Full Town Council Minutes (Signed) 16-12-2019
Minutes of the Meeting of the Newmarket Town Council held on Monday 16th December 2019 at 6:00 pm
at the Memorial Hall, High Street, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8JP
Attendance:
Councillor R Hood (Town Mayor) Councillor A Drummond
Councillor M Anderson Councillor W Hirst
Councillor M Ali Councillor P Hulbert
Councillor Appleby Councillor M Jefferys
Councillor J Borda Councillor T Kerby
Councillor O Bowen Councillor I Kirk
Councillor S Caesar Councillor J Lay
Councillor J De’Ath Councillor C O’Neill
Councillor R Yarrow
Also Present: Deborah Sarson – Acting TCM, Christy Argyroudi – Events Manager, Julie Ashton – Minute Assistant Inspector Shipton – Suffolk Constabulary, Will Wright – West Suffolk, Cllr Nobbs – West Suffolk, Cllr Starkey – East Cambs, Noel Byrne – Bedford Lodge Hotel, 1 Member of the Press and 4 Members of the Public.
The Mayor opened the meeting with a statement regarding the magnificent work of the Events Manager on Saturday at the Taste of Christmas event where unfortunately the Alpine huts had not arrived due to have being stolen at Peterborough. However traders were accommodated in the Memorial Hall and three food huts had been resourced to save the event from being cancelled.
A huge vote of thanks was given to the Events Manager for her resourcefulness in organising and managing this event. Despite the lack of huts and the rain, it was well attended throughout the day and would be much better next year.
19/12/1 Fire safety briefing and announcement that proceedings may be filmed or recorded
The Mayor opened the meeting read out the Fire Safety Briefing and the announcement that proceedings may be filmed or recorded.
19/12/2 Apologies for absence – LGA 1972, Section 85(1) & (2)
None noted.
19/12/3 To receive an update from inspector Mark Shipton
Inspector Shipton gave an update on the antisocial issues in Newmarket by a group of youths. He advised that reported incidents had been reduced at the Guineas, Abbey Croft Leisure and Newmarket Academy. Action had been taken against the youths that had been rated as red with significant arrests being made and bail conditions being applied. They were continuing to work with all agencies and pulse patrols had continued to be carried out at specific times using stop and search action. The situation was now in a positive place but there was still work to be done to hopefully see an improvement in the summer.
The Mayor thanked Inspector Shipton for the update and the work of his team and he left the meeting.
19/12/4 TO CO-OPT A COUNCILLOR TO FILL THE CURRENT VACANY ON NEWMARKET TOWN COUNCIL
The Mayor introduced 2 candidates Yasemin Fitzgerald and Philippa Winter and it was agreed that questions would be put to each candidate separately.
Yasemin stepped up the podium first to take questions and Philippa left the meeting. When Philippa returned to take questions, Yasemin left the meeting. Both candidates returned to the meeting for the vote.
Members considered the responses to the questions and past experience and a request for a recorded vote was made.
A recorded vote was taken and the votes for each candidate were as follows:
Yasemin Fitzgerald: Cllrs Appleby, O’Neill, Borda, Jefferys, Ali, Bowen, Yarrow, Hirst and Kirk (9 in total)
Philippa Winter: Cllrs Drummond, Lay, De’Ath, Anderson, Hulbert, Hood, Caesar and Kerby (total 8)
The following was agreed:
19/12/4.01 Resolved
That Yasemin Fitzgerald be co-opted to fill the current vacancy on Newmarket Town Council.
Cllr Fitzgerald joined the table and would sign the Declaration of Office after the meeting.
Philippa Winter, Robert Nobbs, Amy Starkey, Noel Byrne, a member of the public and Cllrs Anderson and De’Ath left the meeting.
19/12/5 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
Cllr O’Neill declared a nonpecuniary interest in item 14.
19/12/6 To receive and confirm the minutes of the public part of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 25th November 2019 and any matters arising
The Town Mayor presented the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 25th November 2019 and the following was agreed:
19/12/6.01 Resolved
That the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 25th November 2019 be adopted and signed as a correct record by the Town Mayor.
The Mayor would sign the minutes after the meeting.
19/12/7 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 matters relating to the town to be brought to their attention
None noted.
Will Wright – Families and Community Officer West Suffolk gave an introduction to Youth Strategy in Newmarket and the work carried out so far by the Youth Action Group. A request was made for NTC to support the strategy and to join the Youth Action Group and the following was agreed:
19/12/7.01 Resolved
That NTC fully supports the Youth Strategy in Newmarket.
19/12/.02 Resolved
That a Working Group be set up to lead the Youth Action Group comprising of Cllrs Ali, Borda, Bowen, Jefferys, Hirst, Hulbert, Kerby, O’Neill, Yarrow and supported by Will Wright.
Will Wright, Cllr O’Neill and a member of the public left the meeting.
19/12/8 Report from County Councillors
The SCC November 2019 monthly report was noted.
19/12/9 Report from District Councillors
None noted.
19/12/10 Ward reports from Town Councillors
None noted.
19/12/11 To receive reports from Town Councillors elected as representatives on other bodies
None noted.
19/12/12 To receive the Town Mayor’s and Deputy Mayor’s announcements
The Mayor’s itinerary for November and December included the following:
07/11/2019 – Attended the Heaven Awaits Licence hearing at West Suffolk
08/11/2019 – Meeting with Jill Korwin regarding the cinema in Newmarket
10/11/2019 & 11/11/2019 – Attended the Remembrance Services
12/11/2019 – Attended the Purple Tuesday event and opening of the Racing Welfare Summerhill House home in the presence of HRH Princess Anne
14/11/5019 – Attended a Neighbourhood Plan meeting at West Suffolk regarding the referendum
15/11/2019 – Attended and helped with the BID Christmas Lights Switch On in the High Street
30/11/2019 – Switched on charity lights display in Red Lodge
05/12/2019 – Attended Academy Awards evening and presented Award with Deputy Mayor
09/12/2019 – Attended WS familiarisation morning at Newmarket with WE Cabinet members
10/12/2019 – Attended meeting with Cllr Raynor and Deputy Mayor regarding Newmarket Sports facilities and provisions
19/12/13 To receive the minutes and consider any recommendations from the D&P committee meeting held on 2nd December 2019
The Mayor presented the report and recommendations from the Development & Planning Committee meeting held on 2nd December 2019
19/12/13.01 Resolved (D/19/12/8.01 Recommendation)
That NTC supports mitigation option 4 to prevent future flooding in Newmarket.
19/12/13.02 Resolved (D/19/12/15.01 Recommendation)
That NTC set up a working group to investigate dangerous junctions in Newmarket.
19/12/14 To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Leisure Services Committee meeting held on 2nd December 2019.
The Mayor presented the report and recommendations from the Leisure Services Committee meeting held on 2nd December 2019.
19/12/14.01 Resolved (L/19/12/7.01 Recommendation)
That subject to the Carnival budget being increased to £10,000, that the draft budget 20/21 for the Leisure Services Committee be received and adopted.
19/12/15 To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the community services committee meeting held on 9th December 2019.
The Chairman of the Community Services Committee presented the report and recommendations from the Community Services Committee meeting held on 9th December 2019.
19/12/15.01 Resolved (C/19/12/16.01 Recommendation)
That a request for an additional device be submitted to SCC Highways and funding from SCC Cllrs Highways budgets be explored.
19/12/16 To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 9th December 2019.
The Chairman of the Human Resources Committee presented the report and recommendations from the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 9th December 2019.
19/12/16.01 Resolved (H/19/12/7.01 Recommendation)
That the draft 20/21 Budget for the HR Committee be received and adopted.
19/12/17 To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Finance & Policy Committee meeting held on 9th December 2019
The Chairman of the Finance & Policy Committee presented the report and recommendations from the Finance & Policy Committee meeting held on 9th December 2019.
19/12/17.01 (F/19/12/6.01 Recommendation)
That the ratification of the schedules of payments for the period 01/11/2019 – 30/11/2019 (Cash Book 1 and 2) be received and adopted.
19/12/17.02 Resolved (F/19/12/9.01 Recommendation)
That the draft 20/21 Budget for the F&P Committee be received and adopted.
19/12/18 To approve the budget and precept for the financial year 2020/ 2019 to 09 January 2020
The Acting TCM presented the draft budget for 2020/2021 and a comparison report on the precept and financial planning of other Councils. It was noted that in comparison, NTC’s reserves were low and the importance of financial prudence was agreed. After discussing and considering the precept and the effect on the budget the following was unanimously agreed:
19/12/18.01 Resolved
That subject to a line being added for other projects and/or reserves in the amount of £34,561, the Budgeted expenditure for 2020/2021 be approved at £772,789.
19/12/18.02 Resolved
That a precept demand of £665,114 be submitted to West Suffolk Council which is £120 per Band D property, an increase of 18.14%.
It was noted that a positive message would need to be put out to residents regarding the increase to the precept and the Mayor and Cllr Kirk agreed to draft a press release.
19/12/19 Newmarket Neighbourhood plan referendum
Members were advised that the Referendum would be held on Thursday 30th January 2020 and a request was made for all Cllrs to encourage residents to vote.
19/12/20 West Suffolk Strategic housing and economic land availability assessment consultation
The Mayor advised that although the closing date of the consultation had been extended to 17th December 2019, the D&P Committee had requested a further extension to 1st February to allow for the outcome of the Newmarket Neighbourhood Plan Referendum to be taken into account.
19/12/21 To discuss the decline of Newmarket market, management issues and lack of reporting
Members were advised that a request for information and data on the stalls on the market had been made and a response was still awaited. It was noted that safety concerns and infrastructure needed to be addressed and a proposal was made to set up a Working Group. The following was agreed:
19/12/21.01 Resolved
That a Market Working Group be set up comprising of Cllrs Lay, Jefferys, De’Ath, Kerby and Caesar to look at improving safety and infrastructure for the market.
19/12/22 Newmarket recycling centre
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
19/12/23 Constitution review workshop
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
19/12/24 PCSO monthly report
The PCSO monthly report was received and noted.
19/12/25 To receive the health & safety monthly inspection report
The Health & Safety monthly inspection report was received and noted.
19/12/26 Litter working group
The Mayor confirmed that the date of the first meeting would be held on 19th December 2019 in the Memorial Hall Council Chamber.
19/12/27 Hazardous road junctions working group
A proposal was made to set up a Working Group to look into the hazardous road junctions in Newmarket and the following was agreed:
19/12/27.01 Resolved
That a Working Group to look into the hazardous road junctions on Newmarket be set up comprising of Cllrs Kirk, Hood, Hulbert and Lay.
19/12/28 Street naming Brickfield Stud
The Mayor advised that the street naming proposals submitted by Alison Hayes for the Brickfield Stud development had been accepted.
A member of the Press left the meeting.
19/12/29 Christmas opening hours
The discretionary time off was considered and the following was agreed:
19/12/29.01 Resolved
That the office would be closed from 24th December 2019 at 12:00 until 2nd January 2020 at 09:00. Staff would be allocated two discretionary days leave and would need to take one days personal leave for 31st December 2019.
19/12/30 Additional budget item
The Acting TCM advised that the costs of replacing the PIRs (Passive Infra-Red) sensors had been included in the 2020/2021 budget.
Events Manager joined the meeting.
19/12/31 To consider correspondence
The following correspondence was noted:
a. Life Link Expansion – the planned scheme for Newmarket was noted and the offer to give a presentation was accepted – date to be agreed.
19/12/32 Exclusion of the press & Public
There was no business under this item and Press & Public were not required to be excluded from the meeting.
19/12/33 Date of the next meeting of the Town Council
Monday 26th January 2020.
Meeting closed at 9:18pm
Signed : __________________ Date : ____________________