Neighbourhood Plan Minutes signed 09-05-2022
Councillor K Yarrow (Chairman)
Councillor R Hood
Councillor L Crissall
Councillor P Hulbert
Councillor J De’Ath
Councillor M Jefferys
Councillor A Drummond
Councillor C O’Neill
Councillor J Ferries
Councillor S Perry
Councillor D Hall
Councillor P Winter
Councillor J Harvey
Also Present: C Whitaker – Town Clerk
J Ashton – Minute Assistant
R Fletcher – Trustee NHRM
Nick Patton – Jockey Club Estates
1 Member of the Press
and 1 Member of the Public
Minute
N/22/05/1 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.
N/22/05/2 Apologies for Absence
None noted.
N/22/05/3 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.
N/22/05/4 To Receive and Confirm for Accuracy the Minutes of the Meeting Held on Monday 14th March 2022 and Any Matters Arising
Members received the minutes of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee Meeting held on Monday 14th March 2022 and the following was agreed:
N/22/05/4.01 Resolved
That the minutes of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee meeting held on Monday 14th March 2022 be adopted and would be signed as a true record by the Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee.
There were no matters arising.
N/22/05/5 Public Open Session
A member of the public spoke to item 9 – WSC Local Plan regarding taking
into account the need for review of the Newmarket Neighbourhood Plan (it being a live document) and item 7k the Development Brief for the St Felix site.
A member of the press joined the meeting
N/22/05/6 To Receive the Accounts
The accounts for April 2022 were received and noted.
N/22/05/7 Working Groups
Public Rights of Way – A proposal was made to contact Alliance Mechanical regarding a creation agreement for the Laureate School Road/Willie Snaith Road footpath and the following was agreed:
N/22/05/7.01 Recommendation
That a meeting be arranged with Allied Mechanical for Cllrs Drummond and O’Neill to arrange to discuss the PROW for the Laureate School Road/Willie Snaith Road footpath and a creation agreement to enable reinstatement.
Yellow Brick Road – The daffodils that were planted last year raised the profile of the YBR and really brightened up the area and were appreciated by residents. WSC had cleared the Brook and Anglia Water were looking at their responsibilities. It was reported that parts of the brook were full of rubbish and Cllrs Jefferys and Ferries would conduct a site visit and report back.
Market Letters of Support – it was noted that all supported the market being located on the High Street and not the Market Square. Town Clerk was asked to forward the letters to WSC.
WSC feedback on the re-instated makers’ Market – was noted. There was no information on how success was measured. The next one is on Saturday 14th May 2022 and Members were encouraged to visit to see how it goes.
Market Working Group
The Chairman proposed that the next item be discussed in Confidential as requested by WSC and the following was agreed:
N/22/05/7.02 Resolved
That the report from the Market Working Group be discussed in Confidential.
Museum
The Chairman proposed that the next item be discussed in Confidential due to Commercial sensitivity and the following was agreed:
N/22/05/7.03 Resolved
That the leasing of the Coach House be discussed in Confidential.
Community Museum – it was reported that the Working Group had responded to the letter from NHRM regarding their involvement in running a Community Museum, thanking them for their offer of assistance and advice.
Parking – Results of the consultation for a residents parking zone in the All Saints’ areas will be discussed in an imminent meeting with West Suffolk Council. Exning Road, along with other areas of the town, are on a list of areas that also have issues due to new houses being built. These will be looked at by the Working Group once the results for All Saints are confirmed.
Public Realm & Associated Initiatives – There was nothing to report.
SEND Provision – There was nothing further to report. SCC were taking steps to improve services to support children with educational needs. Councillor Hood stated that figures quoted in a recent report in the EADT newspaper (supplied by a SEND parents’ group) were incorrect. Cllr Hood agreed to provide an update.
Climate Change – Town Clerk reported that quotes were being sought for assessment and plans regarding the council’s carbon footprint and these will be introduced at the next F&P meeting.
Affordable Housing – There was nothing to report.
Horse & Public Safety – There was nothing to report.
Cllr Drummond declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item and did not vote
St Felix Former School Site (Task & Finish) – The online NTC responses to the consultation on the Development Brief were read out by the Chairman and the following was agreed:
N/22/05/7.04 Recommendation
That the following online responses be submitted by NTC to WSC:
Q1. NTC thinks that it is inappropriate to build houses on a site that can be better used for sport facilities.
Q2. NTC is unsure if all opportunities for PROW, footpath & cycle network for the site have been explored; particularly to and from the area of the George Lambton playing field site.
Q3. NTC would re-state that it prefers that this site should be a community sports facility in totality, as referenced in the Town Council’s submission comments to the Local Plan Consultation in 2017 and the Newmarket Neighbourhood Plan (para 7.2)
NTC believes that opportunities of meeting the housing needs on other available sites have not been explored (Pinewood Stud (JCE) and Hatchfield Farm and other sites in Newmarket).
NTC believes that there should be further opportunities for sourcing funding to develop all or any of the site for sports and recreation use.
Q4. NTC re-states that the whole site should be used for sporting and leisure facilities and believes that there has been inadequate consultation with Newmarket sports clubs regarding their actual needs and the current lack of facilities.
Q5. NTC does not feel that there has been any consultation regarding a) the proposed housing on this site, as opposed to b) the need for Newmarket to have sporting facilities on this site.
This will not achieve the objectives of the brief because the design almost eliminates sports facilities from the St Felix site.
Volunteer – NTC to consider being a conduit to holding a volunteer register (for CS agenda).
Cllr Hood declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item and did not vote.
N/22/05/8 Jockey Club Estates ‘Let’s Play Our Part’ Consultation
Exning New River Report – the report was presented and noted as a standalone document.
A response to the Jockey Club Estate’s consultation was considered and the following was agreed:
N/22/05/8.01 Recommendation
That the following response be submitted:
NTC approves and endorses the Jockey Club Estate plans as set out in the
consultation ‘Let’s Play Our Part’ as: –
1. A cinema at the Subscription Rooms
2. A new park for Newmarket
3. A potential residential development
4. An all-weather training and race facility
5. Expansion of training facilities
R Fletcher left the meeting.
N/22/05/9 Correspondence
WSC Local Plan Programme – It was reported that the Town Clerk along with Cllrs Jefferys, Ferries and Hall had attended the WSC meeting regarding the Local Plan Programme on 26th April 2022. A schedule of the timetable for the programme was received.
N/22/05/10 ***Exclusion of the Press & Public***
With the vote being unanimous, it was:
***N/22/05/10.01 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
N/22/05/11 *** Market Working Group ***
Cllr Hall left the meeting
A response to the WSC Market locations Appraisal report was presented and considered. The following was agreed:
Cllr Hall returned to the meeting
***N/22/05/11.01 Resolved***
That the following response be submitted to WSC, this committee having been given delegated authority to resolve the response by full council on 23/4/2022:
Contest to the site location of Newmarket market: summary options appraisal matrix
• ‘Capacity for future growth’ – the difference between the High Street and Market Square is skewed as the High Street has lay-bys on both sides (and was on both sides in previous years).
• ‘Safety’ – the High Street is actually a better location in terms of impact for the town generally; therefore, the adverse safety issues should be properly addressed, thereby negating the difference in score which would make the two venue scores comparable. If infrastructure is necessary to make it safe, a costing should be provided to enable consideration of funding. TROs are already in place for the High Street location in the bays and there is current electricity supply. Is there a necessity for barriers to be erected along the entire length of the High Street bays when there are only a few bays occupied?
• The review needs to factor in that moving to the High Street would enable additional income from parking on the Market Square, which could offset the running costs; but in any case, these could be reduced by a more permanent and robust infrastructure in the High Street location.
• ‘Footfall’ – this should carry the highest weighting in the scoring system. Markets need footfall to flourish.
• The WSC appraisal document requires a proper business plan to support its findings.
General Comment and suggestions
• Location is not the main issue for Newmarket market
• Other more significant factors are reduced footfall, which is fundamental to the success of the market, and diminishing number of traders
• Footfall reductions in Newmarket town centre has been affected by the loss of M&S and other shops which have closed
• Can some of the empty shops be utilised for ‘pop-up’ indoor market as an alternative?
• Newmarket requires more facilities as a draw for increased footfall: e.g. a cinema
• Free parking on market days from 8am to 2pm would encourage visitors
• The market needs to be enhanced to attract more traders to enable its growth
• The market needs to be a fully visible presence to succeed and prosper
• The location review needs to include ways to improve the above factors where possible so that the market is viable and attractive for existing and new traders
• The High Street is the preferred location of Newmarket Town Council
• Funding opportunities should be explored to improve infrastructure in the High Street e.g. Living with Covid funding.
Suffolk CC to be asked to do an estimate of installing automatic barriers and also to provide NTC with a current cost breakdown for putting on each market in Newmarket.
***N/22/05/11.02 Recommendation***
That a face-face meeting be requested with WSC to further discuss the market.
N/22/05/12 ***Museum***
Museum – The leasing of the Coach House on Palace Street as a location for the Museum was discussed and the following was agreed:
N/22/05/12.01 Recommendation
That a Working Group be set up comprising of the Town Clerk, Cllrs Jefferys, Winter, O’Neill, Hall and Drummond to conduct further research and to arrange a meeting with WSC to discuss the leasing of the Coach House.
Town Clerk was asked to arrange a site visit.
N/22/05/13 Date of Next Meeting
This is the last Neighbourhood Plan Committee Meeting. The new Performance & Audit Committee will meet on Monday 20th June 2022 at 7pm.
Meeting closed at 7:30pm
Signed by the Chairman Date 17th October 2022
Summary of Recommendations
N/22/05/7.01 Recommendation
That a meeting be arranged with Allied Mechanical for Cllrs Drummond and O’Neil to arrange to discuss the PROW for the Laureate School Road/Willie Snaith Road footpath and a creation agreement to enable reinstatement.
N/22/05/7.04 Recommendation
That the following online responses be submitted by NTC to WSC:
Q1. NTC thinks that it is inappropriate to build houses on a site that can be better used for sport facilities.
Q2. NTC is unsure if all opportunities for PROW, footpath & cycle network for the site have been explored; particularly to and from the area of the George Lambton playing field site.
Q3. NTC would re-state that it prefers that this site should be a community sports facility in totality, as referenced in the Town Council’s submission comments to the Local Plan Consultation in 2017 and the Newmarket Neighbourhood Plan (para 7.2)
NTC believes that opportunities of meeting the housing needs on other available sites have not been explored (Pinewood Stud (JCE) and Hatchfield Farm and other sites in Newmarket).
NTC believes that there should be further opportunities for sourcing funding to develop all or any of the site for sports and recreation use.
Q4. NTC re-states that the whole site should be used for sporting and leisure facilities and believes that there has been inadequate consultation with Newmarket sports clubs regarding their actual needs and the current lack of facilities.
Minutes of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee held on 9th May 2022
Book Number 8 2022 – 2023
Q5. NTC does not feel that there has been any consultation regarding a) the proposed housing on this site, as opposed to b) the need for Newmarket to have sporting facilities on this site.
This will not achieve the objectives of the brief because the design almost eliminates sports facilities from the St Felix site.
N/22/05/8.01 Recommendation
That the following response be submitted:
NTC approves and endorses the Jockey Club Estate plans as set out in the consultation ‘Let’s Play Our Part’ as: –
1. A cinema at the Subscription Rooms
2. A new park for Newmarket
3. A potential residential development
4. An all-weather training and race facility
5. Expansion of training facilities
***N/22/05/11.01 Resolved***
That the following response be submitted to WSC, this committee having been given delegated authority to resolve the response by full council on 23/4/2022:
Contest to the site location of Newmarket market: summary options appraisal matrix
• ‘Capacity for future growth’ – the difference between the High Street and Market Square is skewed as the High Street has lay-bys on both sides (and was on both sides in previous years).
• ‘Safety’ – the High Street is actually a better location in terms of impact for the town generally; therefore, the adverse safety issues should be properly addressed, thereby negating the difference in score which would make the two venue scores comparable. If infrastructure is necessary to make it safe, a costing should be provided to enable consideration of funding. TROs are already in place for the High Street location in the bays and there is current electricity supply. Is there a necessity for barriers to be erected along the entire length of the High Street bays when there are only a few bays occupied?
• The review needs to factor in that moving to the High Street would enable additional income from parking on the Market Square, which could offset the running costs; but in any case, these could be reduced by a more permanent and robust infrastructure in the
High Street location.
• ‘Footfall’ – this should carry the highest weighting in the scoring system. Markets need footfall to flourish.
• The WSC appraisal document requires a proper business plan to support its findings.
General Comment and suggestions
• Location is not the main issue for Newmarket market
• Other more significant factors are reduced footfall, which is fundamental to the success of the market, and diminishing number of traders
• Footfall reductions in Newmarket town centre has been affected by the loss of M&S and other shops which have closed
• Can some of the empty shops be utilised for ‘pop-up’ indoor market as an alternative?
• Newmarket requires more facilities as a draw for increased footfall: e.g. a cinema
• Free parking on market days from 8am to 2pm would encourage visitors
• The market needs to be enhanced to attract more traders to enable its growth
• The market needs to be a fully visible presence to succeed and prosper
• The location review needs to include ways to improve the above factors where possible so that the market is viable and attractive for existing and new traders
• The High Street is the preferred location of Newmarket Town Council
• Funding opportunities should be explored to improve infrastructure in the High Street e.g. Living with Covid funding.
***N/22/05/11.02 Recommendation***
That a face-face meeting be requested with WSC to further discuss the market. ***N/22/05/12.01 Recommendation***
That a Working Group be set up comprising of the Town Clerk, Cllrs Jefferys, Winter, O’Neill, Hall and Drummond to conduct further research and to arrange a meeting with WSC to discuss the leasing of the Coach House.