| Time: | 7.30pm | Place: | Baldock Community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock |
| PRESENT: | Councillor John Harris (Chairman), Councillor Jim McNally (Vice-Chairman), Councillor S.K. Jarvis, Councillor M.R.M. Muir, Councillor Janine Paterson and Councillor M.E. Weeks. |
| IN ATTENDANCE: | Mary Caldwell (Development and Conservation Manager) Sue Hardy (Community Officer) Susanne Gow (Committee and Member Services Officer) |
| ALSO PRESENT: | At commencement of the meeting, approximately 7 members of the public, including public speakers, were present. |
| Meeting attachments |
Agenda Front Page Audio Recording of Meeting Part 1 Audio Recording of Meeting Part 2 |
| Item | Description/Resolution | Status | Action | |
| PART I | ||||
| 24 |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE There were no apologies for absence, as all Members of the Baldock and District Committee were in attendance. |
Noted | ||
| 25 |
MINUTES Minutes RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 September 2015 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. |
Agreed | ||
| 26 |
NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS There was no additional business raised at this Meeting of the Baldock and District Committee. |
Noted | ||
| 27 |
CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting including the general public, Members of the Committee and NHDC officers including the Development and Conservation Manager. (2) He announced that members of the public could use their electronic devices to film, photograph or make a sound recording of the Meeting, but asked them to raise their hand to let the Chairman know if this was possible so that he could inform all those present. He reminded the Committee and public that a sound recording was to be taken of this Meeting of the Baldock and District Committee. (3) The Chairman 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 revealing 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. (4) Members of the Committee were requested to clearly state their reason for declaring an interest and what that interest is and to say whether they will remain in the room, speak and vote, and not just to declare an interest per se. |
Noted | ||
| 28 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Judy Banham, Chair of Ashwell Music Festival introduced herself and explained that the Ashwell Music Festival had commenced in 1953 as a type of choral summer school. It had developed over the years and now included local people performing quality music at a reasonable price and there was something for everyone. Mrs Banham referred to the statistics, revealing that five concerts had been held in 2014, starting with a Young People's free Concert from 5 to 15 May in which ¾ schools had taken part, which had encouraged the pupils to perform. Also included in the wide range of music were: chamber music, something totally different; James Pearson's Trio and a singer from Ronnie Scott's Club in London; the Phoenix Chorus from Potton, an excellent barbershop and a capella group. Also taking part was a tribute band and the Festival Evensong, introduced by Pam Rhodes (of Songs of Praise fame). This year six events were planned and it was hoped that around 900 people would attend the range of music planned. Funds were being raised in aid of St Mary's Church and a sub-committee of the Parish Council. Last year £1,270 had been raised and it was hoped to exceed that sum in 2015. Concert-goers came from the local area as well as from farther afield. The Vice-Chairman agreed that this was a well-established event, now in its 63rd year and the Chairman enquired whether the sum of £400 was adequate. The Chairman suggested that the sum quoted in the grant application be raised to £600, to which the Baldock and District Committee agreed. He thanked Mrs Banham for her address and advised her that the Committee would consider this grant application later on the Agenda. David Green of Sandon Strollers Cricket Club thanked the Chairman and the Baldock and District Committee for allowing him to give his presentation to them in support for the grant application submitted on behalf of the Cricket Club. He explained that the Club badly needed to replace the cricket net, surface and run up, which were used in cricket coaching practice for cricketers young and old and those residents of the villages surrounding Sandon, Wallington and Rushden who wished to join the Club and use them. The Chairman thanked Mr Green and advised that the Committee would consider this grant application later on the Agenda. Tim Moody from the Weston Parish Council addressed the Baldock and District Committee on the subject of a grant application submitted to assist with the purchase of projection facilities for use in the Village Hall Reading Room. He explained that the total cost was £1,500 and the equipment would have varied uses including for charity events. As well as the Parish Council, the village hall was used by many organisations and clubs in the village, including those for young people, the Flower and Vegetable Club etc, and all would be entitled to use the projection facilities. Cllr Moody stated that he hoped that the cost could be part-funded by the grant for which the Parish Council had applied. The Chairman, addressing the NHDC Development and Conservation Manager (DCM), enquired whether this grant application would also fulfil the criteria for Section 106 funds and was informed that it would, as there were monies was available, but it needed to be allocated and an application submitted. This would enable the facilities to be increased if these monies were utilised, together with a grant award from the Baldock and District Committee. The Ward Member for Weston and Sandon asked the DCM to please put this process into action as soon as possible. There were other projects from which the village hall could benefit, such as more storage and refurbishment. He confirmed that the grant would be awarded from his Ward budget. The Chairman thanked Cllr Moody for his presentation and expressed the pleasure of the Baldock and District Committee at this successful outcome. RESOLVED: (1) That Mrs Judy Banham of the Ashwell Music Festival, be thanked for giving a presentation to the Committee in support of the grant application submitted by the organisation; (2) That the grant application relating to Ashwell Music Festival would be decided later on the Agenda at Item 30; (3) That Mr David Green of Sandon Strollers Cricket Club be thanked for his address to the Committee in support of a grant application for replacing the cricket net, surfacing and run up at the Cricket Club; (4) That the grant application relating to the Sandon Strollers Cricket Club would be considered by the Committee later on the Agenda at Item 31; (5) That Cllr Tim Moody of Weston Parish Council be thanked for addressing the Baldock and District Committee in support of a grant application for funds to assist with the purchase of projection facilities for the Village Hall Reading Room; (6) That the grant application relating to Weston Village Hall would be decided later on the Agenda at Item 32. |
Noted | ||
| 29 |
COMMUNITY UPDATE AND GRANT APPLICATIONS Report Appendix 1 - budget spreadsheet Appendix 2 - Area Committee update Appendix 3 - grant application Ashwell Appendix 4 - grant application Baldock Arts and Heritage Appendix 5 - Sandon Strollers Cricket Club Appendix 6 - Weston Parish Council The Community Officer (Baldock and Area) introduced the report of the Head of Policy and Community Services and informed the Baldock and District Committee of changes implemented since the last Meeting in September 2015. She gave an update on previous grants awarded and the activities with which she had been involved since the last meeting in September 2015, as follows: - Youth wing at the Community Centre - the building was scheduled to be completed during the Easter break and all plans were running to schedule. A considerable amount of Section 106 monies have been allocated to this project; - Home-Start North Herts - the organisation was in the process of matching one family in Baldock and were planning the Fun Day for Baldock in 2016. In order to save funds, Home-Start will be leaving their offices in Letchworth; - Baldock Arts and Heritage Group - the lighting and sound equipment were currently being used to improve productions and were a great asset; - Furniture Link - the organisation were awarded £363 towards their new van and it was now proving to be a valuable resource for the organisation and those that use the resource; - Community Bus - this is now 11 years old and should be replaced in 12-18 months. Funding from other sources are being sought to replace the bus. Updates were given on the community events below: - Balstock Music Event - the Community Officer (CO) supported the organisers of the event held on 12 and 13 September and it was reported that this event was a great success, benefitting local businesses, bringing the community together and hundreds of people into Baldock over the three days the Music Event lasted. There were 14 venues, 235 bands and acts and two stages. £5,500 was raised for the St Thomas Lupus Trust. Local public houses reported a huge increase in footfall and profits; - Friends of Hartsfield School Firework Event - the CO helped to plan the event which took place on 24 October and an update was given in the report presented at the Committee Meeting. Tapps Garden Centre had donated the fireworks. 1200 people attended the Fireworks, with the uniformed youth services also helping out on the night and a profit of more than £350 was distributed amongst local charities in addition to £130 for the Air Ambulance. The town also benefited from the footfall as those attending visited the restaurants in Baldock after the Firework Event; - Baldock Fair - this event took place on the weekend of 2-4 October and the CO assisted the organisers by liaising with the responsible authorities to ensure the event ran as smoothly as possible. The COs oversaw the safe and smooth arrival and departure of the fair vehicles. The Fair was well-attended and there were very few complaints received; - Baldock Pavilion - the Community Manager has been in discussions with Gary Blyth regarding development of the Pavilion and a Business Plan is expected to be submitted shortly to the Head of Finance, Performance and Asset Management. The Community Officer then ran through other issues with which she had been involved, including: attending the Baldock Festival AGM; attending the Tesco Community Champions meeting; assisting with planning a Youth Connexions event; helping with organisation regarding the Youth Wing of the Baldock Community Centre; and attending a meeting of the Nightingale Community Group and supplying them with funding routes. Assistance was also provided to Ashwell Parish Council in obtaining S106 funding to replace windows in the Parish Room; the CO met with members of the Baldock Town Partnership regarding future events; she attended Weston Parish Council to discuss possible grants; she met with the Baldock Society and discussed local matters and found out about the Food Bank; she attended the Baldock Arts and Heritage Centre Management Group meeting to advise them on funding opportunities for future events; attended a Baldock Panel Meeting at which local Police gave a presentation on local speeding, antisocial behaviour etc. The CO concluded by stating that the remainder of the funds left amounted to £26,830 and that there was to be a review of funding. She advised the Committee to recommend to any organisations likely to need funding in the near future, that they submit their grant applications to the next Area Committee meeting in March 2016. RESOLVED: (1) That the activities and schemes with which the Community Officer has been involved to promote greater community capacity and well-being for the Baldock and District area, be endorsed and that she be thanked for her work on behalf of the people of Baldock and the surrounding area; (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 Baldock Arts and Heritage Group grant application for £184 detailed at para 8.2.4 be withdrawn from consideration at this meeting. They would attend the Baldock and District Committee Meeting in March 2016 to address the Committee. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) To ensure that the Committee are kept informed of the work of the Community 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. |
Agreed | ||
| 30 |
GRANT APPLICATION - ASHWELL MUSIC FESTIVAL The Chairman of the Baldock and District Committee proposed that the sum of £400 for which the Ashwell Music Festival Committee had applied, be raised to £600. The Members agreed this increase. RESOLVED: that the sum of £600 be awarded to Ashwell Music Festival Committee to help towards printing and marketing costs for the 2016 Ashwell Music Festival Committee. 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 | ||
| 31 |
GRANT APPLICATION - SANDON STROLLERS CRICKET CLUB RESOLVED: That the sum of £500 be awarded to the Sandon Strollers Cricket Club towards the replacement of the cricket net surface and run up. The funds were to be allocated from the Weston and Sandon Ward 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 | ||
| 32 |
GRANT APPLICATION - WESTON PARISH COUNCIL RESOLVED: That the sum of £500 be awarded to Weston Parish Council towards a projection facility for the new Village Reading Room. The Ward Member for Sandon and Weston agreed to fund this from the Ward budget, assisted by Section 106 monies to be allocated for this purpose. 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 | ||
| 33 |
BALDOCK TOWN PARTNERSHIP UPDATE Mr Frazer Valentine of Baldock Town Partnership (BTP) addressed the Baldock and District Committee. He reported that the Christmas Weekend, the Christmas Fair and the French Market had all been very successful. He thanked St Mary's Church, on behalf of the BTP for the Lantern Parade and also thanked all who had taken part in the Christmas events which had resulted in an income of £1,200. Issues raised by Mr Valentine were: - Parking for the Wednesday market - was the temporary parking restriction to be removed? He will liaise with Cllr Muir; - Currently traffic drives up Bell Row and through the market. His suggestion was to close and pedestrianize Bell Row up to the Bombay Bistro as there would still be an access from the Market Square. He was informed by the Herts County Councillor that this would require consultation with houses in Bell Row and with Hertfordshire County Council, who are responsible for this road; - Mr Valentine expressed the thanks of BTP to NHDC for the extra lights on the Baldock Christmas tree; - He clarified that the Calendar of Events organised by the BTP was now available to all online; - The Baldock Beast Half Marathon would be held on 28 February 2016; - Also in the process of organisation was the Baldock Assault Course Challenge; - On Baldock Day (9 July) it was hoped to have a walking float for the local children; - A soapbox derby had been suggested which might involve a lot of the local community; - Also proposed was a water slide and the decision as to where to hold this had not yet been made. The Chairman voiced the Baldock and District Committee's thanks for Mr Valentine's presentation and also thanked, through him, the BTP for their hard work for the community in Baldock and the surrounding areas. |
Noted | ||
| 34 |
SECTION 106 AND UNILATERAL UNDERTAKING Report Appendix 1 - monitoring reports and finances The Development and Conservation Manager (DCM) introduced the report of the Head of Planning and Building Control to update Members on details of the current Section 106 agreements and Unilateral Undertakings within the Wards and Parishes in the area at 10 November 2015. It also provided an update on the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations which had come into effect on 6 April 2015 and how this had been implemented. She explained that her intention was to inform the Committee of the contributions received as a result of the implementation of the relevant planning permissions and following that, of the monies committed to specific projects. It was explained that she had attended numerous parish council meetings in order to explain to the parishes how to seek CIL contributions and give justifications (para 8.1.1. refers). This was especially needed by those parishes with development proposals within their parish boundary. She explained that for any project to be included in an agreement, work needs to have been undertaken to prepare a brief, costings and the justification against the tests set out. She cited Offley Parish as an example, who had worked up a scheme, held public consultation in putting forward the proposed improvements to the recreation ground. The DCM pointed out that the income and expenditure was outlined in para 8.4.1 (the figure for receipts in year for 2014/15 should be 1,259, 621) and the projects which had benefited from the contributions during last year and this year were shown at para 8.4.2. In addition, it was noted that the leisure contributions were allocated towards the major anticipated outlay on North Herts Leisure Centre which would provide additional facilities for Baldock residents and the surrounding areas. Committee discussion followed which included funds to help refurbish the fencing for Baldock allotments. The DCM, on being invited to comment, informed Members that no S106 monies had been specifically allocated for allotments and a justified project was needed to qualify for this. RESOLVED: (1) That the contents of the report be noted; (2) That a report shall continue to be presented on an annual basis to each of the Area Committees; (3) That, other than where a contribution has been negotiated for a specific purpose or project, all Ward Members of the area where Section 106 or Unilateral Undertaking funding is generated, be consulted prior to allocation of funds to any project; (4) That, other than where a contribution has been negotiated for a specific purpose or project, all Baldock and District Committee Members of the area where Section 106 or Unilateral Undertaking funding is generated and the Area Committee be consulted prior to funding being allocated away from that area or from a village location to a town; (5) That subject to the satisfactory receipt of further information to support the application for funding from Section 106 contributions, the Community Manager shall apply on behalf of Weston Parish Council for funding towards the IT project at Weston Village Hall. There are monies available under Community Halls contributions; (6) As this was the Development and Conservation Manager's last attendance at a Baldock and District Committee Meeting, that she be thanked for her hard work for the Committee and people of Baldock and the surrounding area over the past years and the Committee wish her all the best for her forthcoming retirement. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) To ensure that there is a robust system for negotiating and managing Section 106 and Unilateral Undertakings; (2) To ensure that this is kept under constant review and that the risk associated with this activity is managed in an appropriate manner. |
Noted | ||
| 35 |
IVEL HEADWATERS NEP Alessandro Marsili of Affinity Water thanked the Chairman for allowing him to address the Baldock and District Committee on the subject of the Ivel Headwaters NEP. He used a Powerpoint presentation to clarify the points and answered Members' questions as he went through the presentation. Mr Marsili introduced Affinity Water as the UK's largest community-focused water only company by revenue. It has 1,200 employees and supplies a population of around 3.5 million, residing at 1.3 million properties, with 900 million litres of water per day. The mains in the eight communities in the area covered by Affinity Water operate 16,500 km of water. He then demonstrated to the Committee a map showing the sources of the water supply used, including water sources, the River Thames abstraction points and the Grafham reservoir import. Mr Marsili then explained that the EU Framework Directive requires all rivers to be of "good ecological status" by 2027 and the Water Body GB 105033037720 Ivel Headwater status was classified in 2013 as "moderate" by the Environment Agency. The Committee was informed that ecology, especially the invertebrates, was influenced by both flow and morphology. The Company was working with the Environment Agency, landowners, community groups and catchment partnerships to reach "good ecological status". On a map of the Ivel Headwaters Study Area, the three local pumping stations - Baldock Road, Bowring and Fuller - were pointed out, a further one being at Slip End. The Environmental Monitoring Network was explained, which collects important data as follows: - Spot Gauging - discharge and velocity - Groundwater Levels - Macro invertebrates - Spring and Autumn Riverfly - Macrophytes - Fixed Point Photography - Fish A plan of the Environmental Monitoring Network in this area was displayed on the screen, showing the small streams and brooks and the private observation boreholes. Mr Marsili then took the Committee through Groundwater Hydrographs of the Homeland Farm private borehole which showed fluctuation between 1 May 2015 and 20 October 2016, and explained the investigation carried out three times per week. He then showed the Committee the activity recorded for the Groundwater Hydrograph for the Stapleton OBH borehole. On the map dedicated to the OBHs outage response, the Committee was informed that one result is that groundwater is responding less in this area than in Letchworth. The diagram showing the River Ivel accretion profile for Spring-Summer 2015 recorded river flow three times per week since May and had shown no increase. This ran from the Ivel Springs Drain through Blackhorse Farm, Radwell Lodge, Radwell Mill, the A507 road bridge, and Malthouse Bridge to the Ivel Mill. The groundwater level was low at the end of the summer as there had been no significant rainfall this year. The Committee were shown the graph displaying the River Ivel accretion profile Bowring Signal Test across the same area from the Ivel Springs Drain to Ivel Mill and Members of the Committee asked questions of Mr Marsili, referring to the length of time this drought has lasted; what would the impact be of more houses being built in the area (they may suffer contamination from the previous landfill); what would happen when 6,000 houses are built in the area? (that would be a problem, as the area is drying up, but new houses need water); water is being supplied from three pumping stations, but groundwater is moving north-westerly. What impact is it having in the area? (Not as expected. The flow is not enough to support the micro flora). Mr Marsili then introduced Affinity Water's Water Saving Programme. He explained that they have a drought management plan - using water from Grafham Water was not the only option. The Company were trying to source new solutions, including surface water from the River Thames. Similar problems had been found in five other locations. It was emphasised that if nothing was done to remedy the problems, by the year 2040 there would be a shortfall of 170 million litres of water per day. Mr Marsili stressed that they did not run just a meter delivery programme- the Company would provide water, importing it from elsewhere but reducing the amount. He proposed putting water meters in so customers would pay for the water used. They would also seek to reduce leakage, although that would depend on the particular area. Mr Marsili then revealed the current plans for this central area. This was a 10-year programme to deliver 56ml/day water savings, via: 1. Installation of 525k meters over 8 years in AMP6 and 7 (280k in AMP6) - proactive/reactive exchange; 2. 100k + Home Water Efficiency Checks (AMP 6) - customer change in behaviour from meter tariff (63%) - customer side leakage detection (24%) - water saving devices (13%) The Chairman thanked Mr Marsili for his interesting presentation and asked him to please keep the Committee informed of the situation. He asked him to please arrange for an update on this matter in September 2016. |
Noted | ||