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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2009
Present: Cllr C. Lofts (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr D. Bain, Cllr M. Blake, Cllr J. Godwin,
Cllr J. Hart, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr D. Linney, Cllr J. Lynch, Cllr A. Maycock,
Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr H. Wright, Cllr D. Yates
It was agreed to move Item 5c) forward on the Agenda.
5c) Vision – Youth Facilities for the Town
Zoe Church of Northampton Youth Voluntary Action (NYVA) referred to the ‘Soundbox Project’ initiated by members of the Vision Youth Café in conjunction with partners from South Northants Homes, NYVA and Towcester Police. The Soundbox Project is a regular event for young people to attend on a Friday evening where they can air their views on the local area. Each event is themed to give them an opportunity to try new things, i.e. aerosol art. Over 100 young people have participated in the last 3 Soundbox events and the Police have confirmed a reduction in the reports of anti-social behaviour at this peak time.
Tio Gallant of South Northants Homes has helped to organise and run a number of the Soundbox events and has found them very productive. It has been helpful to engage with younger tenants of SNH and provide a positive outlet for them.
Martin Cain of Vision Youth Café distributed leaflets featuring aerosol art produced at the Soundbox Project. He submitted a petition of over 100 signatures collected by the South Northants Youth Action team requesting a legal graffiti wall in Towcester on which aerosol art can be practised and displayed. Martin gave an in-depth explanation of the benefits of having a legal graffiti wall in Towcester and asked the TC to give this due consideration.
Zoe concluded by giving details of a number of successful graffiti wall projects organised by neighbouring authorities. She asked the TC to give feedback on this item as soon as possible in order that this could be reported to the participants of Soundbox. It was agreed to refer this item to the next Recreation/Leisure Committee Meeting in January for a full discussion; Soundbox members were asked to consider suitable locations for the graffiti wall in the meantime.
1. Apologies for Absence
Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr R. Mills, Cllr A. Wardle
Cllr R. Bromwich – N.C.C.
2. Declarations of Interest
None.
3. Open to the Public
Dr John Sunderland and Dr Patricia Sunderland attended the meeting to articulate their concerns over possible developments on the Moat Lane site. These were raised when a neighbour was informed of proposals to extend the car park at the rear of the Masonic Hall to 2-3 floors; this links with the news that SNC is planning to relocate its own offices to the Moat Lane site. John Sunderland stated that no-one can understand what benefit this will give to the town or district and goes against the original proposals on which SNC spent much time and money holding consultations. It seems now that residents have no access into decision making and asked the TC to interface with SNC to understand the rationale behind its decision. He considered that the relocation of SNC offices to the Moat Lane site would limit its potential. Patricia Sunderland questioned the effort that has gone into the development of the Bury Mount only for this to be obscured by large buildings.
Cllr Lofts advised that many members of the TC shared these views and asked for the representatives of SNC present at the meeting to respond.
Cllr Grant of SNC confirmed a great deal of work had gone into designing the Motte and acquiring the buildings in Moat Lane. He explained that SNC had limited space for its staff and some departments were relocated to the Mill. Following the sale of the housing stock to South Northants Homes its officers were too working from the District Council’s offices but recently moved to its new offices on Burcote Road. He described SNC offices were an ‘awful’ building, the structure of which made it impossible to alter. If SNC were to move into Moat Lane this would link in with the library and registrars office in the new civic building. The decision on this is to be taken by SNC Cabinet in January 2010; following which planning would be decided by the WNDC who will also be providing the funding.
Dr Patricia Sunderland pointed out that the District Council offices have only been standing for 30+ years and considered the current library building to be adequate. She has participated in 2 public consultation exercises carried out by SNC using public money and at no point was there any mention of the District Council relocating to Moat Lane.
Cllr Dallyn of SNC added that the energy rating of SNC offices is G; any cost associated with the relocation would be made up over a period of time in energy efficiency savings. She considered that SNC relocation to Moat Lane would encourage investment into the Moat Lane development.
4. TOWN MAYOR’S ITEMS
Cllr Lofts gave details of events he has recently attended:-
13/11 Town Mayor’s Murder Mystery Dinner at the Saracen’s Head Hotel
17/11 Represented the TC at SNC Development Control Committee discussing
the change of use for the former Mica Hardware store
20/11 Opening of the Bridge Dental Practice, Watling Street
21/11 Methodist Church Fayre
27/11 Opening of South Northants Homes offices, Burcote Road
Opening of Towcester & District Art Society Exhibition
29/11 Cleaning out Belle Baulk Pond with Towcester Wildlife Trust
Moat Lane Consultative Meeting
06/12 NCC Church Service
Milton Keynes Music Makers Concert held at the Town Hall
07/12 Meeting with the Managing Director of South Northants Homes
Police Consultation Event on Anti-Social Behaviour held at the Town Hall
08/12 Sponne Cluster Schools Carol Concert held at St Lawrence Church
10/12 Submitted a themed Christmas tree for the Methodist Church competition
Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School Christmas Production
11/12 Rock Vision Concert in aid of the Town Mayor’s Charities
12/12 St Lawrence Bell Ringers Christmas Dinner held at the Town Hall
13/12 Peterborough Cathedral Carol Concert
14/12 Presentation to Stefan Gilder of Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School for
the Town Crier Christmas cover drawing.
1st Anniversary Celebrations of Towcester Job Club
Cllr Lofts reminded members that the Market Square Carol Concert will take place this Thursday 17th December; the SNC Civic Service is on Sunday at 6pm at St Lawrence Church.
5. Report back from:-
Cllr R. Bromwich, Northamptonshire County Council
Cllr Bromwich had forwarded her apologies for the meeting. A report from Cllr Bromwich was distributed to all members prior to the meeting.
Details of N.C.C. plans to encourage music services for children to become self funding was noted. Cllr Johns expressed his dismay at this news; the Northamptonshire Music Service is commended nationally; as a result of cutting £250,000 from this budget how many children will lose out?
Cllr Grant confirmed that funding for music services is going out to scrutiny review. The scrutiny panel will look at all aspects of the service and the potential to increase fees. This will be decided in February 2010 and Cllr Grant will report the outcome directly to the TC.
Cllr Lynch questioned why the crossroads near to the Saracen’s Head were not resurfaced as part of the gas works as promised by Cllr Bromwich. Cllr Bromwich confirmed to the Clerk that the contractor changed prior to completion of the works and the resurfacing is still scheduled.
The Clerk advised that works to widen the footpath to provide a cycleway from Docklewell Close to Water Lane has been put on hold following opposition from residents. Once signs had been erected to notify the members of the public of the impending works, complaints were received that residents had not been consulted. N.C.C. is planning to revisit this item in January 2010.
Cllr D. Dallyn, South Northamptonshire Council
Cllr Dallyn confirmed that she had received two complaints concerning the proposed cycleway from Docklewell Close. Within the Local Transport Plan for 2006-2011, Central Government funding of £250,000 was earmarked to improve the cycle paths in Towcester. If the works are not carried out prior to 31st March 2010 these funds will be lost.
Cllr Dallyn confirmed that SNC Development Control Committee had voted in favour of the application for change of use of the former Lloyds Chemist store on Swinneyford Road to a hot food takeaway.
Cllr Johns referred to the Moat Lane development and proposals to relocate SNC offices to the site. He considered it a shame there was no local press reporter present to record the comments made by District Council Officers. He is confused how we have arrived at this position; the development was intended to enhance the town centre and the relocation of SNC does not benefit the town at all. Cllr Johns suggested the TC opens a proper debate on this issue with SNC / WNDC in the New Year.
6. Minutes of Meetings
Resources/Planning Committee 9th November 2009
Town Council 9th November 2009
Town Hall Committee 16th November 2009
Recreation/Leisure Committee 16th November 2009
Cemetery Committee 23rd November 2009
Resources/Planning Committee 23rd November 2009
Proposal
Cllr Stanger proposed that the Minutes of Meetings be signed by the Chair as a true record;
seconded by Cllr Wright; all in favour.
7. Matters Arising from the Minutes
Page 09/11/138
The Clerk referred to the response from John Ellerby of N.C.C. to the TC correspondence concerning alterations to the X88 Northampton to Oxford bus service. He acknowledges that the TC was not given sufficient notice of alterations to the X88 timetable. The new timetable is in force effective from today. The issue of through fares is being worked on and the use of Walkers low-floor buses is being monitored. N.C.C. is still in discussions with the Towcester Evening W. I. on improvements to the service.
Page 09/11/145
The Clerk confirmed Lambert Smith Hampton had agreed to proceed with the installation of
the new heating system at the Community Centre; they have now advised that the TC must pay the fees for the drawing up the plans for the system (£3,000) in advance. N.C.C. will reimburse this sum. The Clerk felt that the TC has little option but to agree or delay the heating works even further.
Proposal
Cllr Lynch proposed that the TC ask N.C.C. to proceed with the installation of heating at the Community Centre on the basis that the design fees will be reimbursed to the TC;
seconded by Cllr Johns; 7 in favour; 3 against; 1 abstention – proposal carried.
The revised plan of the works compound had been forwarded to all members prior to the meeting. Members agreed that the reduced compound is acceptable.
Page 09/11/146
Cllr Lofts and the Clerk met with the Managing Director of South Northants Homes to discuss his request for a plaque to acknowledge SNH contribution to the new play equipment. It was agreed that a small plaque will be erected stating the equipment was partially funded by South Northants Homes.
Page 09/11/152
Following a detailed discussion; the proposal to increase the annual grant to The Towcester Partnership was not carried. The grant will therefore remain at £2,000.
8. Report from the Chair of the:-
Resources/Planning Committee
Cllr Hart had nothing to report.
Town Hall Committee
Cllr Allen had nothing to report.
Recreation/Leisure Committee
Cllr Wright had nothing to report.
Cemetery Committee
Cllr Wright had nothing to report.
Allotment Working Group
Cllr Maycock advised that a great deal of tree works are being carried out connected with the Moat Lane site. 2 trees on SNC owned land are now leaning over the Malthouse Court allotment site and several branches need to be removed. The Clerk agreed to contact Ian Lorman of SNC to ask for these works to be carried out.
9. Precept for 2010/11
The Clerk confirmed that a full budget for 2010/11 has been forwarded to all TC members. The precept of £273,032.00 represents a 1.9% increase on 2009/10.
Proposal
Cllr Stanger proposed that TC serve a Pecept of £273,032.00 on the District Council for the 2010/11 financial year; seconded by Cllr Linney; unanimously agreed.
10. Moat Lane Development
Cllr Linney suggested that discussions on the Moat Lane Development be deferred to a special meeting in January 2010. Cllr Johns asked the Town Clerk to secure attendance from a representative of both SNC and WNDC.
Cllr Johns asked the Clerk to contact N.C.C. to request that works on the cycle path from Docklewell Close be reinstated as soon as possible.
11. Report back from Local Bodies
Cllr Allen confirmed he is TC representative on NCALC and will be deputising for Peter Joyce on the District & Local Strategic Partnership. Cllr Maycock has resigned from the Sponne & Bickerstaffe Charity and there is now a vacancy for a Nominative Feoffee. Its meetings take place once a month on a Wednesday.
Cllr Johns referred to the Towcester 100 Club article in the December Town Crier. He asked members to consider making an investment into the club for the benefit of the museum.
Cllr Linney confirmed that Towcester Youth Coffee Shop AGM will be scheduled for January 2010.
12. Correspondence from South Northamptonshire Council
a) South Northamptonshire Economic Development Strategy
A copy of the SN Economic Development Strategy is available from the Clerk; there is also a link to the document from the SNC website. Comments must be submitted by 11th January; members were asked to feedback to the Clerk.
b) Parish Council Reception
SNC is hosting a Parish Council Reception on 16th December; 2 representatives of the TC are invited. Cllr Hart and Cllr Johns will attend.
c) Affordable Housing in Towcester
Alice Izzett, Strategic Housing Officer at SNC, is to attend a meeting of the TC in the New Year to discuss this issue.
13. Correspondence from Northamptonshire County Council
a) Highways – Installation of Sewer
Correspondence from MGWSP confirms that works will commence in January 2010 to install a foul water sewer from the Magistrates Court, A5 into Old Greens Norton Road. It is anticipated that the works will take 4-5 weeks to complete and for the duration it will be necessary to utilise temporary two way traffic lights between 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Noted.
b) The Pocketeer
A copy of the latest edition of the Pocket Park Newsletter is available from the Clerk.
c) Safer Winter Driving in Northamptonshire
A copy of the leaflet ‘Safer Winter Driving in Northamptonshire’ is available from the Clerk.
14. Correspondence
a) BT – Adopt a Kiosk Scheme
The Clerk has completed the application to adopt the BT telephone kiosk in Caldecote. Written confirmation has been forwarded to SNC as requested under the terms of the adoption.
b) CPRE – Northamptonshire’s Stop the Drop Campaign 2010
Correspondence concerning the campaign to organise community litter-picks in 2010 is available from the Clerk or visit www.CPRENorthants.org. Over 60 village and town groups participated in 2009 collecting a huge amount of litter.
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