Full Town Council Minutes signed 26-09-2022

“Before we begin this Town Council Meeting, I would like to confirm that following the death of her late Majesty The Queen, on behalf of my fellow Councillors and the residents of Newmarket, I have sent a letter of condolence to the Private Secretary of His Majesty the King.

I would also like to mention how happy I am that the Queen’s Statue here on Birdcage Walk, has become a focal point for not only the people of Newmarket but also further afield.

The floral tributes and messages laid at the Statue over the last few weeks are testament to the gratitude we owe to the late Queen for 70 years of outstanding Service to our Nation.”

22/09/1              Welcome

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

22/09/2              Apologies for Absence – LGA 1972, Section 85(1) & (2)

Apologies were received from Cllrs Anderson, Clover and Yarrow.  Cllr Hall was absent.

22/09/3               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.

22/09/4               To Receive and Confirm the Minutes of the Town Council Meetings held on 22nd August 2022 and any Matters Arising.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd August 2022 were presented and the following was agreed:

22/09/4.01 Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd August 2022 be adopted and signed as a correct record by the Town Mayor.

Matters arising:

22/08/18.01 Resolved – A meeting with Flagship has yet to be arranged.

22/09/5              Public Open Session

The limited time for the Public to participate was extended to allow as many as possible to have the opportunity to be heard.

Mike Cave – Soham Gymnastic Club reported that he would be opening a new cheerleading and gymnastics facility for children in Newmarket.  He had already secured a building and was looking for financial support to open the new facility in June 2023.

The announcement was welcomed by all and the Mayor advised him to contact the Town Clerk to discuss details.

A number of the public along with Cambridge Cllr C Daunton and East Cambs Cllr A Sharp raised several concerns regarding the removal of local bus services by Stagecoach and the difficulties that people would have travelling to work (both from and to Newmarket), school, college and attending medical appointments etc.  The lack of public transport would impact on the vulnerable in our society and the disabled preventing them from travelling outside of their residential area.

The public failed to understand Stagecoach’s reasons to withdraw services as their experience proved that at peak times buses were full and questioned how did this action support greener initiatives to take cars off the roads and encourage the use of public transport.  The absence of MPs Matt Hancock and Lucy Frazer were noted with disappointment.

It was also noted that SCC was aware of Stagecoach’s intention to stop services in August whereas East Cambs was not.

Paul Linthwaite spoke to item 20 – Cricket.  He questioned why this item was to be discussed in confidential as the Cricket Club would not be allowed to add their views.  The club had been set up 2 years ago and was working really well and the report from the Working Group may put the future of cricket in Newmarket in jeopardy.

The Mayor proposed that item 16 be brought forward and the following was agreed:

22/09/5.01 Resolved

That item 16 – Bus Services be brought forward.

22/09/6              Bus Services

Cllr Jefferys thanked the public for attending tonight and agreed that buses are essential to our community and that NTC will lobby on their behalf to get a better service in the future.

Cllr Drummond reported that he had been working in the background with Simon Barnett, SCC Integrated Transport & Enhanced Partnership Manager, to find a solution to the current situation.  Stagecoach is a commercial company and there is nothing contractually that can be done to reverse their decision and their application to stop running local services was approved by the Traffic Commissioner.  However, he was pleased to report that Stephensons would be providing services from Oct 2022 also as a commercial company but with Covid funding of £150K from SCC to help them get up and running.  Whilst this initiative will be supported until March 2023 a longer-term solution was required and will be worked on.

Cllr Hood also thanked the public for attending tonight and reported that as the SCC Cabinet Member for Education she was passionate about the education that children and students receive.  She gave assurance that every child/student resident in Suffolk would have access to transport to schools in Suffolk.  However, she acknowledged that this was not extended to those attending schools outside of the county.

Following further frank and honest debate a proposal was made to recommend a response from NTC to Stagecoach’s announcement to axe the 11 & 12 bus routes.

A recorded vote was requested.  The results are as follows:

Votes For – Cllrs Berry, Borda, Crissall, De’Ath, Drummond, Ferries, Harvey, Hood, Hulbert, Jefferys, Lay, O‘Neill, Perry and Winter.

With there being no votes against or abstentions, the following was agreed:

22/09/6.01 Resolved

Newmarket Town Council are shocked and dismayed with the sudden announcement by Stagecoach of the draconian decision to axe (rather than even modify) the 11, X11 and 12 bus routes, the speed of the termination (providing only a few weeks’ notice) and despite Government funding provided specifically to retain bus services.

Many people have understandably been thrown into panic adding to current social anxiety and stress.  The detrimental social, economic, environmental and mental health impact is likely to be profound.

These services have for many years provided essential connectivity between the substantial settlements of Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, Ely and Newmarket and the many villages in between.

They are heavily relied on to get to schools and colleges, work, for the elderly and the isolated to access healthcare and day centres.  At times, there is standing room only and, in many cases, there are simply no viable travel alternatives.

With the potential for congestion charging in Cambridge intended to promote a huge “shift” to public transport, forcing people back into their cars (where that option exists) is counter-productive.

Newmarket Town Council stands with Newmarket residents and others affected by this proposal and welcomes the public reaction and support demonstrating how valued and important these services are and the necessity to resolve the situation.  We commend the petition started by Jemma Fortey now at well over 8,000 signatures, input on social media, other organisations and those attending tonight’s Town Council Meeting (around 155).

So, Newmarket Town Council calls on the responsible Transport Authorities (the Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority and Suffolk County) to engage with operators, councillors and users to:

·         Immediately (see note 1):  provide assurance to users by enabling the service to continue beyond 30^th October or rapidly establish a new (as far as is practical and affordable) equivalent service.

·         Initiate (see note 2): a review of bus services so that they can continue to serve our communities taking the opportunity to re-look at the services in order to improve them, build patronage and make them more cost effective, understanding the public’s travel needs, bus routing and capacity, making bus travel more attractive to users and more efficient.

·         Ultimately: provide improved services for a substantially car-free, public transport orientated future as part of our move towards Net-Zero environmental commitments

Notes:

1.      Stephensons have just announced that they will provide a service between Newmarket and Cambridge.  They currently provide a service from Newmarket to Bury St Edmunds taking in many villages en route.  However Exning, Fordham, Soham and Ely are currently not included.

2.      Stagecoach have called for a rural connectivity summit to help protect future of local communities as:

·         Traditional bus links no longer viable in sparsely populated areas

·         New solutions needed to combat rising costs and decline in passengers

·         Publicly supported transport links, on long term basis, only way to protect rural connectivity

·         Plea for transport leaders and local bus operators to come together to seek solutions

The meeting was adjourned to allow the majority of the public to leave the meeting.

Meeting reconvened

The Chairman proposed that item 9 be brought forward and the following was agreed:

22/09/6.02 Resolved

That item 9a – Suffolk Constabulary be brought forward.

22/09/7              Suffolk Constabulary

Inspector Lyon presented the latest crime statistics for Newmarket and the following points were noted:

Newmarket SNT will be based in Newmarket Station but not open to the public.  He has been looking at getting Mildenhall District Police changed back to Forest Heath District and confirmed that if a phone call goes through to Newmarket SNT, it will be answered by Police based in Newmarket

Work had been done with the night time economy and the clubs have been engaging with the Police to develop a plan for testing for drugs.  The racecourse has been providing transport on race days/night and a Police presence and the taxi rank will reduce incidents.

They were continuing to work with other agencies to tackle antisocial behaviour issues.

Inspector Lyon invited questions and provided further information on the Police stats and staffing.  He confirmed that if the PCSO was funded by Suffolk Constabulary then they would be required in other areas and not be dedicated to Newmarket as PCSO Butcher is.

Unanswered calls – 999 calls and 101 calls are handled by the same operators with 999 calls taking precedence and where there are spikes in 999 calls the number of unanswered calls are increased.

The Mayor thanked Inspector Lyon for attending the briefing and he left the meeting.

22/09/8             Councillor Reports

Suffolk County Council (SCC) – Cllr Hood reported that the monthly newsletter had been sent out.  Cllr Drummond reported that SCC had launched the Great Big Green Week and he was looking at how Newmarket could get involved.

West Suffolk Council (WSC) – none noted.

Ward – Cllr Lay reported that there were 2000 on a waiting list for housing and housing association were not building any new houses and this situation needs to be addressed.

Cllr Ferries – reported that he had met with the Environment Agency regarding Newmarket Brook and he was due to meet with Damien Parker regarding the Yellow Brick Road.

Cllr Berry – reported that the resident that reported issues regarding 5G masts had also raised concerns regarding the brightness of the street lights in the High Street.  Town Clerk will check on the type of lighting used.

Outside bodies – None noted.

22/09/9              Mayors Announcements

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

5^th September 2022 – attended a Newmarket Community Network meeting at the Racing Centre to discuss further actions

5^th September 2022 – attended All Saints Church for the ordination of the Reverend Robert Otule.

11^th September 2022 – went to Ipswich to collect the Royal Proclamation Scroll and read the proclamation at the Memorial Hall.

15^th September 2022 – attended and Open Evening at Newmarket Academy.

17^th September 2022 – attended a County Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving for the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

18^th September 2022 – attended the Henry Cecil Open Weekend.

18^th September 2022 – attended St Mary’s Church for Holy Communion and Thanksgiving for the life of Queen Elizabeth II.  A joint service was conducted by the Reverend Jeremy Lind and the Reverend Robert Otule.

22/09/10          To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the D&P Committee Meetings held on 5th September 2022

The Chairman of the Development & Planning Committee presented the minutes and recommendations from the Development & Planning Committee meeting held on 5^th September 2022.  There were no recommendations.

22/09/11           To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the Leisure Services Committee Meeting held on 5th September 2022

The Chairman of the Leisure Services Committee presented the minutes and recommendations of the Leisure Services Committee meeting held on 5^th September 2022.

22/09/11.01 Resolved (L/22/09/8.01 Recommendation)

That the request from Cllr Perry to join the Cricket Club Liaison Working

Group be approved.

22/09/11.02 Resolved (L/22/09/9.01 Recommendation)

That refreshments for the RBL coffee time be provided in the Tattersalls restaurant following the service.

22/09/11.03 Resolved (L/22/09/10.01 Recommendation)

That the next tea dance be held on 25th November and that the ticket price be kept at £4.50. That the choice of music to be delegated to the Events Manager to consult with attendees.

22/09/11.04 Resolved (L/22/09/11.01 Recommendation)

That free yoga classes be continued next year and be included in the 2023 budget.  That registration for tickets be increased to 70 per class. That the garden gates be closed at 6:00pm on the days of the classes.

22/09/11.05 Resolved (L/22/09/11.02 Recommendation)

That the Community bulb planting event on 22^nd October be approved and that free refreshments be provided with a budget of £50.00.

22/09/11.06 Resolved (L/22/09/11.03 Recommendation)

That a 3-day Christmas event be held in the Memorial Gardens 9th-11th December 2022 with an ice rink provided by Odin for £8,500.

22/09/11.07 Resolved (L/22/09/12.01 Recommendation)

That the request from Newmarket Community Arts to continue to use the Pavilion on a Wednesday evening for 2 hours for a Community Samba band free of charge be approved to the end of March 2023.  That a discount of 58% be offered from April 2023.

22/09/12          Suffolk Constabulary

The monthly PCSO report was received and noted.

22/09/13          Committees and Working Groups

Committees – Town Clerk presented the current memberships of Committees and Working groups and it was noted that Cllr O’Neill was now a member for the Performance & Audit Committee.

Neighbourhood Plan Working Group – a request from two members of the public to join the group was considered and the following was agreed:

22/09/13.01 Resolved

That the request from Rachel Wood and Sara Beckett to join the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group be approved.

22/09/14          Clock Tower

A report and analysis from Whitworths on two quotes for the refurbishment work required on the Jubilee Clock Tower was considered and the following was agreed:

22/08/14.01 Resolved

That the quote from Valiant for £60,925.48 + VAT be approved to carry out the refurbishment work on the Jubilee Clock Tower.  That the project be funded from £10,000 (current budget year 4108/207) £41,602 from ear-marked reserve (313) and £9,323 from ear-marked reserve (331).

Further requests for Locality Budget funding to be explored.

22/09/15          Birdcage Walk

A recommendation to install a dropped kerb and a disabled parking bay at the Queen’s Statue was considered and the following was agreed:

22/09/15.01 Resolved

That a dropped kerb and disabled parking bay be installed at the Queen’s Statue.

Cllr Hood to take this up with SCC.

The Chairman proposed that Standing Orders be suspended and the following was agreed:

22/09/15.02 Resolved

That Standing Orders be suspended to allow the meeting to continue beyond the allotted 2 hours.

A recommendation to install a flag pole at the Queen’s Statue was considered and the following was agreed:

22/09/15.03 Resolved

That a flag pole be installed at the Queen’s Statue.  An application to be made to County Councillors’ Locality Budgets.

22/09/16          Public Rights of Way

A verbal update was given on the reinstatement of the PROW at Laureate School Road/Willie Snaith Road and it was reported that there has been a covenant in place and Allied must allow the public access to the path or install a new path.  Allied are taking legal advice.

22/09/17          Budget 2022/2023 Update

Town Clerk presented a Projected Budget Analysis report for the current year 2022/2023, which was received and noted.

22/09/18          Policies

Signing up to the Civility and Resect Pledge (NALC, SLCC, SALC) was deferred to the F&P Committee.

A Dignity at Work Policy for NTC was deferred to the F&P Committee.

22/09/19          Correspondence

SALC dates for Cllr training were noted.

22/09/20           Date of the next Meeting

Monday 24^th October 2022 in the Memorial Hall

22/09/21         Exclusion of the Press & Public

With the vote being unanimous, it was:

22/09/21.01 Resolved

To resolve that under the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, the public and press be excluded for the remainder of the meeting because of the likely disclosure of private and confidential information or staff matters.

Members of the press and public left the meeting

22/09/22         Cricket

A confidential report from the Cricket Working Group regarding the 2023 cricket season was presented and considered.  The following was agreed:

***22/09/22.01 Resolved***

That the current Licence to Use agreement continues for the 2023 cricket season with no amendments, subject to the following conditions:

• The future makeup of the Liaison Working Group was discussed in order to facilitate an improved working relationship between NTC and NCC
• That a fee for the 2023 season be charged at the Council’s Charitable/Community Group rate.

Meeting closed at 10:00pm

Signed by the Chairman                        Date 24th October 2022

Many people have understandably been thrown into panic adding to current social anxiety and stress.  The detrimental social, economic, environmental and mental health impact is likely to be profound.

These services have for many years provided essential connectivity between the substantial settlements of Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, Ely and Newmarket and the many villages in between.

They are heavily relied on to get to schools and colleges, work, for the elderly and the isolated to access healthcare and day centres.  At times, there is standing room only and, in many cases, there are simply no viable travel alternatives.

With the potential for congestion charging in Cambridge intended to promote a huge “shift” to public transport, forcing people back into their cars (where that option exists) is counter-productive.

Newmarket Town Council stands with Newmarket residents and others affected by this proposal and welcomes the public reaction and support demonstrating how valued and important these services are and the necessity to resolve the situation.  We commend the petition started by Jemma Fortey now at well over 8,000 signatures, input on social media, other organisations and those attending tonight’s Town Council Meeting (around 155).

So Newmarket Town Council calls on the responsible Transport Authorities (the Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority and Suffolk County) to engage with operators, councillors and users to:

·           Immediately (see note 1):  provide assurance to users by enabling the service to continue beyond 30^th October or rapidly establish a new (as far as is practical and affordable) equivalent service.

·           Initiate (see note 2): a review of bus services so that they can continue to serve our communities taking the opportunity to re-look at the services in order to improve them, build patronage and make them more cost effective, understanding the public’s travel needs , bus routing and capacity, making bus travel more attractive to users and more efficient.

·           Ultimately: provide improved services for a substantially car-free, public transport orientated future as part of our move towards Net-Zero environmental commitments

Notes:

1.          Stephensons have just announced that they will provide a service between Newmarket and Cambridge.  They currently provide a service from Newmarket to Bury St Edmunds taking in many villages en route.  However Exning, Fordham, Soham and Ely are currently not included.

2.          Stagecoach have called for a rural connectivity summit to help protect future of local communities as:

·           Traditional bus links no longer viable in sparsely populated areas

·           New solutions needed to combat rising costs and decline in passengers

·           Publicly supported transport links, on long term basis, only way to protect rural connectivity

·           Plea for transport leaders and local bus operators to come together to seek solutions

An application to be made to County Councillors’ Locality Budgets.

·            The future makeup of the Liaison Working Group was discussed in order to facilitate an improved working relationship between NTC and NCC

·        That a fee for the 2023 season be charged at the Council’s Charitable/Community Group rate.