Full Town Council Minutes Signed 22-08-2022

The Chairman opened the meeting and read the fire safety notice and confirmed that proceedings were being recorded.

22/08/2              Apologies for Absence – LGA 1972, Section 85(1) & (2)

Apologies were received from Cllrs Berry, Clover, De’Ath, Hood, Lay and O’Neill.  Cllrs Anderson and Hall were absent.

22/08/3               Declaration of Members Interests & to Remind Councillors of the Need to Keep up to Date Their Register of Member’s Interests and to Consider any Requests Received for Member’s Dispensation

None noted.  There were no member dispensation requests.

22/08/4               To Receive and Confirm the Minutes of the Town Council Meetings held on 25^th July 2022 and any Matters Arising.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25^th July 2022 were presented and the following was agreed:

22/08/4.01 Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th July 2022 be adopted and signed as a correct record by the Town Mayor.

There were no matters arising.

22/08/5              Presentation – “Playing our part in Newmarket’s Future”

A Starkey and A Richman – representing The Jockey Club, gave an update on the consultation results from 29^th March – 22^nd April 2022.  300 had attended the event in the Memorial Hall and 2,500 had visited the website and left feedback.  The majority of respondents were from the CB8 postcode area.

A member of the public joined the meeting

The results of the consultation showed the following support:

·         Overall concept – 75%

·         Cinema – 83%

·         Country Park – 86%

·         New Housing at Pinewood 48% (28% don’t mind)

·         All Weather horse training facility – 57%

Post consultation activities included collation and analysis of the feedback, engagement follow up, preparatory work on feasibility of a cinema and the racecourse side concepts were submitted for consideration as part of the WSC Local Plan consultation.

Next steps include:

·         Keeping the conversation going

·         Further discussion and investigation of the consultation

·         Local plan considerations

A member of the public joined the meeting

The Mayor gave thanks for the update and they both left the meeting

22/08/6              Public Open Session

A member of the public raised issues about the state of the Yellow Brick Road with 5ft high weeds, fly tipping and dog waste.  He suggested employing a dog warden to fine people who do not pick up dog waste.

The Mayor advised that NTC were working with partners to agree an ongoing maintenance schedule with the bodies responsible for maintaining the Yellow Brick Road.

22/08/7             Councillor Reports

Suffolk County Council (SCC) – Cllr Drummond reported that the monthly newsletter had been sent out.

West Suffolk Council (WSC) – Cllr Drummond reported that WSC were tracking down the freehold owner of the McColl’s site.  The new Taxi fares came in on 19th August 2022 and 1 mile will cost £5.  The Heaven license application will go to a WSC sub-committee on 6^th September.  Matt Hancock had been contacted regarding the proposed 32-bed development that could be abandoned at the Newmarket Hospital.

Ward – Cllr Yarrow reported the Community Nature Reserve Group were disappointed to find that another area of wild flower planting had been cut in error at Freshfields.   The seeds should survive but the plug plants were destroyed.  WSC need to be aware of these projects to prevent the areas of wild flower planting being destroyed.

Cllr Ferries – reported that the rough sleeper in the orchard had been reported to the PCSO to get the support they need.  He had met with Will Wright to look at the old BMX jumps area on Studlands which will be flattened and the Residents Association have been asked what they would like to see instead.  Also discussed screening a recycling area on Studlands and reported on HGVs parking overnight where there are no facilities.

Cllr Hulbert – reported that he had met with the Rail Passenger Association on 11^th August 2022 and raised issues regarding the trains only stopping every 2 hours at Kennett and Dullingham.  He requested that they stop hourly and the last train from Cambridge to Newmarket be 11:30pm instead of 10:44pm. The issues are being looked into.

Cllr Winter on behalf of Cllr Berry reported that residents had raised concerns about the 5G masts being a danger to public health.

Outside bodies – The Mayor reported the following:

3^rd August 2022 – attended a Newmarket Community Network meeting to discuss further actions

22/08/8              Mayors Announcements

The Mayor reported that in addition to attending committee meetings, working groups and other meetings, her activities included the following:

9^th August 2022 – opened the Photoshop on Market Street

13^th August 2022 – visited the local Makers Market and actioned repairs by SCC on damaged Horse Walks and pedestrian crossings

16^th August 2022 – attended a Soapbox Derby briefing with NTC staff

22/08/9              To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the D&P Committee Meetings held on 25^th July 2022 1^st August 2022 and 15^th August 2022

Cllr Jefferies presented the minutes and recommendations from the Development & Planning Committee meeting held on 25^th July 2022, 1^st August 2022 and 15^th August.  There were no recommendations.

An amendment was proposed to the D&P Minutes from 1^st August 2022 and the following was agreed:

22/08/9.01 Resolved

D/22/08/13 – that the wording be changed to NTC Licensing Working Group.

22/08/10           To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the Community Services Committee Meeting held on 1^st August 2022

The Chairman of the Community Services Committee presented the minutes and recommendations of the Community Services Committee meeting held on 1^st August 2022.

22/08/10.01 Resolved (C/22/08/10.01 Recommendation)

That NTC make a contribution of £2000 towards the design phase for the market relocation plan.

22/08/10.02 Resolved (C/22/08/11.01 Recommendation)

The Committee objected to the proposal for a converted container-type pod on the High Street.  Alternatives to be explored.

22/08/11           To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the Finance & Policy Committee Meeting held on 25^th July 2022

The Chairman of the Finance & Policy Committee presented the minutes and recommendations of the Finance & Policy Committee meeting held on 25^th July 2022.

22/08/11.01 Resolved (F/22/07/8.01 Recommendation)

That the ratification of the schedules of payments for the period 01/05/2022 – 30/06/2022 (Cash Book 1 – 4) be received and adopted.

22/08/11.02 Resolved (F/22/07/12.01 Recommendation)

That the response to the UK Prosperity Fund Survey be approved.

22/08/11.03 Resolved (F/22/07/14.01 Recommendation)

That Vice Chairmen be added to the mandate as signatories.

22/08/11.04 Resolved (F/22/07/14.02 Recommendation)

That signatories inform Town Clerk/Deputy Town Clerk of unavailability for each week.

22/08/12          Suffolk Constabulary

The monthly PCSO report was received and noted.  A proposal was made to invite the Chief Constable to the next full Council meeting to give an explanation on the data for unanswered calls.

22/08/13          Marketing

A report on the temporary marketing contract with Acacia Marketing highlighted that the contract had been extended for 1 month to cover the Soapbox Derby.  The contract had shown staff how to use various media platforms effectively and the following was agreed:

22/08/13.01 Resolved

That the temporary social media contract with Acacia Marketing not be extended after the end of August and that social media marketing be carried out by NTC staff.

22/08/14          Lex Art

A report from the artist on his work and trip to Lexington was received and noted.

22/08/15          Memorial Gardens Small Play Area Project

A report for an upgrade to the small play area was considered with details of funding from “The Big Lottery” grant and WSC Section 106 Play and Open Spaces funding.  The following was agreed:

22/08/15.01 Resolved

That the small play area refurbishment project and quote from OLP (Fenland Leisure Products) be approved and be funded by “The Big Lottery” grant and WSC Section 106 Play and Open Spaces funding. 

A member of the public left the meeting.

22/08/16          Cemetery Chapel

Three quotes to repair the Chapel belltower were considered and the following was agreed:

22/08/16.01 Resolved

That the quote from Collaboration 23 to repair the Chapel belltower for £17,500 plus scaffolding (£5,200) be approved.

22/08/17          Rights of Way

A verbal update was given on the path at Allied and it was reported that there is a covenant in place for Allied to allow the public access to the path.  An update will be given at the next meeting.

22/08/18          Flagship Housing

A verbal update was given on the social housing provided by Flagship and overall, they provide 32,000 homes in East Anglia with 4,595 in West Suffolk.  A Freedom of Information request was made, but they were unable to provide specific statistics regarding social housing in Newmarket as they are not bound under the FOI Act.  The following was agreed:

22/08/18.01 Resolved

That a meeting with the leadership of Flagship Housing be requested to discuss their housing policy for Newmarket.

22/08/19          Correspondence

SCC Flood and Water Management – SCC will be engaging with key stakeholders in Newmarket regarding potential flood risk schemes which would help mitigate areas of flooding in Newmarket.  It was reported that the Environment Agency had inspected the Brook and the whole of the Brook will be cleared.

22/08/20           Date of the next Meeting

Monday 26^th September 2022 in the Memorial Hall

Meeting closed at 7:30pm

Signed: by the Chairman                          Date: 26th September 2022