MINUTES OF A MEETING OF
SAXMUNDHAM TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON
MONDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2009
IN THE MARKET HALL AT 7:15pm

Present:

Cllr. B. Jones, Chairman
Cllr. Mrs. M. Andrews
Cllr. Sir P Batho
Cllr. G. Cooke
Cllr. Mrs. R. Damiral-White
Cllr. J. Fisher

Cllr. G. Moye
Cllr. M. Palman
Cllr. Miss B. Peall
Cllr. Mrs. D. Sculley
Cllr. Ms C. Trotter-Langlois
Cllr. Col. R. Warren
Cllr. D. Willett

In attendance:

Mrs M. Gallop, Clerk to the Council
PC K Stollery
6 members of the public



PUBLIC FORUM

* Youngsters continually riding cycles on footpaths. It was suggested someone went to the schools to point out the dangers they are creating for themselves and other people. Bikes are frequently ridden without any lights. Parents need to be told that they should not advise their children to ride on the pavements. Children are often tearing around the pavement in front of the Bell Hotel round the corner into the Market Place.
* Chaos occurs on the footpath by the Railway Station car park on the arrival of trains. People who are collecting travellers off the train frequently park on the foot path. The lighting is also atrocious. Enforcement required. PC Stollery confirmed that when the Police are present in these circumstances they immediately act on it but they have very limited resources and cannot stretch themselves any further.
* Mr Mike Canham from the Scouts advised that since the vandalism of the Scout Hut progress is being made with regard to their plans to rebuild that will hopefully begin in the New Year. Agenda item for December regarding their long term lease on the Memorial Field.
* Buses continue to have severe problems getting through in Brook Farm Road outside Saxmundham Primary School when the children come out of school due to thoughtless parking on both sides of the road. Mrs Hawes, the Headmistress, will be asked if she would put an article in the School weekly newsletter advising the parents to park with care.

REPORT FROM THE LOCAL POLICE: Report previously circulated.
* PC Stollery was asked if we could have a follow up to the monthly crime report as a running total of crimes would be welcome.
* A query arose regarding an Officer from Leiston giving a fixed penalty notice outside the Cotton Tree. A Mercedes was parked legally when another car came along and parked behind him. This caused an obstruction and the Officer gave both cars a ticket. The owner of the Mercedes was advised to appeal.
* Parking at the bottom of Fairfield Road continues to be a large problem. Police will investigate this and contact Highways for clarification.

REPORT FROM THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR: County Cllr Rae Leighton reported:
* SADCIC are hoping to establish the Saxmundham Community Enterprise Centre on the Middle School site depending confirmation from SCC regarding the future of education at the Middle School
* Contact Highways to discuss and hopefully resolve problems with speeding at South Entrance
* Ongoing discussions continue regarding the Schools Organisation Review. It is hoped the Schools Judication decision will be known in about two weeks time.
* Cllr Leighton has about £2000 available in his Locality Budget if we require any further dropped kerbs in Saxmundham. Mr Ian Caruana from SCC will attend a meeting in the Webster Room at 10am tomorrow to discuss dropped kerbs.
* Cllr Leighton has been appointed to the Suffolk Police Authority and advised there had been a considerable increase of incidents in Saxmundham. Although Suffolk remains a safe County to live in anti-social behaviour is seemingly on the increase and Cllr Leighton urged everyone to support our SNT who continue to deal with these problems. Complaints about neighbour disputes in Saxmundham constantly occur restricting police manpower for other serious offences.

REPORT FROM THE DISTRICT COUNCILLORS: Neither Clllr Mrs Andrews or Cllr Sir Peter had anything to report on.

AGENDA



3538. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Members are invited to make any declarations of personal or prejudicial interests that they may have in relation to items on the agenda and are reminded to make any declarations at any stage during the meeting if it becomes apparent that this may be required when a particular item or issue is considered. None declared

3539. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr K Howe attending AGM SALC

3540. MATTERS TO BE RAISED UNDER AGENDA ITEM 19:
3540.1 Road markings – Cllr Palman
3540.2 Paypoint – Cllr Trotter-Langlois

3541. TO APPROVE AND SIGN AS A TRUE RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE 12th OCTOBER 2009 MEETING previously circulated: Unanimously agreed and signed. Motion carried.

3542. MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM NOT COVERED ON THE AGENDA:
* 3523.1 Poppy appeal Judges to look at the shop windows tomorrow to award the Best Dressed Window in Saxmundham. £4500 has been raised in two weeks and congratulations and thanks were expressed to Cllr Mrs Damiral-White and her husband for organising the Poppy Appeal. Cllr Mrs Damiral White gave thanks to her hardworking helpers some of whom have been collectors for a great number of years.

3543. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:

A – CORRESPONDENCE TO BE NOTED AND CIRCULATED:

400 E ON Updated terms and conditions
401 NHS 2008-09 Annual Report & Accounts
402 Lumalite – brochures
403 SCC Illuminated Christmas decorations electrical equipment on or above the Public Highway
404 SCDC agenda & minutes
405 Mr & Mrs Daulby & SCC – various correspondence regarding a nasty accident occurring to visitors due to damaged lighting in the Market Place car park

B – CORRESPONDENCE TO BE DISCUSSED BEFORE REPLY:

93 Email Conservation – BT proposals for public kiosks – Views on adopting red telephone kiosks. The Councillors were keen to adopt a kiosk but it seems that Saxmundham do not have any red ones.
94 Savills – Do we approve the boundaries being representative of the water company’s interest at Saxmundham? Unanimously agreed.
95 SCC Suffolk County Council Civic Carol Service – Endeavour House evening of Wednesday 9th December – Councillors to inform the Clerk if they wish to attend.
96 Public Meeting Tuesday 10th Nov 7.00pm for 7.30pm to 9.30pm CANE and SDSC regarding Sizewell – Cllr Fisher to attend.
97 Confirmation required regarding our using the Internal Auditors Heelis & Lodge. Unanimously agreed. Motion carried.
98 Chair Chattisham & Hintlesham Parish Council – support needed regarding the proposal to underground the new & existing cables rather than erecting a new line of Pylons between Bramford & Twinstead. After much discussion it was decided that Saxmundham is too far away to have an opinion.
99 Views on the communication from SADCIC regarding the Community Enterprise Centre & Sax Middle School site. The meeting was closed to enable Mr Robin Potter to speak to the Councillors.

C – OTHER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED TO DATE:

C158 Email Atkins Rail Permission sought to dig around Water Tower
Clarification needed regarding exact location. Clerk to request a map and letter with terms and conditions.
C159 British Energy Managing Spent Fuel at Sizewell B - Circulation
C160 Town Telegraph Monthly paper - Circulation
C161 Circus Tyanna - Would we like a circus on Memorial Field ?
Clerk to write letter of confirmation. Motion carried on majority.



3545. CHAIRMAN’S/ TOWN CLERK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Clerk gave sincere thanks to Cllr Howe who had renovated the two Notice Boards which had been erected on the wall of the Market Hall for display of awards given to Saxmundham in Bloom.
Dropped kerbs were discussed earlier but it was felt that sometimes these were more a hindrance. Group (Cllrs Fisher, Moye, and Miss Peall) to meet at 1pm on the 16th November in the Webster Room to discuss their findings.

3546. FINANCE REPORT:
* To approve the monthly finance report to end of October 2009 – Unanimously agreed. Motion carried.

Five minute break.

3547. TO CONSIDER OUR CONTRIBUTION FOR RUNNING EXPENSES TO SIZEWELL PARISHES LIAISON GROUP:

Cllr Andrews attended the last meeting and the Liaison group agreed to small levy costs of funding the running costs. Further expenses are envisaged and the Town Councils were asked to provide £150.00 initially with £30 from the Parish Councils. Cllr Fisher proposed that alternative funding was sought but Cllr Andrews advised that this had already been explored without success. There are two Town Councils within the Group, Saxmundham and Leiston, and a number of Parish Councils. Cllr Cooke proposed we give £150.00, seconded by Cllr Palman. Cllr Fisher voted against and the remaining Councillors voted for. Motion carried on majority.

3548. TO CONSIDER THE FUTURE OF SAXMUNDHAM IN BLOOM:
It was decided to continue with this project because the beautiful floral displays enhance the town and encourage visitors to Saxmundham from far afield. It was thought that various community groups should be encouraged to assist with this. Cllr Mrs Damiral White proposed we support this, seconded by Cllr Cooke. One abstention, the remainder agreed. Motion carried on majority.

3549. TO CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF THE NATIONAL EXPRESS EAST ANGLIA CUT BACKS IN THROUGH SERVICES TO LONDON IN RESPECT OF BUSINESS, PROPERTY PRICES AND GENERAL ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF THE TOWN AND TO FORMULATE A RESPONSE:
The National Express proposals to withdraw the two hourly through service but provide an hourly connecting service was discussed but it was decided to investigate further and debate at the January meeting.

3550. TO CONSIDER MANOEVRABILITY IN BROOK FARM ROAD SOUTHERN END: Cllr Mrs Andrews had received a number of complaints from residents regarding difficulties for cars passing along the southern end of Brook Farm Road. It is becoming increasing difficult to pass because of the number of cars parked along the road and too close to the junction. Cllr Mrs Damiral White proposed we invite Highways to investigate the situation, seconded by Cllr Mrs Andrews. Two abstentions. Motion carried on majority.

3551. TO CONSIDER PUBLICATION OF THE DRAFT MINUTES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE RELEVANT MEETING AS HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY THE DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILS:

Cllr Jones proposed we continue with publishing the approved minutes only, seconded by Cllr Palman. Cllrs Mrs Andrews and Sir Peter abstained. Motion carried on majority.

3552. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE: Cllr Mrs Damiral White reported:

The following plans will be discussed at the next Planning Committee meeting on 7th December:



C09 1667 Mr J Woods
56 Brook Farm Road, Saxmundham
Relocate garden fence closer to side boundary (revised scheme)

C09 1474
Mr Bolt
36 High Street, Saxmundham
Renovation & repair of existing commercial building


Applications approved by SCDC:
C09 1312
Land at 45 Fairfield Road, Saxmundham
Erection of one two storey four bed dwelling & two single storey three bed houses (revised C09 0502)
Planning permission agreed 21 October 2009 despite our objections

C09 1318
Garage at 71 Fairfield Road, Saxmundham
Work in connection with the conversion and extension of garage to form separate dwelling
Outline planning permission agreed 28 October 2009.

C09 1297
17 Manor Gardens, Saxmundham
Erection of single storey front extension
Planning permission agreed 19 October 2009

C09 1248
Byways Residential Care Home, 55 Rendham Road, Saxmundham
Erection of conservatory on front elevation
Planning permission agreed 20 October 2009

C09 0721
Land adjacent 31 Rendham Road, Saxmundham
Erection of part one and part two storey one bedroom detached dwelling (revised scheme to C08 2044)
Appeal from 28 October 2009




3553. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE: Cllr Sir Peter reported:
* Our original comments regarding the Consultation on Suffolk Coastal Local Development Framework remain
* It had been agreed to purchase a digital camera

3554. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE MARKET HALL COMMITTEE: No meeting this month.

3555. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM SAXMUNDHAM NEWS AND THE WEBSITE:
The next issue of Saxmundham News will be published next January. The Town Guide proof will be looked through by Cllr Mrs Andrews and the Clerk this coming week.

3556. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES including working parties:
* SAVVY – Cllr Ms Trotter-Langlois had circulated a report – agenda item next month.
* Sax in Bloom – Cllr Mrs Sculley advised that the Fromus Square beds and the sinks had already been replanted. The barrier baskets will be taken down for the winter and stored.

3557. OTHER MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE CHAIRMAN’S DISCRETION as notified under Agenda item 3:
3540.1 Road markings – Cllr Palman advised that all the junctions in North Entrance had been repainted apart
from the junction with Brook Farm Road. Clerk to investigate. The road surface in the Market Place has some cracks and is deteriorating.
3540.2 Paypoint – Cllr Trotter-Langlois reported that this has not been installed at Martins Newsagents yet
because they are awaiting new equipment. At present everyone who needs to use Paypoint to get
essential electric, gas, TV license top ups or pay their bills are unable to do so locally. The nearest
paypoint is Solar at Leiston. Cllr Palman will contact OffGen to assist the residents of Saxmundham.

3558. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Monday 14th December 2009 at 7.15pm


Meeting closed at 10pm.



Signed…………………………………………………. Dated……………………………………………….
* Page 5 of 5 Town Council Minutes 9th November 2009