| Time: | 7.30pm | Place: | Baldock Community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock |
| PRESENT: | Councillor M.E. Weeks (Chairman), Councillor John Harris (Vice-Chairman), Councillor S.K. Jarvis, Councillor Jim McNally, Councillor M.R.M. Muir and Councillor A.D. Young. |
| IN ATTENDANCE: | Steve Crowley (Contracts and Project Manager) Andrew Mills (Service Manager - Grounds) Ashley Hawkins (Community Development Officer) Susanne Gow (Committee and Member Services Offices) |
| ALSO PRESENT: | At commencement of the meeting, approximately 5 members of the public, including the speakers under Public Participation. |
| Meeting attachment |
Agenda Front Pages |
| Item | Description/Resolution | Status | Action | |
| PART I | ||||
| 43 |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE None. |
Noted | ||
| 44 |
MINUTES Minutes That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 December 2014 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. |
Agreed | ||
| 45 |
NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS There was no additional business raised at this Meeting of the Baldock and District Committee. |
Noted | ||
| 46 |
CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) The Chairman welcomed all present to the meeting. This included the speakers for Public Participation and members of the public; (2) He then reminded Members that any declarations of interest in respect of any business set out in the agenda should be declared as either a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or Declarable Interest and they are required to notify the Chairman of the nature of any interest declared at the commencement of the relevant item on the agenda. Members declaring a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest must withdraw from the meeting for the duration of the item. Members declaring a Declarable Interest which requires they leave the room under Paragraph 7.4 of the Code of Conduct, can speak on the item, but must leave the room before the debate and vote. |
Noted | ||
| 47 |
HERTFORDSHIRE POLICE UPDATE Oral presentation Sgt Simon Turner of Hertfordshire Constabulary addressed the Committee with regard to the statistics that he had tabled at the meeting. He explained that Baldock and Letchworth were being policed by one unit and statistics showed a slight decrease in crime. Crime was now recorded more accurately and this has had an impact on the figures. Sgt Turner then went through the tables of statistics that he had provided. He concluded his presentation by stating that he considered Baldock to be a safe place to live. The Committee raised points and asked questions, such as: - had crime figures gone up since street lights were turned off late at night? There was no increase in crime, and no reason to turn the lights back on, late at night; - had there been any change in the number of road traffic accidents since last year? No, the majority were on the A505 and the A507 and there was not a huge amount of rapid response callouts; - Sgt Turner explained that a positive outcome for a crime is the perpetrator being identified and noted or dealt with, and in this area Baldock is doing well out of all Hertfordshire; - What proportion of the PCs' and PCSOs' time was spent in Baldock and in Letchworth? Approximately 80%. - The Committee were advised that a ‘tough pad' can be used in the police car with all the systems on it. Baldock and Letchworth were awaiting a second one shortly. It would be very useful; - One Member assured Sgt Turner that the presence of officers of Hertfordshire Constabulary reassured the public in Baldock; - Another remarked that he would like to see officers with speed guns tackling the speeding in the area. Sgt Turner stated that he would take this request back to the Hertfordshire Constabulary Senior Management Team. A short discussion on the Police being armed with Tasers ensued, and the Committee were advised that in general the response to a callout will see one officer with a Taser and occasionally one other officer, too. The Chairman thanked Sgt Turner for his comprehensive address and, on behalf of the residents of Baldock, for his and his team's hard work. He asked Sgt Turner to ensure that the Baldock and District Committee had a Police Update twice a year instead of annually, and the officer agreed to this. |
Noted | ||
| 48 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION It was noted that one of the proposed speakers, Mrs Teresa Cordery of the Royal British Legion, was not present, so there was just one speaker under Public Participation. Mrs Donna Rix-White, Chairman of the Management Committee of the Merry-Go-Round Under Fives Association addressed the Committee in support of a grant application for funding. She explained that currently the Under Fives comprised 59 children, 39 of whom had 15 hours free, funded by Central Government, 11 part-time staff and two volunteers. The organisation followed the Early Years curriculum, in common with all similar groups in the United Kingdom, and were based in the grounds of Hartsfield JMI School. This land was leased from Hartsfield School and the Management Committee was currently re-negotiating the lease. A Member offered his assistance, in case there were any problems. The grant application was for a Listening Post and storytelling CDs, to keep the children entertained. This equipment will enable the group to meet Early Years Foundation Stage guidelines on speaking and listening and will also benefit children joining the group in the future. It helped to increase children's concentration, taught them to sit still, to share, to listen to stories and helped to improve their language. She explained that activities held included a winter fair, a nature trail and at Easter there would be an Easter egg hunt. The Chairman thanked Mrs Rix-White for her address, and advised that this grant application would be considered later on the Agenda. RESOLVED: (1) That Mrs Donna Rix-White of Merry Go Round Under Fives be thanked for addressing the Baldock and District Committee with regard to assistance with the purchase of a listening post and several story telling CDs; (2) That the grant application relating to this be considered later on the Agenda (see Minute 53 below). |
Agreed | ||
| 49 |
INFORMATION NOTE - NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE MUSEUM AND COMMUNITY FACI8LITY AT HITCHIN TOWN HALL Information Note The Contracts and Project Manager (CPM) presented this update to a previous Information Note on the North Hertfordshire Museum and Community Facility in Hitchin, focussing on the main changes that had taken place since January 2015. He stated that the facility was starting to take shape as the build stage came to an end and the fit-out was close to starting. The CPM went through Table 1, the overview of key tasks and referred to the colour photographs that had been provided. Members were advised that the main focus had been on the secondary fix of the mechanical and electrical items in the new museum, and in the new build, containing Reception, the café and the first floor of the museum, the secondary fix of the electrical items had taken place, the tiling had been done, the timber floors had been laid and the terrace was near completion. In the town hall, the secondary fix of the carpentry, door finishes, the majority of the lighting and painting and decorating was taking place. He stated that the up-to-date photographs of the interior of Hitchin Town Hall demonstrated the good work done and the progress made. The Committee were informed that at the Cabinet Meeting on 27 January 2015, Cabinet Members agreed to recommend to Council that the capital spend be increased by an additional £223,292. The Chief Executive also authorised an additional £68,539 spend under the Special Urgency procedures to allow an 8-week extension to the construction element of the project. This was circulated in the Members' Information Service on 29 January 2015. Full Council did not hear the report, as it was withdrawn from the Agenda at the meeting of 12 February, so a Special Meeting had been arranged to take place on 10 March to seek approval for the additional capital required for this project. The CPM ran through the general updates, pointing out the key items: - Based on the 8 weeks extension of the construction period, the current projected opening date was 5 October 2015; - The Museum Exhibition fit-out tender had been successfully re-tendered within budget and the Council was due to meet the awarded contractors shortly for a start-up meeting; - The museum staff had now selected every object to be displayed in the new museum and the list would soon be shared with relevant specialists for fact-checking; The project plan shown in Table 2 provided an overview of the entire project and had been updated to take into account the extension granted for the construction work. A number of links had been provided under Further Information at the end of the Information Note update, with regular updates of the project. The Committee congratulated the CPM, stating that: this was a first class project; the photographs showed how the facility would look; an open weekend for the people of Hitchin was suggested; and could Members be updated as to the financial situation? The Chairman thanked the CPM for his update on the North Hertfordshire Museum and Community Facility at Hitchin Town Hall. RESOLVED: (1) That the contents of the Information Note, updating the Baldock and District Committee on the North Hertfordshire Museum and Community Facility at Hitchin Town Hall, be noted; (2) That the Contracts and Projects Manager be thanked for presenting the Information Note to update the Baldock and District Committee on the progress of the building work in the North Hertfordshire Museum and for the photographs demonstrating the extent of the good work already done in the building; (3) That the Committee be updated as to the relevant financial situation. |
Noted | ||
| 50 |
IVEL SPRINGS MANAGEMENT PLAN Report and Greenspace Action Plan Appendix A The Service Manager Grounds (SMG) presented the report of the Strategic Director of Customer Services. He detailed the meadow area, with cattle grazing on it and pointed out that the Management Plan provided an assessment of the physical and natural environment and the use of the area, setting out arrangements to preserve and enhance the area in the long term. The SMG revealed that Ivel Springs had been submitted for Green Flag accreditation. North Hertfordshire already had four areas which were Green Flag accredited and the judging would take place in the Spring. A range of works had been identified, and the Countryside Management Service (CMS) who provided help with this work had stated that they would like support from the Baldock and District Committee in order to generate revenue. The Committee voiced its concern at the possibility of building houses so close to this facility, and a Committee Member asked whether there was any housing near to Ivel Springs, and if so, would it be affected, and was told that Blackwall Farm was nearby. The SMG declared that Ivel Springs was a precious facility and concerns had been registered with the Planning Department regarding building houses close to an area of natural beauty. A Member asked the SMG whether any rare species of flora or fauna had been found at Ivel Springs, and was informed that rare bee orchids had been identified on the verges in this area. Threats in North Hertfordshire had included ash dieback in the Royston area in 2014, but the meadowland had been carefully monitored by the CMS and officers of Hertfordshire County Council (HCC). Another Member questioned the SMG as to what had caused the chalk river bed to dry up, and was informed that the causes were a combination of the weather, lack of rainfall and extraction for the population. This meant that the chalk drying up was very hard to prevent. A Member advised the SMG to speak to the Planning Department about the houses which may affect Ivel Springs and its wildlife. He suggested trying to get some Rotary Club funds into a project such as putting something extra into the Ivel Springs area, to assist CMS get extra funding for the neighbourhood. The Chairman thanked the Service Manager Grounds for his presentation and confirmed that the Committee noted the 5-year Ivel Springs Management Plan and supported the recommendations made for the following five years. RESOLVED: (1) That Members note the recommendation of the 5-year plan for the management of Ivel Springs and support the recommendations that have been identified for the next five years; (2) That the Committee voices its concern at the impact of the building of 2,800 houses so close to a national monument, as proposed by the Local Plan; (3) That the Baldock and District Committee recommend that NHDC planners seriously consider the deleterious impact of such development on the flora and fauna within Ivel Springs; (4) That the River Ivel is a very rare chalk bed river which has suffered serious water shortages for a number of summers past and the Committee are apprehensive that significant development so close to Ivel Springs will only aggravate this situation. |
Agreed | ||
| 51 |
GRANT APPLICATIONS AND COMMUNITY UPDATE REPORT OF THE HEAD OF POLICY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES Report Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5 Appendix 6 Appendix 7 Appendix 8 Appendix 9 Apppendix 10 Appendix 11 The Community Development Officer (CDO) presented the report of the Head of Policy and Community Services and updated the Baldock and District Committee on the following items: - With reference to the seven MoUs listed, funding was extended for one year, and therefore monies were to be released during April 2015 to Baldock Town Twinning, Ashwell Museum, Baldock Festival, Baldock Retirement Sewing Club, Baldock Rotary Club, Baldock Seniors Club and Baldock Town Partnership; - The Baldock Monthly Market would be recommencing in March 2015 and run until November. The Farmers' Market would be held every two weeks, and it was hoped that more traders would take part; - Events planned by the Baldock Town and District Partnership included: * the Baldock Beast 2015 which had taken place on 15 February - 320 runners had taken part on the day; * Farmers' and Crafts Market - would take place on 14 March 2015; * The Baldock Big Lunch - this would take place on 7 June 2015; * The Ashwell Half Marathon - this was planned for 8 November 2015. - The chairlift at St Mary's Church Hall had now been installed; - Highways Matters - the Chairman asked a question about the loading bay at The George on the corner of Church Street and Hitchin Street. The remainder of the items in the Community Update were as originally detailed and required no updates. An additional grant application was tabled at the Meeting, and concerned the request from Bygrave Parish Council for a bench in the village at a cost of £300. The grant applications submitted for consideration are set out below as Minutes 52 to 61. The Chairman thanked the Community Development Officer for his work on behalf of the Committee and the people of Baldock and the surrounding area. RESOLVED: (1) That the activities and schemes with which the Community Development Officer has been involved be noted; (2) That the budgetary expenditure, balances and carry forwards within the Area Committee Development Budget spreadsheet attached as Appendix 1, be noted; (3) That the Committee allocates underspent funds from the 2014/2015 financial year to projects for the 2015/2016 financial year, as projects over two years old must be reallocated to a new project code. REASONS FOR DECISION: (1) To ensure that the Committee are kept informed of the work of the Community Development Officer; (2) This report is intended to inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation, assists in the effective financial management of the Baldock and District Committee's budget and ensures actions are performed within the Authority's Financial Regulations and the guidance in the Grants Policy; (3) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (4) Production of this report is a requirement of the ‘Priorities for the District' in which the Community Development Officer is required to produce a formal report to the Area Committee in line with the Civic Calendar. |
Noted | ||
| 52 |
GRANT APPLICATION - ROYAL BRITISH LEGION BALDOCK AND DISTRICT BRANCH Councillors Muir and Weeks stated a Declarable Interest as they are both members of this Branch of the Royal British Legion. They stated that they would neither leave the room nor take part in the vote. RESOLVED: That the sum of £400 be granted to the Royal British Legion Baldock and District Branch to fund a replacement standard for the Baldock High Street War Memorial site. The sum will be split in between Baldock Town and Baldock East Wards. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (2) The allocation of funds will improve the services provided by local organisations and groups that are available and accessed by members of the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 53 |
GRANT APPLICATION - MERRY-GO-ROUND UNDER FIVES ASSOCIATION (BALDOCK) The Chairman, Cllr Weeks, declared an interest in the grant application for the Merry-Go-Round Under Fives Association, as his grandson attends this playgroup. The Vice-Chairman chaired the discussion and vote on this grant application. RESOLVED: That the sum of £480 be awarded to Merry-Go-Round Under Fives Association to assist with the purchase of a listening post and story-telling CDs. This sum was split in the following proportions: Baldock Town 76% to Baldock East 24%. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (2) The allocation of funds will improve the services provided by local organisations and groups that are available and accessed by members of the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 54 |
GRANT APPLICATION - BALDOCK TOWN PARTNERSHIP RESOLVED: That the sum of £500 be awarded to the Baldock Town Partnership as funding support for the publicity and entertainment costs for the 5th Baldock Big Lunch event in June 2015. This sum was split in the following proportions: Baldock Town 76% to Baldock East 24%. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (2) The allocation of funds will improve the services provided by local organisations and groups that are available and accessed by members of the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 55 |
GRANT APPLICATION - CHRISTCHURCH BALDOCK RESOLVED: That the sum of £410 be awarded to Christchurch Baldock to assist with hall hire costs for their summer holiday club, to be held at Baldock Town Hall from 17-21 August 2015. This sum was split in the following proportions: Baldock Town 76% to Baldock East 24%. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (2) The allocation of funds will improve the services provided by local organisations and groups that are available and accessed by members of the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 56 |
GRANT APPLICATION - BALDOCK CRUSADERS NETBALL CLUB The Chairman, Cllr Michael Weeks, declared an interest in the grant application, as did Cllr Young, as his daughters are members of this Club. The Vice-Chairman chaired the discussion and vote on this grant application. RESOLVED: That the sum of £500 be awarded to the Baldock Crusaders Netball Club to support funding for their Junior Netball Courses, running from March to June 2015. This sum will help to cover the purchase of equipment and coaching fees. The funding was split between .the 4 wards in the usual split, namely Baldock Town (52%), Baldock East (16%), Arbury (18%) and Weston & Sandon (14%). REASON FOR DECISION: (1) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (2) The allocation of funds will improve the services provided by local organisations and groups that are available and accessed by members of the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 57 |
GRANT APPLICATION - HINXWORTH YOUNG PEOPLE RESOLVED: That the sum of £630 be awarded to Hinxworth Young People to assist with the purchase of equipment for Hinxworth Youth Club. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (2) The allocation of funds will improve the services provided by local organisations and groups that are available and accessed by members of the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 58 |
GRANT APPLICATION - ASHWELL PARISH COUNCIL RESOLVED: That the sum of £500 be awarded to Ashwell Parish Council to assist with printing costs and room hire charges associated with the planned Neighbourhood Plan consultation exercise. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (2) The allocation of funds will improve the services provided by local organisations and groups that are available and accessed by members of the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 59 |
GRANT APPLICATION - RUSHDEN AND WALLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL RESOLVED: That the sum of £400 be awarded to Rushden and Wallington Parish Council for the purchase of a dog bin for the village of Wallington. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (2) The allocation of funds will improve the services provided by local organisations and groups that are available and accessed by members of the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 60 |
GRANT APPLICATION - SARACENS CRICKET CLUB Cllr Young declared an interest in this grant application as he is a member of Saracens Cricket Club. RESOLVED: That the sum of £500 be awarded to Saracens Cricket Club to assist with facility hire costs, equipment costs and coaching fees for training sessions. This would be split as follows: 50% of the funding would come from Arbury Ward with the remaining 50%, shared between Baldock Town and Baldock East in the usual split of Baldock Town 76% and Baldock East 24%. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (2) The allocation of funds will improve the services provided by local organisations and groups that are available and accessed by members of the community. |
Agreed | ||
| 61 |
GRANT APPLICATION - BYGRAVE PARISH COUNCIL Bygrave Parish Council had submitted a late grant application for the sum of £300 towards the cost of a bench for the village. The Committee considered and agreed it unanimously. RESOLVED: That the sum of £300 be awarded to Bygrave Parish Council to assist with the cost of the provision and installation of a bench for the village. This sum would come out of the Arbury budget. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (2) The allocation of funds will improve the services provided by local organisations and groups that are available and accessed by members of the community. |
Agreed | ||