MINUTES OF A MEETING OF SAXMUNDHAM TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON
MONDAY 10th JANUARY 2011 IN THE MARKET HALL AT 7:15pm

Present:

Cllr. Mrs M Andrews
Cllr. S. P Batho
Cllr. G. Cooke
Cllr. J. Fisher
Cllr. K. Howe
Cllr. G. Moye
Cllr. Miss B Peall
Cllr. Mrs. D Sculley
Cllr. Ms. C. Trotter-Langlois
Cllr. D. Willett


In attendance:

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


REPORT FROM THE LOCAL POLICE: Sgt Daye Goddard reported on 20 incidents that occurred in December. She advised that BOS are investigating the use of CCTV. The Town Council had discussed this subject a few years ago and again last month.
A member of the public thought there was a distinct lack of visible police presence in the town but Sgt Goddard assured everyone that this was not the case as Officers do patrol to the best of their ability considering they have 52 parishes to cover. Response teams cover the town out of hours when the SNT Officers are not about. Smart Water kits are still available for private dwellings and Sgt Goddard encouraged residents to apply for them.

PUBLIC FORUM:
* The Jewellers in Saxmundham has been burgled twice in the last two months and a number of other businesses have been broken into. A small minority of youths are spoiling the town and BOS, depending on funding, would like to have CCTV installed as soon possible as this aids prosecutions. Costs for CCTV are being investigated - £12,000 for two cameras plus £1000 each for extra cameras. A minimum of four cameras would be needed together with a Data Protection License. The Crime Reduction Officer will co-ordinate with the suppliers of CCTV to ascertain the best sites for installation depending on detailed analysis of crime figures, types of crime, key locations and anti social behaviour.

Sgt Goddard was warmly thanked for her assistance.

REPORT FROM THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR: Cllr R Leighton gave his apologies as he had other business to attend but advised that he would be at our February meeting.

REPORT FROM THE DISTRICT COUNCILLORS: Cllr Sir Peter reminded the Council that the Local Development Framework consultation ends on the 29th January and any views need to be given to Suffolk Coastal District Council before then.
AGENDA

3794. 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.

3795. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr Mrs Damiral-White, illness, Cllr B Jones, working abroad, County Cllr Rae Leighton, meetings, Cllr M Palman, working away, Cllr Col R Warren, illness

3796. MATTERS TO BE RAISED UNDER AGENDA ITEM 17: None raised

3797. TO APPROVE AND SIGN AS A TRUE RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE 13th DECEMBER MEETING previously circulated:
Unanimously agreed and signed. Motion carried.

3798. MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM NOT COVERED ON THE AGENDA:
* 3777 1 . Cllr Mrs Andrews reminded Councillors that we will need a Representative of the Town Council to join the Community Enterprise Centre Joint Project Board.
* 3778 Page 3 Cllr Fisher has looked into the overhanging tree at the Spinney at North Entrance. Cllr Cooke offered to visit the resident who owns the willow tree and request that it is cut back.
* Our caretaker, Alan George, is on long term sick and Cllr Mrs Andrews advised that we need to consider alternative methods of completing his work. Cllr Moye and our Community workers have been putting out the tables and chairs and the Clerk has done the cleaning since mid November. The Clerk will make enquiries to employ a cleaner as a temp.
* 3778 We have received a response to our letter to the Suffolk Constabulary
* 3785 BOS have not been informed of the cost of the Christmas tree yet
* 3775.1 The Clerk has emailed and spoken to SCC regarding painting the last row of the black bricks outside the Market Hall because a number of residents have tripped up the steps. The Clerk will chase this up and also request that the yellow line outside the URC Hall is extended past the drop down kerb.

3799. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:

A – CORRESPONDENCE TO BE NOTED AND CIRCULATED:
555 The Town Telegraph
556 ESTA Members’ Bulletin
557 SALC The Local Councillor
558 copy letter from Saxmundham Police to Mr Troughton

B – CORRESPONDENCE TO BE DISCUSSED BEFORE REPLY:
144 Suffolk Constabulary – Policing in Saxmundham & Leiston – response to our letter. Sector Commander C Gilmore is going to arrange a meeting with our chairman, Cllr Mrs Andrews.
145 Unison Suffolk County Branch – Suffolk County Council’s New Strategic Direction – to be discussed when further information is available.

C – OTHER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED TO DATE:

C234 Dave Hannah Support for the Go with the flow bus. Cllr Fisher declared an interest. The Clerk will send a letter confirming support for their venture.
C235 Email Suffolk Acre Consultation for Care Homes Not applicable to Saxmundham
C236 Email SCC Invitation to the official Launch of the Suffolk Links Loes Demand-Responsive Transport
Cllrs Mrs Andrews and D.Willett to attend
C237 Barclays Maturity of our Bond – do we wish to sign up for another one?
Cllr Sir Peter to let the Clerk have details of different financial investments
C238 The Royal British Legion Will the Council agree to organise a Poppy party over the weekend 10 – 12 June 2011 Give to Cllr Mrs Damiral-White
C239 SCDC LDF reviewed core strategy consultation – additional leaflet. Display on Notice Boards
C240 New Government Guidelines SWINE FLU Circulation


3800. CHAIRMAN’S/ TOWN CLERK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS: - None

A five minute break ensued

3801. FINANCE REPORT:
* To approve the monthly finance report to end of December 2010 – Cllr Cooke proposed these as correct, seconded by Cllr Willett. Unanimously agreed. Motion carried.

3802. TO SET THE PRECEPT FOR 2011/2012:
Cllr Sir Peter advised that the proposed 11.6% on an increased Precept was irresponsible but Cllr Moye thought it irresponsible not to increase the Precept to a level consistent with essential expenditure and provide minimal services. Cllr Cooke advised that percentage rates did not give a true reflection of the actual figures involved and reiterated his comments that for a number of years the Precept had been set at an extremely low level. Cllr Ms Trotter-Langlois expressed concern that the Precept will not include funding for the safety of Chantry Road Park. Cllr Moye proposed that full Council accept the recommendation of the P & R committee that the Precept be set at £77,000 to take account of known increased expenditure and likely increased expenditure caused by cutbacks of other local authorities. Seconded by Cllr Cooke. Cllr Sir Peter strongly objected but the remaining Councillors voted in favour of the motion. Motion carried on a majority of 10 to 1.

3803. TO CONSIDER SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL NEW STRATEGIC DIRECTION (copy of council services to be delivered differently in the future) circulated:
Cllr Mrs Andrews advised that we may have to take over the running of the library services. As yet we have not received sufficient details and Cllr Sir Peter confirmed that the view of SCC where vast quantities of volunteers will suddenly appear and supply services will just not happen. If SCC do not upkeep the library in Saxmundham residents will be looking to the Town Council to do something about it and could wrongly blame the Town Council for the demise of the library and other services as the situation will undoubtedly deteriorate. The Town Council is not the type of body who can supply various services. We already have the smallest library in Suffolk but great expertise is needed to finance and run a library and residents should realise that although the Town Council wish to provide services we are not in a position to do so.

3804. TO CONSIDER ELECTING TWO EXTRA MEMBERS ONTO THE PLANNING COMMITTEE: The Clerk advised that due to illness and resignations of present members on the planning committee there were insufficient members last week to hold a planning meeting as we did not have a quorum.
Cllrs Cooke and Ms Cheleigh Trotter-Langlois offered to join the present members of the committee.

3805. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM SAVVY: Due to Cllr Ms Trotter-Langlois having flu she was unable to give an update.

3806. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE: Cllr Fisher advised that the planning meeting scheduled for the 4th January had been unable to take place.
He advised the following:-
C10 3162 Land between Rendham Road and A12 Rendham Road Saxmundham – erection of Savills Agents V Boards (x2) to advertise sale of development site
Consultation on planning application which will be determined by SCC – Saxmundham Primary School – construction of new Science and Community Room to be erected on the South East corner of the Primary School plot – Councillors unanimously supported this.

3807. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE: Cllr Moye advised that
most of this had already been discussed previously. He is waiting for quotations regarding alternative printing of our newsletter but Cllr Fisher has been in touch with Leiston Press who are willing to attend our next meeting to give a presentation on proposed future plans. Due to insufficient information from SCC the subject of the Library has been deferred to the February meeting.

3808. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM SAXMUNDHAM NEWS AND THE WEBSITE:
The Clerk advised that Saxmundham News will be distributed at the end of this week and she continues to update the website.

3809. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES including working parties:
Cllr Mrs Andrews advised that there will be a World War 2 themed dance on Saturday 12th February with prizes for the best themed costume. Tickets will be £10 and will be available from H.G.Crisp from the 15th January.

3810. OTHER MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE CHAIRMAN’S DISCRETION as notified under Agenda item 3:
Cllr Willett advised that the subject of CCTV had been discussed earlier. The Town Council would like a working party in conjunction with BOS or on their own to discuss various options. P & R agenda February.
The Christmas Fayre was well attended considering the inclement weather.
Cllr Fisher attends regular meetings of the Library Users’ Group and SADCIC have advised they have no intention of running the library.
The Clerk will write a letter of thanks to the Bell Hotel for decorating the Christmas tree so beautifully.
Cllr Howe will liaise with the Clerk regarding the circulated email advising the small trees available to be planted around Saxmundham. Cllr Howe advised that he will not be standing as Chairman of Saxmundham in Bloom this coming year but offered his assistance together with Mr Burville to the continuing project of keeping our town beautiful. Cllr Mrs Andrews warmly thanked him for all his hard work during the last four years on Saxmundham in Bloom. The subject of the number of hanging baskets required for this coming spring must be discussed as an agenda item for the P & R in February.

3811. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 14th FEBRUARY 2011
Cllr Cooke gave his apologies for non attendance at the next P & R meeting as he will be abroad.

Meeting closed at 9.25pm


Signed………………………………………… Dated…………………………………..……….
* Page 4 of 4 Town Council Minutes 10th JANUARY 2011