Full Town Council Minutes (Signed) 19-08-2019
Minutes of the Meeting of the Newmarket Town Council held on Monday 19th August 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 Ali Councillor M Jefferys
Councillor M Anderson Councillor P Hulbert
Councillor J Borda Councillor T Kerby
Councillor O Bowen Councillor J Lay
Councillor S Caesar Councillor C O’Neill
Councillor J De’Ath Councillor R Yarrow
Also Present: Roberta Bennett – TCM, Julie Ashton – Minute Assistant Member, Acting Police Inspector Steve Duncan, Graham Philpot – Newmarket BID, 1 Member of the Press and 10 Members of the Public.
19/08/1 The Mayor opened the meeting and advised that the first item to be discussed was not on the agenda, however Standing orders allowed for any urgent matters relating to the Town to be discussed. A proposal was made to add an agenda item for Law & Order and the Role of the Police in Newmarket and the following was agreed:
19/08/1.01 Resolved
That an agenda item on Policing in Newmarket be added to the agenda.
19/08/2 Urgent town business – Policing in Newmarket
The Mayor introduced Acting Inspector Steve Duncan who gave a summary of recent events in the Town which included the following:
• A gang of youths had started off with low level antisocial behaviour which had escalated into an assault in the High Street last weekend.
• A Norfolk Police dog handler had attended the scene and an ambulance was called. Two members of the Newmarket Police force were across the road in a car but did not assist. The Inspector would investigate the reasons why they did not assist and report back.
• The victim was contacted but would but would not provide a statement and the Police were looking at CCTV, Public Order Offences and asking for witnesses to come forward and give statements.
• The Police can only take action on the evidence received but could issue antisocial behaviour orders to restrict access to public spaces. However, they were not able to enforce any breaches. The only course of action is to refer the perpetrators to the Youth Offenders Service.
• Police resources had been re-allocated and they prioritise calls by threat, harm and risk.
• Police were aware of the issues in Newmarket and there was now a commissioned operation in place which allows for additional resources to be called on. The Police are working with other partners to find a positive way to move forward.
The public were invited to ask questions and included the following concerns:
• Police need to be more visible to deter crime in Newmarket.
• Police need to be more proactive and to respond more quickly.
• The youths involved were feral and had no respect for the Police as they know that action will not be taken against them which encourages them to carry on offending.
• Could more CCTV be added to the High Street? – NTC would look into this.
The Acting Inspector gave an update on the current Police situation on numbers and how calls are prioritised and responded to. He urged for all incidents to be reported. The incident from last weekend was still being investigate but he would pass the comments on to the relevant channels.
All the Councillors were then invited to ask questions which included the following:
• Could the PCSO who NTC funds be more visible in the High Street so that the Council could see a return on investment?
• A Police representative used to regularly attend Council meetings could this be re-instated?
• Police need to be more visible to prevent crime and a consequence of the lack of visibility of the Police is that the rule of law is disappearing.
• Could the closure of the Newmarket Police Station be a factor?
• Could the decision to move the Police station to Mildenhall be reviewed given that the Police recognise that Newmarket has the highest demand for Police in the District?
• How successful was the recruitment of Special Constables?
• Does Newmarket have sufficient Police Officers per head of population?
• What are the Police doing to evict the travellers from St Felix School?
Acting Inspector Duncan advised that the Police are working with the Council on the issue of travellers at St Felix School but they were not able to evict them. They would deal with any incidents as they are reported. He would take the questions and points raised and refer them to the proper channels.
The Mayor looked forward to a response on the requests made for the Police Station to be returned to Newmarket, more Police on the High Street and improved confidence that reported incidents would be responded to promptly.
The Mayor thanked the Acting Inspector for his input tonight and made a request for a representative to attend the next full Council meeting. The Mayor also thanked the public for coming to put forward their concerns.
There was a 2 minute break to allow the Acting Inspector and members of the public to leave the meeting.
The meeting resumed with a member of the press and 3 members of the public in attendance.
19/08/3 Fire safety briefing and announcement that proceedings may be filmed or recorded
The Mayor opened the meeting and read out the Fire Safety Briefing and the announcement that proceedings may be filmed or recorded.
19/08/4 Apologies for absence – LGA 1972, Section 85(1) & (2)
Apologies were received from Cllrs Cooke and Hirst. Cllr Appleby was absent.
19/08/5 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
None noted.
19/08/6 To receive and confirm the minutes of the public part of the town council meeting held on Monday 22nd July 2019 and any matter arising.
The Town Mayor presented the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 22nd July 2019 and the following amendment was made:
Page 3 – 19/07/12 – that the second para be removed.
Subject to the amendment being made, the following was agreed:
19/08/6.01 Resolved
That the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 22nd July 2019 be adopted and signed as a correct record by the Town Mayor.
Matters arising:
Page 3 – 19/07/9.02 – TCM confirmed that an invitation had been sent to Flagship and that they had responded to the issue in a letter. Members were disappointed that Flagship did not attend the meeting and the following was agreed:
19/08/6.02 Resolved
TCM to insist that a representative from Flagship attends the next meeting.
Page 6 – 19/07/19 – TCM confirmed that the quote from the Guineas Management Company to use their antenna to relay the CCTV signal from the Memorial Gardens to West Suffolk. However they had increased the cost and an alternative was being sought. The following was agreed:
19/08/6.03 Resolved
That the TCM be give delegated power to expedite a solution for the Memorial Gardens CCTV.
19/08/7 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 matter relating to the town to be brought to their attention.
A resident asked why no action had been taken for the unlawful access by travellers at St Felix School. They were also fly tipping rubble at the site and no action appeared to have been taken against this unlawful behaviour.
Cllr Ali left the meeting.
A resident asked what support SCC were giving to keep the Weatherby crossing open?
A proposal was made to bring item 18 forward and the following was agreed:
19/08/7.01 Resolved
That item 18 Weatherby crossing be brought forward.
19/08/8 Weatherby crossing – To consider actions in advance of planning inspections
TCM advised that the date of the Public Inquiry was set for 18th March 202 at the football club and that evidence need to be submitted by 11th November 2019. She was getting help from the Historical Society to put the evidence together and a quote had been requested to provide legal representation. The resident would forward his information regarding the crossing to assist the evidence. It was also important that residents speak at the hearing and should be encouraged to attend and share their experiences.
TCM advised that due to future staff changes someone would need to take the lead at NTC on this issue. Cllrs Hood, Hulbert, Jefferys and Hirst had attended the last hearing and would assist again with support from the residents.
19/08/9 To appoint Cllr Jefferys to the Leisure Service, Community Services and Development & Planning Committee
The following was agreed:
19/08/9.01 Resolved
That Cllr Jefferys be appointed to the Leisure Services, Community Services and Development & Planning Committees.
19/08/10 To appoint Cllr Anderson to the Community Services Committee
The following was agreed:
19/08/10.01 Resolved
That Cllr Anderson be appointed to the Community Services Committee.
19/08/11 Report from County Councillors
The Mayor advised that the SCC report would be circulated at the end of the month.
Members were advised that there is concern that SCC are planning to cut the Family Services at Foley House from full time to 2/3 days per week and that SCC should be pressed on this issue. The following was agreed:
19/08/11.01 Resolved
That Cllr Robin Millar be invited to attend the next meeting to explain the planned cut to the family services at Foley House.
19/08/12 Report from District Councillors
None noted.
19/08/13 Ward reports from Town Councillors
Members were advised that Cllr Robin Millar had secured a pedestrian crossing at Studlands. There was a lot of litter at Studlands and a request for additional bins was made. The Mayor advised that litter was becoming a problem in Newmarket and requested that an item be placed on the next agenda.
Members were advised that there was concern that SCC might be planning to switch off the lights at Studlands at night to save money. TCM would check this as NTC pay for these lights to stay on. An item on street lighting would be placed on the next agenda.
A request was made to visit the possible venue for the Newmarket Museum at Palace House Cottages and TCM agreed to arrange a date and circulate the details.
19/08/14 To receive reports from Town Councillors elected as representatives on other bodies
None noted.
19/08/15 To receive the Town Mayor’s and Deputy Mayor’s announcements
TBA
19/08/16 To receive the minutes and consider any recommendations from the D&P committee meeting held on 5th August 2019
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
19/08/17 To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Leisure Services Committee meeting held on 5th August 2019
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
19/08/18 To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Community Services Committee meeting held on 8th July 2019
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
19/08/19 To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 12th August 2019
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
19/08/20 To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Finance & Policy Committee meeting held on 15th July 2019
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
19/08/21 To receive an update on the Soap Box Race
Members were advised that the weather was expected to be good and that there were 31 confirmed entries. They would compete in two races and 5,000 spectators were expected. All was on track for a fantastic event. An email would be sent to volunteers giving instructions and details of the timings for the day.
19/08/22 To view the changes to Newmarket Post Office
TCM advised that Newmarket Post Office were changing the way it operates and that they were conducting a consultation. It was noted that the Newmarket Post Office was one of the last Crown Post Offices and that it would be a sad loss. Advice on the franchise operations would be sought and all Councillors were encouraged to complete the consultation individually.
A member of the public left the meeting.
19/08/23 To consider correspondence
a. West Suffolk Affordable Housing – TCM advised that a consultation would take place from 28th August – 13th September 2019.
19/08/24 Date of the next meeting of the Town Council
Monday 23rd September 2019
Meeting closed at 9:00pm
Signed : __________________ Date : ____________________