MINUTES OF A MEETING OF
SAXMUNDHAM TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON
MONDAY 14th SEPTEMBER 2009
IN THE MARKET HALL AT 7:15pm

Present:


:
Cllr. B. Jones, Chairman
Cllr. Mrs. M. Andrews
Cllr. Sir P Batho
Cllr. Mrs. R. Damiral-White
Cllr. J. Fisher
Cllr. K. Howe
Cllr. G. Moye
Cllr. M. Palman
Cllr. Miss B. Peall
Cllr. Ms C. Trotter-Langlois
Cllr. D. Willett


In attendance
Mrs M. Gallop, Clerk to the Council
County Cllr Rae Leighton
PCSO Thora Taylor
2 members of the public




PUBLIC FORUM

Nothing to report:

REPORT FROM THE LOCAL POLICE: PCSO Thora Taylor sent a report for July and August and gave details of some of the crimes:
* Scout Hut vandalism – No further action due to the CPS having insufficient evidence to take to court.
* The next three tasking priorities for the SNT are Anti Social Behaviour, addressing the issues of vehicle misuse by young drivers/riders and to combat litter.
* Seaman House has been totally trashed and is full of broken glass. The stop cock inside Seaman House was stolen along with all the copper piping resulting in mass flooding. It has affected the Resource Centre because it cut their electricity and water supply.
* Large vehicles park alongside the old Post Office and because of their length they project out into the carriageway and can also obscure the view of other drivers reversing out. Clerk to request Highways to investigate.
* Recorded crimes have continued to fall but it was felt that many incidents do not get reported
* The next Litter Action Day will be on Thursday 17th September from 10am meeting in Fromus Square.
* Wednesday 4th November there will be a drop-in surgery outside the Market Hall to discuss local priorities between 10am and 12 noon.

REPORT FROM THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR: County Cllr Rae Leighton reported the following:-
* Speeding in South Entrance has been monitored carefully with a site visit from Luke Barber the Safety Officer. The team cannot justify any further action at this present time. However the South Entrance will be included in the review of parking regulations throughout Saxmundham due to take place in the next financial year.
* The 30mph speed limit in Kelsale could be re-considered in the future.
* Staff and parents from Leiston High School have received a letter detailing the school’s application for funding to extend the accommodation on the main site in order to close the annexes. Concern was expressed regarding the future of the Saxmundham Middle School site. Cllr Leighton is no longer the relevant portfolio holder but he will make enquiries on our behalf.

REPORT FROM THE DISTRICT COUNCILLORS:
* Cllr Mrs Andrews advised that there is still an ongoing issue with planning problems at Darsham House and the hearing at Ipswich Crown Court will be held on the 10th January. She explained that those who attend this hearing would understand how enforcement is dealt with when plans go wrong.
* Consultation will take place shortly with regard to concerns about priorities of cutting services at Suffolk Coastal
* Cllr Mrs Andrews will provide a copy of the response that was sent regarding the Climate Change Strategy.
* Sir Peter Batho advised that the Local Development Framework had gone for another consultation. The majority of new build will take place in Martlesham rather than Felixstowe.

AGENDA



3502. 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.

3503. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr Cooke, holiday, Cllr Mrs D Sculley, holiday, Cllr Col R Warren, holiday

3504. MATTERS TO BE RAISED UNDER AGENDA ITEM 18:
3504.1 Representation at SALC meetings – Cllr Mrs Andrews
3504.2 Saxmundham Town Guide – Cllr Mrs Andrews

3505. TO APPROVE AND SIGN AS A TRUE RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE 13th JULY 2009 MEETING previously circulated: Unanimously agreed and signed. Motion carried.

3506. MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM NOT COVERED ON THE AGENDA:
Cllr Fisher declared an interest. Four quotations for a new Memorial Board (previously circulated) had been discussed at the P & R meeting and it was agreed that we should accept the quotation that had included marine grade plywood and sadolin paint. Cllr Moye proposed we accept the quotation from Mr Mark Fisher, seconded by Cllr Mrs Andrews. One abstention and nine votes for. Motion carried on majority.
Cllr Fisher had spoken to the Water Company regarding the Land Registry application and they agreed they would not include the wooded area which we regard as part of Seaman Avenue Play Area. Cllr Jones suggested we consider registering a claim to the play area.
ESTA are investigating the cancellation of the morning and evening journeys of the 118 bus from Saxmundham to Framlingham as this means there is no public service at school times. Cllr Jones will email County Cllr Rae Leighton to raise this subject with the County Council.


3507. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:

A – CORRESPONDENCE TO BE NOTED AND CIRCULATED:

377 The Town Telegraph (2)
378 SCDC Outdoor Playing space
379 Coastlines
380 Sizewell Parishes Liaison Group minutes
381 ESTA Proposed withdrawal of through London train services
382 SALC The Local Councillor
383 Parish Bulletin
384 SCDC Advance warning Local Development Framework Core Strategy Consultation
385 SCDC Agenda for meeting
386 Suffolk View
387 Suffolk Constabulary Litter bin at bottom staircase Mill Road, Saxmundham
388 email Dept for Communities Local Government – Boundary Committee advice
389 Suffolk Coast & Heaths – Newsletter
390 SCDC Greenprint Forum
391 Suffolk Acre AGM 21 September papers – Cllr Fisher to attend

B – CORRESPONDENCE TO BE DISCUSSED BEFORE REPLY:

81 email Hazel Das – Suffolk Coastal Business Forum & SCDC meeting 21 September 6pm – Cllr Willett will attend
82 Home Start AGM 28th September 1.30pm – Cllr Fisher to attend.
83 NHS Suffolk Challenge for NHS session 200pm-5pm Friday 16th October – no-one available to attend
84 Suffolk Conference Friday 2nd October Trinity Park Ipswich – Cllr Mrs Andrews to attend.


C – OTHER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED TO DATE:

C146
SCDC
Urgent work to Seaman Ave play area
Clerk to obtain quotation and email Councillors
C147
Cllr Sculley
SAX IN BLOOM
Email to express her full support to continue with this magnificent project. It encourages visitors to the town and makes Saxmundham an envied place to live in.
C148
Babergh District Council
Invitation to informal seminar regarding affordable housing on 9th October
Circulation
C149
Email BOS
Electricity bills
Circulation
C150
Email POLICE
Graffiti using Hydrofluoric Acid
Circulation





3508. CHAIRMAN’S/ TOWN CLERK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Clerk reported that she had passed Section 7, Power of Well Being CiLCA 2008 and advised the Councillors that they now needed to attend a course.
Clerk expressed her thanks to Cllr Howe and his team for the beautiful floral displays in town.

3509. FINANCE REPORT:
* To approve the monthly finance report to end of July and August 2009 – Cllr Fisher proposed these as correct, seconded by Cllr Jones. All in favour. Motion carried.

3510. TO CONSIDER SAXMUNDHAM MARKET/ USE OF FORECOURT/FROMUS SQUARE STALLS
The Clerk reported on a meeting between Cllr Fisher, herself and the Senior Solicitor at SCDC. It was decided that we need a copy of the Charter to understand the legal implications regarding holding a stall outside the Market Hall on the same day as a similar stallholder in the Market Place.
Markets in general have been in decline and a few shops in the High Street are closing, namely Peakhill Organics and Sax Books. Andy Simpson the newly appointed Coordinator for the three towns, Aldeburgh, Leiston and Saxmundham will be requested to include the regeneration of the market in his business plan.

3511. TO CONSIDER THE PURCHASE OF WREATHS FOR REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: Cllr Mrs Damiral White reported. Cllr Jones proposed we purchase two wreaths, seconded by Cllr Willett. All in favour. Motion carried.

3512. TO CONSIDER THE FUTURE OF SAXMUNDHAM IN BLOOM: Cllr Howe declared an interest. He had previously circulated details of future spending for this project. Cllr Mrs Sculley had written of her support and Cllr Mrs Damiral-White had received visitors informing her that some Sheringham residents had visited Saxmundham solely to admire our floral arrangements. Many people visit Saxmundham just to look at our beautiful flowers and this results in increased visitors and business to our town. The Clerk will investigate the cost of a Water Extraction Licence and Cllr Howe will look into the costs of purchasing a second hand bowser. Councillors will consider this subject at the November meeting.

3513. TO DISCUSS WHETHER WE WISH TO INVEST IN A FIXED RATE BOND STARTING ON THE 9TH OCTOBER 2009:
Cllr Willett proposed we invest in this bond, seconded by Cllr Howe. All in favour. Motion carried.

3514. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE: Cllr Mrs Damiral –White advised on the results of the meeting of the 7th September.


C09 1089
Samkin of Saxmundham
28 Chantry Road, Saxmundham
Replacement of storage shed with new unit for storage purposes for Samkin. Erection of 5 storage container units for storage purposes.
These will be an improvement – Committee support this.
C09 1136
H. Gathorne-Hardy – Christies Care Ltd
The Old Post Office, 48 High Street, Saxmundham
Change of use from Class A1 (retail use) to Class B1 (office use)
Committee strongly support this.
C09 1248
Mr Perks Byways Residential Care Home
55 Rendham Road, Saxmundham
Erection of conservatory on front elevation
Committee strongly support this.
C09 1297
Mr & Mrs Stebbings
17 Manor Gardens, Saxmundham
Erection of single storey front extension (together with insertion of window and infill panel in garage doorway as part of garage conversion)
Committee strongly support this.
C07 0703 Land between Rendham Road and A12, Saxmundham. Mixed use development including employment, residential & local retail together with associated highways, car parking, landscaping & other associated works – Appeal starting date 03/08/2009 – Our previous letter still stands as we strongly think that this site should be used for employment purposes.

The following applications were considered:

C09 1318
Mr King
Garage at 71 Fairfield Saxmundham
Conversion and extension of garage to form separate dwelling
Cllr Moye proposed we had no objections, seconded by Cllr Willett. 2 abstentions. Motion carried on majority
C09 1312
Mrs Y Stebbings
Land at 45 Fairfield Road Saxmundham
Erection of one two storey four bed dwelling & two single storey three bed houses
Cllr Mrs Damiral-White advised that this proposal had too many dwellings and would overlook current residents. The egress & access on the junction were dangerously positioned. She proposed we object, seconded by Cllr Jones. All in favour. Motion carried

Cllr Mrs Andrews advised that the approved proposal at the rear of Market Place had been passed with amendments to the plans since our Committee had considered them. Car parking facilities were not needed as the site was next to the public car park. The Emergency Services were quite happy with the plans – the Fire Service could obtain entrance over the brick wall at the rear of the property and the Ambulance Service could trolley any patient out of the building. The application was more a ‘buyer beware’ situation and does not detract from the look of the Market Place.

3515. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE: Cllr Palman reported:
* The old computer in the Webster Room is ready for use
* An amendment to the bill of The Sustainable Communities Act to bring back power to Parish & Town Councils that had been omitted previously was supported. The Clerk has written to the Hon John Gummer confirming our support.
* The Town Council has sent a ‘Letter of Intent’ to BOS to donate £500 towards Saxmundham Christmas Fair and Lights. BOS are applying for match funding to help our local community to further improve its strong community spirit particularly over the Christmas period.
* It was felt that if the ongoing Unitary situation asks for further consultation we should not respond due to the excessive waste of public money that this has already incurred.

3516. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE MARKET HALL COMMITTEE: The Clerk read out a brief resume received from Cllr Mrs Sculley:
* Market Hall hire fees have been increased
* The Caretaker will receive a 2.5% pay increase
* Redecoration of the Market Hall will hopefully take place before Christmas – Cllr Jones has supplied Hollesley Bay with appropriate dates for decorating

3517. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM SAXMUNDHAM NEWS AND THE WEBSITE:
The Clerk advised that Saxmundham News would go to the printers this week and would be circulated on the first weekend in October. The Clerk and Cllr Fisher regularly attempt to keep the website as up to date as possible.
Cllr Mrs Andrews confirmed that copy for the next edition of the Town Guide was very slow in coming through and urged everyone involved to send her the relevant pieces.

Cllr Jones proposed a resolution to continue the meeting after 10pm. Seconded by Mrs Damiral-White.
Motion carried on majority.

3518. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES including working parties:
* Cllr Mrs Andrews who is our representative on the Sizewell Stakeholder Group advised that an anti nuclear campaigner raised the question of transport of the flasks that take material to Sellafield because of the potential of a terrorist attack. Sizewell B have given money to CYDS and Cllr Ms Trotter-Langlois was advised to approach them for funding of SAVVY.
* Cllr Mrs Andrews attended a meeting of Minsmere Levels stakeholders advising of the problems they have experienced with the Minsmere Sluice as they need to keep salt water out of the Minsmere Levels to protect certain species of birds.
* Cllr Mrs Andrews advised that she hoped the Town Guide would reach the printers by the end of November and in circulation by the beginning of December.
* Cllr Howe will attend the Anglia in Bloom Award Ceremony in the Ocean Rooms, Gorleston on Wednesday.
* Cllr Howe advised that the latest information regarding ESTA would be in circulation

3519. OTHER MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE CHAIRMAN’S DISCRETION as notified under Agenda item 3:
3504.1 Representation at SALC meetings – Cllr Mrs Andrews advised that our representative, Cllr Mrs Sculley, had been unable to attend these meetings due to them being held on the same evening as our Town Council meetings. Cllr Howe will attend the next SALC meeting and it was agreed that Councillors would alternate attendance in the future.
3504.1 Town Guide – previously discussed


3520. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Monday 12th OCTOBER 2009 at 7.15pm


Meeting closed at 10.15pm.



Signed………………………………….. Dated…………………………..
* Page 5 of 5 Town Council Minutes 14th September 2009