Full Town Council Minutes Signed 29-08-2023

Councillor J Harvey (Deputy Town Mayor)

Councillor P Hulbert

Councillor M Anderson

Councillor E Kavanagh

Councillor J Berry

Councillor J McHugh

Councillor J Borda

Councillor R Nobbs

Councillor L Crissall

Councillor S Perry

Councillor A Drummond

Councillor K Yarrow

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

Minute

23/08/1 Welcome
The Chairman opened the meeting and announced that the fire safety notice was provided and confirmed that proceedings were being recorded and asked if anyone else intended to record the meeting.

23/08/2 Apologies for Absence – LGA 1972, Section 85(1) & (2)
Apologies were received from Cllrs Jarvis, Jones and Winter. Cllrs Clover, Hood and Starkey were absent.

23/08/3 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 requests for Member’s dispensation.

23/08/4 To Receive and Confirm the Minutes of the Town Council Extra Ordinary Meeting held on 31st July 2023 and any Matters Arising.
The Chairman presented the minutes of the Extra Ordinary meeting of the Town Council held on 31st July 2023 and the following was agreed:

23/08/4.01 Resolved
That the minutes of the meeting held on 31st July 2023 be adopted and signed as a correct record by the Deputy Mayor.

There were no matters arising.

23/08/5 Public Open Session
A member of the public was interested in the Newmarket Rail item.

23/08/6 Councillor Reports
Suffolk County Council (SCC) – Cllr Drummond reported that the monthly newsletter had been sent out.

Cllr Berry joined the meeting
West Suffolk Council (WSC) – Cllr Drummond reported that the Queensbury Lodge appeal had been successful however, official notification has not yet been received from WSC.

Cllr Yarrow reported that the D&P Committee site visit to Pinewood would take place on 11th September at 6:30pm.

Cllr Perry asked what was happening with cycle paths. Cllr Drummond and Cllr Hood are working on linking up to the Cambridge cycle path network.

Cllr Perry reported that an objection had been submitted by a group of District Councillors on planning application for the former St Felix site.

Cllr Perry reported that Community Arts are planning to ask the Community for suggestions for a new name for the chalk stream in readiness for the Rivers of Light event. Action to clear the river is ongoing.

Ward – None noted.

A member of the public joined the meeting.
Outside bodies – None noted.

23/08/7 Mayors Announcements
The Deputy Mayor reported that, in the Mayor’s absence, these would be reported at the next Council Meeting.

23/08/8 To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the D&P Committee Meetings held on 7th & 21st August 2023
The Vice Chairman of the D&P Committee presented the minutes and recommendations from the Development & Planning Committee meetings held on 7th and 21st August 2023.

23/08/8.01 Resolved (D/23/08/5.01 Recommendation)
That a feasibility study be conducted for a pedestrian crossing to be added to traffic lights on Fordham Rd and respite islands for Old Station Road and Bury Road.

23/08/8.02 Resolved (D/23/08/16.01 Recommendation)
That a letter be sent to register that NTC strongly objects to the closure of any train station ticket office.

23/08/8.03 Resolved (D/23/08/32 Recommendation)
That a positive response be sent to support and welcome the proposal of the restoration of the bus service between Newmarket and Haverhill.

23/08/9 Committee Membership
The request from Cllr McHugh to join the Performance & Audit Committee was noted.

23/08/10 Newmarket Railway Station
Town Clerk confirmed that the funding to improve the facilities at the station had been allocated. Cllr Drummond reported that the funding was from Section 106 money and had to be used.Cllrs will start to hand out questionnaires to commuters w/c 11th September to seek their views regarding the proposal by SCC regarding improved pedestrian and cycle access and electric storage and charging facilities. Cllr Hulbert requested that the waiting area on the platform be improved if possible.

23/08/11 External Audit
The External Audit Report and Certificate for the financial year 2022/2023 were noted. There were no matters of concern in the report.

Thanks were given to the Town Clerk and her team for the excellent report.

23/08/12 Correspondence
Headway Suffolk – are planning to open a new outreach hub in Newmarket. Town Clerk to find out where they will be based and report back.

23/08/13 Date of the next Meeting
Monday 25th September 2023 in the Memorial Hall.

Meeting closed at 6.35pm

Signed: Tuesday 29th August 2023                           Date: Tuesday 29th August 2023

Summary of Resolutions

Resolution	Resolution Wording
23/08/8.01 Resolved (D/23/08/5.01 Recommendation)	That a feasibility study be conducted for a pedestrian crossing to be added to traffic lights on Fordham Rd and respite islands for Old Station Road and Bury Road.
23/08/8.02 Resolved (D/23/08/16.01 Recommendation)	That a letter be sent to register that NTC strongly objects to the closure of any train station ticket office.
23/08/8.03 Resolved (D/23/08/32 Recommendation)	That a positive response be sent to support and welcome the proposal of the restoration of the bus service between Newmarket and Haverhill.