Report of the Meeting of the Council
held on the 15th December 2011
Present: Miss P. Cook (Town Mayor), N. Amin, Mrs S. Angland, Mrs Byrne, T. Clarke, Ms Y. Free D.G. Grutchfield, Mrs. D.A. Haylock, B. L. Lazenby, P.M. Matthews, L. Munson, Mrs. M. Munson, Miss Nevard, T. Sheldrick and R. Whiting
In attendance: PC Matt Paisley (Suffolk Constabulary) and Councillor B. Riley, Babergh District Council
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Babergh District Councillor Mrs Grandon had tendered her apologies and wished members of the Council a Happy Christmas.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Matthews declared a prejudicial interest in the Finance & Personnel Report as he lives at Cemetery Lodge and left the meeting for this item.
MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on the 17th November 2011 were taken as read and were confirmed and signed.
MATTERS ARISING
Babergh Community Achievement Awards 2012 The Mayor reported that both Hadleigh Town Council nominees have been successful in being awarded the Babergh Community Achievement Award 2012. Short Term Parking Charges The Mayor reported that an invitation had been sent to the Town Clerk and Mayor of Sudbury to visit the offices. The Town Clerk had a prior engagement but the Mayor and Mayoress would be attending.
POLICING
PC Paisley presented the Police Report for November and it was noted that 27 crimes had been recorded during the months. The offences comprised as follows: 5 burglaries, 5 criminal damage, 4 assault occasioning ABH, 4 thefts, 2 minor wound without intent, 2 common assault non-injury, 1 interference with motor vehicle, 1 cause an affray, 1 drunk & disorderly in a public place, 1 threat to kill and 1 make off without payment. Of these crimes 6 had been detected. He reported that the level of crime in Hadleigh had dropped for the third year running. PC Paisley updated Councillors on the DPPO, the catalytic converter scheme. He reported on two main points of interest: i) The Leisure Centre at Hadleigh High School Following complaints from residents he is working with Babergh District Council and the High School to find a solution to the lighting and noise issues. ii) Hadleigh Community Primary School He has met with the Head Teacher regarding the issue of inconsiderate parking. They are looking at the walking bus scheme and the police will be provided with special event dates in order that they can police the parking in the areas around the school. He answered questions on the Glanville Road issue, the number of burglaries and reported break ins on allotments in Ipswich. The Mayor raised the issue of inconsiderate parking in Church Street. She had received a letter from Suffolk County Council advising that they would not pursue the matter. The Clerk had been asked to obtain details of how many objections had been raised and by whom. The County Councillor was asked to raise this matter if no response was received from the officer.
REPORT OF THE DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Councillors Mrs Munson and Riley had provided written reports. Councillor Grutchfield reported on the national grid meetings and budget issues. The Mayor reported a letter she had received which stated on the envelope that it had come from Ipswich Borough Council. The letter was from Babergh District Council advising on changes to the Council tax payments. She requested the District Councillors to report back to the District Council that it would be appreciated if letters from Babergh District Council had their own logo, or left blank, on their post in future.
REPORT OF THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Councillor Grutchfield had provided a written report. He also reported that the new Chief Executive of Suffolk County Council, Deborah Cadman, was now in office. The Mayor advised that she too had met Ms. Cadman and invited her to Hadleigh in the New Year.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS
The Mayor reported: i) E.mail received from Paul Little advising that there is a case for a wide DPPO area in both Hadleigh and Long Melford. They are waiting for Sudbury Town Council to reconsider some issues and then hope to progress the scheme in these areas in 2012. (this had been reported earlier by the Police) ii) Suffolk County Council’s document on the Budget Consultation which was available in the office or on line. iii) An e.mail from the Hadleigh Craft Group and a photograph of the completed Olympic Pennant iv) An e.mail received from Mrs Sue Clements (ex-Deputy Town Clerk) reporting that her son, Kieran, had represented the GB Team at the European Cross Country Championships held in Slovenia and came 9th in the Under 20’s race. The GB Team had received a Gold medal. The Mayor would be sending a congratulatory note.
STANDING ORDER NO. 24
Councillor Mrs Byrne asked if a letter could be sent to the members of the Town Forum on the successful Christmas Event held on Sunday 4th December as she, herself, was receiving congratulations on their behalf. Councillor Grutchfield asked if the Council were aware that under Section A19 which deals with police pensions and the fire service that officers are now allowed to retire after 30 years’ service or aged 55 years and are you aware that the police authority will be wound up or finished on the 22nd November 2012 that will be a week after the appointment of the new Police Commissioner.
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
It was RESOLVED that accounts amounting to £18,873.33 be approved for payment.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 24th November 2011 were noted.
FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
The Report of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 1st December 2011 was received and accepted including the recommendation to provide grants to: i) £750 to 4YP ii) £200 to Great Meeting United Reformed Church iii) £150 to Hanging Gardens of Hadleigh iv) £300 to Ansell Community Centre Also to accept the quotation of £400 to carry out a valuation on Cemetery Lodge.
BUDGET ESTIMATES 2012/2013
The Council considered the Budget Report of the Finance & Personnel Committee which had reviewed the financial position of the Council, proposed revised estimates for the current year and estimates for the year 2012/2013 and outlined the position on the various separate Funds. It was agreed that the final report and precept would be finalised at the January Town Council Meeting. In the meantime the Clerk was given permission to advise Babergh District Council of a possible 1% increase.
HADLEIGH LEISURE FACILITY
Babergh District Council was requesting Hadleigh Town Council’s permission to remove two street lights owned by Hadleigh Town Council by the Swimming Pool in order that the work on the new Leisure Facility could continue. New lighting was included in the scheme and would be maintained by South Suffolk Leisure. This request was approved. The Clerk was asked to investigate the scrap value of the lighting columns.
BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL BUDGET PAPER L119
Councillor Grutchfield had requested this item be put on the Agenda. It was noted that the District Councillors had voted 10 – 3 against short term parking charges.
SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL – PART NIGHT LIGHTING
Councillors were in receipt of additional information regarding Suffolk County Council’s proposal to turn off street lighting in Hadleigh between 12 midnight and 5.30am from January 2012. The Clerk was asked to monitor for a period of six months any increase in crimes in the times when the lights were switched off and if there was any increase Suffolk County Council are to be informed. Councillor Sheldrick reported that the pilot schemes had shown no increase in crimes or accidents. The Suffolk County Council Officer would be thanked for his offer to attend future meetings but would be informed that we would continue to monitor the situation.
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
It was noted that part of the U8901 Access Road would be closed from 9th January until 17th February 2012 in order that Celotex could carry out building a conveyor system over the carriageway. Councillor Sheldrick advised that a web site called ‘Elgin’ showed all the roadworks taking place all over the country. There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.20pm
Mrs Carol A. Bailey BA(Hons)
Addendum: Please write to Mrs. Carol A. Bailey BA(Hons) Town Clerk, Hadleigh Town Council, The Guildhall Hadleigh IP7 5DN if you are part of a voluntary organisation or community group wishing to be considered for a grant including the following information:
• The specific amount of the grant
• What the funding is for
• Breakdown of costs and any funds already raised
• How the project will benefit Hadleigh and its residents.
This grant aid is not available to fund individuals, commercial or statutory organisations.
