brightlingseatowncouncil

BRIGHTLINGSEA TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Council Meeting held at The Parish Hall, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea on: Thursday 15th July 2010 at 7.30 p.m.

Present:
Councillors
M Holding (Mayor)
J Russell (Deputy Mayor)
J Aldridge, M Beckwith, I Block, J Chapman,
V Chapman, D Dixon, A Goggin,
G Mann and G Steady

In attendance:
Tracey Pulford – Town Clerk

34. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr Yallop and County Councillor Robinson.
  
35. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17TH JUNE 2010 AND CONFIRM AS A CORRECT RECORD:

The Minutes were accepted as a true record.

36. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Copy of the Mayor’s Announcements is annexed to the Minutes.

37. QUESTIONS UNDER SO 9(2)

No questions had been received.

38. DECLARATION OF PERSONAL & PREJUDICIALINTERESTS:

The Mayor reminded Members to declare interests when necessary.

39. TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THOSE MEMBERS EXAMINING THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE CURRENT PERIOD:

The Payments and Accounts for the period ending June 2010 (as shown on the attached appendix) were proposed by Cllr Steady as follows:

General Account Cheques Nos 704638 – 704673 in the sum of £15,463.01for payment
Bank Balances – All Accounts – in the sum of £257,565.64
Employee payments paid for the month of June were £8,548.99
Seconded by Cllr Mann.  Agreed

Questions were asked by Members regarding cheque numbers 704648, 704669, 704672 and  704662.  Cllr Steady answered accordingly.

40. TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE STAFF MEETING HELD ON THE 24TH JUNE  2010 AND CONFIRM THE RECOMMENDATIONS THEREIN:
 
The Minutes were accepted as a true record, and the following recommendations were agreed:
• Members of Staff go on appropriate courses, when necessary
• Graham Carter is issued with a permanent contract of employment, with full time employment from October 2010.

41. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC:

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

42. TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE PLANNING MEETINGS HELD ON 24TH JUNE AND 8TH JULY 2010 AND NOTE PLANNING DECISIONS OF TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL:
 
Cllr Dixon proposed that the recommendations in the Minutes of the 24th June and 8th July 2010 be agreed by Council, together with the planning decisions from TDC.  Seconded by Cllr Russell.  Agreed
 
43. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Further to the written reports:-

Cllr Aldridge – The Clacton Bus, run by Malcolm Alder, may be starting up again soon.

Oyster Tank Road / Fieldgate Dock – There are problems with parking due to the new development, car park/charges, sailing club etc.  Residents want ‘Residents only’ parking and I would like to send a letter to support their application.  After much discussion it was agreed that Cllr Aldridge would look into the problems further, and bring her findings back to another meeting.

Cllr Block – We have now received 10 applications for grants, which will be discussed at next weeks finance meeting.

Cllr Beckwith – Nothing further to add.

Cllr J Chapman – The head of Essex County Council Peter Martin has announced cuts in frontline services including grants, youth, bus services including bus services in rural areas and care services.

Cllr V Chapman – Welcomed Helen Orrell from the Evening Gazette to the meeting.

The newly refurbished boating lake is looking good.

Attended the Beach Hut AGM with other Councillors.

There has been some vandalism at the skate park, graffiti ‘tags’ have been found on the prom and three youths have been arrested following the footage on the recently installed CCTV cameras.

Cllr Goggin – Nothing further to add.

Cllr Holding – Footpath 14 – the new steps were delivered yesterday.  He thanked Cllr Mann for using his storage yard.

Footpath 31/13 – the materials have been delivered and work should start shortly.

Cllr Mann – Tendring District Council have agreed to continue with the Free Swims for the under 16s until the 27th August 2010.
Cllr Block put a formal proposal to the meeting that, following the meeting held earlier that day, the Council gives £10,000 from its budget to Tendring District Council to help with the running of the swimming pool.  Cllr Russell seconded this proposal and said that it should be considered at the next finance committee meeting, with the proposal taken to the next Council meeting.  Agreed

Cllr Steady – Lower Park Playing Fields – Looking into the possibility of a view area, on the edge of the Rec, with interpretative boards etc.

The Cricket Club practice facility was approved by Tendring District Council.

The Playcentre have accessed funding of £298,958 to provide new temporary/permanent facilities on the Bayard Recreation Ground, following the closure of Bizzy Bees.  They are having an open day on Monday, and would urge all Councillors to go and visit the facilities.
 
44. TO RECEIVE REPORTS SUBMITTED FROM MEMBER REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES:

Cllr V Chapman – An Officer of Tendring District Council will be looking at the sheds in the car park tomorrow morning, together with a bat expert.

Cllr J Russell – At the next TDALC meeting the Chief Executive of EALC will be attending.

Cllr Goggin – The next JCC meeting is being held next Monday.

Cllr J Chapman – The police have asked for questions in writing before the next meeting,  therefore any questions to the office please.

45. TO RECEIVE REPORTS SUMBITTED FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLORS:

A discussion took place on the Emergency Plan for Brightlingsea.  Cllr V Chapman said that  the office had some ‘emergency hooks’.  Cllr J Chapman said that there is a plan, but  Tendring District Council said the contents are confidential.  Cllr V Chapman said that the  man at TDC in charge of the plan is Richard Warren.  

Cllr Goggin – As Chairman of TDC we can select where we hold the civic service, and this  year it is being held on Sunday 12th September at All Saints Church, with the reception at the Waterside.
 
Cllr Steady – Nothing further to add except glad that the £50,000 has been confirmed, plus the £40,000, and that the free swim scheme is in place.

46. TOWN CLERK’S REPORT:

The following was agreed:

2.1 Agreed that Lower Park Playing Field could be used as a base and camp site for the  English Country Music Weekend on 24-26th June 2011.

2.2 A discussion took place on the unfinished Marina Development.  After discussion it was  agreed that Cllr Beckwith would contact Mr Howden regarding the possibility of some sort  of screen to cover up the site whilst work is still in progress.

2.3 Cllr Block recommended that the amount should be £2,000, seconded by Cllr Russell.   The Mayor said that the Town Clerk is contacting the Audit Commission for their comments,  and no decision would be made at the moment.

2.4 Caravan Club, Suffolk Centre – agreed to hire Lower Park Recreation Ground from the  17th – 19th June 2011, with six vans arriving on the 16th.

2.5 Cricket Club – agreed Cricket Week to take place from 26th July – 31st July 2010, with a marquee being erected for that week.  However, the music on the Thursday evening must  finish at 11pm, not 11.45pm.

47. PART ‘B’
MOTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960 – TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING:

(a) To approve the Part B Minutes from the Council Meeting held on the 17th June 2010 and confirm as a correct record
(b) Property Update