Full Town Council Minutes Signed 31-01-2022
Attendance:
Councillor M Jefferys (Town Mayor)
Councillor J Harvey
Councillor J Berry
Councillor P Hulbert
Councillor J Borda
Councillor C O’Neill
Councillor A Drummond
Councillor P Winter
Councillor D Hall
Councillor K Yarrow
Councillor J Ferries
Also Present:
C Whitaker – Town Clerk
J Ashton – Minute Assistant
David Hall – CEO, Newmarket Charitable Foundation
Chris Pyburn – Public Health Manager
SCC, Inspector Shipton – Suffolk Constabulary
1 Member of the Press
and 1 Member of the Public.
Minute
22/01/1 Welcome
The Chairman opened the meeting and read out the Fire Safety Notice and confirmed that proceedings were being recorded.
22/01/2 Apologies for Absence – LGA 1972, Section 85(1) & (2)
Apologies were received from Cllrs Clover, Crissall, De’Ath, Hood and Lay. Cllr Anderson was absent.
22/01/3 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
Cllr Drummond declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 13 as a BID Director. There were no member dispensation requests.
22/01/4 To Receive and Confirm the Minutes of the Town Council Meetings held on 20th December 2021 and any Matters Arising.
The minutes of the meeting held on 20th December 2021 were presented and the following was agreed:
22/01/4.01 Resolved
That the minutes of the meeting held on 20th December 2021 be adopted and signed as a correct record by the Town Mayor.
There were no matters arising.
22/01/5 Public Open Session
None noted.
22/01/6 Newmarket Charitable Foundation
David Hall gave a presentation on the work of the Foundation (previously the Newmarket Festival) and the plans to work with other organisations to deliver benefits to the Town and Newmarket Community.
A member of the public joined the meeting.
Four founder sponsors have each donated £50,000 and further funding will be sourced for specific projects including the possible installation of outside gym equipment and BMX track at the YBR, a riding school, a cinema, an education hub and a business start-up space, using vacant retail unit. Most of these projects link directly to the Community Actions of the Neighbourhood Plan and he welcomed interaction with NTC.
The Mayor thanked David for his presentation and NTC would be more than happy to work with the Foundation to deliver benefits to the Town.
22/01/7 Report from Inspector Shipton
Inspector Shipton gave a verbal report on his last day of duty following 15 years of service. The figures for the last few months had been steady with no real spikes in crime. He was pleased with the proactive work of the ASB team and other agencies to address anti-social behaviour issues.
The Mayor thanked Inspector for all that he had done for the Town and a round of applause was given.
David Hall left the meeting.
22/01/8 Health & Wellbeing Group
Chris Pyburn, Public Health Manager SCC, gave a presentation on the work of the Working Group so far, along with a summary of outcomes.
Inspector Shipton left the meeting
Cllr O’Neill gave an outline of the next five priorities that the Group will focus on and a summary of the recommendations contained in the report.
The recommendations from the report were considered and the following was agreed:
22/01/8.01 Resolved
That all of the recommendations contained in the Health & Wellbeing Working Group report be accepted as follows:
- That the work of the outcomes of the group be noted.
- That the five themes for priority to focus on to underpin all activity to support health and wellbeing in Newmarket be approved.
- That a series of virtual and face-to-face events be held to raise awareness and highlight the assets and opportunities to support wellbeing, from volunteering to help to being physically active.
- To continue to improve health and wellbeing in Newmarket by prioritising the five themes, to be delivered in collaboration with groups and networks, co-opting other key partners as required.
22/01/9 Councillor Reports
SCC – Cllr Drummond: that the SCC Newsletter for January had just been received and will be circulated. He highlighted that SCC had secured warm home funding for non- council owned properties. Households that are experiencing fuel poverty will be encouraged to apply for grants up to £5,000. Open Reach will be upgrading the fibre broad band in Newmarket.
The December Newsletter had mentioned a review of street light hours owing to the rises in energy costs and it was confirmed that NTC owned street lights was also being reviewed.
West Suffolk Council (WSC) – Cllr Drummond reported that the Welcome Back funding had been used for a deep clean of the High Street and funding had also been secured for business grants support. The tree planting project had started with trees being planted on the George Lambton Field as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy project. WSC had been rated 14 in the country for climate change actions and further funding had been secured to improve council owned properties.
Ward – Cllr Yarrow provided a report on the work carried out by the Asset Management Team at Samphire Homes to pressure clean the underpass to the Icewell Hill flats and surrounding areas. However asbestos had been identified which will need to be addressed and new wall lights had been installed in the underpass.
Chris Pyburn left the meeting
The water stains on the outside walls will be removed and residents will be consulted to find a solution for the garages. The rat issues appear to have improved and will continue to be monitored.
Cllr Winter reported that a representative from Samphire Homes would be attending the March committee meeting.
Cllr Ferries (Studlands Ward) reported that he will be conducting monthly walk arounds with the PCSO and that work to fix the barriers at the A14 bridge at the North entrance needs to be finished.
Outside bodies – There was nothing to report.
22/01/10 Mayors Announcements
The Mayor reported that there were no announcements for January 2022.
22/01/11 To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the D&P Committee Meetings held on 10th and 24th January 2022
The Mayor presented the minutes and recommendations from the Development & Planning Committee meetings held on 10th and 24th January 2022.
22/01/11.01 Resolved (D/22/01/6.01 Recommendation)
That NTC welcomes the upgrades to the horse crossings by Jockey Club Estates.
22/01/11.02 Resolved (D/22/01/24.02 Recommendation)
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT. The Committee objected on the material grounds that the ground floor should be retained for commercial use purposes and that the number of flats is an overdevelopment of the site.
22/01/11.03 Resolved (D/22/01/24.06 Recommendation)
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT. The Committee objected given the parking issues associated with the All Saints Ward and the pending outcome of the parking review, the Committee considers that the number of parking spaces allocated to be insufficient.
22/01/11.04 Resolved (D/22/01/25.01 Recommendation)
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT. The Committee continued to Support the outline planning application and looked forward to seeing the detailed plans.
22/01/12 To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the Community & Leisure Services Committee Meeting held on 10th January 2022
The Chairman of the Community and Leisure Services Committee presented the minutes and recommendations of the Community & Leisure Services Committee meeting held on 10th January 2022.
22/01/12.01 Resolved (CL/22/01/6.01 Recommendation)
That NTC supports the initiative to improve the safety at Rayes Lane and would request a contribution for funding from SCC Cllr Drummond.
22/01/12.02 Resolved (CL/22/01/7.01 Recommendation)
That NTC supports the initiative and look forward to receiving further information.
22/01/12.03 Resolved (CL/22/01/10.01 Recommendation)
That the revised C&L Budget for 2022/2023 be approved.
22/01/12.04 Resolved (CL/22/01/11.01 Recommendation)
That the quote by Scripti Ltd for £2,000 to scan the remaining deeds held at the Memorial Hall be accepted.
The following amendment was made to remove sending a letter to SCC.
22/01/12.05 Resolved (CL/22/01/14.01 Recommendation)
That a letter be sent to the West Suffolk Council Planning Department to ask what action they were taking to resolve the issues of the listed building in St Marys Square and to ask what enforcement action is being taken on the property.
22/01/12.06 Resolved (CL/22/01/16.01 Recommendation)
That the Town Band be booked to play music from the period of the bombing and that refreshments be offered at the Bombing Event on 18th February 2022 subject to any Covid-19 restrictions.
22/01/12.07 Resolved (CL/22/01/16.02 Recommendation)
That a Soapbox Derby be held in August 2022.
22/01/12.08 Resolved (CL/22/01/16.03 Recommendation)
That in principle, an event be held for the Jubilee Celebration on Friday 3rd and
Sunday 5th June 2022.
22/01/13 To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the Neighbourhood Plan Committee Meetings held on 17th January 2022
The Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee presented the minutes and recommendations from the Neighbourhood Plan Committee meetings held on 17th January 2022.
22/01/13.01 Resolved (N/22/01/9.01 Recommendation)
That the bio-diversity Community Action be discussed as a priority.
22/01/13.02 Resolved (N/22/01/9.02 Recommendation)
That a Public Rights of Way Working Group be set up to take this Community Action forward.
22/01/14 To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the Human Resources Committee Meetings held on 17th January 2022
The Vice Chairman of the Human Resources Committee presented the minutes and
recommendations from the Human Resources Committee meetings held on 17th January 2022. There were no recommendations.
22/01/15 To Receive the Minutes and Consider any Recommendations from the F&P Committee Meetings held on 24th January 2022
The Chairman of the Finance & Policy Committee presented the minutes and recommendations from the Finance & Policy Committee meetings held on 24th January 2022.
22/01/14.01 Resolved (F/22/01/6.01 Recommendation)
That the request for a grant to support the Newmarket Community First Responder Scheme be deferred to the end of the fiscal year and that the amount considered be not less than £500. That the use of the Memorial Hall as a training venue be offered free of charge, subject to availability.
22/01/14.02 Resolved (F/22/01/7.01 Recommendation)
That the ratification of the schedules of payments for the period 01/12/2021 – 31/11/2021 (Cash Book 1 – 4) be received and adopted.
22/01/14.03 Resolved (F/22/01/10.01 Recommendation)
That the requested virement of £8,500 from 4115/101 to 4030/101 be approved.
22/01/16 Suffolk Constabulary
The monthly PCSO report was received and noted.
Cllr Drummond declared a non-pecuniary in the following item.
22/01/17 Newmarket BID Business Awards 2022
A request for NTC to sponsor a business award was considered and the following was agreed:
22/01/17.01 Resolved
That the request from Newmarket BID to sponsor a Green Business Awards for £500 be approved.
22/01/18 Interim Audit 2021/2022
The Interim Audit for 2021/2022 was received and noted. Thanks were given the Town Clerk.
22/01/19 Projected Current Year Budget Outcome
Town Clerk presented a report on the projected outcomes for the end of the current year budget (2021/2022) which was noted.
22/01/20 Budget 2022/2023
Town Clerk presented the budget and precept for 2022/2023 and the following was agreed:
22/01/20.01 Resolved
That the budget for 2022/2023 be approved. That a precept application of £715,210.00 be submitted to West Suffolk Council (£5.78 for a band D property, a 4.75.% increase for 2022/2023).
22/01/21 Public Rights of Way (PROW)
The reinstatement of the path between Laureate School Road and Willie Snaith Road in the context of the definitive map (DMMO) was discussed and the following was agreed:
22/01/21.01 Resolved
That in principle, NTC supports the initiative to keep the path between Laureate School Road and Willie Snaith Road open.
This item would be referred to D&P Committee
22/01/22 Youth Strategy
The Youth Strategy was discussed and Town Clerk to send out an email to seek membership for this Working Group in January 2020 and Cllr Jefferys had volunteered to be a member at that time along with Will Wright. Outside membership could be sought.
22/01/23 Councillor Training
The Councillor training dates were confirmed with the first session taking place on 3rd March 2022. Town Clerk will send out further training dates for Chairperson and Leadership training which will take place in September at the earliest.
22/01/24 Meeting Dates
The meeting schedules for April, May and the Annual Town Meeting were considered and the following was agreed:
22/01/24.01 Resolved
That the meeting schedules for April and May be approved. That the date of the Annual Town Meeting be held on 11th May 2022.
22/01/25 Meeting Venue
Returning to the Council Chamber was discussed and the following was agreed:
22/01/25.01 Resolved
That future meetings be held in the Council Chamber.
22/01/26 Correspondence
West Suffolk Council Tax – resident’s emails regarding Council Tax payments by cheque in the light of the absence of a WSC Office in Newmarket – to be referred to the Community & Leisure Committee.
Weatherby Crossing – the Inquiry will be a virtual event starting on Tuesday 1st February 2022 at the Memorial Hall.
Love Newmarket Business Expo 9th March at Bedford Lodge – an advert was distributed at the meeting.
22/01/27 Date of the next Meeting
Monday 28th February 2022 in the Memorial Hall.
22/01/28 Items for the next Agenda
None noted.
Meeting closed at 7:36pm
Signed: by the Chairman Date: 28th February 2022