brightlingseatowncouncil

BRIGHTLINGSEA TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Council Meeting held at The Parish Hall, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea on: Thursday 15th April 2010 at 7.30 p.m.
 
Present:
Councillors
J Chapman (Mayor)
M Holding (Deputy Mayor)
J Aldridge, M Beckwith, I Block, D Dixon, A Goggin, G Mann, J Russell, G Steady and K Yallop

In attendance:
Tracey Pulford –Town Clerk
 
            
207. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr V Chapman.

208. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18TH MARCH 2010 AND CONFIRM AS A CORRECT RECORD:

The Minutes were accepted as a true record.

209. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

A copy of the Mayor’s Announcements is annexed to the Minutes. 

210. QUESTIONS UNDER SO 10(2):

None received.

211. DECLARATION OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS:

The Mayor reminded Members to declare interests when necessary. 

213. TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THOSE MEMBERS EXAMINING THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE CURRENT PERIOD:
 
The Payments and Accounts for the period ending March 2010 (as shown on the attached  appendix) were proposed by Cllr Beckwith as follows:

General Account Cheque No’s 704560 – 704589 in the sum of £10,592.23 for payment
Bank Balances – All accounts – in the sum of £220,079.33
Employee payments paid for the month of March were £10,013.36
Seconded by Cllr Steady.  Agreed.

Cllr Block asked if all the 2009/2010 Grants had been spent yet.  Tracey Pulford replied yes the remaining grants have now been claimed for. 

214. COUNTY COUNCILLOR ROBINSON:

County Councillor Robinson had nothing to report on the Town, but informed members that  he had attended the East Essex Forum Meeting in Colchester, had attended many meetings as  the Disabilities Champion.

A member of the public asked County Councillor Robinson when there would be an  improvement to our road surfaces.  County Councillor Robinson replied that last year a lot of work was carried out in Brightlingsea on the roads, and Officers do check regularly for pot holes etc.

215. TO RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE RUGBY CLUB:

Councillor Steady thanked both Mark and Richard from the Rugby Club for attending this  meeting, and said that this was another step in providing facilities at little cost to the rate payer.

Cllr Goggin declared a personal interest as he is President of the Rugby Club.

Mark Burt, Chairman of the Youth Rugby Club then gave a presentation to members on its  proposals for the use of Lower Park Playing Fields.

After discussion Members agreed to the siting of the steel containers/porta cabins adjacent to the Army Training Cadet Hut, behind the Scout Hut, and for the creation of a rugby pitch on the playing field, with rugby posts being installed. Members also agreed that the Rugby Club would be responsible for the insurance of these items, and if any damage occurred this must be rectified immediately.  Also the Rugby Club are responsible for obtaining its own  insurance to cover members playing rugby on this field.  Proposed by Cllr Block, Seconded  by Cllr Mann.  A vote was taken which was unanimous.

216. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC:

A copy of the Questions from the Public is annexed to the Minutes.

217. TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE PLANNING MEETINGS HELD ON 18TH MARCH AND 1ST APRIL 2010 AND TO NOTE PLANNING DECISIONS OF TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL:
 
Cllr Dixon proposed that the recommendations in the Minutes of the 18th March and 1st April 2010 be agreed by Council, together with the planning decisions from TDC.  Seconded by Cllr Holding.

218. TO RECEIVE REPORTS SUBMITTED FROM MEMBERS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Further to the written reports:- 
 
Cllr Aldridge – The Clacton bus is not running due to the cost of the bus rental.  Malcolm is looking at purchasing a smaller bus.

Cllr Block asked Cllr Aldridge about the letter all Councillors had received from Mr & Mrs  Ball.  After discussion it was agreed that Councillor Aldridge would reply directly, on behalf  of all Councillors.

Cllr Beckwith – Nothing further to add.
 
Cllr J Chapman – Nothing further to add.

Cllr Goggin – Nothing further to add.
 
Cllr Holding - The steps on foot path 14 are going to be removed and re-designed. 

Cllr Mann – Nothing further to add.

Cllr Russell – Nothing further to add.

Cllr Steady - Nothing further to add.

Cllr Yallop – An advert was placed in the Group Travel Magazine, and we have several  positive enquiries from this.
 
219. TO RECEIVE REPORTS SUBMITTED FROM MEMBER REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES:

Nothing further to add.

220. TO RECEIVE REPORTS SUBMITTED FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLORS:
 
Nothing further to add.

221. TO RECEIVE THE SECRETARY’S REPORT: 

The following was agreed:

2.1 It was agreed that a letter be written to Tendring District Council stating that there are no suitable sites in Brightlingsea to accommodate Gypsy/Traveller pitches.

1.38 The request from Family Support concerning the possibility of CCTV for the rear   car park was brought to member’s attention.

222.  PART ‘B’
MOTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 100a (4) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 – TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING:
(A) TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PART B MEETING HELD ON THE 18TH  MARCH 2010 AND CONFIRM AS A CORRECT RECORD
(B) PROPERTY UPDATE