Neighbourhood Plan Minutes (signed) 14-09-2020
Minutes of a Meeting of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee
Held on Monday 14th September August 2020 at 6:00 pm via Zoom
Attendance:
Councillor A Appleby (Chairman) Councillor P Hulbert
Councillor A Drummond Councillor M Jefferys
Councillor J De’Ath Councillor T Kerby
Councillor R Hood Councillor C O’Neill
Philippa Winter (member of Public Realm working group)
Douglas Hall (member of Cycling/Public Transport and Parking Strategy working groups)
Also Present: Debbie Baines – Town Clerk, Cathy Whitaker – RFO, Julie Ashton – Minute Assistant, 1 Member of the Press and 1 Member of the Public.
N/20/09/1 Chairman to read fire safety notice and announce that proceedings may be filmed or recorded
The Chairman opened the meeting and announced that proceedings are being recorded and to advise that all participants will be muted by the host of the meeting who will unmute the individual the Chairman has invited to speak.
N/20/09/2 Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Cllr Yarrow. Cllr Bowen was absent.
N/20/09/3 Declaration of members interests and to remind councillors of the need to keep up to date their register of members interests and to consider any requests received for members dispensation
None noted.
N/20/09/4 To receive and confirm for accuracy the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 10th August 2020 and any matter arising
Members received the minutes of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee Meeting held on Monday 10th August 2020 and the following was agreed:
N/20/09/4.01 Resolved
That the minutes of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee meeting held on Monday 10th August 2020 be adopted and would be signed as a true record by the Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee after the meeting.
There were no matters arising.
N/20/09/5 Chairman opening remarks
The Chairman welcomed everyone.
N/20/09/6 Public participation an invitation to members of the public to put questions/statements of not more than 3 minutes duration. No resolutions can be made but councillors are very happy for matter relating to the town to be brought to their attention.
A resident indicated that they would speak to item 9.
N/20/09/7 To receive the accounts for August 2020
The accounts for August 2020 were received and noted.
N/20/09/8 Community actions working group
Cycling & Public Transport (E4/E9) – The group had done extensive research to produce reports on the current services and facilities.
A meeting had been held with the Newmarket Rail Group and they agreed to give a presentation to the Committee in the near future.
The reports were presented and the following was agreed:
N/20/09/8.01 Recommendation
That the details of public transport for buses and rail along with cycling routes be promoted on the NTC website and social media.
West Suffolk were working on a project to introduce a new cycle path on Elizabeth Avenue and a route from Newmarket to Bottisham which would then link to Cambridge routes.
Public Realm & Associated Initiatives (F3/C3) – A verbal update was given and a lot of issues were identified from graffiti to tree management. The Chairman would contact Flagship housing regarding the demolishing of the unused garages to be replaced with car parking. Fothergill Seeds would be approached regarding the provision of wild flower seeds and residents approached to see if they would volunteer with grass cutting and planting.
Philippa Winter would be meeting with West Suffolk to prioritise the issues and to look at the costs to cover this work
It was noted that next month Committees would be reviewing their budgets and this Committee could consider allocating funds for small projects. An email report from WSC indicated works to repair the bus shelter at Fred Archer Way were scheduled for October 2020. The report (to be circulated) also provided costings for installation of knee-high fence to prevent parking on the verge at St Mary’s Square from West Suffolk..
Trees needed further pollarding and a volunteer had been spotted tidying up the Yellow Brick Road further details would be provided at the next meeting.
Parking Strategy (E10) – A verbal update was given on the survey and a meeting would be arranged with West Suffolk to discuss the findings. The survey had reached 50% of properties.
SEND Provision (B3i) – A verbal report was given and a report from SCC on how excluded children and those with special educational needs will be catered for was awaited.
Yellow Brick Road (C7) – A verbal report was given and a report on the site visit by West Suffolk will be presented at the next meeting
N/20/09/9 Pedestrian crossing
Town Clerk advised that a response on costs was awaited. Controlled and uncontrolled (curtesy crossings) were discussed further and a response was awaited form the relevant Officer at SCC.
N/20/09/10 Voluntary community initiatives
The Chairman introduced the SCC Self Help Scheme for residents to volunteer to deliver minor maintenance work within their communities. PPE and equipment will be supplied.
N/20/09/11 Newmarket town tour photographs
Photographs of areas in Town that required attention were presented and Phillipa Winter reported she had asked West Suffolk for a site visit to look at the problem areas and to agree responsibilities.
N/20/09/12 Grass cutting protocols
This would also be covered on the site visit with West Suffolk.
N/20/09/13 Recycling facilities
A report from SCC was awaited, however the only option for the Newmarket recycling centre to be opened would be through a private initiative.
N/20/09/14 Future matters
Members were invited to submit any ideas by email.
N/20/09/15 Dates of next meeting
Monday 12th October 2020 via Zoom.
N/20/09/16 Items for next agenda
• Working Group reports
• Pedestrian crossings
• Recycling
Meeting closed at 6:56pm
Signed ______________________________ Date ______________________