Community Services Minutes (Signed) 14-01-2019

Minutes of a Meeting of the Community Services Committee
Held on Monday 14th January 2019 at 7:15 pm at the Memorial Hall Newmarket

Attendance:
Councillor P Winter (Chairman)                                          Councillor P Hulbert
Councillor M Anderson                                                          Councillor M Jefferys
Councillor A Appleby                                                              Councillor J Lay
Councillor J Clarke                                                                  Councillor J Morrey
Councillor A Drummond                                                       Councillor R Nobbs
Councillor W Hirst                                                                  Councillor C O’Neill
Councillor R Hood                                                                  Councillor J Wadham

Also Present: Roberta Bennett – TCM, Julie Ashton – Minute Assistant, Sam Greenacre – Flagship, Nigel Tarrant – Stagecoach and I Member of the Press

C/19/01/1 Chairman to read fire safety notice and announce that proceedings may be filmed or recorded.
The Chairman opened the meeting and read out the Fire Safety Notice and announced that proceedings may be filmed or recorded.

C/19/01/2 Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Cllrs Starkey and Hudson. Cllr Wright was absent.

C/19/01/3 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.

C/19/01/4 To receive and confirm for accuracy the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 3rd December 2018 and any matters arising.
Members received the minutes of the Community Services Committee meeting held on 3rd December 2018 and following the following was agreed:

C/19/01/4.01 Resolved
That the minutes of the Community Services Committee meeting held on 3rd December 2018 be adopted and signed as a true record by the Chairman of the Community Services Committee.

There were no matters arising:

C/19/01/5 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 matters to be brought to their attention
None noted.

Cllr Hirst joined the meeting

C/19/01/6 To receive a presentation form flagship
Sam Greenacre Head of Housing at Flagship gave a presentation on the work of the group and took a number of questions including the following:

Why was there no representative at the FHDC office in Newmarket?
Why were calls not answered or responded to?
Why was the lift at a block of flats too small?

Sam was disappointed with the feedback given and assured Members that Flagship were working hard to improve communications and attend to repairs. Customer service was a top priority and he would look into the incidents discussed and report back. He would send a copy of his presentation to the TCM.

The Chairman thanked Sam for attending and looked forward to his report on the issues raised.

Sam Greenacre left the meeting
C/19/01/7 To receive a presentation from stagecoach
Nigel Tarrant Commercial Manager at Stagecoach took a number of questions form Councillors regarding the service in Newmarket. He explained that changes to the service were due to the funding from SCC being withdrawn and that evening and weekend services were not commercially viable due to a lack of passengers. He advised that Cllrs were in a better position to lobby SCC than he was and he agreed to send in some leads on how the service could be improved.

The Chairman thanked Nigel for attending and looked forward to seeing how NTC could help to improve the service for Newmarket.

Nigel Tarrant left the meeting
C/19/01/8 To receive the accounts for December 2018
The Chairman advised that the invoice for the SLA was not included and that the budget was under spent. Any savings would be carried forward to fund projects next year. The accounts for December 2018 were received and noted.

C/19/01/9 To discuss a statue of Charles II for the clock tower
Members discussed the idea of a statue to improve the appearance of the concrete balls on the Clock Tower roundabout and an objection from a resident was noted. The following was agreed:

C/19/01/9.01 Recommendation
That a statue for the Clock Tower roundabout be pursued with SCC.

C/19/01/10 To consider a request for a bus shelter on George Lambton Avenue
The request was considered and TCM would look at the feasibility with costs and report back.

It was noted that the bus shelter at the Guineas was in poor condition and was in a dangerous state. TCM advised that this had been reported and she would chase it up.

C/19/01/11 To receive an update on the Memorial Gardens masterplan – Sensory wall
The Chairman advised that the TCM was concerned about the wall which required another survey with drawings and specifications and the following was agreed:

C/19/01/11.01 Recommendation
That the quote for the structural survey for £1450.00 +VAT be accepted.

The Chairman advised that the work was progressing well and photos had been taken and would be circulated. Should Cllrs wish to visit this site, this could be arranged through the TCM.

Following further feedback, it was suggested that the scope of the project be extend to include a Sensory Mural with canopy and lighting. External funds had been secured for this element of the project. The cost would be £32,000 of which no one component would exceed £25,000. The following was agreed:

C/19/01/11.02 Resolved
That Standing Order 11.1 (i) be suspended as genuine competition is not available due to the specialist nature of the works.

C/19/01/11.03 Recommendation
That a Sensory Mural be funded externally be added to the Memorial Gardens Masterplan

C/19/01/12 Newmarket train station
The Chairman presented a report regarding improvements required for the station and it was agreed that letters would be sent to relevant bodies in February 19 to lobby for improvements.

C/19/01/13 To consider quotes for cemetery car park repairs
Two quotes were considered to repair potholes in the Cemetery car park and the following was agreed:

C/19/01/13.01 Recommendation
That the quote from A MEAD Construction Ltd for £2,330 + VAT be accepted.

C/19/01/14 Correspondence
Email regarding High Street fund – TCM advised that this was a National scheme and FHDC would select a High Street in the district that needs the most improving. TCM would submit an application.

C/19/01/15 Date of next meeting
Monday 11th February 2019 7:15pm at the Memorial Hall.

C/19/01/16 Items for next agenda
• Cemetery Fees
• Flagship
• Request for a bus shelter
• System for informing residents of the presence of travellers

Meeting closed at pm 7:25pm

 

Signed ______________________________ Date ______________________