MINUTES OF A MEETING OF SAXMUNDHAM TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON
MONDAY 14th JUNE 2010 IN THE MARKET HALL AT 7:15pm

Present:
Cllr M. Palman, Chairman
Cllr. Mrs. M. Andrews,Vice Chairman
Cllr. Mrs. R. Damiral-White
Cllr. J. Fisher
Cllr. K. Howe
Cllr. B. Jones
Cllr. G. Moye
Cllr. M. Palman
Cllr. Miss B. Peall
Cllr. Mrs. D Sculley
Cllr. Col. R. Warren


In attendance:

Mrs M. Gallop, Clerk to the Council
Sgt Daye Goddard
2 members of the public


PUBLIC FORUM:

* There are an increasing number of overflowing rubbish and dog bins in Saxmundham. Suffolk Coastal Services who are responsible for emptying these can be contacted direct.
* Apparently word has got around that there may not be an increase in Council Tax this coming year but considering the economic climate this is probably wishful thinking.

REPORT FROM THE LOCAL POLICE: Sgt Daye Goddard had circulated a report (attached)
* The Police have been targeting youth who are speeding around Waitrose and apprehended ten drivers and ten vehicles with prohibition orders. There is an increasing problem with the litter that they leave behind.
* There is an ongoing problem with the ‘Big Issue’ sellers who have been displaying intimidating behaviour towards the public outside Waitrose and at the top of Fromus Square. The Police have been in touch with the Big Issue Head Office as the sellers have a code which they must adhere to.
* The Scout Hut on the Memorial Field has again been vandalised leaving it in a dangerous state once more.

REPORT FROM THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR: Cllr Rae Leighton was not at the meeting and the Clerk advised that he had a sudden bereavement and condolences had been sent. Cllr Mrs Andrews explained that his wife had a very sudden and unexpected death. The funeral will be held in Walberswick this coming Thursday and Cllr Sir Peter will attend and represent the Town Council.

REPORT FROM THE DISTRICT COUNCILLORS: Cllr Mrs Andrews advised that Sizewell will be seeking planning approval for a dry store for spent fuel on Sizewell B site. There are no volunteers to take the spent fuel as a waste product. The Government had hoped there would have been communities who would take it. Leiston had voted against this application but Cllr Andrews thought it would probably get approval. The fuel will be stored for over 100 years and compensation in the form of a financial package will be sought. A special building will be built on one of Sizewell’s car parks.
Asbestos is being removed from Sizewell A.
Cllr Sir Peter didn’t have anything further to report on.

AGENDA

3673. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Members are invited to make any declarations of personal or prejudicial interests that they may have in relation to items on the agenda and are reminded to make any declarations at any stage during the meeting if it becomes apparent that this may be required when a particular item or issue is considered.
None declared.



3674. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr G Cooke, holiday , Cllr B Jones, work commitments

3675. MATTERS TO BE RAISED UNDER AGENDA ITEM 18:
3675.1 Railway Inn, Station Approach – Cllr Mrs Andrews
3675.2 Railway Station – Cllr Mrs Andrews

3676. TO APPROVE AND SIGN AS A TRUE RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE 10th MAY 2010 MEETING previously circulated: Unanimously agreed and signed. Motion carried

3677. MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM NOT COVERED ON THE AGENDA:
* Hoarding around the Drought Garden outside Waitrose. The Clerk has already written about this and will send a further letter. No advance warning was given that hoarding was going to be erected resulting in the drought garden being hidden and the plants left to die. The Drought Garden cost Saxmundham in Bloom over £1500.00.
* Wingfield House – this will be discussed at the end of the meeting ‘en camera’.


3678. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:

A – CORRESPONDENCE TO BE NOTED AND CIRCULATED:

462 Miracle Design & Play Ltd – brochure
463 Suffolk Constabulary – Changes to the opening hours of public enquiry desks at police stations
464 SCDC agenda & minutes
465 Adventure Playground – thank you for donation
466 Suffolk Accident Rescue Service – thank you for donation
467 Football Club - thank you for donation
468 CATS – thank you for donation
469 Saxmundham Responders – thank you for donation
470 East Anglian Air Ambulance – thank you for donation
471 Saxmundham Museum – thank you for donation
472 Citizens Advice Bureau – thank you for donation
473 SCC – Temporary 30mph speed restriction A12 Saxmundham bypass 14 – 28 June to renew road markings
474 SALC – The Local Councillor
475 The Town Telegraph
476 Suffolk COPD Services Pulmonary Rehabilitation Courses
477 SCC – B1119 Reconstruction of Trust Farm Culvert Bridge No 50/11 Sternfield road closure to operate from 31st August
478 SALC Response on the consultation on Ports
479 Phil Peeling – Handout regarding Sax Middle School public meetings
480 email Trevor Tate Sizewell Parishes Liaison Group minutes
481 SCC Rae Leighton – anti social behaviour and confidence
482 email UK n grid Proposed Saxmundham to Leiston Gas main replacement project from July 2010
483 Email SALC – Various courses
484 Email Magnoxsouthsites – Socio Economic Scheme Launch

B – CORRESPONDENCE TO BE DISCUSSED BEFORE REPLY:

122 Suffolk Acre – AGM Wednesday 14th July from 5.45pm – Cllr M Palman to attend
123 Magnox South – Workshop Saxmundham Market Hall Tuesday 13th July. 9.30 refreshments. 10am – 3pm. Lunch provided. Cllr Fisher to attend
124 SCC – Local Flooding Survey – response needed. – Clerk to circulate to all Councillors
125 Email Suffolk Police –Partnership Seminar to be held on 16th July 2010 (9.30am) Cllr Moye to attend


C – OTHER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED TO DATE:
C194 CATS Invite to AGM 2010 Riverside Centre, Stratford St. Andrew 24th June 6.30pm. Cllr Fisher to attend
C195 SCDC Licensing Act 2003 Copy to Cllr Moye
C196 Citizens Advice Bureau Invite to AGM on Wednesday 21 July 7.00pm at Wickham Market Village Hall
Cllr Palman to attend
   
3679. CHAIRMAN’S/ TOWN CLERK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Clerk advised that the Italian Market will be held this coming Sunday, June 20th, in the Market Place and will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm.

3680. FINANCE REPORT:
* To approve the monthly finance report to end of May 2010 - Unanimously agreed. Motion carried.

5 minute break. Cllr Miss Peall left the meeting.


3681. TO CONSIDER THE MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS:
ESTA - Cllr Jones had been unable to attend. Cllr Willett offered to go to the next meeting and the Clerk will remind him nearer the date.
Cllr Mrs Andrews and Cllr Col Warren are representatives on the Youth Support Group. Cllr Col Warren offered to step down and Cllr Howe will stand in. Cllr Mrs Andrews gave our sincere thanks to Cllr Col Warren who had done an enormous amount of work over the last few years working on the Youth Group. All agreed.

3682. TO CONSIDER THE BUDGET FOR SAXMUNDHAM IN BLOOM: - moved to the end of the agenda as an ‘en camera’ item.

3683. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM SAVVY: Cllr Ms Trotter-Langlois advised that they had received half the funding from Playspace for the hexagon swing and once it is installed they will receive the second instalment.
Car boots to raise money for SAVVY will be held on the Memorial Field on the following dates:
19th June, 3rd, 17th, 31st July, 14th , 28th August and 25th September.

3684. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE: Cllr Mrs Damiral-White reported:


To consider the following application:

C10 1204
Mr James Perks, Byways
55 Rendham Road, Saxmundham
Change of use from registered care home (use class C2) to a pair of dwellings (Use Class C3) with provision of care to residents
The Town Council have already expressed concerns about ‘piece meal’ planning and Cllr Mrs Damiral-White proposed we offer objections on these grounds. Seconded by Cllr Willett. One against – Motion carried on majority

The Planning committee met on 7th June and made the following decisions:

C10 1279
Mrs D Roberts
38 Albion Street Saxmundham
Use of land for the erection of one dwelling (renewal of outline planning permission C07 0876)
The committee offered no objection

C10 1111
Mrs E Van Allen
Station Cottage, Alma Place, Saxmundham
Relocation of trellis in from south-eastern corner of site
The committee offered no objection


32 High street have erected a screen in the window

Planning decisions received from SCDC:
C10 00065 34 Tennyson Road, Saxmundham Crown lift 4/5metres from ground & shape canopy – granted
C10 0106 Galvani, Church Street, Saxmundham – demolition of existing house – SCDC Conservation Area consent granted
C10 0052 Land & Buildings South of Church Street, Saxmundham – Demolition of Galvani & erection of four new retail units along with 146 car park spaces including 9 disabled & 6 parent/child spaces & 10 bicycle hoops – SCDC permission granted with 27 conditions. The Clerk contacted Reef Estates who confirmed that the approved plans allow for vision and turning splays all the way across the front of the site to the new site vehicle entrance which widens Church Street at this point.
C10 0294 Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners appeal, Rendham Road, Saxmundham – SCDC approval for 90 houses, small shop & light industrial units. SCDC have requested a strip of land along Rendham Road for the Fire Station.


3685. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE: Cllr Mrs Andrews reported:
The Standing Orders were reviewed and it was felt that these should be retained. However the Freedom of Information Act has to be included (Clause 81) – defer until July meeting.
The Financial Standing Orders were also reviewed and it was agreed they should be retained.
The Town Clerk had completed her personal targets for last year and would receive a very small increment for this. However one of the targets, Saxmundham Development Plan for 1, 3 and 5 years, will remain a target for this year due to the fact that the Clerk did not receive any direction or assistance with this last year. The Councillors will help the Clerk this year in achieving this plan.
Risk Assessment – Cllr Moye was congratulated on the excellent update. Adoption of the Risk Assessment will be deferred to the July meeting due to the fact that Cllr Miss Peall needs to liaise with Cllr Moye on this.

3686. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE MARKET HALL COMMITTEE: Cllr Mrs Sculley reported:
The guttering needs immediate attention and it was agreed that the Clerk should authorise the work. The Clerk had put in a planning application for the repair to the Market Hall window but Cllr Sir Peter thought it would be less expensive to brick the window up rather than repair it. The Clerk will investigate this with SCDC Listed building planning authority.
New stage curtains – deferred to the July meeting.

3687. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM SAXMUNDHAM IN BLOOM: Cllr K Howe reported that the committee of only five members had decided to keep in the Anglia in Bloom competition this year. Despite numerous requests by The Clerk and Cllr Sculley for assistance there has been a distinct lack of volunteers. Donations are also greatly needed. Judging will be on Monday 12th July at 10am and the litter pick will be on the previous Friday and Saturday, 9th & 10th July.
The Guides have kindly planted out Fromus Square and Cllr Mrs Sculley is going to plant out the barrier baskets. Chantry House have done their own planting as have Saxmundham Primary School. The committee have got a rota together for the watering of Fromus Square three times a week and Cllr Willett has offered the use of his tap. Town Clerk and Cllr Moye offered to assist. J T Pegg & Sons Ltd have donated a length of hosing. The maintenance of the four sinks has yet to be decided.

3688. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM SAXMUNDHAM NEWS AND THE WEBSITE: Cllr Mrs Andrews reported that the next edition of Saxmundham News will be delivered on the 2nd July. Apparently Fairfield House Gardens did not receive the last issue and we would be grateful to hear of anyone else who does not receive our quarterly magazine.
Cllr Palman has set up a Face book page for the Town Council.

3689. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES including working parties:
Cllr Mrs Andrews attended the Sizewell Stakeholders Group meeting in Thorpeness. Sizewell are not producing any electricity at the moment and will not be doing so in the near future due to a condensation problem. There are very strong feelings that not enough feedback is forthcoming from Sizewell.
Cllr Palman attended the Suffolk Coastal Business Forum – faster broadband is needed.
Cllrs Mrs Damiral-White, Col Warren and Mark Palman attended the Leiston Airfield. Unfortunately they had not received our confirmation of attendance so were unable to have reserved seats and refreshments.
Cllr Willett reported on the BOS meeting - a talk from Chris Betson from HCMTI regarding broadband speeds, requesting all business, communities, and private individual’s go to www.suffolkcoastalbusiness.co.uk and complete the short questionnaire as soon as possible.
A social day will be organised later.
Letters will be circulated regarding Christmas arrangements shortly.

3690. OTHER MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE CHAIRMAN’S DISCRETION as notified under Agenda item 3:
3675.1 Railway Inn, Station Approach – Cllr Mrs Andrews had received numerous enquiries regarding what is
happening there. The site has been purchased and urgent repairs carried out due to the dangerous
condition of the bowing back wall and the roof. Once the repairs have been completed the owner has to decide what he would like to do with the building. The barn at the back is a separate building. The Listed Building Enforcement personnel from SCDC are aware of the situation.
3675.2 Railway Station – Cllr Mrs Andrews has received complaints about the maps on the external walls of
the station. The information on the maps is incorrect and Cllr Mrs Andrews proposed we write to the
people responsible, UK Media Group, to complain about the quality of the adverts. Cllr Palman
seconded this. Unanimously supported. Motion carried. It was felt that a map of the London Underground would be helpful to visitors of the town.

3691. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 12 JULY 2010

Meeting closed at 9.50 pm

The public left to enable further discussions ‘en camera’.




Signed…………………………………………………… Dated…………………………………..







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* Page 5 of 5 Town Council Minutes 14th June 2010