Publication

Full Town Council Minutes (Signed) 23-08-2021

Posted on

held on Monday 23rd August 2021 at 6:15 pm at the Memorial Hall

Attendance:

Councillor M Jefferys (Town Mayor)                               Councillor A Drummond

Councillor A Appleby                                                           Councillor D Hall

Councillor J Berry                                                                 Councillor J Harvey

Councillor J Borda                                                                Councillor P Hulbert

Councillor J Clover                                                               Councillor C O’Neill

Councillor L Crissall                                                             Councillor P Winter

Councillor J De’Ath                                                               Councillor K Yarrow

Also Present: C Whitaker – Town Clerk, J Ashton – Minute Assistant, Jenna Asker – Local Artist, 1 Member of the Press and 2 Members of the Public.

Minute

  • Welcome

The Chairman opened the meeting and read out the Fire Safety Notice and confirmed that proceedings were being recorded.

  • Apologies for Absence – LGA 1972, Section 85(1) & (2)

Apologies were received from Cllrs Anderson, Hood and Lay.

  • 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

Cllrs O’Neill and Yarrow declared a non-pecuniary interest in Correspondence – Newmarket Community Arts.  There were no member dispensation requests.

  • To Receive and Confirm the Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 26th July 2021 and any Matters Arising.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26th July 2021 were presented and the following amendments were made:

21/07/7 – Councillor Reports: To read – West Suffolk Council (WSC) –Cllr Soons thanked Cllr Anderson for his work to resolve the damaged cars at Studlands and reported that a map of Studlands that was issued in 2020 showed partial ownership of land in Studlands.

21/07/20 – Licensing – remove ‘Awaits’.

Subject to the amendments being made, the following was agreed:

21/08/4.01 Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting held on 26th July 2021 be adopted and signed as a correct record by the Town Mayor.

There were no matters arising.

  • Public Open Session

Jenna Asker, a resident local artist presented a proposal for a new Community Arts Centre in the High Street in a retail unit leased from Jockey Club Estates and asked NTC to support the project.

A member of the press joined the meeting.

A proposal was made to bring forward the item for Correspondence – Newmarket Community Arts and the following was agreed:

21/08/5.01 Resolved

That the item for Correspondence – Newmarket Community Arts be brought forward.

  • Correspondence

Newmarket Community Arts – Members welcomed the project and noted that there was a lot of support for Community Arts in the Town.  Further enquiries would be made with the BID and Jockey Club Estates.  This item was referred to the Community & Leisure Service Committee.

Jenna Asker left the meeting.

A Member of the public spoke to item 12 – Weatherby Crossing and a proposal was made to bring the item forward.  The following was agreed:

21/08/6.01 Resolved

That item 12 Weatherby Crossing be brought forward.

  • Weatherby Crossing

Town Clerk presented the information regarding an objection by Network Rail to ROW/3221975M Definitive Map & Statement for the Parish of Newmarket in the District of Forest Heath, Suffolk County Council (Parish of Newmarket) Modification Order 2018 and it was noted that a further Public Inquiry will be scheduled.  A proposal was made to consult with Merrow Golden, the Expert Witness and Rachel Wood and the following was agreed:

21/08/7.01 Resolved

That Merrow Golden is consulted regarding the next steps and costs involved in continuing to work on the Town Council’s behalf on this matter and to liaise with the Expert Witness and Rachel Wood.

Town Clerk was asked to provide a further report on instructions for Merrow Golden and budget options to the F&P Committee.

  • Suffolk Constabulary

The monthly PCSO report was received and noted.  The Mayor reported that he and Cllr Winter meet with PCSO Butcher fortnightly and were impressed with his activities and work.  Cllr Winter reported that ongoing enquires were being made regarding an incident in New Cheveley Road.

  • Councillor Reports

SCC – There was nothing to report.

West Suffolk Council (WSC) – There was nothing to report.

Ward – Cllr Yarrow (Freshfields Ward) reported that vandals had destroyed a newly

planted cherry tree.  Residents had been watering it and cutting the grass around it and were angered by the destruction.  It was hoped that it can now be replaced again

Cllr Hall (Scaltback Ward) reported that he had met with the Newmarket Community Nature Reserve founders and they were keen to work with NTC on their projects which will be considered by the C&L Committee.  He had also received positive feedback from the Community Earth Arts events in the Memorial Gardens this summer and noted that there is a lot of support for carrying this work forward.  He was also looking at replacement trees in the location of the new Laureate crossing and in Windsor Road.

Cllr De’Ath (Studlands Ward) reported that fly tipping at Studlands was continuing and that a resident’s wall had graffiti on it.  Cllr Anderson was taking action on these issues.

Outside bodies – None noted.

  • Mayors Announcements

The Mayor presented the NNP Community Actions and asked Cllrs to identify the priority tasks that they would like to take forward.

The Mayor reported that in addition to normal Committee meetings and Working Groups his activities included the following:

31st July – Attended the Newmarket Community Awards ceremony at the Jockey Club.

3rd August – Attended a Rotary lunch.

5th August – Visited the Summer Entertainments in the Memorial Gardens.

21st August – Attended the New Mayors’ BBQ at RAF Mildenhall.

  • To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the D&P Committee Meetings held on 2nd and 16th August 2021

The Chairman of the Development & Planning Committee presented the minutes and recommendations from the Development & Planning Committee meetings held on 2nd and 16th August 2021.

D/21/08/11.01 Resolved (D/21/08/7.03 Recommendation)

The Committee supported the application subject to there being no vehicle vehicular (other than emergency) access onto Rowley Drive with only pedestrian and cycle access over the horsewalk and the Committee looks forward to seeing the detailed plans to improve an important entrance to the Town.

  • To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the Community & Leisure Services Committee Meeting held on 2nd August 2021

The Chairman of the Community and Leisure Services Committee presented the minutes and recommendations of the Community & Leisure Services Committee meeting held on 2nd August 2021.

21/08/12.01 Resolved (CL/21/08/8.01 Recommendation)

That the quote from Cater-Kwik Ltd to replace the dishwasher in the Memorial Hall for £1,748.99 including a two-year parts and labour warranty be approved.

21/08/12.01 Resolved (CL/21/08/10.01 Recommendation)

That SCC are requested to improve the quality and diversity of speed devices that they allow to be installed.

  • To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the Neighbourhood Plan Committee Meetings held on 9th August 2021

The Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee presented the minutes and recommendations from the Neighbourhood Plan Committee meeting held on 9th August 2021

21/08/13.01 Resolved (N/21/08/7.01 Recommendation)

That a letter of thanks be sent to Nick Patton for the Jockey Club Estates’ work to clear Newmarket Brook.

  • To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the Human Resources Committee Meetings held on 9th August 2021

The Chairman of the Human Resources Committee presented the minutes and recommendations from the Finance & Policy Committee meetings held on 9th August 2021.

21/08/14.01 Resolved (***H/21/08/11.01 Recommendation***)

That, subject to references being received, a candidate be offered the position of Deputy Town Clerk to commence 1st September.

21/08/14.02 Resolved (***H/21/08/11.02 Recommendation***)

That the position of Caretaker be re-advertised; with an agency caretaker filling the post in the short-term.

21/08/14.03 Resolved (***H/21/08/11.03 Recommendation***)

That a proposal for WSC weekend safety and maintenance check provision be accepted in principle, with costs being provided to the Community and Leisure Committee for consideration of the financial implications.

21/08/14.04 Resolved (***H/21/08/11.04 Recommendation***)

That Ellis Whittam be consulted regarding correspondence from a past employee.

  • To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the F&P Committee Meetings held on 16th August 2021

The Chairman of the Finance & Policy Committee presented the minutes and recommendations from the Finance & Policy Committee meetings held on 16th August 2021.

21/08/15.01 Resolved (F/21/08/6.01 Recommendation)

That the ratification of the schedules of payments for the period 01/07/2021 – 31/07/2021 (Cash Book 1 – 4) be received and adopted. 

21/08/15.02 Resolved ((F/21/08/09.01 Recommendation)

That the quote from Heelis & Lodge for £700 be accepted and that Heelis & Lodge be appointed as the internal auditor for 2021/2022.

21/08/15.03 Resolved ((F/21/08/09.02 Recommendation)

That delegated powers be given to the Town Clerk to pilot a project to use social media to publicise meetings and items that might be of interest to the public for a period of 4 months.

21/08/15.03 Resolved (***F/21/12/17.01 Recommendation***)

That the request to purchase the land adjacent to 45 Field Terrace Road be refused at this time and that the Town Clerk seeks legal advice on this matter.

  • Soapbox Derby 2021

A report from the Events Manager was presented and noted. The Mayor advised that all was in order for the one big event of this year and all help would be welcomed.

  • Licensing

This item had been added to the agenda in error and was not discussed.

  • Youth Pledge for Employers Scheme

The SCC Youth Pledge for Employers scheme was presented and discussed and the following was agreed:

21/08/18.01 Resolved

That NTC supports the scheme and helps to raise awareness of the scheme locally.

  • Correspondence

No further items were noted.

  • Date of the next Meeting

Extra Ordinary meeting Monday 13th September in the Memorial Hall to discuss cricket.

Town Council meeting Monday 27th September 2021 in the Memorial Hall.

Meeting closed at 6:50pm

Signed by the Chairman                    Date: 27th September 2021