Full Town Council Minutes (Signed) 24-09-2018
Minutes of the Meeting of the Newmarket Town Council held on Monday 24th September 2018 at 6.00 pm
at the Memorial Hall, High Street, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8JP
Attendance:
Councillor R Hood (Town Mayor) Councillor M Jefferys
Councillor J Clarke Councillor R Nobbs
Councillor A Drummond Councillor C O’Neill
Councillor W Hirst Councillor A Starkey
Councillor P Hulbert Councillor J Wadham
` Councillor P Winter
Also Present: Roberta Bennett – TCM, Cathy Whitaker – RFO, – Julie Ashton – Minute Assistant, Nick Froy – Principal Newmarket Academy. Chris Pyburn – SCC Public Health 1 Member of the Press and 5 Members of the Public.
18/09/1 Fire safety briefing and announcement that proceedings may be filmed or recorded
The Mayor opened the meeting and read out the Fire Safety Briefing and the announcement that the meeting may be filmed or recorded.
18/09/2 Apologies for absence – LGA 1972, Section 85(1) & (2)
Apologies were received from Cllrs Berry, Hudson, Lay, Morrey and Wright. Cllrs Anderson and Appleby were absent.
18/09/3 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.
18/09/4 To receive and confirm the minutes of the public part of the town council meeting held on Tuesday 23rd July 2018 and any matters arising
The Town Mayor presented the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Tuesday 28th August 2018 and the following was agreed:
18/09/4.01 Resolved
That the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Tuesday 28th August 2018 be adopted and signed as a correct record by the Town Mayor.
Matters arising:
Page 2 -18/08/6 – the date of Hearing Health Care Centre had been postponed and would now be held on Saturday 13th October 2018 at 10:00am.
Page2 – 18/08/9 – a reminder that applications for the Community Chest was open until 28th September 2018.
Page 3 – 18/08/14 – a reminder that the Macmillan Coffee Morning would be held at the Pavilion 27th September 2018.
The Mayor proposed to bring forward item 25 and the following was agreed:
18/09/4.01 Resolved
That item 25 update regarding Newmarket Academy be brought forward.
18/09/5 To consider an update regarding Newmarket academy – Verbal report
Nick Froy, Principal of Newmarket Academy gave a verbal report on the success of the Academy including the closing of the gap for disadvantaged students which was a unique achievement and the substantial refurbishment work.
Cllr O’Neill joined the meeting
The new library would be opened in July 2019 and this would be able to supply 18 books per student. The refurbishment would benefit every student and the Academy would build on the achievements made this year to create an amazing school.
A round of applause was given and the Mayor thanked Mr Froy for his report and NTC were grateful and proud of the achievements made.
Mr Froy left the meeting.
The Mayor advised that the Deputy Mayor had visited the Academy and read out a short report he had submitted.
18/09/6 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 matter relating to the town to be brought to their attention
A resident objected to the planned spending to change the Horse Walk in Snailwell Road. He felt that it should be the contractor who should pay for the work and asked NTC to support action against the contractor.
Another resident objected to any further changes being made as they were not required. The Horse Walk had improved the safety for all users and worked perfectly well. If it was narrowed then this would encourage cars to speed up to beat the lights and affect safety.
The Mayor proposed that item 9 be brought forward and the following was agreed:
18/09/6.01 Resolved
That item 9 Ward Reports be brought forward.
18/09/7 Ward reports from town councillors
Cllr Hirst advised that the majority of users of Snailwell Road were happy with the new Horse Walk and that it had greatly improved safety. There was no need to narrow it and the money could be spent elsewhere.
A resident advised that work to replace the gas main was due to start 16th November and that SCC planned to narrow the Horse Walk in the near future. More information was required on when SCC would commence work and the following was agreed:
18/09/7.01 Resolved
That delegated powers be given to the Mayor and TCM to contact SCC regarding the planned work for the Horse Walk in Snailwell Road.
3 Members of the public left the meeting
Cllr Drummond advised that he also had a Ward Report but that it would need to be added to the Public Exempt part of the meeting.
18/09/8 To receive an update from public health – SCC officer Chris Pyburn
Chris Pyburn, SCC Public Health presented a paper on the work of the project in Newmarket to improve the emotional wellbeing, mental and physical health of residents.
Data had identified which was not accepted by all that Newmarket had a high number of suicide deaths compared to other towns in Suffolk and SCC were working with a number of partners such as Suffolk Mind, Racing Welfare, Gracewell, Sharing Parenting, Travelodge, Suffolk Police and other Community organisations.
One life Suffolk had delivered free health checks to residents and a set of short films had been commissioned to showcase local groups and activities that support health and wellbeing. Training sessions had also be delivered to GPs and the Police. Work would continue to build on the achievements made and Public Health would be working with Racing Welfare to provide a social enterprise, Turning Point to support residents with drug and alcohol issues, mental health, offending behaviour, unemployment and people with learning disabilities.
West Suffolk College are helping to design a survey to measure the impact of the work. NTC were asked to continue to support the work of the project and to receive further updates.
The Mayor advised that Racing Welfare had disagreed with some of the data in the original report and she urged Public Health to improve communications with them. A request was made to hold a further meeting to discuss the paper in detail and TCM was asked to arrange a date in October for Councillors to attend.
The Mayor thanked Chris for his report and looked forward to discussing the paper in more detail.
18/09/9 Report form county councillors
The Mayor advised that the SCC Newsletter for August had been circulated and she had attended a very informative meeting regarding County Lines and the drug trade which would be reported in the next edition. It was reassuring that SCC were taking steps to tackle this issue and to protect children in the County.
18/09/10 Report from district councillors
None noted.
18/09/11 To receive reports from town councillors elected as representatives on other bodies
Members were advised that the bus shelter at the bus station had been reported for being in a bad state and work would be done in the next few days to clear it up.
Members were advised that the Great Local Run event continued to be well supported. Cllr Jefferys would be running the Cardiff half marathon on 7th October to raise funds for Cancer Research in memory of his Sister. Donations could be made online.
The Mayor advised that she had attended the Vision Steering Group meeting which had a new Chairman Cllr Paul West. TCM had also attended and there had been a move to change the remit of the Vision which was strongly rejected and all efforts needed to be made to complete the original objectives.
18/09/12 To receive the town mayor’s and deputy mayor’s announcements
The Mayor reported the following:
6th September – Appointment with Sensory Awareness Campaign in preparation for the event 13th October in Newmarket.
7th September – Attended the opening of the refurbished Racing Centre
9th September – Attended a Labour Party meeting in the Memorial Hall
15th September – Attended and opened the NTC Medieval Market event and the Food & Drink Festival.
16th September – Attended Battle of Britain Commemoration at St Edmundsbury Borough Market and the Newmarket Food & Drink Festival.
17th September – Attended a Newmarket Vision Steering Group Meeting at the Heritage Centre
21st September – Attended SCC briefing on County Lines drug dealing and children’s exploitation. Attended Attingham Trust event on behalf of NHC.
22nd September – Attended the retraining of racehorses hacks class and gave out prizes at the Severals show jumping event
18/09/13 To receive the minutes and consider any recommendations from the D&P committee meetings held on 3rd and 17th September 2018
The Mayor presented the report and recommendations from the Development & Planning Committee meetings held on 3rd and 17th September 2018. There were no recommendations.
18/09/14 To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the leisure services committee meeting held on 3rd September 2018
The Chairman of the Leisure Services Committee presented the report and recommendations from the Leisure Services Committee meetings held on 3rd September 2018.
18/09/14.01 Resolved (L/18/09/5.01 Recommendation)
It was recommended that Newmarket Town Council support the Art Trail in principle, subject to final plans and offer support with introductions key contacts and procedure.
18/09/14.02 Resolved (L/18/09/10.01 Recommendation)
That the venue charges for 2018/19 be accepted and adopted.
18/09/15 To receive the minutes and nay recommendations form the community services committee meeting held on 10th September 2018
The Chairman of the Community Services Committee presented the report and recommendations from the Community Services Committee meeting held on 10th September 2018.
18/09/15.01 Resolved (C/18/09/15.01 Recommendation)
That the scheme for a Community Champion Award be received and adopted.
18/09/16 To receive the public part of the minutes and any recommendations from the human resources committee meeting held on 10th September 2018
The Deputy Chairman of the Human Resources Committee presented the report and recommendations from the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 10th September 2018. There were no recommendations.
18/09/17 To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the finance & policy committee meeting held on 17th September 2018
The Chairman of the Finance & Policy Committee presented the report and recommendations from the Finance & Policy Committee meeting held on 17th September 2018.
18/09/17.01 Resolved (F/18/09/6.01 Recommendation)
That the ratification of the schedules of payments for the period 01/08/2018 – 31/08/2018 (Cash Book 1, 2 and 4) be received and adopted.
18/08/17.02 Resolved (F/18/09/10.01 Recommendation)
That the Revised Medium Term Financial Plan be received and adopted.
18/09/18 To consider combined authority and regional matters
Members were advised that Cambridge had plans to increase growth to become the size of Manchester which would lead to building 14,000 flats and 33,000 houses on the outskirts of Cambridge. Should the growth plans be successful Newmarket would be subsumed and become a suburb of Cambridge.
It is important that NTC be proactive in taking steps to protect Newmarket as the International Home of Horseracing and the following was agreed:
18/09/18.01 Resolved
That NTC engage with Mayor Palmer of Cambridge to make him know that we are here and to agree our own Memorandum of Understanding with the combined authority to protect Newmarket for the next decade and beyond. That a meeting be sought with Mayor Palmer, TCM, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Cllr Drummond.
18/09/19 To consider options for Christmas lights
Members were advised that the costs for the Christmas Lights were split between NTC and BID and as a result the original budget had been reduced. The revised budget was considered and the following was agreed:
18/09/19.01 Resolved
That the revised budget for the Christmas Lights be received and adopted.
18/09/20 To receive an update on the website and town diary
TCM gave a demonstration of the new features of the website which is now live.
18/09/21 To receive an update on the market relocation and celebrations event/food festival
Members were advised that the event had been a huge success and good feedback had been received. Footfall had increased and the stall holders had seen a big difference. There were a few teething issues regarding setting up that need to be worked on but the atmosphere of the Market event and Food & Drink Festival had been great. It was noted that the market may not have survived if it had not been moved to the High Street and the following was agreed:
18/09/21.01 Resolved
That special thanks be given to the Events Manager for all her work to make the Medieval Market event a huge success. That thanks be given to Noel Byrne for the organisation of the Food & Drink Festival and to West Suffolk Cllrs Bowman and Drummond for facilitating the move of the market to the High Street. Thanks were also given to TCM and Cllr Winter for their efforts and hard work.
18/09/22 To receive an update on the Memorial gardens project
Members were advised that project was on track and the tenders were due to go out at the beginning of October and a contractor would be appointed by the Community Services Committee. Fund raising efforts had secured £25,000 from Section 106 monies, £10,000 was donated by the Suffolk Community Foundation and a donation was expected from the Newmarket Open Weekend Charity. A planning application had been submitted and a decision was awaited with no foreseen issues.
18/09/23 To consider banner advertising on the Severals
TCM advised that the number of requests to advertise on banners at the Severals had increased and that a policy was required to manage the requests. TCM was asked to contact JCE to agree a policy and to also agree on a standard size for the banners.
18/09/24 To consider a steam railway for Newmarket
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
18/09/25 To receive an update on Newmarket open weekend
Members were advised that the event was held over 4 days and that 21 yards had participated in the Charity event. The event had been successful and the following was agreed:
18/09/25.01 Resolved
That a letter of thanks be sent to Charlie Fellowes and Noel Byrne for their work to organise and facilitate the event.
Thanks were also given to Cllr Starkey for her role at the Charity.
18/09/26 To consider arrangements for Remembrance Sunday
Members were advised that there was no change to the format and that a service will be held at the War Memorial at 1.45pm followed by a march down the High Street and refreshments at Tattersalls.
18/09/27 To receive an update regarding NHC Remembrance event
TCM advised that NTC were working with the National Horse Museum to put on a joint event at the Museum for the There but not There campaign.
18/09/28 To receive an update regarding Anglian Water
This item was deferred.
18/09/29 To consider correspondence
The following correspondence was received and noted:
a. SCC regarding Waste Recycling – the response had been disappointing and The Mayor and TCM would write to SCC to put pressure on them to provide a recycling centre in Newmarket. It was suggested that this issue should also be raised at the SCC Listening event.
18/09/30 Date of the next meeting of the Town Council A
Monday 22nd October 2018 at 6:00pm
The Mayor proposed that an item be added to the public exempt part of the meeting and the following was agreed:
18/09/30.01 Resolved
That the press and public be excluded from the meeting.
18/09/31 Exclusion of the press and public
With the vote being unanimous, it was:
18/09/31.01 Resolved
To resolved that under the Public Bodies (Admissions and Meetings) Act 1960, the public and press be excluded for the remainder of the meeting because of the likely disclosure of private and confidential information or staff matters.
Press and public left the meeting
18/09/32 *** Ward reports from town councillors ***
A proposal was made to reopen the debate on a Freedom of the Town Award. It was noted that there was a process for this agenda item and an extraordinary meeting with a single agenda item would need to be held. The Mayor would arrange for an extraordinary meeting to be held if it was called in accordance with standing orders.
Meeting closed at 8:12pm
Signed : __________________ Date: __________________