| Time: | 7.30pm | Place: | Committee Room, Royston Town Hall, Melbourn Street, Royston |
| PRESENT: | Councillor Fiona Hill (Chairman), Councillor Bill Davidson (Vice-Chairman), Councillor P.C.W. Burt, Councillor Jean Green, Councillor A.F. Hunter, Councillor R.E. Inwood and Councillor Gerald Morris. |
| IN ATTENDANCE: | Alan Fleck (Community Development Officer) Susanne Gow (Committee and Member Services Officer) |
| ALSO PRESENT: | 3 members of the public, including Royston Town Councillor Bob Smith and a member of the Press. |
| Item | Description/Resolution | Status | Action | |
| PART I | ||||
| 40 |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE No apologies for absence were received. |
Noted | ||
| 41 |
MINUTES Minutes RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 September 2012 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman. |
Agreed | ||
| 42 |
NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS There was no additional item of urgent business raised for discussion at this Committee Meeting. |
Noted | ||
| 43 |
CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Meeting, including the Members of the Committee, NHDC officers, the Leader of Royston Town Council, a member of the public and a member of the Press; (2) She conveyed thanks to all Members from the Committee and Member Services Officer (CMSO) for their kindness in sponsoring her recently when she took part in a 10km Starlight Hike to raise funds for the Sue Ryder Care St John's Hospice at Moggerhanger. With their help the CMSO had raised £180 and she expressed her gratitude to them all for their support; (3) Members were informed that if they would bring their empty despatch envelopes to Royston and District Committee Meetings, the CMSO would take them back to District Council Offices to be recycled, possibly saving them a journey; (4) The Chairman advised that a successful meeting had just been held, to which representatives from organisations which had applied to the Royston and District Committee for, and successfully used, grants throughout the Civic Year had been invited. They had showcased to the Committee their particular organisations, and how the money from the Royston and District Committee had been spent; (5) Members were reminded that declarations of interest in respect of any business set out in the agenda should be declared as either of Disclosable Pecuniary interest, Other Pecuniary interest or Non-Pecuniary interest, and 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 either an Other Pecuniary interest, or a Non-Pecuniary interest which requires they leave the room under paragraph 16.3 of the Code of Conduct, can speak on the item, but must leave the room before the debate and vote. |
Noted | ||
| 44 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None. |
Noted | ||
| 45 |
LAND DISPOSAL - 0.55 ACRE SITE, LUMEN ROAD, ROYSTON Report Appendix A The Community Development Officer (CDO) had been briefed on this report by the Senior Estates Surveyor (SES) who was not present and presented the report of the Head of Finance, Performance and Asset Management. The site was surplus to North Herts District Council's requirements, and the main issue was the contamination referred to at para 3.4 and the fact that the site had been largely, but not completely, remediated. Any prospective purchasers would be made aware of the history of the site and would need to organise additional remediation work before construction work could commence. It was thought likely that despite the contamination issues and subject to planning consent, developers might be interested in this land and that it should be put up for sale in the near future, to help fund the NHDC Capital Programme for 2012-2016 and to remove any future Council liabilities for remediation work. The Committee discussed the sale of this site and Members raised the following points: the Royston Town Drain ran beneath the location outlined on the location map at Appendix A. A legal investigation had been started 2 years ago and a progress report had been requested by the CDO from Anglia Water, with no response. Clearance of the Town Drain had been carried out on several occasions and it was felt that this needed to be taken more seriously; planning permission would be required for business or residential use of any buildings on this plot. The Chairman read out the officer's recommendation and asked for the views of the Committee on the proposal to sell the 0.55 acre site at Lumen Road, Royston. The Members unanimously agreed to the sale. RESOLVED: (1) That the Senior Estates Officer be thanked by means of these Minutes for bringing the report to the attention of the Royston and District Committee; (2) That as part of the consultation process, the Royston and District Committee unanimously agree to the sale of the 0.55 acre site at Lumen Road, Royston as a Cabinet decision with a query on the Royston Town Drain. REASON FOR DECISION: To provide a financial receipt to help fund the 2012-2016 capital programme and also to remove future Council liabilities for remediation work. |
Agreed | ||
| 46 |
HIGHWAYS ISSUES Highways Issues The Chairman introduced this item and asked Members to raise any relevant issues to be dealt with. Discussions then took place regarding the following issues: - Safety around schools, including a speeding traffic investigation of a 20 m.p.h. limit, made easier by changes in Government law; careless car parking when dropping off and picking up pupils; and the necessity of buses mounting the pavement to effect passage in Tannery Drift. When contacted, the bus company stated that they could not afford hold-ups to their timetable in Kneesworth Street, so must continue to send their buses past the school in this manner. The Committee unanimously voiced their disapproval of this stance and the Chairman was still pursuing a change to the bus route; - Drainage in Royston - due to the recent rainfall, water had spread across the carriageway in several places on the Newmarket Road. A Member stated that residents of Burns Road and the nearby schools were delighted with the workings of the drains, having previously suffered from flooding and associated problems; - Reinstatement of the sign at the new development at Ivy Farm - Royston in Bloom had complained that the sign, the notice board and flowerbed had been removed by the developers, Redrow. It was emphasised that it was vital that Redrow be asked to replace these immediately so that they were in place before the start of the next growing season. The Chairman and the CDO are to write to Redrow and Herts Highways to ensure that this was done; - Parking restrictions in Titchmarsh/Farrier Court - an update was given. NHDC officers were investigating how to resolve this problem, as the Committee would like it done as soon as possible; - Updates on Phase 1 of the Highways Locality Budgets - a report was given regarding possible schemes for 2013. Confirmation of the roads covered would be given at the next Royston and District Committee Meeting; - The Hertfordshire Highways reporting system - Members agreed that they considered the system to report floods, potholes and blocked drains to Herts Highways to be excellent. It was affirmed that there was a very good system in place to repair potholes. A visit to see the new Herts Highways system was to be arranged. Most of the Committee expressed a wish to be shown the system; - Cobbles between Upper King Street/High Street - this issue would be brought to Royston Town Council and the Area Committee for discussion at the next scheduled Committee Meeting; - The availability of salt from Herts County Council would be continued this year. Salt was to be supplied again to community organisations and parishes and they should make contact if they required salt. The CDO was thanked for his assistance in securing salt bins for use by the community. |
Noted | ||
| 47 |
CHAMPION NEWS AND FINANCE REPORT Report Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D The Community Development Officer (CDO) presented the report of the Head of Policy and Community Services. He updated the Committee on the following items: Royston Underpass The CDO and Chairman were in the process of making enquiries with Herts County Council regarding street cleansing. The Chairman agreed that the Leader of Royston Town Council could address the Committee on street cleansing, which he said should also be improved in Heron Way. Members' Surgery The CDO explained that, as stated in his report, he had investigated a slight adjustment of bus route timetables for the No 26 bus to enable residents of Royston to travel to Addenbrookes Hospital. This information was to be sent to the Town Clerk at Royston Town Council. Committee discussion resulted in the suggestion that representatives of the bus companies be invited to attend a future meeting of the Royston and District Committee to discuss the matter. The response regarding adjustment of the timetable was awaited, and then an invitation would be issued to the bus companies. The CDO then took Members through the budgetary expenditure, balances and carry-forwards from the Development Budget and distributed lists of monies received in Royston. The Committee considered the grant application from Young Enterprise and agreed to award a total of £1,000 for Learning by Doing classes, in the proportion of £750 at Meridian School and £250 at Barley School. Declaration of Interest: Grant Application - 10th Royston Scouts (Appendix B) Councillor Inwood declared a Non Pecuniary Interest as he was a Scout Leader with this unit. He advised that he would take no part in the debate and would leave the room, returning after the Committee discussion. This grant application sought an award of £1,500 towards a ramp to enable a wheelchair user to attend Scout meetings. Exact specifications had not been given, and it was thought that a portable ramp could be sourced at a much cheaper cost, so this issue was deferred for further information to the next scheduled Royston and District Committee Meeting. RESOLVED: (1) That the Committee thanks the Community Development Officer (CDO) and endorses the actions he has taken to promote greater community capacity and well-being; (2) That the budgetary expenditure, balances and carry-forwards from the Development Budgets be noted; (3) That the Committee considers awarding a grant of £1,500 would be impractical, as a portable ramp for a wheelchair user might be available at a far lower cost. They agreed to go back to the Scout unit for further information and to defer a decision on this item until the next scheduled Meeting in 2013; (4) That the Committee considers and ratifies a grant award of £1,000 to Young Enterprise for Learning by Doing classes at Meridian School, Royston and Barley School. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) To ensure that the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Development Officer; (2) To inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee. The report draws attention to the current budgetary situation, assists in the effective financial management of the Royston and District Committee's budget and ensures actions are performed within the Authority's Financial Regulations and the guidance in the Grants procedure; (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) 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 | ||
| 48 |
OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS - MEMBERS' REPORTS Coombes Community Centre Cllr Bill Davidson informed Members that the AGM of the Community Centre was on 19 November 2012, and the same officers as last year were on the Committee. The Centre was doing reasonably well. Royston Day Centre Cllr Bill Davidson reported that the Day Centre was operating well, but it was a problem finding people to cook and for carers. Members were asked to pass on contact details to the Day Centre of anybody who volunteered their help. A Member requested that a representative from Royston Day Centre attended a meeting of the Evergreen Club in the New Year. Royston Town Twinning Association Cllr Jean Green informed the Committee that new members were needed for the Committee. Discussions are taking place regarding whether all town twinning signs should include the name of the new Spanish town twinned with Royston. There were three trips planned in May: 1. from Royston to La Loupe in France 2. from Royston to Grossalmerode in Germany 3. from Villanueva de la Canada in Spain to Royston. The Chairman thanked the Community Development Officer for presenting the report and for his hard work for the people of Royston. She thanked the Committee for their support and for attending the meetings throughout 2012. She also thanked members of the Press, Royston Town Councillors and all members of the public who had taken the time to attend the meetings, for their support throughout the year. She wished all those present a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. |
Noted | ||