WISBECH TOWN COUNCIL 16 and 19 May 2014 MINUTES OF
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WISBECH TOWN COUNCIL 16 and 19 May 2014 MINUTES OF MEETING Friday 16 May 2014 (12 noon) Present: Councillors Brunton, Mrs Cox, Farmer, Hill, Hodgson, Miss Hoy, Mrs Macrae, Oliver, Ms Tanfield and Tierney. Apologies: Councillors Mee, Tibbs and Wheeler. In attendance: Councillor Mayor, Chairman of Fenland District Council, and Mrs Mayor, Mr J Barker, Mrs J Hill, Mrs J Hodgson, Mrs B Oliver, Mrs T Bidwell-Hazell, Mrs Farmer, Mr T Jordan, Mr A Hopkins, Father Paul West and guests of the Mayor elect and Deputy Mayor elect. Members and guests were seated in the Council Chamber to await the Mayoral party, which entered the Chamber at 12 noon. On taking her seat, the outgoing Mayor of Wisbech, Councillor Miss Hoy, called upon the Mayor’s Chaplain, Father Paul West, to say prayers. The Mayor thanked Father Paul West and opened the meeting. 1/14 Election of Chairman of the Town Council (to be known as Town Mayor) for the municipal year 2014/15 Members decided - on the proposal of Councillor Farmer, seconded by Councillor Oliver, and there being no other nominations - that Councillor Hill be elected as Chairman of Wisbech Town Council and Mayor of Wisbech for the municipal year 2014/15 and that he paid an annual allowance of £3,100 in relation to the performance of that role. The Mayor read and signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office. He paid tribute to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Miss Hoy. 2/14 Election of Deputy Chairman of the Town Council (to be known as Deputy Town Mayor) for the municipal year 2014/15 Members decided - on the proposal of Councillor Tierney, seconded by Councillor Farmer, and there being no other nominations - that Councillor Hodgson be elected as Vice-Chairman of Wisbech Town Council and Deputy Mayor of Wisbech for the municipal year 2014/15 and that he be entitled to claim the travelling allowance agreed by council. 3/14 Adjournment of the meeting until 7.30 pm on 19 May 2014 Members decided, unanimously, that the Annual Meeting of Wisbech Town Council be adjourned (at 12.45 pm) until 7.30 pm on Monday 19 May 2014. 1 Monday 19 May 2014 (7.30 pm) Present: Councillor Hill, Chairman (and Town Mayor); Councillors Brunton, Bucknor, Mrs Bucknor, Farmer, Hodgson (Deputy Mayor), Hoy, Mee, Oliver, Patrick, Ms Tanfield, Tibbs, Tierney and Wheeler. Apologies: Councillors Mrs Cox, Mrs Macrae and McLaren. In attendance: County Councillors Clapp and Lay; Acting Police Inspector Boughen and PCSO Staniforth; six members of the public. 4/14 Public participation - Potential for a 20 mph speed limit in the north of Wisbech County Councillor Alan Lay expressed the opinion that the suggestion of introducing a 20 mph speed limit in the north of Wisbech should be a “no brainer”. His view is that such an arrangement would: improve traffic flows; enable traffic calming measures to be removed; reduce the number of accident-related injuries; result in cars using 12% less fuel; reduce pollution levels. County Councillor Clapp stated that he concurs with the comments of Councillor Lay and went on to express his opinion as to which streets ought to be subject to a 20 mph speed limit. A resident of Wisbech, Mr D Reeves, stated that he is the local co-ordinator for the “20’s Plenty” campaign. He informed the council that he had spoken with a large number of residents when canvassing for the County Council elections last year and that those conversations had demonstrated to him that there is considerable public support for the introduction of 20 mph speed limits on certain residential roads in Wisbech. Mr Reeves gave statistics to demonstrate the increase in public safety that could result from the introduction of 20 mph speed limits. He enquired as to the Town Council’s vision for Wisbech; does the council wish to encourage residents to travel by means other than the car – to cycle and walk, which would provide both health and environmental benefits? Members decided that the comments of County Councillors Clapp and Lay and of Mr Reeves be noted and taken into account when discussing this matter (at minute 17/14). 5/14 Appointment of Leader of the Town Council for the municipal year 2014/15 Members considered the appointment of a Leader of the Town Council; to be one of the signatories on the Council’s bank accounts, to work with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Clerk’s Office, and attend regular management meetings. Members decided - on the proposal of Councillor Tierney, seconded by Councillor Ms Tanfield - that Councillor Oliver be appointed as Leader of Wisbech Town Council for the municipal year 2014/15. 6/14 Cambridgeshire Constabulary Acting Police inspector Alan Boughen attended the meeting to provide members with information on recent incidents of crime and disorder in Wisbech. Inspector Boughen informed members that the Constabulary’s records for April 2014 show a 20% increase in the figure for the same month in 2013. He made the point that although the number of 2 reported crimes had increased, this is as a result of efforts by the Constabulary to both encourage the public to report incidents as well as more effective recording, by the Constabulary, of incidents reported. Albeit that the total number of recorded crimes has increased, there has been a reduction in the number of dwelling burglaries and fewer incidents of anti-social behaviour. Inspector Boughen commented that the main focus of patrols in Wisbech is addressing anti-social behaviour (including issues associated with the use of mini-motos) within the North Ward. The number of reported incidents of anti-social behaviour has, however, reduced recently; this has coincided with some recent Court appearances. The Inspector informed members that the amount of shoplifting within Wisbech is at the same level as a year ago; there has been a decrease in the number of alcohol-related incidents. Inspector Boughen responded to members’ questions. Councillor Farmer asked the Inspector a number of questions relating to the matter raised by Councillor Tierney at the last meeting of the council (minute186/13 refers )in relation to a “raid” by the Constabulary on The Angel Inn public house. Following the Inspector’s initial response to the questions, discussion of the matter by Councillor Farmer and the Inspector continued outside of the meeting. Members decided that the information provided by The Acting Inspector be noted. 7/14 Fenland District Council (1) District Council activities relative to Wisbech Although no officer representative of Fenland District Council (FDC) was present at the meeting, the Locum Clerk had been sent, by e-mail, information in respect of CCTV performance, Section 106 Planning Obligations details, activities delivered by the council under its Streets Ahead objective. Members decided the Locum Clerk would forward the e-mail and attachments from FDC to all councillors. (2) Leisure Centre signage In her capacity as a Cabinet member at Fenland District Council, Councillor Ms Tanfield sought members’ views on the District Council’s proposed new signage for the Hudson Leisure Centre. Councillor Ms Tanfield circulated copies of a photograph of the proposed sign and explained the rationale behind its design; she informed members that the Hudson Trust is supportive of the proposed sign. Councillor Mrs Bucknor suggested that, given the upset that had been caused by the District Council’s re-branding of its leisure centres, all interested parties should be consulted on this proposal. She also commented that there are rumours that the District Council may consider selling its leisure centres and sought an assurance that the Town Council would be alerted to and consulted upon any such proposal. Councillor Ms Tanfield responded in the affirmative. Members decided - on the proposal of Councillor Tibbs, seconded by Councillor Patrick - to support the proposed new signage for the Hudson Leisure Centre. 3 8/14 Cambridgeshire County Council (1) Lynn Road Wisbech Further to minute 115/13 (a) of the Planning Committee meeting of 28 April 2014, Councillor Oliver sought members’ views on whether the Town Council should accept the suggestion of Cambridgeshire Constabulary that - as a means of addressing its objection to the proposed No Waiting at Any Time parking restriction for a part of Lynn Road, Wisbech (beside the former Bodger’s premises) – a Timed Restriction (No parking between the hours of 7.00 am and 10.00 am and between 3.00 pm and 7.00 pm, Mondays to Saturdays) be introduced or whether the council wished to proceed on the basis of its original proposal. On a proposal from Councillor Wheeler, seconded by Councillor Bucknor, members decided that the Town Council would continue to proceed with its scheme for the introduction of No Waiting at Any Time on a part of Lynn Road (beside the former Bodger’s premises). (2) Bridge works Members are pleased that the works to the Town Bridge had been completed and that it is now open to traffic again. Councillor Oliver commented that, despite rumours that the County Council would now be undertaking re-surfacing works at Freedom Bridge, the relevant officer at Cambridgeshire County Council had stated that no such works would be carried out until October of this year at the earliest. (3) County Councillor representation Members decided, in response to comments regarding the absence of information provided to the Town Council by the County Councillors for Wisbech, that the Locum Clerk would ensure that the councillors who represent Wisbech on the County Council are aware of the meetings of Wisbech Town Council and that their presence would be appreciated. 9/14 Minutes of the Town Council meeting of 14 April 2014 Members decided - on the proposal of Councillor Ms Tanfield, seconded by Councillor Patrick - that the minutes of the Town Council meeting of 14 April 2014 be confirmed and signed.