MINUTES OF A MEETING OF
SAXMUNDHAM TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON
MONDAY 8th MARCH 2010
IN THE MARKET HALL AT 7:15pm

Present:


Cllr. M. Palman, Acting Chairman
Cllr. Mrs. M. Andrews
Cllr. Sir P Batho
Cllr. Mrs. R. Damiral-White
Cllr. J. Fisher
Cllr. K. Howe
Cllr. B. Jones (from item 3624)

Cllr. G. Moye
Cllr. Miss B. Peall
Cllr. Mrs. D Sculley
Cllr. Ms. C. Trotter-Langlois
Cllr. Col. R. Warren
Cllr. D. Willett

In attendance:
Mrs M. Gallop, Clerk to the Council
County Cllr Rae Leighton
PCSO Thora Taylor
2 members of the public


PUBLIC FORUM: - Nothing raised

REPORT FROM THE LOCAL POLICE: The Police report had been circulated and PCSO Thora Taylor advised the following:
* The next SNT meeting will be held on Wednesday 10th March at 2pm and there will be a change of SNT priorities
* Problems with the parking of disabled drivers in the High Street will be discussed with Highways. A proposal that will possibly be looked at is the installation of two designated parking zones on each side of the road that could alleviate the obstruction and nuisance parking either side of the High Street.


REPORT FROM THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR: County Cllr Rae Leighton reported:
* Financial restraint is necessary and a 30% reduction in expenditure is planned over the next few years and various areas will be looked at for cuts. There will be a Fire and Rescue Service public meeting on the 30th March looking at efficiency and organisation. However this County has the lowest cost per head and the highest record for performance. Saxmundham has one appliance, a full time Officer and retained fire fighters who have other jobs. At present they need to be 5 minutes from the Fire Station to enable them to respond to a call out. Shift patterns will be looked at.
* Pupils from the Saxmundham Middle School will need to be bussed to Leiston and the picking up and dropping off at the Waterloo Avenue site in Leiston will need to be addressed. Cllr Mrs Andrews advised that if a town does not already have a High School the Government have stated that a new High school cannot be built in a town that has less than 5000 dwellings. Saxmundham, therefore, would not qualify to have a High School for the foreseeable future.

REPORT FROM THE DISTRICT COUNCILLORS:
Cllr Sir Peter Batho advised he had nothing to report on.

Cllr Mrs Andrews advised that details of the next years Council tax will be out shortly as a 2.9% increase has been set.
The LDF is continuing and after modifications will go to the Special Full Council meeting on the 18th March and if approved will be forwarded to the Inspector.
The planning department at Suffolk Coastal will be holding two different training days in April.
The new build at Sizewell will go ahead and pylons will be re-configured and used to take the electricity to the customers. How much water supply Sizewell C will use and the effect it will have on us is unknown at present.


AGENDA



3618. 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. Cllr Sir Peter declared an interest in Saxmundham Sports and Recreation Club as he is a Trustee.

3619. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr B Jones, representing the Town Council at a SALC meeting, Cllr G Cooke, holiday

3620. MATTERS TO BE RAISED UNDER AGENDA ITEM 18:
3620.1 Dog bin - Rendham Road – Cllr Mrs Damiral-White

3621. TO APPROVE AND SIGN AS A TRUE RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE 8th FEBRUARY 2010 MEETING previously circulated: Unanimously agreed and signed. Motion carried.

3622. MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM NOT COVERED ON THE AGENDA:
PCSO Taylor advised that policing will change totally from the 19th April. There will be no Police Officers in Leiston only the Safer Neighbourhood Team. Saxmundham retains their Police Station, our Police Officer Kevin Stollery and their Safer Neighbourhood Team. All Police will be sent to various stations and will circulate the areas in police cars. The Police hubs will be Halesworth, Ipswich, Lowestoft and Woodbridge. Telephone calls for assistance will go to Ipswich and will be delegated to ‘diary cars’ who will know all vehicle call signs and send the appropriate nearest car to the scene. Hub stations will be open 24 hours and residents will not see the local Officers out and about.
3602.2 Pavement in Station Approach – this has been reported to Highways
3602.3 Hopkins Homes have erected a black screen in their shop in the High Street
3609. Clerk had received confirmation that there will be no charges for parking on a Sunday in Saxmundham.
Cllr Mrs Andrews and the Clerk will liaise regarding a reply to a name and address supplied article in the February Town Telegraph regarding car parking in Saxmundham.

3623. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:

A – CORRESPONDENCE TO BE NOTED AND CIRCULATED:

437 SCDC Agenda and minutes
438 Mow & Grow SCDC Gardening Service
439 Green Communities – energy saving trust
440 BOS – thank you letter for our donation
441 SCC – Temporary 30mph speed limit on B1119 Rendham Road junction and U2203 Kiln Lane junction at Benhall 23 March to 1 April 2010
442 SCDC Raising Fraud Awareness
443 email Suffolk Police Press Release regarding Safer Suffolk Foundation – How our Communities have benefited from this crucial fund
444 SALC Suffolk Coastal Area Meeting 8th March
445 Suffolk Constabulary Press Release
446 Town Telegraph
447 SCC Revised bus services
448 SCDC Village of the Year competition
449 Email CYDS Project Open Evening Thursday 11 March 4pm – 9pm

B – CORRESPONDENCE TO BE DISCUSSED BEFORE REPLY:

112 SCC Draft Fire Action Plan 2010 – 2011 Consultation period ends 30th April – Public consultation Saxmundham Fire Station 30th March 1730 to 2000
113 George Dawson Chair of Judges Anglia in Bloom - Views & help regarding Anglia in Bloom regarding venues for awards, raffle etc – unfortunately we did not know of one
114 Bury St Edmunds Celebration of Choral Music Friday 26th March at 7.30pm tickets £10 each
115 The Friends of Leiston Airfield Annual Service of Remembrance & Thanksgiving Sunday 30th May at 2.15pm at Mustang Memorial to the 357th Fighter Group U.S.A.A.F on the Cakes & Ale Park. Cllrs Mrs Damiral-White and Palman to attend. Cllr Willett will go depending on business commitments.
116 SCC – Will Councillors go to www.erebusonline.org.uk and register your interest in having faster broadband

C – OTHER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED TO DATE:


C177 Email Peter Lucas Saxmundham URC – vehicles illegally parking over the dropped curb in Rendham Road. Would like existing double yellow lines extended by 2 metres in front of the dropped curb. It was thought that H markings would be preferable on Chapel Road close to the junction in Rendham Road. Clerk to contact Highways
C178 Email SALC Various courses Circulation
C179 SCDC Town & Parish Planning Forum – informing session on planning processes & guidance Thursday 15th April & Thursday 22nd April 2010
Councillors to advise Clerk
C180 Saxmundham Bowls Club Request for letter of support for application to SCDC for a capital grant Clerk to write letter of support
C181 Argents Lease for Scout Hut Signatures obtained
C182 Email SCDC Chairmans reception on Friday 16th July – invites to be sent
Circulation
C183 SCDC Suffolk Standards Committee Agenda Circulation
C184 Email Will Marshall Invite to the Suffolk Community Rail Line Partnership event 16th March 6.45 – 8.30pm Endeavour House
Cllrs Andrews,Fisher, and Willett to attend.
C185 Sax Sports & Rec Club Letter of support & donation required
Cllr Sir Peter left the room. Clerk to write letter of support. Donations discussed in May.


Cllr Barry Jones arrived at 8.35pm after the meeting at SALC.

3624. CHAIRMAN’S/ TOWN CLERK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
* Cllr Palman encouraged Councillors to attend the meeting with Mr P Whiffling regarding the Middle School to be held at 5pm in the Market Hall on Tuesday 30 March. It will be more beneficial for Saxmundham children to integrate into Leiston Middle School so they will all go to the High School together. If there is a change of government at the next election the Tory manifesto has plans for smaller schools. The Governors of Saxmundham Middle wish to keep the site open.
* The Clerk encouraged those who have been sent requests to complete their reports early for the Annual Town Meeting on the 19th April.

3625. FINANCE REPORT:
* To approve the monthly finance report to end of February 2010 – unanimously agreed. Motion carried.
Five minute break. Cllr Jones chaired the remainder of the meeting.

3626. TO CONSIDER THE RUNNING OF A TOWN LOTTERY: Cllr Howe advised that he had placed relevant literature on the above in every Councillors pigeonhole and this subject will go onto next months agenda.

3627. TO CONSIDER THE NEW PROPOSALS OF THE UPDATING OF THE EAST COAST LINE: Councillors attending the meeting on the 16th March and will report back.

3628. TO CONSIDER WRITING A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR SAXMUNDHAM SPORTS & RECRETATIONAL CLUB TO SEEK A DONATION TOWARDS A MAJOR NEW PROJECT: Previously discussed and agreed for letter of support.

3629. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM SAVVY: Cllr Ms Trotter-Langlois advised that the majority of the brambles had been cleared at Seaman Avenue and she is waiting for one more quotation in order to apply for the Playspace funding.

3630. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE:


The following application was discussed at the Planning meeting but requires a decision from the full Town Council
C10 0294
Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners
Outline application
Land between Rendham Road and A12 Rendham Road
Mixed use development including business, residential & local retail together with associated highways, car parking, landscaping
Cllr Peter left the room declaring an interest because he is an adjoining landowner. Cllr Andrews did not take part due to her being on the SCDC Development Control Committee. Cllr Mrs Damiral-white proposed the site is kept as commercial, Cllr Willett seconded. 9 votes for – 3 against.Motion carried on majority.


To consider the following applications:


C10 0309
Saxmundham Sports & Rec Bowling Club Pavilion Saxmundham
Erection of two storey club house
Sir Peter declared an interest. Unanimously supported

C10 0463
Mrs E R Van Allan
Station Cottage, Alma Place, Saxmundham
Retention of wooden trellis fence, Supported

C10 0492
Mr & Mrs Newson 62 Lincoln Ave, Saxmundham
Erection of single storey rear extension Supported

Planning permission received from SCDC:
C10 0135 66 Fairfield Road, Saxmundham Erection of conservatory 1 March 2010

Tree work notification 42 Church Hill, Saxmundham fell 2 Ash trees

Plan to be discussed next month:
C10 0567 46 High Street, Saxmundham Erection of internal staircase between first & second floors

Cllr Mrs Damiral-white will liaise with the Clerk to reply on the draft planning policy statement on development management.

3631. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE: Cllr Palman confirmed the meeting regarding the Schools re-organisation on the 30th March with interested parties.

The decision was announced for Suffolk regarding the options for unitary status as per the secretary of state for communities’ recommendation regarding with 35% of the results returned preferring to keep the status quo although it was not actually an option. Saxmundham did not wish to have unitary status but prefer to maintain the status quo.


3632. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE MARKET HALL COMMITTEE: Cllr Mrs Sculley advised that it was unanimously agreed that a surcharge of £3.00 per red bag would be charged for users of the hall who do not dispose of their own refuse. The Clerk will amend the booking form.

3633. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM SAXMUNDHAM NEWS AND THE WEBSITE: Cllr Mrs Andrews will let the Clerk have her article tomorrow. Cllrs Moye and Trotter-Langlois need to get their articles to the Clerk within the next two days. Saxmundham News will be delivered on Thursday 1st April.

3634. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES including working parties:
Cllr Jones advised on the two subjects discussed at the SALC meeting earlier in the evening . The Sizewell Parishes Liaison Group had confirmed the ‘wish list’ they will be requesting for the new build at Sizewell.
SALC raised the subject of consultation on a draft Planning Policy Statement on development management. Our Planning Committee have already been in discussion on this subject and their response will be forwarded before the 19th March.
The next SALC meeting will be on the 24th May and Cllr Palman will attend.
Cllr Howe advised that the subjects that he and the Clerk had hoped to raise at the last BOS meeting could not be discussed because they held a seminar on websites.
Cllr Howe reported that the Wine Tasting evening and the Dance held last Saturday for Saxmundham in Bloom funds were both very successful.

3635. OTHER MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE CHAIRMAN’S DISCRETION as notified under Agenda item 3:
3620.1 Dog bin - Rendham Road – Cllr Mrs Damiral-White advised that the bin opposite the top end of Mill Road was overflowing. Clerk to report to Suffolk Coastal Services.

3636. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Monday 12th APRIL 2010 at 7.15pm



Meeting closed at 9.40pm





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







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* Page 5 of 5 Town Council Minutes 8th March 2010