to a question from Cll Woods, the Clerk confirmed that he had written to the Post Office objecting to the proposed closure of the Flixton Road Post Office. Cll Woods also suggested that the MP be contacted

5. Correspondence
The following correspondence was received:-

Mrs M Baillie supporting the Council’s objections to the proposed closure of the Flixton Rd Post Office.
Suffolk County Council (SCC) with survey details relating to their bus contract reviews.
Waveney Community Forum seeking comments from councillors about their funding application to pilot the establishment of a cyber café style venue for young people in Bungay. For the time being the Oddfellows Bar at the rear of the Kings Head had been identified as the best venue for this. The Council decided to support this proposal without further consideration.
Ipswich Borough Council on behalf of WDC with a copy of the temporary street closure order for 26th December 2007 for the Waveney Harriers Boxing Day meet.
Cll Shepherd advising that she would be unable to attend meetings in the Council Chamber for the next 6 weeks because she was recovering from an operation. She asked if during this period the Council could hold meetings at the Staithe. It was agreed that the main December meeting would be held at that location.
SCC giving notice of a ‘making choices orientation operation programme’.
SCC with update of mineral plan.
SCC with notice of their budget proposals for 2008/2009.
WDC giving notice that an appeal by Ms Jennifer Ridgewell against WDC’s decision to refuse planning permission for construction of 1 house on land north of 5 Flixton Rd, Bungay. The appeal would be determined by way of a Local Hearing at a date to be arranged.
WDC with information about latest recycling initiative.
Mr A Adnams thanking the Council for the grant to Neighbourhood Watch.
Broads Authority inviting contributions to their 2008 Fun in the Broads listing.
Information about the work of Suffolk Family Carers.
Bungay Black Dog Running Club with details of the Elgood’s Brewery 20K Great East Run on 17.2.08.
Homeselect project officer about work for WDC housing allocation scheme.
Go-East with details of minor changes to the East of England Plan.

6. To consider plans received, receive a report from the Planning Committee and receive planning decisions from WDC
The following plans were considered:-

DC/07/1905/AND, Mr & Mrs Rice, non illuminated advertisement consent and retention of double sided advertisement panel, Pineview Farm, Flixton Rd. Approved.
DC/07/1904/FUL, Mr & Mrs Rice, siting of portacabin for retail use, Pineview Farm, Flixton Rd. Refusal recommended on grounds of vehicle movements and access problems.
DC/07/1894/FUL, Managing Trustees of Emmanuel URC, provision of access ramp & disabled parking facilities to existing church hall, Emmanuel URC Hall, Upper Olland St. Approval recommended.
DC/07/1879/FUL, Executors of Mr W Meen, construction of 3 dwellings with garages, 22 Annis Hill Rd. Refuse on grounds of design concerns and access.
DC/07/1689/LBC, Mr & Mrs Mayhew, replacement of dormer window, insertion of 1 new window, blocking up of 2 gable windows, alterations to door and internal alterations, 7 Earsham St. Approval recommended.

It was reported that the Planning Committee met on 5.11.07. Present were Clls Fisher, Bedingfield, Cloke, Evans, Palin, Thompson, Ward and Warnes. Apologies were received from Cll Groom.

The following plans were considered:-
DC/07/1371/COU, Mr J A Barnes, change of use from storage to beauty salon, Hillside Garage, Hillside Rd East. Approval recommended.
DC/07/1372/COU, Mr J A Barnes, chance of use from greengrocers to tyre store, Hillside Road East. Approval recommended.
DC/07/1842/COU, Shirley Lady Beecham, change of use from residential to shop, (rear room and upper front room), 17 Earsham St. Approval recommended.
DC/07/1837/OUT, Mr R Taylor, construction of a 2 storey dwelling, site adjacent to 41 Upper Olland St. Refusal recommended. Site suitable for development but this plan not sympathetic to site.
DC/07/1823/LBC, Ms Muriel Bol-Clarke, listed building consent, installation of a disabled lift for wheelchair use, 5 Trinity St. Approval recommended subject to conservation officers agreement to removal of original features.
DC/07/1748/FUL, Ms L Balian, demolition of rear porch, wash house and toilet and construction of rear single extension and internal alterations, Arnhem, 11 St Johns Rd. Approval recommended.
DC/07/1801/FUL, D L Smith & R Lewis-Smith, re-roof property, 12 Trinity St. Approval recommended. DC/07/1778/FUL,
Mr & Mrs Killaspy, construction of a 2 storey side extension and single storey rear extension, 66 Broad St. Approval recommended.

The Committee received information about the extended and expired polices in the adopted Waveney Local Plan 1996. Cll Cloke and Warnes agreed to attend the World of Planning event on 26.11.07.

The following planning decisions were received from WDC:-

DC/07/1666/FUL, Mr & Mrs Scott, conversion of garage and single storey extension to form granny annexe, 11 Kerrison Rd. Approved.
DC/07/1685/FUL, Mr R Tovell, construction of a single storey front extension, 10 Mountbatten Rd. Approved.
DC/07/1778/FUL, Mr & Mrs Killaspy, construction of a 2 storey side extension and single storey rear extension, 66 Broad St. Approved.
DC/07?1636/FUL, Trustees of Emmanuel URC, provision of access ramp and disabled parking facilities, Emmanuel Methodist Church, Upper Olland St. Refused.
DC/07/1655/FUL, BT PLC, provision of a combined payphone kiosk and ATM, outside 2 St Marys St. Refused.
DC/07/1681/1684/FUL, Mr & Mrs G Remblance, demolition and construction of a replacement house with detached garage. Refused.

7.To receive a report from the Finance & General Purposes Committee
A meeting of this Committee was held on 5.11.07. Present were Clls , Fisher, Blowers O’Neill, Jervis, O’Neill, Shepherd and Woods. Apologies were received from Cll Groom. The Committee considered the following matters:-

Budget and precept for 2008/2009. Report would be made under item 13. It was recommended and agreed that a grant of £721 be made to the Youth Association to cover their insurance costs and a donation of £50 to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
It was recommended and agreed that a quote totalling £3650 be accepted for resurfacing Dinky’s Gardens and improving the boundary planting.
An estimate was received to refurbish the chairs in the Council Chamber. It was agreed that this be referred to WDC with the recommendation that the work be carried out as soon as possible. They were also to be asked to provide 2 further chairs of a more robust design.

The following balances were reported:- Lloyds TSB, £934.57 and £48.23. Scottish Widows, £30474.29(call a/c) and £86676.93(60 day a/c)

The following payments were approved and cheques duly signed:- BT PLC, phone accounts, £192.32; B & B Skip Hire Ltd, clearance work, Dinky’s Gardens, £76.38; Scottish Power, electricity account for Riverside, £503.37; Beeline Refrigeration Ltd, equipment servicing Riverside, £117.58; Mr A Newberry, litterpick and Riverside, £219.61.

8. Environment Committee
A meeting of this Committee was held on 5.11.07. Present were Clls , Fisher, Bedingfield, Cloke, Evans, O’Neill, Shepherd, Ward and Thompson. Apologies were received from Cll Groom.

Information from the defra publication Ways to tackle climate change was received. It was noted that the following projects were worth consideration:- solar or wind powered generation at the Riverside, a walking bus scheme, car sharing and reduction in the use of free plastic shopping bags. It was agreed that this be considered further by the Environment Committee. Cll Ward reported that following on from the successful local climate change conference a working party was to be formed to take matters forward. The WDC Leisure Needs Assessment was considered. The full Council were to be asked to consider community use of the former allotment land off St Johns Rd

9. Traffic Committee
A meeting of this Committee was held on 5.11.07. Present were Clls, Fisher, Evans, Jervis, O’Neill, Shepherd, Thompson and Woods. Apologies were received from Cll Groom.

SCC comments relating to a A144 Bungay Bypass were considered. It was recommended and agreed that SCC asked to attend a meeting of the Council to discuss this and traffic management matters. SCC revised waiting restriction proposals were tabled and it was agreed that Cll O’Neill consider these alongside the original proposals and the Council’s recommendations on these and report to the Council. The Clerk said that SCC also wanted to see more resident parking schemes put forward as the Council’s recommendations on this were too limited to be practical.

10. Report on local policing matters 
Sgt Goodfellow’s apologies were noted but he had reported that a 15 year old boy was to be summonsed on a charge of burglary. 2 houses had suffered criminal damage and a 26 year old man had been arrested and cautioned in relation to these offences. A domestic garage had been broken into. The annual cycling campaign to tackle cyclists riding on footpaths and cycling without lights had started. 

11. Riverside Centre Report
The Clerk reported on matters relating to the bridge. WDC had had their own survey carried out and considered that the bridge was safe for motor vehicles but thought that it would be necessary to impose a weight and width restriction to prevent future damage by heavy vehicles. Cll Blowers O’Neill reported that the kitchen at the Riverside was unclean and cleaning materials were not always available. The Clerk said that he did not consider that this was the case and he had not received any complaints about this from users. Cleaning materials were available and were replenished when necessary. Problems had occasionally been caused by casual users not following the instructions posted in the kitchen but these problems had always been addressed by the cleaner or the Clerk as the latter always visited the premises after casual bookings. The position will be kept under review. 

12. Future use of the former allotment land off St Johns Rd
Cll Palin said that this land should continue to be used as a green area. Cll O’Neill agreed and Cll Ward reported on the keen demand for allotment land. She had discussed this need with WDC. She favoured an equal division of the land for allotment and recreational purposes; the problem was that the land was in private ownership. It was proposed and agreed that WDC be asked to provide funding so that this land could in the future be used for appropriate community purposes. 

13. Budget and precept for 2008/2009
It was recommended by the Finance & General Purposes Committee that the proposed budget be agreed and that the precept for the above year be set at £27100. 

14. Quality Control Working Party 
Cll Ward proposed that the appointment of this working party be deferred to the December meeting of the Council. Cll Cloke supported this proposal which was agreed. 

15. Co-option to fill the casual vacancy on the Town Council 
Cll Jervis proposed the co-option of Mrs A Brook, Cll Ward seconded this proposal which was agreed by the Council.

16. Council Representatives 

Cll Bedingfield said that the Citizens Advice Bureau had secured new offices in Beccles. In the interim period attendance at the Bungay office had been such that the Bureau may consider increased future provision in the town.

Cll O’Neill reported that he and Cll Evans had attended an interesting workshop format Rural Partnership meeting. He had also attended a Great Yarmouth PTC Board Meeting where a new strategy document had been agreed. Implementation of this was to be considered.

Cll Warnes reported on the work of the Chamber of Trade in promoting the trade of the town and on the work of the Christmas Lights Committee.

Cll Jervis reported from the Joint Tourist Committee that the leaflet reprint was likely to cost in the region of £1000. Funding of £500 had been secured from WDC and £50 from the Bungay Society.

The Clerk reported from the Town Trust that the annual meeting would be held on 4.12.07 at the Chaucer Club hall when the annual accounts would be presented. He also reported that the Trust had purchased some land adjacent to the Castle Bailey with the intention of using this for public purposes.

Cll Evans reported that the Halesworth Skills Centre was to be opened on 22.11.07.

17. County Councillor’s Report
Cll Rose’s apologies were noted. 

18. District Councillors Report
Cll Woods said that press reports relating to sheltered housing proposals were inaccurate. In fact the positioned remained as recently reported to the Council by the WDC Housing Officer. Cll Groom supported this comment. Cll Palin thought that the trouble may have been caused by a recent meeting between WDC officers and residents. A positive recommendation had been made to give funding support to the Rural Partnership.

19. Cheques for payment
The following payments were approved and cheques signed:- 
H M Revenue & Customs, PAYE and NIC, £541.27; Mr A Newberry, Riverside and litterpick, £110.43; Bungay High School, prizes, £75.00(section 137).

20. Other business 
Cll O’Neill noted fly-posting in St Marys Street.
Cll Palin reported damage to the barrier and posts near the exit on the Chaucer Street car park.
Cll Fisher said that the Christmas lights would be turned on, 22.11.07 

The meeting closed at 10.05pm.  

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