Full Town Council Minutes (signed) 26-07-2021

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

21/07/2           Apologies for Absence – LGA 1972, Section 85(1) & (2)

Apologies were received from Cllrs Berry and Clover.

21/07/3           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.

21/07/4           To Receive and Confirm the Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 28^th June 2021 and any Matters Arising.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28^th June 2021 were presented and the following was agreed:

A member of the press joined the meeting.

21/07/4.01 Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th June 2021 be adopted and signed as a correct record by the Town Mayor.

There were no matters arising.

21/07/5           Public Open Session

No members of the public wished to speak.

21/07/6           Suffolk Constabulary

The monthly PCSO report was received and noted.

21/07/7           Councillor Reports

SCC – Cllr Drummond reported that due to the disruption to traffic that the work Anglian Water were doing outside of Tesco, he had intervened and managed to move the rest of the work to be done in the early hours of the morning.  The monthly SCC written report will be circulated to Members.

West Suffolk Council (WSC) – Cllr Soons thanked Cllr Anderson for his work to resolve the damaged cars at Studlands and reported that a map that was issued in 2020, showed partial ownership of land in Studlands.   There continues to be an issue with fly tipping and whilst WSC had quickly removed the rubbish, she was working with them to find a long-term solution.

Cllr Soons left the meeting

Cllr Lay reported that he had met with the Police Crime Commissioner and requested a high Police presence at a memorial event for a member of the travelling community planned for 4^th September 2021.

Cllr Anderson thanked Cllrs Hood and Drummond for their quick action last Sunday regarding the Anglian Water work.  He also thanked residents for their help with cutting the grass.  The Friendship Group has resumed and there is a new drop-in group due to start.  The Residents Association is also meeting.

Cllr Drummond reported that additional grass cutting can be requested from West Suffolk and SCC.

Ward – Cllr Yarrow (Freshfields Ward) reported that he had contacted West Suffolk Council regarding grass cutting and weeding but they were slow to respond.  The grass is cut on a 2-week cycle and residents were cutting it themselves to keep on top of it.  There is a concern regarding the weed killer used by West Suffolk Council that is dangerous to humans and wildlife and he urged that they seek a safe alternative.  Cllr Hood confirmed that they are seeking an alternative and she would continue to question them on this issue.  This item was referred to the C&L Committee.

Cllr Berry reported in a note, that the footpath on the A142 was overgrown and dangerous and needed attention.

Cllr Hall reported on the West Suffolk affordable housing report and that responses from West Suffolk and SCC were very slow.  Residents from Studlands had been contacting him as they were not getting a response from their District Councillors.  He suggested that road sweeping would help with the weeds at the side of the road.  This item was referred to the C&L Committee.

Cllr Anderson left the meeting.

Outside bodies – None noted.

21/07/8           Mayors Announcements

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

2^nd July – Interview with Derek Thompson to support the independent shops.

4^th July – Interview on Suffolk Radio about the Soapbox Derby.

6^th July – Toured the independent shops in the Town centre.

8^th July – Greeted HRH Princess Royal to Newmarket Horse Racing Museum.

10^th July – Met with Michael Holding at the Cricket Club.

25^th July – Attended Bury St Edmunds Civic service in the Cathedral.

Deputy Mayor:

10^th July – Attended the Summer music concert in the Memorial Gardens.

Town Clerk reported that on Wednesday 21^st July at 5:30pm the building next door which is being renovated, had removed all of the BT communications infrastructure leaving the Town Council without any internet or phone service.  On Friday two temporary lines were installed and service has been resumed.  To resolve this issue fully, the pavement will need to be dug up.  Staff were now two days behind in their work with intermittent phone/internet service. The outage has affected the alarm and other software systems: support was received to rectify this.

21/07/9           To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the D&P Committee Meetings held on 5^th and 19^th July 2021

The Chairman of the Development & Planning Committee presented the minutes and recommendations from the Development & Planning Committee meetings held on 5^th and 19^th July 2021.

The following amendment was made to the minutes of 5^th July 2021.

D/21/07/6.01 Resolved – was changed to a Recommendation.

21/07/9.01 Recommendation (D/21/07/6.01 Recommendation)

That Cllr Drummond requests that SCC Highways provide an ANPR device for

Studlands.

21/07/9.02 Resolved (D/21/07/21/.01 Recommendation)

That NTC writes to West Suffolk Council to inform them of the situation and to seek an explanation for the changes and request that a full re-consultation is conducted with the taxi drivers within the next calendar month. That NTC will

host the meeting between West Suffolk Council and the taxi drivers.

21/07/10        To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the Community & Leisure Services Committee Meeting held on 5^th July 2021

The Chairman of the Community and Leisure Services Committee presented the minutes and recommendations of the Community & Leisure Services Committee meeting held on 5^th July 2021.

21/07/10.01 Resolved (CL/21/07/6.01 Recommendation)

That the proposal to put a Community mural on the white wall facing the

childrens’ swings in the Memorial Gardens during the Summer entertainment programme be approved.

21/07/10.02 Resolved (CL/21/07/8.01 Recommendation)

That the safety bark and sand be replenished and that delegated power be given

to the Chairman and Town Clerk to negotiate the best possible price.

21/07/10.03 Resolved (CL/21/07/10.01 Recommendation)

That the Chairman seeks the views of the Jockey Club Estate regarding the

request for a bench/tree on their land.

21/07/10.04 Resolved (CL/21/07/12.01 Recommendation)

That refreshments for Remembrance Sunday be held at Tattersalls following the

Remembrance Service.

21/07/10.05 Resolved (CL/21/07/13.01 Recommendation)

That the request from the Food & Drink Committee to have stalls in the

Memorial Hall be approved free of charge.

21/07/10.06 Resolved (CL/21/07/14.01 Recommendation)

That the request from Newmarket Library to use the Memorial Hall to host Top

Time sessions for vulnerable residents on a Thursday morning from 10:30 –11:30 whilst the Library is refurbished during July, August and September be approved.

21/07/10.07 Resolved ***(CL/21/07/18.01 Recommendation)***

That the CCTV in the Memorial Gardens be upgraded to allow 360degree

coverage.

21/07/10.08 Resolved ***(CL/21/07/18.02 Recommendation)***

That anti-climb paint be applied to both sides of the wall between Rossdale’s and

the Memorial Gardens by the Town Keeper.

21/07/10.09 Resolved ***(CL/21/07/18.03 Recommendation)***

That Abbey Security be engaged to carry out random 3 nightly visits per week at a

cost of £30 per week for a trial period of a month.

21/07/10.10 Resolved ***(CL/21/07/19.01 Recommendation)***

That a plaque be added to the tree planted by NTC, to remember all who died due

to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A request was made for ideas of any additional events for the Queens Platinum Jubilee to be sent to the Chairman of the CL Committee.

21/07/11        To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the Neighbourhood Plan Committee Meetings held on 12^th July 2021

The Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee presented the minutes and recommendations from the Neighbourhood Plan Committee meeting held on 12^th July 2021.  There were no recommendations.

21/07/12        To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the Human Resources Committee Meetings held on 12^th July 2021

The Chairman of the Human Resources Committee presented the minutes and recommendations from the Finance & Policy Committee meetings held on 12^th July 2021.

21/07/12.01 Resolved (***H/21/07/11.01 Recommendation***)

That the proposal for a new staffing team structure be approved.

21/07/12.02 Resolved (***H/21/07/11.02 Recommendation***)

That the proposal for staff re-grading of four positions be approved.

21/07/12.03 Resolved (***H/21/07/11.03 Recommendation***)

That a transfer of £10,000 from EMR 332 (Human Resources EMR) to the

HR committee account be approved.

21/07/13        To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the F&P Committee Meetings held on 19^th July 2021

The Chairman of the Finance & Policy Committee presented the minutes and recommendations from the Finance & Policy Committee meetings held on 19^th July 2021.

21/07/13.01 Resolved (F/21/07/6.01 Recommendation)

That the ratification of the schedules of payments for the period 01/06/2021 – 30/06/2021 (Cash Book 1 – 4) be received and adopted.

21/06/13.02 Resolved ((F/21/07/09.01 Recommendation)

That the quote from Rialtas to install the RBS Purchase Order software and provide training and ongoing support for £538 for the first year and annual

support for £143 per year be accepted.

21/07/14        Newmarket Community Network

The Mayor reported that there was no report available as the last meeting was cancelled.  The litter picking event had taken place successfully

21/07/15        Boundary Commission Changes

The Boundary Commission Changes were noted.  Members were invited to comment on the consultation individually.

21/07/16        Matters Related to West Suffolk Constituency MP

A proposal was made and discussed at length regarding the recent actions of our West Suffolk MP and the statement from the West Suffolk Conservative Association in support of the MP was read out in full.  A full and frank civilised debate was held including a proposed amendment that was not seconded and a recorded vote was requested as follows:

Votes For – Cllrs Crissall, Jefferys, Hall, Yarrow and O’Neil

Votes Against – Cllrs Lay, Hood, Drummond, De’Ath and Hulbert

Abstentions – Cllrs Winter, Borda, Appleby and Harvey.

With the vote being tied, the Mayor used his casting vote in favour and the following was agreed:

21/07/16.01 Resolved

That NTC states its concerns that the West Suffolk MP, Matthew Hancock has neglected the best interests of his constituents.  That, as Secretary of State for Health, he has demonstrated hypocrisy and hubris in the pursuit of his own interests.  That NTC states that we no longer have confidence in Matthew Hancock MP.

Cllrs Hood, Drummond and Lay left the meeting.

The Mayor was pleased that a civilised debate was held but was disappointed with the behaviour of the councillors that had left the meeting.

21/07/17        Policing Matters

Details regarding the use of a property on the High Street were noted as part of the PSCO report

A Closure Order on a Newmarket property that was granted to West Suffolk on 14/07/2021) by Ipswich Magistrates Court was noted; the order was obtained under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

21/07/18        Soapbox Derby 2021

A report from the Events Manager was presented and the commentary of the event by Derek Thompson would be given free of charge.  It was noted that Derek had cancelled a booking at the Great Yarmouth races to be able to attend and this gesture was greatly appreciated.

The Events Manager was concerned that the event could go over budget and the following was agreed:

21/07/18.01 Resolved

That delegated power be given to the Town Clerk, Events Manager, Chairman of the C&L Committee and Chairman of the Soapbox Working Group to take funds from the Earmarked reserve for the Soapbox Derby as required.

21/07/19        Council Meetings

Members discussed the format for future meetings and the following was agreed:

21/07/19.01 Resolved

That all Committee and Town Council meetings continue to be held in the Memorial Hall for the foreseeable future and that improvements to the sound quality and seating be looked into.

21/07/20        Licensing

The renewal licence for Heaven was discussed and the following was agreed:

21/7/20.01 Resolved

That no comment be made on the renewal licence for Heaven.

This item was referred to the D&P Committee to look at lobbying West Suffolk Council to change their licensing policy.

21/07/21        Correspondence

Stour Valley Path Trail Race 14^th August 2021 – was noted

West Suffolk Council Newmarket Shop Report June 2021 – was noted. It was noted that this information was mis-leading as it included offices and businesses, therefore affecting the percentage number of shops vacant figures.

Animal Welfare Licence policy – Members were invited to respond individually.

Resignation from Cllr Fitzgerald – was accepted.  Discussion took place regarding the cost of recent by-elections to the council (14 in the last 4 years) with hope being expressed that an agreement to co-opt could be reached to save tax-payers money, especially this late in the electoral term.

Cllr Yarrow stated for the minutes that he was appalled at the theatre that had taken place at this meeting with the three councillors who left.

21/07/22        Date of the next Meeting

Monday 23^rd August 2021 in the Memorial Hall.

Meeting closed at 7:30pm

Signed: __________________                           Date: ____________________

Summary of Resolutions