SKEGNESS TOWN COUNCIL Notice of Meetings on Wednesday, 5th April 2017 at the Town Hall, Skegness, Lincolnshire
7.00 pm – Public Meeting of Skegness Residents
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of a public meeting to enable Residents of Skegness to discuss issues about the Town with Town Councillors.
Councillors will be available for individual discussions from approximately 6.45 pm. The meeting will end just before the start of the following Council Meeting.
7.15 pm – Skegness Town Council Meeting
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the above meeting. The business to be dealt with at the meeting is listed in the Agenda set out below.
AGENDA
1. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING – attached.
To receive, consider and adopt (or otherwise) the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday, 1st March 2017.
2. APOLOGIES
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Residents of Skegness are invited to speak on or ask questions about any item on the published agenda. A maximum of 3 minutes is allowed for any one speaker with not more than 15 minutes in total.
5. THE TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE Details are available on the Council website, Facebook and twitter site
6. SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL - To review and consider payments made or to be made in accordance with Financial Regulation 5 – attached.
7. QUESTIONS TO/COMMENTS FROM THE LINCOLNSHIRE POLICE REPRESENTATIVE
Question 1 Over the past two weeks I have observed on several occasions the public humiliation of our P.C.S.O’s and our Polices Officers on the beat in our main streets of Skegness. The officers are verbally abused, severely sworn at and belittled by some of our residents. I personally find this an embarrassment and feel angry.
The question is – Is there a way that these people could be arrested and charged with a public order offence including a fixed penalty? So restoring the values status of our constabulary. Submitted by Cllr D Cargill.
8. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES
Visit East Lincolnshire Minutes attached – Cllr C Macey CCTV Partnership Report attached – Cllr D Cargill East Lindsey Area Forum Report attached – Cllr D Cargill The Gibraltar Point Joint Advisory Committee Report attached – Cllr D Cargill
9. REPORTS BY DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
No reports received.
10. PLANNING & PLANNING POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES - attached.
To note the Minutes of the Planning & Planning Policy Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, 28th February 2017, approved by the Planning & Planning Policy Committee on Tuesday 21st March 2017.
To receive, consider and adopt (or otherwise) the Minutes of the Planning & Planning Policy Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, 21st March 2017 – confidential report to be tabled.
11. DIRECTION AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – attached.
To receive, consider and adopt (or otherwise) the Minutes of the Direction and Strategy Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 22nd March 2017.
12. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – attached.
To receive, consider and adopt (or otherwise) the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 21st March 2017.
13. MOTIONS To consider motions in accordance with Standing Order 4
Motion 1 regarding Street Lighting That the council write to LCC to ask them to reconsider switching the street lights on overnight, to enable the residents to live free from fear. Proposed D Brookes Seconded M Dannatt
14. PETITIONS POLICY – to consider the new policy attached.
15. TOWN CLERK’S MISSCELLANOUS REPORT– report and appendices attached.
16. PROPOSAL TO GO INTO PRIVATE SESSION FOR THE NEXT ITEM – Under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 (due to the confidential nature of business relating to commercial confidentiality)
17. TOWER GARDENS COMMUNITY HUB – To receive update.
Steve Larner – Town Clerk 29th March 2017
SKEGNESS TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Council Meeting
Held at 7.15pm on Wednesday, 1st March 2017
PRESENT: Councillor D R Edginton (Town Mayor) in the Chair.
Councillors M C Anderson, D Brookes (Deputy Town Mayor), J Byford, T Burnham, D Cargill, J Carpenter, M Dannatt, S A Dennis, G Ellis, M Gabbitas, Mrs M Gray, D Kirk, S Kirk and C Macey.
Invited: Reverend C Anderson (Mayors Chaplin) and Inspector C Haigh.
Officers: Town Clerk, Deputy Town Clerk.
Seven members of the public and two press members were present.
C 199. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (Agenda Item 1)
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That:- a) A correction to the date in the title be made to read 1st February and a correction in minute C184 be made to read 11th January b) The minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 1st February 2017, be confirmed as a correct record of the meeting.
C 200. APOLOGIES (Agenda Item 2)
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Blackburn, Mrs S Blackburn, J Brookes, N Cooper, Miss E Freeman and R Hall.
C 201. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda Item 3)
There were no Declarations of Interest.
C 202. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Agenda item 4)
Mr P Gaskill spoke on Agenda item 14 to ask if Skegness Town Council had considered appointing a dog warden.
Mr D Claxton spoke on Agenda item 19 regarding his concerns for the appearance of the Town if amenity grass cutting no longer takes place.
129
C 203. THE TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE (Agenda Item 5)
The Town Mayor informed Council that a list of Mayoral events has been posted on the Council website, Facebook and Twitter and thanked the Deputy Mayor for attending the Ash Wednesday Service in his absence. The Town Mayor also reported that Matt Warman MP has requested a meeting with Town Councillors at 2pm on Friday 12th May 2017, with any questions for the MP to be sent to the Town Clerk. The Mayor presented the proposed Council meeting dates for the upcoming year, asked for nominations for a representative to sit on the ELDC CCTV group and informed Council that the War Memorial has been listed (grade 2)
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That:- a) The report be noted. b) The proposed meeting dates be approved. c) Cllr Cargill sit as a Council representative on the ELDC CCTV group.
C 204. THE SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS (Agenda Item 6)
The Town Clerk reported on a schedule of payments made between 24th January 2017 and 24th February 2017 as shown in Appendix A to these minutes.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the schedule be approved.
C 205. QUESTIONS TO AND COMMENTS FROM LINCOLNSHIRE POLICE (Agenda Item 7)
Cllr D Cargill submitted a question- When the C.C.T.V. monitoring transferred to Boston, I know lots of time & money was wasted with your officers having to go over to Boston to view & confirm footage. Recently a monitoring / viewing facility was installed in Skegness Police Station. Has this new facility made your job easier? Also is this aiding more efficient use of your manpower?
Inspector C Haigh confirmed that it was a more effective use of resources.
Cllr M Anderson asked if the Inspector had seen an increase in crime since some of the streets lights had been turned off? Inspector Haigh informed Council that it is too early to say, but that no increase in crime had been noticed due to the lack of street lighting. There has been an increase in burglaries in Skegness but the majority of these were committed in daylight hours. Inspector Haigh informed Council that crime data is published online and that he would bring a briefing to the next Council meeting on crime in Skegness.
Cllr Burnham raised the issue of street beggars, Inspector Haigh was very keen 130
to reassure the public that this is not tolerated and that Lincolnshire Police are working with ELDC to look at what legislation could be used to tackle this problem. A crime prevention event will be taking place in Skegness on 15th April 2017.
Cllr Byford asked for advice when reporting a crime and whether to dial 999 or 101. Inspector Haigh informed Council that a crime in action is a 999 emergency.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the response be noted
C 206. CORRESPONDENCE (Agenda Item 8)
The response from the Home Office in respect of Police Funding was presented.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the correspondence be noted.
C 207. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES (Agenda Item 9)
Cllr C Macey presented the Visit East Lincolnshire meeting minutes from 1st February 2017.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
C 208. REPORTS by DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS (Agenda Item 10)
Cllr S Kirk gave a verbal report that the East Lincolnshire Business Awards are now open for nominations and that the Micro Business Grant application process closes on 10th March 2017.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the verbal report be noted.
C 209. THE PLANNING AND PLANNING POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING (Agenda Item 11)
The Council considered the minutes of the Planning and Planning Policy Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 7th February 2017 and approved by the Planning and Planning Policy committee on Tuesday 28th February.
131
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Planning and Planning Policy Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 7th February 2017, be noted and the resolutions and recommendations contained therein adopted.
C210. BUSINESS & RESOURCES MEETING MINUTES (Agenda Item 12)
The Council considered the minutes of the Business & Resources Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 25th January 2017.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Direction & Strategy Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 25th January 2017, be approved and the resolutions and recommendations contained therein adopted.
C 211. LINCOLSHIRE COASTAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (LCBID) BUSINESS PLAN AND TIMETABLE (Agenda Item 13)
Lisa Collins, LCBID manager, gave a presentation on the LCBID business plan and timetable and answered questions.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted.
C 212. MOTIONS (Agenda Item 14)
Motion 1 Regarding Dog Mess Proposed Cllr D Cargill Seconded Cllr T Burnham
That Skegness Town Council highlight this problem in our Newsletter, condemning those responsible & encouraging people to look after their town. This to be reinforced by Notices on our notice boards outside the Town Hall & near the Hildred’s Centre.
That the council write to ELDC. asking for them to similarly highlight our problem in the MESSENGER , also to request for any help and advice they could give us to help alleviate our problem.
Cllr D Cargill presented his motion and a discussion took place. Amendments were put forward to include asking for advice on the possibility of funding a dog warden, to include litter as well as dog mess and that once advice had been sought proposals are to be worked through by Direction & Strategy Committee.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the amendment become the substantive motion
132
and that Skegness Town Council:- a) Highlight this problem in the Newsletter, reinforced by Notices on notice boards. b) Write to ELDC asking for advice on the possibility of funding a dog/litter warden along with any other advice on how to alleviate the problem and to highlight the issue in the Messenger. c) Once advice has been sought to work through any proposals at the next available Direction & Strategy meeting.
C 213. INSURANCE POLICY RENEWALS (Agenda Item 15)
The Deputy Town Clerk gave a verbal report on the motor insurance renewal with the cheapest quote being from Zurich at £974.25 and reported an annual increase on the long-term agreement with Zurich for Council insurance of £160.30, this is due to an increase in the precept, wage roll, property sums (index-link in line with inflation) and the increase in premium tax. This takes the annual premium for Council insurance to £3260.24
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the insurance premiums for the motor vehicle and council insurance be approved.
C 214. LONE WORKING POLICY (Agenda Item 16)
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the Lone Working Policy be approved.
C 215. INFORMATION SCHEME (Agenda Item 17)
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the Information Scheme be approved.
C 216. QUALITY COUNCIL SCHEME (Agenda Item 18)
The Town Clerk presented the Quality Council Scheme report to set out the requirements to achieve the Gold Level award and demonstrate how Skegness Town Council meets these requirements. The Town Clerk went through the application form, information sheet, five prepared statements and updated business plan.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That:- a) The application form, as set out in appendix A, be approved. 133
b) The Council confirms publication online of all the required information for the foundations, quality and gold level award. c) The information sheet as set out in appendix B, be approved. d) The five prepared statements as set out in appendix C, be approved. e) The consolidated Business Plan be noted. f) Authorisation be given to the Town Clerk to register with NALC for the Quality Council Scheme Gold Award. g) Authorisation be given to the Town Clerk to seek accreditation and make any improvements and updates to the application.
C 217. AMENITY GRASS CUTTING OF SKEGNESS VERGES (Agenda Item 19)
The Town Clerk presented the Amenity Grass Cutting report to bring back options for consideration in respect of cutting amenity grass in Skegness following this service being stopped by Lincolnshire County Council. A debate took place.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That:- a) Skegness Town Council take responsibility for the amenity grass cutting in Skegness. b) An emergency, short term one year contact be procured for the amenity grass cutting in 2017/18 the cost of which to be met from those areas proposed in the Town Clerk’s report and if other funding could not be found, from reserves. c) The options for long term management of the amenity grass cutting and the associated administration process be considered at the next Direction & Strategy Committee meeting. d) Due to the urgent need to tackle grass cutting from April Financial Regulation 11.1 (h) be waived enabling a price to be negotiated without competition.
C 218. TOWER GARDENS MANAGEMENT (Agenda Item 20)
The Town Clerk presented an initial business case on the proposal to transfer the freehold and management responsibility of Towner Gardens to Skegness Town Council. A discussion took place.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That:- a) The proposals should consider the inclusion of the kiosks at the Grand Parade entrance to the park. b) Authorisation be given to the Town Clerk to enter into formal negotiations with ELDC on the proposed transfer of Tower Gardens.
C 219. TOWER GARDENS COMMUNITY HUB (Agenda Item 21) 134
The Town Clerk presented the Tower Gardens Community Hub report to consider and approve the delegations required to make a timely start on the project should funding be awarded.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That:- a) The Town Clerk be authorised to formally accept an offer of funding on behalf of Skegness Town Council and to begin discussions with the Coastal Community Fund regarding publicity. b) Authorisation be given to the Town Clerk to engage the VAT specialists and to commence the VAT registration process with HMRC.
C 220. FEEDBACK FOR MEETING WITH HIGHWAYS (Agenda Item 22)
The Town Clerk gave a verbal update on the progress with Parking on the parades and the recent re-organisation within Lincolnshire County Council Highways.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the verbal report be noted.
C 221. APPOINTMENT OF TOWN CRIER (Agenda Item 23)
A proposal was made that Skegness Town Council should go into private session due to the confidential nature of the selection process.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, due to the confidential nature of business relating to selection of the Town Crier, Council go into private session to discuss this item.
The Town Clerk presented the Town Crier report to approve the appointment of the selected Town Crier and to agree minor modifications to the Town Crier role. A discussion took place.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That:- a) The selected Town Crier be approved. b) Minor modifications to the role be made to include attendance at other events including Town Crier competitions, in support of the Town Ambassadors, weddings and christenings.
The meeting closed at 9:39pm
135
Appendix A Skegness Town Council Current Account
List of Payments made between 24/01/2017 and 24/02/2017
Date Payee Ref Amount Detail
24/01/17 Anglian Water DD 16.00 Unit 1A Water Rates 24/01/17 Anglian Water DD 23.00 Unit 1B Water Rates 27/01/17 Staff Salaries EB124 10,152.59 Staff Salaries 27/01/17 Cllr Dick Edginton EB124 240.00 Mayors Allowance Mth 10 27/01/17 Kloeckner Metals Ltd EB124 34.80 Kloeckner Metals Ltd 27/01/17 IRIS Business Software Ltd EB125 488.40 Iris payroll software 27/01/17 Bray Design Ltd EB125 14.40 Postbox sticker 27/01/17 Lloyds Bank 95 17.98 Service Charges 06/02/17 P and R Decorators EB126 34.57 Paint and Brushes 06/02/17 Lincolnshire County Council EB126 3,503.10 Pension Contribution month 10 06/02/17 HM Customs & Excise EB126 2,644.57 PAYE month 10 06/02/17 Pitney Bowes Post EB126 5.03 Franking Machine charge 06/02/17 EKM Limited EB126 552.00 Sunshine Park gate repair 06/02/17 Lumalite EB126 7,227.00 Xmas lights 06/02/17 Jewson Builders EB126 403.96 Materials Ashes pathway 06/02/17 East Lindsey District Council EB126 593.83 Office Rent 06/02/17 Daisy Communications EB126 18.13 Office telephone 12/02/17 Opus Energy DD 14.15 Electricity 13/02/17 FuelGenie DD 155.94 Petrol & Diesel 18/02/17 O2 DD 24.31 Mobile phone 22/02/17 Anglian Water DD 16.00 Unit 1A Water Rates 22/02/17 Anglian Water DD 23.00 Unit 1B Water Rates 24/02/17 TalkTalk DD 32.77 Office broadband
Total Payments 26,235.53
136
Page 1
Skegness Town Council Current Account
List of Payments made between 06/02/2017 and 31/03/2017
Date Payee Ref Amount Detail
06/02/17 Intellectual Property Office CC-7 720.00 Trade Mark fees 15/02/17 Travis Perkins EB127 332.72 Public Property Materials 15/02/17 East Lindsey District Council EB127 416.67 Rent Unit 1A & 1B 15/02/17 Viking Direct EB127 14.43 Milk satchets for meetings 15/02/17 Sid Dennis EB127 134.18 Waste disposal 15/02/17 Sid Dennis EB127 236.24 Cemetery Bins 17/02/17 A R Button 005151 300.00 Dyking at St Mary's 20/02/17 Burdetts Garage 005150 65.70 Fiat Van Repairs 22/02/17 Burdetts Garage 005152 194.40 Central locking repairs 27/02/17 Staff Salaries EB128 10,084.46 Staff Salaries Month 11 27/02/17 Cllr Dick Edginton EB128 240.00 Mayors Allowance Mth 11 28/02/17 Lloyds Bank 99 15.55 Service Charges 01/03/17 Lincolnshire County Council EB129 3,503.10 Pension Contributions mth 11 01/03/17 HM Customs & Excise EB129 2,605.92 Month 11 PAYE 01/03/17 Tudor Environment EB129 116.99 Bin bags and first aid kits 01/03/17 Eastern Shires Purchasing Org EB129 61.21 Office Stationery 01/03/17 P and R Decorators EB129 177.33 Paint and Brushes re Benches 01/03/17 Kinoca Minolta EB129 78.26 p'copier lease 27.01-26.04 01/03/17 Pitney Bowes Post EB129 41.68 Franking machine service chge 01/03/17 Wickstead Leisure Ltd EB129 136.80 Sunshine playground inspection 01/03/17 Zurich Municipal Insurance EB129 974.25 Vehicle insurance 03/03/17 Zurich Municipal Insurance EB130 3,260.24 Insurance 2017-18 03/03/17 LALC EB130 8.00 IT Skills training 03/03/17 RBS Software Solutions EB130 187.20 Allotments Software 12/03/17 Opus Energy DD 15.85 Electricity Units 1A & 1B 13/03/17 FuelGenie DD 135.86 Petrol & Diesel 14/03/17 LALC EB131 16.00 Member Training 14/03/17 2Commune Ltd EB131 510.00 Website hosting & Support 14/03/17 Fish 4 Development EB131 250.00 Staff Training 14/03/17 East Lindsey District Council EB131 593.83 Office Rent 14/03/17 Charles H Hill Ltd EB131 275.51 Strimmer repairs 14/03/17 Sid Dennis EB131 229.36 St Mary's Bins 14/03/17 Jewson Builders EB131 705.69 Timber and tools 14/03/17 Travis Perkins EB131 294.68 Public Property Materials 14/03/17 Purple Zebra Products Ltd EB131 189.18 Crystal award 14/03/17 Eon EB131 251.99 Electricity - xmas lights 18/03/17 O2 DD 24.31 Mobile phone 20/03/17 Eco-Loos.Com EB132 2,020.00 Composting Toilet 20/03/17 NALC EB132 60.00 Local Council Award Scheme 20/03/17 East Lindsey District Council EB132 416.67 Unit 1A & 1B Rent 20/03/17 Daisy Communications EB132 17.16 Office telephone 20/03/17 Lion Containers Ltd EB132 3,408.00 2x Shipping Containers 22/03/17 Anglian Water DD 16.00 Unit 1A Water Rates 22/03/17 Anglian Water DD 23.00 Unit 1B Water Rates 24/03/17 TalkTalk DD 25.54 Broadband 28/03/17 Staff Salaries EB133 9,765.33 Staff Salaries Month 12 Page 2
Skegness Town Council Current Account
List of Payments made between 06/02/2017 and 31/03/2017
Date Payee Ref Amount Detail 31/03/17 Cllr C Macey EB134 96.40 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr D Brookes EB134 125.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr D Edginton EB134 367.83 Councillor & Mayor Allowance 31/03/17 Cllr J Carpenter EB134 100.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr M Anderson EB134 100.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr N Cooper EB134 125.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr S Dennis EB134 100.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr G O Ellis EB134 100.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr E Freeman EB134 100.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr D Blackburn EB134 125.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr D Cargill EB134 100.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr D Kirk EB134 125.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr J Brookes EB134 125.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr J Byford EB134 125.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr M Dannatt EB134 100.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr M Gabbitas EB134 125.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr T Burnham EB134 100.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr M Gray EB134 125.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr S Blackburn EB134 125.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr S R Kirk EB134 125.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4 31/03/17 Cllr R Hall EB134 100.00 Councillor Allowance 4th 1/4
Total Payments 45,763.52
Visit East Lincolnshire Destination Management Partnership 1 March 2017 – Butlins
Attendees: Chris Baron – Butlins, Karen Edwards – ELDC, Kate Harrison – ELDC, Tony Tye – Skegness Chamber of Commerce, Helen Tomkinson – Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, Lisa Collins – DBID, Carl Lawrence – Magna Vitae, Sid Dennis, Carl Macey – Skegness Town Council, James Gilbert – ELDC, Paul Collins – Boston College, Matthew Archer – Magna Vitae, Nicola Radford – Lincolnshire County Council, Nigel Brough – Calderdale College
1. Calderdale College – Training for Staff ▪ Greater Lincolnshire has funding available of £5 million through the Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) Programme. This money has to be spent by July 2018. See email attachment. ▪ The group were asked to feedback the types of training they require. Areas that were mentioned were: ➢ Customer Service / World Host ➢ Moving / siting of static caravans ➢ Stage lighting / sound and stage crew ➢ Bespoke electrics ➢ Event Management ➢ Merchandising / Retail ➢ Digital Marketing ➢ Catering / Front of House ➢ Safeguarding ➢ Security ➢ Licensing ➢ Data Protection ▪ Members were asked to feedback any other training needs to Nicola Radford – [email protected] ▪ Nicola informed the group about the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub - please see link for further information, including contact details for Business Growth Advisors: http://www.businesslincolnshire.com/advice-grant-scheme-finder. ▪ KE mentioned to the group that the Coastal Pass website is now live (www.coastalpass.com), but Lincolnshire is still under-represented. All businesses were encouraged to register (free of charge) – accommodation businesses must be located within 5 miles of the coast and attractions must be within 20 miles of the coast. An online Ambassador programme is being developed as part of the project.
2. Apologies: Alison Macdonald, Dave Skepper, Stuart Bateman, Bob Walker, Janet Stubbs, Mark Humphreys
3. Outstanding actions from previous meeting held on 5 October ▪ Premier Inn – CB asked if the land had been paid for yet. Following the meeting JG sent the following response: “Contracts have been exchanged and KCS Developments have paid a deposit for Pier Field. There are however a number of conditions within the contract that need to be satisfied before it goes unconditional and KCS are working on these.” ▪ Grass cutting was due to be discussed at the Skegness Town Council meeting that evening. The costs to continue with the current contractors are in the region of £25,000-£30,000 per year. LCC have offered a small contribution. There are 38 acres in total within the Skegness area.
4. Financial and recruitment update ▪ HT distributed an updated cash flow statement. ▪ Chamber have paid invoice to ELDC for the full Global Radio costs (£6,000). Chamber will invoice ELDC for 50% of the costs. ▪ There is currently £10,866 remaining, all of which has been committed. ▪ ELDC will book and pay for stand/marquee costs for the Scampton Airshow. However, ELDC will not pay for any external expenses.
5. Destination BID ▪ Business Plan has been sent out to 1108 businesses. ▪ There have been some good breakthroughs in Mablethorpe, with Bibby’s and the Mirage on board. ▪ LC due to visit businesses in Chapel St Leonards and Sutton on Sea the following day. ▪ Businesses are being encouraged to vote early. ▪ LC was due to meet with hoteliers and was presenting to the Town Council that evening. ▪ Personal contact is invaluable in explaining the process and what the BID could mean for the area. ▪ Some national companies will require a Head Office decision on the BID.
6. Feedback from sub groups ▪ Marketing and Social Media ➢ Global Radio adverts are both booked. ➢ Bus Panels are also booked and they will be in place from 3 April – 17 September. ➢ Website stats for visiteastlincolnshire.com are slightly down on previous, but a budget is now available for digital advertising. ➢ ELDC will be contributing £2,000 to visitlincolnshire.com (as in previous years). ➢ ELDC are shifting their tourism budget to promote the quieter times of the year, with digital campaigns for both the coast and the Wolds. ▪ Training and Skills ➢ The Chamber have some courses available for upskilling of staff. Details are available on the Chamber website, but HT will send more details. Action HT ▪ Transport, Parking and Infrastructure ➢ Skegness Town Council recently met with LCC Highways to discuss car parking on the Prom, which needs to be enforced properly. Appears to be a lack of support from LCC. ➢ There are plans to move some of the disabled parking bays as part of the Premier Inn development. ➢ Anglian Water have provided an extra water supply, but the sewerage farm is struggling to cope. Stuart Hardy has received confirmation that there is enough capacity for his proposed development, but that will be its maximum capacity.
7. Any Other Business ▪ KE informed the group about the upcoming East Lindsey Business Awards, which will be taking place on 19 May. Nominations are open until 17 March. Sponsors are still required. Full details are available on the ELDC website. Following the meeting the deadline for nominations was extended until 31st March.
8. Date of next meeting To be confirmed, following the outcome of the BID vote. SKILLS SUPPORT FOR THE WORKFORCE
Develop the skills to grow your business Fill your business’s skills gaps with fully funded training. Skills Support for the Workforce in Greater Lincolnshire is supporting eligible businesses to develop and implement bespoke, funded training plans, helping to meet their growth ambitions by satisfying immediate and long term workforce skills needs.
Supported by We can provide tailored training programmes, subsidised with European Union funds, if you are a small to medium-sized business based in the Greater Lincolnshire area.
To fi nd out more and discover whether you may be eligible, visit: www.fundingunit.org.uk/projects/greater-lincolnshire-ssw Or contact us for further information on: 0845 644 3753 This project is co-fi nanced by the European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency.
Funded by Co-financed by
SKEGNESS TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Planning & Planning Policy Committee Meeting
th Held at 7.00 pm on Tuesday, 28 February 2017
PRESENT: Councillor C Macey in the Chair.
Councillors D Blackburn, T Burnham, D Brookes (Deputy Mayor), D Cargill, J Carpenter, D R Edginton (Town Mayor), G Ellis, M Gabbitas, Mrs M Gray and D Kirk.
Officers: Town Clerk, Deputy Town Clerk.
One member of the public was present.
P170. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (Agenda Item 1)
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Planning & Planning Policy Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 7th February 2017, be approved as a true record of the meeting.
P171. APOLOGIES (Agenda Item 2)
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Miss E Freeman.
P172. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda Item 3)
There were no Declarations of Interest.
P173. APPLICATION S/153/00137/17 – Mr. M. Hawkins – Land Adjacent, 97 Beacon Way, Skegness, PE25 1HL (Agenda Item 4.1)
Proposal: Planning Permission - Erection of 5no. detached houses with integral garages and construction of access roads.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
P174. APPLICATION S/153/02492/16 – Land Adjacent to Rothlin, Everingtons Lane, Skegness (Agenda Item 4.2)
– 45 –
Proposal: To consider the comments from the Drainage Board in relation to the Outline erection of 13 no. dwellings (with access, layout and scale to be considered)
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That Skegness Town Council objects on the grounds that the proposed development would put unreasonable strain on the existing infrastructure, which includes drainage, water pressure, the road and other services. The infrastructure is understood to already be insufficient for the existing dwellings and neighbouring properties. The objection could be overcome, but this needs to be the right development with the concerns about the infrastructure made by the residents and the Town Council addressed.
P175. APPLICATION S/153/00246/17 – Mr. B. French, 49 Lumley Road, Skegness, PE25 3LW (Agenda Item 4.3)
Proposal: Consent to Display 2no. internally illuminated fascia signs (signs a & b), 1no. internally illuminated double sided projecting sign (sign c) and 4no. non- illuminated signs (signs d,e, f & g).
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
P176. APPLICATION S/153/00199/17 – Mr. W. Hawkins – Workshop at, 69 Alexandra Road, Skegness, PE25 3QY (Agenda Item 4.4)
Proposal: Planning Permission - To continue to use existing warehouse as a mixed use comprising of tyre fitting warehouse with associated storage and retail and to continue to site 2no. storage containers used for the storage of building materials (works completed).
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
P177. APPLICATION S/153/02187/16 – Mrs. N. Gaunt, Tower Mini Market, 1-2 Sandbeck Arcade, Skegness, PE25 3DY (Agenda Item 4.5)
Proposal: Consent to Display - 1no. internally illuminated ATM machine and 1no. non-illuminated fascia sign.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
P178. APPLICATION S/153/00276/17 – J. Graves & N. Burton, Unit 4, Skegness Trade Park, Holly Road, Skegness (Agenda Item 4.6)
– 46 –
Proposal: Planning Permission - Change of use of existing unit currently used under B8: Storage or Distribution to be used as a trampoline activity centre with ancillary reception/office, toilets and first floor party room, cafe and seating area over falling under use class D2: Assembly and Leisure of the Town and Country Use Classes Order 1987 as amended.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
P179. APPLICATION S/153/00179/17 – Mr. & Mrs. G. Garton, 87 Burgh Road, Skegness, PE25 2RW (Agenda Item 4.7)
Proposal: Planning Permission - Extensions and alterations to existing dwelling to provide an enlarged lounge and bedroom with ensuite.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
The meeting closed at 7.40 pm.
– 47 –
SKEGNESS TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Planning & Planning Policy Committee Meeting
st Held at 7.00 pm on Tuesday, 21 March 2017
PRESENT: Councillor C Macey in the Chair.
Councillors D Blackburn, T Burnham, D Brookes (Deputy Mayor), D Cargill, J Carpenter, D R Edginton (Town Mayor), G Ellis, M Gabbitas and Mrs M Gray.
Officers: Town Clerk, Deputy Town Clerk.
One member of the public was present.
P180. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (Agenda Item 1)
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Planning & Planning Policy Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 28th February 2017, be accepted as a true record of the meeting.
P181. APOLOGIES (Agenda Item 2)
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Miss E Freeman and D Kirk.
P182. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda Item 3)
Cllr C Macey item 4.2 – Category A, similar business. Cllr C Macey item 4.3 – Category A, similar business. Cllr C Macey item 4.9 – Category A, neighbour Cllr D Brookes item 4.2 – Category A, similar business Cllr D Brookes item 4.3 – Category A, similar business
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED: That as the Chairman had declared an interest and in the absence of the Deputy Chairman, Cllr D Edginton Chair items 4.2, 4.3 and 4.9 of the Planning & Planning Policy Committee Meeting on Tuesday 21st March 2017.
P183. APPLICATION S/153/00111/17 – Mrs. D. Watson – Land Adjacent, 36A Roman Bank, Skegness, PE25 2SJ (Agenda Item 4.1)
Proposal: Planning Permission - Change of use of former ground floor offices to provide a beauty salon, (works commenced).
– 48 –
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
P184. APPLICATION S/153/00297/17 – The Royal Oak, Roman Bank, Skegness, PE25 1RN (Agenda Item 4.2)
Proposal: Outline erection of a public house/restaurant (means of access to be considered) on site of an existing public house and flats which are to be demolished.
Cllr C Macey and Cllr D Brookes declared a category A interest and withdrew from this item. Cllr D Edginton in the Chair for this item.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported subject to provision to ensure continuity of the public right of way.
P185. APPLICATION S/153/02211/16 – Mr. R. Adil, Pier Field, North Parade, Skegness (Agenda Item 4.3)
Consent to Display - 1no. double sided internally illuminated pylon sign with 6no. internally illuminated button logos attached to pole (sign 1), 1no. non-illuminated height restrictor sign (sign 2), 2no. 2 paneled internally illuminated wall mounted menu units (signs 3 & 4) 1no. 4 paneled internally illuminated wall mounted menu unit (sign 5), 2no. double sided non-illuminated directional signs (signs 6 & 7), 2no. non-illuminated order bay signs (Signs 8 & 9), 2no. non-illuminated disabled parking signs (signs 10 & 11), 1no. non-illuminated disclaimer sign fixed to a lampost (sign 12), 2no. internally illuminated individual letter signs on a box fascia signs and 2no. internally illuminated individual letter fascia signs.
Cllr C Macey and Cllr D Brookes declared a category A interest and withdrew from this item. Cllr D Edginton in the Chair for this item.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That agenda item 4.9 be brought forward on the agenda to aid the management of the meeting.
P186. APPLICATION S/153/00357/17 – Mr. &. Mrs. Sharpe – 63 Church Lane, Skegness, PE25 1EG (Agenda Item 4.9)
Proposal: Planning Permission - Extensions and alterations to existing bungalow to include a dining room and to include the raising of the roof height to provide first floor bedrooms and bathrooms, erection of a detached single garage, existing garage on site to be removed, construction of a vehicular access and existing vehicular access to be permanently blocked up. – 49 –
Cllr C Macey declared a category A interest and withdrew from this item. Cllr D Edginton in the Chair for this item.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
P187. APPLICATION S/153/02187/16 – Mr. G. Holberton, 12 St Marys Road, Skegness, PE25 2LT (Agenda Item 4.4)
Proposal: Planning Permission - Extension to existing bungalow to provide a conservatory.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
P188. APPLICATION S/153/00389/17 – Mr. F. Melon, 75 Richmond Drive, Skegness, PE25 3SF (Agenda Item 4.5)
Proposal: Planning Permission - Single storey side extension to provide a porch, bedroom and en suite on the site of existing conservatory which is to be removed.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
P189. APPLICATION S/153/00212/17 – Mr. R. Hubbard, 41 Dorothy Avenue, Skegness, PE25 2BZ (Agenda Item 4.6)
Proposal: Planning Permission - Change of use of existing dwelling to provide a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) (works started).
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
P190. APPLICATION S/153/00424/17 – Barham Caravan Co Ltd, The Kiosk, Lumley Road, Skegness, PE25 3ND (Agenda Item 4.7)
Proposal: Planning Permission - Provision of glass panelled wind breaks surrounding the existing outdoor seating area.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
P191. APPLICATION S/153/00397/17/3 – East Lindsey District Council, Streetscene Depot, Off Princes Parade, Skegness (Agenda Item 4.8) – 50 –
Proposal: Planning Permission - Change of use of existing public toilets to use for storage of maintenance equipment, relocation of existing storage building, siting of a portable building consisting of offices, toilets and a rest room, erection of 2 no. garages, a wash down area with 2.4 metres high protective screens. Erection of 2 no. lighting columns to a maximum height of 10 metres. Erection of fencing to a maximum height of 2.4 m and timber push walls to a maximum height of 1.7metres.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the application be supported.
P192. N.D.P TENDER EVALUATION REPORT (Agenda Item 5)
The Town Clerk presented the Neighbourhood Development Plan tender evaluation report to review and evaluate the tender responses received. A discussion took place.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That option one (yellow tender scoring column) tender be recommended to Council to assist with the NDP.
The meeting closed at 7.58 pm.
– 51 –
SKEGNESS TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Direction & Strategy Committee Meeting
Held at 7.20 pm on Wednesday, 22nd March 2017
PRESENT: Councillor D Edginton (Town Mayor) in the Chair.
Councillors M Anderson, D Brookes (Deputy Mayor), S Dennis, G O Ellis, M Gabbitas and D Kirk.
Substitutes: Councillors J Byford, D Cargill and Mrs M Gray.
Officers: Town Clerk and Deputy Town Clerk
No members of the public were present.
D 21. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (Agenda Item 1)
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Direction & Strategy Committee meeting of Tuesday 17th January 2016, approved by Council on Wednesday 1st February 2017, be noted.
D 22. APOLOGIES (Agenda Item 2)
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Blackburn, T Burnham, M Dannatt, and S Kirk.
D 23. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda Item 3)
There were no Declarations of Interest.
D 24. AMENITY GRASS CUTTING (Agenda Item 4)
The Town Clerk gave a presentation on a selection of amenity grass areas in Skegness and presented the amenity grass cutting report to consider the process, methodology and standards to establish amenity grass cutting from 2018/19. A discussion took place and a recorded vote was requested.
Supporting the proposals: Councillors M Anderson, D Brookes (Deputy Mayor), J Byford, D Cargill, S Dennis, D Edginton (Town Mayor), G O Ellis, M Gabbitas, Mrs M Gray and D Kirk.
Objecting to the proposals: Nil
Abstained: Nil
¤ – 9 –
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That: - a) Recommendations are made to Council to bring amenity grass cutting in-house. b) At the next Direction & Strategy meeting a timeline be developed for an in-house amenity grass cutting strategy including budget, recruitment, standards and equipment.
D 25. DOG FOULING & WARDEN (Agenda Item 5)
The Town Clerk presented the dog fouling and warden report to give feedback on the advice from ELDC regarding a potential dog/street warden, a discussion took place.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That any further work on this item be deferred to the next Direction & Strategy meeting once an update is received from ELDC on what legislation, if any, can be used to enforce dog control and fouling under a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and which authorities can enforce.
D 26. EAST LINDSEY OFF STREET PARKING REVIEW (Agenda Item 6)
Cllr D Edginton spoke on the work carried out so far by ELDC to review off street parking in the area. A discussion took place.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the following comment is recommended for approval by Council “Skegness Town Council welcomes the decision for free evening parking but feels what is defined as winter months needs revising and should be the same as the street parking restrictions in Town. i.e. Good Friday to 30th September is high season and 1st October to the day before Good Friday is low season”.
D 27. DCLG HOUSING MARKET CONSULTATION (Agenda Item 7)
A discussion on the housing market white paper took place.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That individual responses be made and forwarded to Skegness Town Council office before the next Council meeting to be considered within a possible council response.
The meeting closed at 8.55 pm.
¤ – 10 –
Human Resources & Appointment Committee 21 March 2017
Minutes
SKEGNESS TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Human Resources and Appointment Committee Meeting
Held at 10.30am on Wednesday 21st March 2017
PRESENT: Councillor J Carpenter (Chairman), Mrs G Gray, C Macey
Also in attendance Town Clerk
No members of the public were in attendance.
H 07. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING (Agenda Item 1)
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: To note that the minutes of the Human Resources and Appointments Committee meeting held on 5th October 2016 were approved and adopted by Council on 7th December 2016.
H 08. APOLOGIES (Agenda Item 2)
Apologies were received from Councillors D Blackburn and M Dannatt
H 09. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda Item 3)
There were no Declarations of Interest.
H 10. PROPOSAL TO GO INTO PRIVATE SESSION FOR THE NEXT ITEM – Under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the public be excluded.
3
Human Resources & Appointment Committee 21 March 2017
Minutes
H 11. TO CONSIDER THE TOWN CLERK’S PERFORMANCE AGAINST OBJECTIVES (Agenda Item 4)
The Chairman updated the Committee in respect of the appraisal meeting that he had conducted with the Town Clerk and that other Committee Chairman had been consulted. The performance rating of the Town Clerk for 2016/17 was then considered.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That
a) The Town Clerk had achieved all objectives for 2016/17. b) The performance grading be approved and that the criteria for progression in accordance with the contract of employment had been met.
H 12. TO CONSIDER THE TOWN CLERK’S OBJECTIVES FOR 2017/18 (Agenda Item 5)
The Chairman updated the Committee in respect of discussions with the Town Clerk regarding forthcoming objectives and feedback from Committee Chairman.
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED: That
The objectives as set out in the attached appendix be approved
The meeting closed at 11.15am.
4
Human Resources & Appointment Committee 21 March 2017
Minutes
Appendix
TOWN CLERK OBJECTIVES FOR 2017/18
The Council’s overall priorities for the coming year depend on whether funding is forthcoming for the Tower Garden Community, Event and Heritage Hub.
Objectives not influenced by funding:
1. The Council’s Accounts are prepared in accordance with statutory regulations and good practice. 2. Implement and manage the verge grass cutting contract in 2017/18 and prepare for 2018/19 in accordance with how Council decides to move forward. 3. Commence discussions and negotiations with ELDC with a view to transferring the ownership and management of Tower Gardens to STC by April 2019.
And If CCF funding is awarded
4. Implement the programme of work associated with the development of the new Tower Garden Community, Event and Heritage Hub (this will be a 2-year objective)
OR If CCF funding is not awarded
4. Implement the programme of work associated with the development of the Neighbourhood Development Plan (this will be a 2-year objective) 5. Recruit the Event Coordinator post and set up the associated project to coordinate and develop new events in Skegness (this will be a 2-year objective).
5
POLICY TITLE
Petitions Policy
REVISION DATE
April 2017
REPLACES POLICY
New Policy
POLICY NUMBER
POLICY AIM
Petitioning is one way that individuals, community groups and organisations can participate in the democratic process, by raising issues of public concern with the Council and allowing Councillors to consider the need for change within the Parish. This policy sets describes how the petition process works and defines the process by which Council will respond.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This policy forms part of the Community Engagement Strategy and should be read in association with the Community Engagement Policy.
POLICY STATEMENT
Skegness Town Council will consider valid petitions in respect of any service it provides. It will use valid petitions received to inform policies and procedures and undertakes to properly consider these through its decision-making processes.
Skegness Town Council during consideration may at its sole discretion reject or adopt all or part of the reasoning or purpose of the petition.
What can petitions achieve?
Petitions sent in to the Council can have positive outcomes that lead to change or inform debate. For example, petitions can: • bring an issue to the attention of the Council • show strong public approval or disapproval to something that the Council is doing.
Skegness Town Council Petitions Policy - version 1 date 05/04/2017 1
What issues can a petition relate to? Petitions should be relevant to a matter over which the Council has powers or duties.
Can I raise a petition? To raise a petition, you should be an interested party who lives in the parish of Skegness and Winthorpe, and be aged 18 or over.
Can I sign a petition? People signing petitions (signatories) should live in the Parish area, and be aged 18 or over.
How do I start a petition? There is no particular process for starting a paper petition. Generally, you and other key petitioners will gather signatures until a date you have decided in advance. You may wish to contact the Council to check if your petition’s content is acceptable. To produce an e-petition, you must complete an online form and submit it to the Council. You will then be contacted to check your contact details. You may also be asked to explain some of the petition’s information. You can run an online petition at the same time as a paper petition, combining the two before submitting them to the Council. Some people prefer this option as they find it easier to have one they can hand around to friends and family.
What should my petition contain? A petition should include a brief title and a short, clear and concise statement covering the subject of the petition. It should clearly state what action the petitioner wishes the Council to take. The petition will be returned to you to explain further if it is unclear.
IMPLEMENTATION
In order for the petition to be considered;
Paper petitions must clearly display: • the title/subject of the petition; • the principal petitioner's contact postal address (which we will write to about the petition); • the name, postal address and signature of anyone supporting the petition; • the starting and closing date of the petition
E-petitions must follow the e-petitions online form and must clearly display: • the title/subject of the petition; • the principal petitioner's contact postal address (which we will write to about the petition); • the name and post code of any person supporting the petition;
Skegness Town Council Petitions Policy - version 1 date 05/04/2017 2 • the starting and closing date of the petition. • The contact details of the lead petitioner are essential. For e-petitions, although the name and address of any person supporting the petition is required for checking purposes, only the name and area will be displayed.
A petition must be submitted in good faith. You must not include: • potentially libellous, false or defamatory statements; • matters which are subject to prescribed statutory requirements, such as changes to governance arrangements e.g. an elected mayor or Chairman • information protected by a court order (e.g. the identities of children in custody disputes); or in accordance with any other enactment; • matters which are subject to appeal processes or legal actions (e.g. planning appeals, licensing matters, enforcement action or other legal actions in court etc); • material which is commercially sensitive, confidential or which may cause personal distress or loss; • the names of individual officials of public bodies; • the names of individuals, or information where they may be easily identified, in relation to criminal accusations; • A petition will not be accepted if a petition to the same or substantially similar effect has been made to the Council within the previous 12 months
Please note that once submitted, we will endeavour to approve e-petitions within 10 working days. Petitioners are advised to take this timeframe into account before proceeding.
You should take care not to include any information or signatures that should not be made public.
Petitions that do not follow these guidelines will not be accepted. In these cases, you will be informed in writing of the reasons why a petition cannot be accepted. If you are not satisfied with the reason for your petition being rejected the matter can be further considered by the Town Clerk in consultation with the Town Mayor.
In the six weeks before an election local authorities cannot publish any material which may support any political party or a point of view which may be associated with any political party.
Promoting the e-petition As with paper petitions, the responsibility for publicising the e-petition lies with the petition organiser.
What happens once the signatures have been collected? The lead petitioner should decide when he or she has collected sufficient names or submit it to the council for consideration following the closing date. The Council requires a minimum of 250 valid signatures for the petition to become valid.
Skegness Town Council Petitions Policy - version 1 date 05/04/2017 3 For e-petitions, the lead petitioner should set a closing date. Once that closing date has been reached, the principal petitioner should then arrange for it to be submitted as appropriate.
The Council will check names against the Electoral Register for Skegness to ensure that the signatory is eligible.
What is the process for submitting the petition? As soon as the closing date is reached the principal petitioner must ensure its final submission to the Council. If you are running a paper petition alongside an e-petition, both parts of the petition must be received by the Council before they can be submitted for consideration. Paper petitions should be sent to The Town Clerk at Skegness Town Hall, North Parade PE25 1DA. Petitions can also be submitted in person to any officer of the Council, Town Councillor or by e-mail.
How many names should be on a petition? The Council requires a minimum of 250 eligible signatures for the petition to become valid.
What happens after the petition is submitted? Once a valid petition has been submitted to the Council, it will be referred to the next Ordinary meeting of Full Council for acceptance, at which the lead petitioner will be able to speak for 5 minutes in support of the petition. It will if accepted, then be referred to the relevant Committee for debate.
The Council will respond to the petition in one of the following ways: • To comply with the request in the petition • To commission further research in to the matter, • Hold an inquiry, • Hold a public meeting to seek further information • Provide a written response, setting out the Council's policy or views
If an acceptable petition is received with signatures of more than 10% of Town Council parishioners (2400) this will automatically be debated at the next ordinary meeting of the Full Council following acceptance.
Data Protection Statement The Council will hold details of those administering or signing petitions in computer readable form. The name and ward of the petition administrator or petition signatory may appear on the Council’s website by way of information relating to the petition.
The other details given in a petition, such as full address, are needed by the Council to validate the signatories support.
Skegness Town Council Petitions Policy - version 1 date 05/04/2017 4 Data collected under this policy will only be used by the Council for the purpose of administering petitions and will not be used for any other purposes unless consent has been obtained.
MONITORING
Petitions received will be reviewed annually as part of the Annual Report or in the following circumstances:
• Changes in legislation • As a result of any other significant change or event.
POLICY REVIEW
This policy is to be reviewed at least every two years, next due April 2019
POLICY APPROVAL
To be considered by Council on 5th April 2017.
Skegness Town Council Petitions Policy - version 1 date 05/04/2017 5
SKEGNESS TOWN COUNCIL
REPORT TO: COUNCIL 5TH MARCH 2017 BY: TOWN CLERK SUBJECT: Town Clerk’s Miscellaneous Issues Report
PURPOSE: To report and seek decisions on a number of issues.
1 REMEMBRANCE PARADE
1.1 Last year the British Legion refused to take the lead in organising Remembrance Parade and as a result Skegness Town Council took the lead role. It has now become apparent that the organisation of the Remembrance Parade this year is going to be much more difficult and resource intensive.
1.2 At a meeting with Police representatives, it has been confirmed that the Police will not be available to stop traffic during the parade. The best that can be hoped for is one PCSO, who would not be involved in any of the traffic management. This will leave the Council with the option of either employing a traffic management company to control traffic or changing the parade route to avoid main roads and using fixed road closure barriers to provide a safe environment for the parade. Either option will require an application for a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO)
1.3 Using a traffic management company to maintain the existing route is likely to be expensive. The police indicated that this could be as much as £1000 per stop point and that for the existing route about 13 would be needed. However, no quote has been obtained at this time.
1.4 It is therefore proposed that an alternative route is found that does not involve the closure of main roads. On side streets, it would be possible to put a barrier across the road 15-45 mins before the parade and then remove these after the crowd outside St Matthew’s Church has dissipated.
1.5 Due to the number of roads immediately around the church, it is likely that 7 – 10 barriers would be needed, 15-20 signs (Road Closed, Road Closed Ahead) and that about 10 volunteer marshals with high visibility jackets would be needed. This may require an investment in equipment, if these cannot be sourced elsewhere. The investment would likely be £1000 - £2000.
1.6 A possible route that would deliver a safe congregating place and a march route that avoids main roads, would be to start in Tower Gardens, the proceed across Rutland Rd, down Ida Road, right into Lumley Avenue and then straight to the memorial. The car park in Scarbrough Ave is close by and easy for return from the church.
1.7 No discussion has yet been had with the British Legion.
1.8 The application for TTROs need to be submitted to LCC Highways by the beginning of August. This means that Council will need to confirm its final plans at its meeting in July, which is the next ordinary meeting of Council (May Annual meeting, June no Council).
1.9 If 10 volunteers are required, realistically 12-15 will need to be recruited and trained to ensure they are available on the day.
2 GRASS CUTTING
2.1 The grass cutting contract is now in operation and the first cut has been started.
3 CEMETERY RULES ENFORCEMENT UPDATE
3.1 On 2nd November 2016 Council adopted the resolution of the Business and Resources Committee to enforce Cemetery rules and regulations in respect of graves from 1st May 2017. This is now underway with information in local newspapers, on the Council website, through social media and notices placed on graves.
3.2 There has been quite a lot of negative press in both local and national media, mainly attributed to a couple of child graves. This subject is sensitive and tends to draw hostile comments based on a lack of the whole picture. A letter has also been received from the local MP (attached). A draft reply is also attached.
3.3 In most cases the issues surrounding the children’s graves could be resolved if stones, beads and fencing/kerbs were removed. Unfortunately, it is difficult to open a dialogue with these families direct as most have moved and not updated their contact details and it is not appropriate to conduct discussion via the media.
3.4 It is understood that at least one e-petition has been started.
3.5 About 1% of the graves with burial rights are not following the rules. Some families have contacted us and compromise has been reached where this does not cause a big problem (e.g. allowing mementos on the base of the headstone). Most families who previously were not complying with the rules have now removed items and so the problems with sections J & K are now largely resolved.
3.6 There are about 30-40 recent graves which will be topped up and grassed this season. Some of these still have mementos over the whole grave. These have not previously been asked to remove these items since there was no grass to be cut and out of sensitivity to the still newly grieving families.
3.7 Perhaps a way forward to ensure that the Council retains control of the agenda, is to defer the removal of items on the Children’s graves in section L until June and for Council to create a small group to visit the cemetery, giving parents an opportunity to speak to Councillors on site, so that Council have a balanced view and enable the Council’s perspective to be explained. Proposals for enforcement in the adult sections would go forward as planned.
4 BANK BALANCE TRANSFER
4.1 A total of £34,760 has been transferred from the Treasurers Account 00154752 (cemetery account) into the Business Extra Account 00123075 (current account) as part of the end of year process.
5 DCLG HOUSING CONSULTATION RESPONSE
5.1 An update will be given on responses received from Councillors in respect of the consultation document in accordance with the minutes of the Direction and Strategy Committee. No responses had been received at the time of writing this report.
6 RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 It is recommended that the Council
a) Note the various reports. b) Decide how to proceed with the Remembrance Parade c) Agree or otherwise the response to the local MP and the option set out in 3.7
FOR DECISION
For information relating to this report please contact The Town Clerk, Town Hall Skegness or email [email protected]
Background papers – None. MATT WARMAN MP Member of Parliament for Boston & Skegness
63 WIDE BARGATE BOSTON PE21 6SG
Steve Larner Town Clerk Skegness Town Hall North Parade, Skegness, Lincolnshire PE25 1DA 27 March 2017
Dear Mr Larner,
A number of my constituents have contacted me with concerns regarding the removal of items from their children’s graves, in St Mary’s Cemetery, Skegness.
My constituents have been advised that Skegness Council will be enforcing the decision to stop the placing of fences, planted shrubs, memorabilia or plastic flowers on their children’s graves. The removal of these items will be enforced as of 1st May 2017; they have advised the only item which will be allowed will be in the form of flowers.
They are concerned this will impact all constituents who have buried their children at St Mary’s Cemetery and are concerned that people grieve in different ways, and the removal of these items will only cause greater distress when visiting graves of their loved ones. As a result residents have started a petition, which has already accumulated a few hundred signatures: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/en-gb/432/427/366/petition-about-not-being-able- to-put-items-on-loved-ones-graves/?taf_id=34805001&cid=fb_na.
While I am mindful of the need to keep the cemetery safe, I do appreciate my constituents’ concerns on this matter, so I would be grateful for any further information you might be able to provide as to the Council’s reasoning for this decision, which I may forward to my constituents.
Thank you for your consideration of my constituents’ concerns. I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Yours sincerely,
Matt Warman MP Boston and Skegness (Email: [email protected]) SKEGNESS TOWN COUNCIL The Town Hall, North Parade, SKEGNESS, PE25 1DA [email protected] www.skegness.gov.uk Office Open Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm Tel (01754) 766113 Town Clerk: S Larner
NAME ADDR ADDR ADDR ADDR POSTCODE
DATE
Dear Matt,
Thank you for your letter about the rules in St Mary’s Cemetery, Winthorpe.
As you may know, the cemetery at St Mary’s is extremely well looked after and the Council routinely receive praise for how well it is maintained.
Since its opening in 1990, the cemetery has been considered a lawn cemetery and has had rules in place which are designed to:-
• Provide easy access to graves. The block layout requires access across neighbouring graves. If blocked by fences or memorabilia access to graves becomes more difficult. It is only by everyone keeping the graves clear, that access is possible especially for the elderly and infirm. • Ensure that a good standard of maintenance can be undertaken in a cost effective manner. Using larger mowers and being able to easily strim around objects means that it is possible to keep a well cared for appearance. Blocking graves adds to the time needed to cut the grass and makes it less affordable and sustainable. • Ensure the health and safety of cemetery users and employees. Unfortunately, a very small number of those with graves have chosen to pour beads and stones across the grass graves. When these are caught by a mower or strimmer, they become fast travelling projectiles. This is the main concern in the children’s section.
The rules are relaxed for newly bereaved families. For the first 6 months after burial no enforcement takes place. After this, generally no action will be taken if the grave is still settling and therefore not grassed. Once settling has occurred, the families will then be asked to remove items from the main grave so that grass can be sown.
At all times, families can have flowers and a small number of mementos on a memorial base, allowing the surrounding grass to be cut. If families keep these tributes to headstone area and sensible about keeping things clear for access and grass cutting, then no enforcement action is usually taken.
[OPTIONAL PARAGRAPH BASED ON 3.7 of report]
In response to the concerns raised by those with child graves, the Council has decided to defer the removal of items from the Children’s graves until June, to enable a working group of
Skegness ~ On the Drier Side of Britain ~ Skegness Town Council ~
Councillors to visit the site and meet with any parents so that mutual concerns can be understood.
If you would like to visit the cemetery to discuss the issues in more detail, then I am more than happy to accompany you.
Yours
Page 2 of 2