Community and Leisure Services Minutes Signed 07-03-2022
Attendance:
Councillor P Winter (Chairman)
Councillor R Hood
Councillor J Borda
Councillor P Hulbert
Councillor L Crissall
Councillor M Jefferys
Councillor D Hall
Councillor K Yarrow
Councillor J Harvey
Also Present:
C Whitaker – Town Clerk
T Symonds – Deputy Town Clerk
C Argyroudi – Events Manager
J Ashton – Minute Assistant
2 Samphire Homes Representatives
1 Member of the Press
and 3 Members of the Public
Minute
CL/22/03/1 Chairman to Read the Fire Safety Notice and Announce that Proceedings May be Filmed or Recorded
The Chairman opened the meeting, read out the fire safety briefing and announced that no fire alarm was planned and that the meeting may be filmed or recorded.
CL/22/03/2 Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllrs Anderson, Ferries and De’Ath. Cllr Drummond was absent.
CL/22/03/3 Declaration of Member’s Interests and to Remind Councillors of the Need to Keep up to Date Their Register of Member’s Interests and to Consider Any Requests Received for Members Dispensation
None noted. There were no requests for dispensations.
CL/22/03/4 To Receive and Confirm for Accuracy the Minutes of the Community and Leisure Services Committee Meeting Held on Monday 7th February 2022 and Any Matters Arising
Members received the minutes of the Community and Leisure Services Committee meeting held on 7th February 2022 and the following was agreed:
CL/22/03/4.01 Resolved
That the minutes of the Community and Leisure Services Committee meeting held on 7th February 2022 be adopted and signed as a true record by the Chairman of the Community and Leisure Services Committee.
There were no matters arising.
CL/22/03/5 Public Open Session
No members of the public wished to speak but would put questions to Samphire Housing at item 7.
CL/22/03/6 To Receive the Accounts
The draft accounts for February 2022 were received and noted.
CL/22/03/7 Samphire Homes
Two representatives from Samphire Homes gave an update on the current issues at Icewell Hill Flats and Freshfields areas. James (Regeneration Team) reported that they were analysing the feedback from a survey that was conducted last year, which had closed last week and work will be scheduled accordingly to make improvements to the areas.
It was noted that general maintenance work had been carried out at Icewell Hill which was a positive outcome.
Helen reported that there had been no further reports of rat issues at Freshfields and this will continue to be monitored.
A member of the public spoke on behalf of a resident in Churchill Court regarding a breach of the fire regulations and the lack of fire doors. Samphire will look into the issue and report back.
Helen confirmed that not all of the garages at Icewell Hill were rented out and some of these could be removed with no loss of revenue. The Chairman was disappointed that not all of the garages were being removed and urged Samphire to reconsider and install open parking and a small play area.
It was noted that a number of housing association properties were being sold at auction and that this would result in less revenue. Samphire reported that the properties were old stock and were difficult to maintain to a high standard. The revenue from the sale of the properties would be invested in building new properties but they were unable to confirm if the new builds would be in Newmarket.
A resident of Freshfields reported that there was still a rat issue and this would be investigated.
A resident’s meeting will be held on Friday 11th March and all are welcome to attend.
Samphire and 3 members of the public left the meeting to discuss the issues raised along with Cllr Yarrow
CL/22/03/8 Newmarket Cemetery
Cemetery Waste Area – further quotes for a new waste area at the Cemetery will be sought. A quote for the removal of a shed was considered and the following was agreed:
CL/22/03/8.01 Recommendation
That the quote from Mead Construction to remove the shed, break up the concrete base and lay topsoil ready for planting at a cost of £1,300 be approved.
CL/22/03/9 Trees
Quotes to carry out a survey of NTC trees were considered and the following was agreed:
Cllr Yarrow re-joined the meeting
CL/22/03/9.01 Recommendation
That the quote from Hayden’s Arboricultural Consultants to carry out a survey of NTC trees at a cost of £1982.50+VAT be approved.
CL/22/03/10 Memorial Gardens
A proposal for fencing in the Memorial Gardens was considered and the following was agreed:
CL/22/03/10.01 Recommendation
That the quote from Harris Steel to install fencing in the Memorial Gardens for a cost of £10,622.80+VAT be approved.
CL/22/03/11 Jubilee Torch Relay
A proposal for who should represent Newmarket for the Newmarket leg of the torch relay on 14th May 2022 and the following was agreed:
CL/22/03/11.01 Recommendation
That nominations to represent Newmarket for the Newmarket leg of the Jubilee torch relay on 14th May 2022 be sought via an article in the Journal and on social media.
CL/22/03/12 Events
The Events Manager reported on the following up-coming events:
Newmarket Community Arts – a report on the Samba Band and dance bookings was noted.
Summer Wellbeing Project – A report on offering free Yoga classes in the Memorial Gardens was considered and the following was agreed:
CL/22/03/12.01 Recommendation
That free Yoga classes are provided in the Memorial Gardens during the summer for a total cost of £750.
Platinum Jubilee Events 02 -05/06/2022 – a report on the updated outline plans to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee was noted.
Soapbox Derby 28/08/2022 – A quote was considered for new jumps for the Soapbox Derby course and the Events Manager was asked to see if equipment could be rented from other Soapbox organisers and to obtain further quotes.
CL/22/03/13 Newmarket Venues
The Events Manager presented a report on the bookings for February, noting that £1,859.18 income was received in February 2022; £30,392 Year-To-Date. Bookings for March include 5 blood donation sessions, a Charity quiz night, a Birthday party, a dance event, a dance class booking, a 3-day booking for a Jockey Club event, a 2-day exercise class in the Pavilion and an outdoor exercise class on the Severals every week.
The Mayor thanked the Events Manager for the clear reporting.
CL/22/03/14 Correspondence
The BID plans for new signage were noted and welcomed.
CL/22/03/15 Date of Next Meeting
Monday 4th April 2022 at the Memorial Hall.
CL/22/03/16 Items for Next Agenda
• Digital signs to display the bus timetable
• Jubilee Torch Relay
• Soapbox Derby
Meeting closed at 8:00pm
Signed by the Chairman Date 4th April 2022
Summary of Recommendations
| Recommendation | Recommendation Wording |
| CL/22/03/8.01 Recommendation | That the quote from Mead Construction to remove the shed, break up the concrete base and lay topsoil ready for planting at a cost of £1,300 be approved. |
| CL/22/03//9.01 Recommendation | That the quote from Hayden’s Arboricultural Consultants to carry out a survey of NTC trees at a cost of £1982.50+VAT be approved. |
| CL/22/03/10.01 Recommendation | That the quote from Harris Steel to install fencing in the memorial Gardens for a cost of £10622.80+VAT be approved. |
| CL/22/03/11.01 Recommendation | That nominations to represent Newmarket for the Newmarket leg of the torch relay on 14th May 2022 be sought via an article in the Journal. |
| CL/22/03/12.01 Recommendation | That free Yoga classes are provided in the Memorial Gardens during the summer for a total cost of £750. |