Full Town Council Minutes (Signed) 28-01-2019
Minutes of the Meeting of the Newmarket Town Council held on Monday 28th January 2019 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 Berry Councillor J Lay
Councillor J Clarke Councillor J Morrey
Councillor A Drummond Councillor R Nobbs
Councillor W Hirst Councillor C O’Neill
Councillor P Hulbert Councillor J Wadham
Also Present: Roberta Bennett – TCM, Cathy Whitaker – RFO, Julie Ashton – Minute Assistant, Stephen Henthorn – SCC, Mr Froy and Henrietta – Newmarket Academy, 1 Member of the Press and 3 Members of the Public.
The Mayor gave the sad news of the death of John Durrant of the Open Door Charity and spoke of his charitable work especially to help the homeless in Newmarket and Cambridge. A Minute’s silence was held as a sign of respect.
19/01/1 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 proceedings may be filmed or recorded.
19/01/2 Apologies for absence– LGA 1972, Section 85(1) & (2)
Apologies were received from Cllrs Anderson, Appleby, Hudson, Starkey and Winter. Cllr Wright was absent.
19/01/3 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.
19/01/4 To receive and confirm the minutes of the public part of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 17th December 2018 and any matters arising.
The Town Mayor presented the Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 17th December 2018 and the following was agreed:
19/01/4.01 Resolved
That the Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 17th
December 2018 be adopted and signed as a correct record by the Town Mayor.
There were no matters arising.
19/01/5 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 matters relating to the town to be brought to their attention.
None noted.
19/01/6 To receive a presentation from the Rest Centre.
Stephen Henthorn – SCC Emergency Planning Officer gave an update on the training of NTC staff and some Councillors to work in the rest centre and details of the risks identified for Suffolk. The Emergency plan will cover any Civil emergency and he confirmed that Suffolk is well prepared for any emergency. The Mayor advised that there previously had been a lack of communication with Cllrs about this matter. The TCM would provide further updates on the Emergency Plan for Newmarket. The following was agreed:
19/01/6.01 Resolved
That the Memorial Hall be designated as a Rest Centre in the case of a Civil emergency in Newmarket.
Stephen left the meeting.
19/01/7 Twinning – Lexington link.
Mr Froy and student Henrietta gave feedback on the USA Lexington exchange which took place in October 2018. Ten students and one teacher went on the exchange for ten days and they carried out a range of activities. Thanks were given for the support NTC had given for the exchange and for hosting a reception for the US students in the summer, it was much appreciated.
Henrietta left the meeting.
Mr Froy advised that they hoped to be able to fund 2/3 disadvantaged students this year but that funding would be a struggle and he would be very grateful for any support that NTC could give. The importance of the exchanges with France and USA were noted and the following was agreed:
19/01/7.01 Resolved
That the budgets for exchanges for France and Lexington, USA to be combined and the total budget be increased to £5,000. NTC agreed to support the Lexington Link exchanges.
The Mayor thanked Mr Froy for his feedback.
Mr Froy left the meeting.
19/01/8 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLORS
The Mayor advised that the SCC Newsletter for December had been circulated. A query was raised regarding the cuts to funding by SCC for the CAB and the
Mayor would report back the findings of the recent consultation at the next Full Town Council meeting.
19/01/9 Report form District Councillors.
Cllr Drummond advised that FHDC and Bury St Edmunds would merge to become West Suffolk and that; disappointingly, due to cost implications, old coat of arms had been adopted, which had no connection to Newmarket.
19/01/10 To receive an update on Newmarket vision.
The Mayor advised that Cllr Drummond had attended the last meeting on her behalf. Not much had been achieved due to attempts to change the Terms of Reference but it had now been agreed that the Terms of Reference would remain the same except mental health would be added. It was hoped that the new Chairman would be able to set the direction to take forward the Primes Foundation objectives. TCM advised that a conference would be held in the middle of the year for all of the Newmarket Vision groups.
19/01/11 Ward reports from Town Councillors.
Cllr Drummond advised that Kevin Hancock – organiser of the Colour Run had been made a Freeman of the City of London and the following was agreed:
19/01/11.01 Resolved
That Kevin Hancock be congratulated on being made a Freeman of the City of London.
Cllr Berry advised that following successful lobbying of Suffolk Highways, the road markings in Fred Archer had been reinstated.
19/01/12 To receive reports from Town Councillors elected as representatives on other bodies.
Cllr Hulbert advised that Network Rail had objected to the decision of SCC to make the crossing a by-way and that, Newmarket Rail had appealed the decision.
19/01/13 To receive the town Mayor’s and deputy Mayor’s announcements.
The Mayor reported the following:
18th December: Attended a meeting at the Newmarket Academy Attended the Town Council Managers Appraisal Meeting
19th December: Attended the Newmarket Town Council staff Christmas Lunch 20th December: Attended the Museum: Prize giving to the Academy pupils 10th January: Attended a meeting at the Newmarket Academy
The Deputy Mayor reported the following:
19th December: Attended the B.ST Mayor Meeting
20th December: Attended the B.ST Mayor Meeting 17th January: Attended a Tattersalls Meeting
18th January: Attended a Matt Hancock meeting
19th January: Attended a meeting at the VCA’s college 20th January: Met with the Mayor of Ipswich
22nd January: Attended a meeting at the Jockey Club.
19/01/14 To receive the minutes and consider any recommendations form the D&P committee meeting held on 7th and 21st January 2019.
The Chairman of the Development and Planning Committee presented the report and recommendations from the Development & Planning Committee meeting held on 7th and 21st January 2019. It was noted that Cllr Clarke had given her apologies for the meeting of the 21st January and the minutes would be amended at the next meeting. There were no recommendations.
19/01/15 To receive the minutes and any recommendations form the Leisure Services committee meetings held on 7th January 2019.
The Mayor presented the report and recommendations from the Leisure Services Committee meeting held on 7th January 2019.
19/01/15.01 Resolved (L/19/01/9.01 Recommendation)
That 40 folding chairs be purchased at a cost of £12.75 per chair along with a trolley at a cost of £54.95.
19/01/15.02 Resolved (L/19/01/12.01 Recommendation)
That Newmarket Festival be allowed to use the Pavilion and Severals for a Midnight Walk event on Saturday 22nd June 2019 in principle, subject to confirmation of the route.
19/01/15.01 Resolved (L/19/01/16.01 Recommendation)
That Newmarket Joggers be allowed to use the Severals for a heath race free of charge.
19/01/16 To receive the minutes and any recommendations form the Community Services committee meeting held on 14th January 2019.
The Mayor presented the report and recommendations from the Community Services Committee meeting held on 14th January 2019.
19/01/16.01 Resolved (C/19/01/9.01 Recommendation)
That a statue for the Clock Tower roundabout be pursued with SCC.
19/01/16.02 Resolved (C/19/01/11.03 Recommendation)
That a Sensory Mural (to be funded externally) be added to the Memorial Gardens Masterplan.
19/01/16.03 Resolved (C/19/01/13.01 Recommendation)
That the quote from A MEAD Construction Ltd for £2,330+VAT be accepted.
19/01/17 To receive the public part of the minutes and any recommendations from the Human Resources committee meeting held on 14th January 2019.
The Chairman of the Human Resources Committee presented the Report from the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 14th January 2019. There were no Recommendations.
19/01/18 To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Finance & Policy committee meeting held on 21st January 2019.
The Chairman of the Finance & Policy Committee presented the Report and Recommendations from the Finance & Policy Committee meeting held on 21st January 2019.
19/01/18.01 Resolved (F/19/01/6.01 Recommendation)
That the ratification of the schedules of payments for the period 01/12/2018
– 31/12/2018 (Cash Book 1, 2 and 4) be received and adopted.
A query was raised regarding the recommendation to raise the budget of the Civic fund. TCM advised that based on the numbers attending and the cost per head it had been estimated that the cost would be just below £2,000. Any surplus would be returned to the General fund.
19/01/18.02 Resolved (F/19/01/8.01 Recommendation)
That the Civic Fund be increased from £1,000 to £2,500.
19/01/18.03 Resolved (F/19/01/8.02 Recommendation)
That a more powerful laptop be purchased for the TCM.
19/01/18.04 Resolved (F/19/01/8.03 Recommendation)
That the utility contracts for the supply of electric and gas be switched to Total Gas and Power when current contracts expire.
19/01/19 King Charles II – To receive an update.
Members were advised that the objective was to improve the appearance of the Clock Tower roundabout and that it might not result in a statue. The Mayor would raise this issue with SCC to ascertain what would be appropriate and report back. A new heading for this project would be added to the next agenda.
19/01/20 Taxis -Parking issues.
Members were advised that taxis were taking up parking spaces on the High Street and that taxis should return to a system of a pickup point managed by a taxi controller. There were reports of bad behaviour with taxis turning around in the High Street and preventing the flow of traffic. It was noted that the issue of taxis was in the Neighbourhood Plan and perhaps Newmarket BID could be approached for assistance. The following was agreed:
19/01/20.01 Resolved
That the TCM arranges a meeting with FHDC Licensing to discuss various matters including recent incidents and clarify the enforcement action being taken.
Members were asked to send details of incidents and/or questions for licensing to the TCM for her to take forward with FHDC.
19/01/21 To receive an update on the civic event.
An update was not yet available
19/01/22 Newmarket Soap Box Race.
Members were advised by the Deputy Mayor that a Soap box race event was being planned to be held in Moulton Road on 25th August 2019. Great Dunmow had held an event last year and it had attracted 6,000 visitors. Plans were being looked at for 2 races 1 for Newmarket and an international race. The following was agreed:
19/01/22.01 Resolved
That a subcommittee be formed comprising of Cllrs Lay Nobbs and Drummond to take this forward.
The Events Manager will send the link for the soap box race held in Great Dunmow.
19/01/23 To consider correspondence.
The following correspondence was noted:
a. Suffolk Waste and Minerals Plan had been adopted.
19/01/24 Date of the next meeting of the Town Council.
Monday 25th February 2019
Meeting closed at 7:12pm
Signed : Date :