Neighbourhood Plan Minutes (Signed) 09-11-2020

Minutes of a Meeting of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee held on Monday 9th November 2020 at 6:00 pm via Zoom

Attendance:
Councillor A Appleby (Chairman)                                 Councillor P Hulbert
Councillor A Drummond                                                Councillor M Jefferys
Councillor R Hood                                                          Councillor T Kerby
Councillor K Yarrow

Members of the public, attending as member of a working party: Philippa Winter (Public Realm)

Also Present: Debbie Baines – Town Clerk, Cathy Whitaker – RFO, Julie Ashton – Minute Assistant, 1 Member of the Press and 2 Members of the Public

N/20/11/1 Chairman to read fire safety notice and announce that proceedings may be filmed or recorded.
The Chairman opened the meeting and announced that proceedings are being recorded and to advise that all participants will be muted by the host of the meeting who will unmute the individual the Chairman has invited to speak.

N/20/11/2 Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Cllrs De’Ath and O’Neill. Cllr Bowen was absent.

N/20/11/3 Declaration of member’s interests and to remind councillors of the need to keep up to date their register of member’s interests and to consider any requests received for members dispensation.
None noted.

N/20/11/4 To receive and confirm from accuracy the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 12th October 2020 and any matters arising
Members received the minutes of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee Meeting held on Monday 12th October 2020 and the following amendment was made:

Page 2 – N/20/10/8 – last para “A tree garden was being looked at, with residents becoming tree guardians to maintain them” was removed.

Subject to the amendment being made, the following was agreed:

N/20/11/4.01 Resolved
That the minutes of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee meeting held on Monday 12th October 2020 be adopted and would be signed as a true record by the Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee after the meeting.

Matters arising.

Page 2 – N/20/10/8 – it was noted that no cars had been parking on the grass verge at St Mary’s Square since the signs were installed and they appeared to be effective. However, the land belongs to West Suffolk and it will be their decision to install a fence if it is required.

N/20/11/5 Public open session
None noted.

N/20/11/6 To receive the accounts for October 2020
The accounts for October 2020 were received and noted.

N/20/11/7 Draft budget proposal
The draft budget was considered and the Committee affirmed that no increase should be made to the precept, giving the current circumstances. It was proposed that the figures be reduced from £10,000 to £5,000 for both town maintenance and town improvements. The following was agreed:

N/20/11/7.01 Recommendation
That the draft budget for the Neighbourhood Plan Committee subject to being amended to £5,000 for Town Maintenance and £5,000 for Town Improvements, be received and adopted.

N/20/11/8 Community actions working group
Cycling & Public Transport (E4/E9) – It was noted that SCC were encouraging walking or cycling to school and work, had updated their map of cycling and walking routes and were looking for feedback. The Town Clerk would forward the SCC email for comments to be made. It was reported that there was no public transport from town to the train station as the number 16 bus had been withdrawn.

Public Realm & Associated Initiatives (F3/C3) – A tour of the town with the press and Officers from West Suffolk Council had been conducted to look at what improvements could be made. A suggestion of taking on the services of a bulb planting firm was discussed, but it was agreed that it was too late to do so this year, and that the budget next year was unlikely to permit the level of expenditure required.

Parking Strategy (E10) – The Working Group Chairman would report to full council.

SEND Provision (B3i) – It was reported that Exning Primary school’s new building with excellent SEND facilities would be opening in September 2021 and that Specialist Units were made available in September 2020 for children aged 7‐11 years at Holdsworth Valley School and at Newmarket High School for those aged 11‐16 years. These measures were seen as being very positive steps towards improving the SEND provision to students of Newmarket. With regards to alternative provision, a report was due to be considered by SCC Cabinet in the near future.

Yellow Brick Road (C7) – It was reported that an ecology report from WSC was awaited and that bulb planting would be looked at next year. The right of way for the site was also being looked at.

Safety at Crossing Points and Junctions (E2) – It was reported that there was no further news from SCC Highways and the Chairman would follow it up

N/20/11/9 Pedestrians crossing
No further update available.

N/20/11/10 Recycling in Newmarket
The Chairman advised that an email had been sent to Open Door and a response was awaited.

N/20/11/11 Future matters
Litter picking – The Chairman reported that 12 litter picking packs had been received and advertising for volunteers would now be started. Town Clerk confirmed that NTC insurance would cover the activities, however detailed records of the activities undertaken must be kept.

Town Museum – Possible sites were being looked at.

N/20/11/12 Date of next meeting
Monday 11th January 2021 via Zoom.

N/20/11/13 Items for next agenda
• Working Group reports

Meeting closed at 6:22pm

Signed ______________________________ Date ______________________