Meeting documents

Royston and District Committee
Wednesday, 18th June, 2014 7.30 pm


Date:	Wednesday, 5th March, 2014	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 R.E. Inwood and Councillor Gerald Morris.
IN ATTENDANCE:	Alan Fleck (Community Development Officer) Susanne Gow (Committee and Member Services Officer)
ALSO PRESENT:	Two speakers for Public Participation.

Item	Description/Resolution	Status	Action
PART I
77	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr Tony Hunter sent his apologies for absence. Cllr Robert Inwood informed the Chairman that he would have to leave the meeting early.	Noted
78	MINUTES Data/Royston and District Committee/201406181930/Agenda/Minutes RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 January 2014 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendment: - Minute 75, p.8: The sum agreed should reflect the 50% funding for this purpose agreed to by Members, not the full amount as quoted in Minute 75. Therefore the Resolution should read: "That the sum of Â£2,585 be agreed in principle and awarded to Therfield and Kelshall Sports and Social Club for a replacement mower when the grant application is submitted. Until then this grant application was deferred."	Agreed
79	NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS No additional business was notified to the Chairman for discussion at this meeting.	Noted
80	CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) The Chairman welcomed all Members and officers to the meeting, together with two representatives of the Hertfordshire West branch of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, who would shortly address the Meeting. (2) She informed the Meeting that a letter of thanks had been received from the Royston Food Bank regarding the grant award that had been made to them for funding and start-up costs; (3) The Chairman addressed those Members of the Committee who would be standing for re-election in the forthcoming District elections in May, and wished them the best of luck; (4) She then announced with regret that the Community Development Officer (CDO) would be retiring from the end of March. On behalf of the Committee she thanked him very much for his invaluable and unstinting support and help and assured him that he would be sorely missed. She wished him the very best for the future; (5) Finally, the Chairman read out the following: "Members are reminded 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 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
81	PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Karl Edwards introduced himself as the General Manager for Hertfordshire and his colleague, Stuart Wilson, who operated in the Royston area. He gave the background to the organisation and revealed that the Ambulance Service for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire was based at Bedford Hospital. Despite this, vehicles flow very well between the three counties. Karl Edwards explained the process from receipt of a 999 call through the arrival of a rapid response car, then an ambulance, to arrival at a hospital. The Committee were informed that 40% of calls were not transported to hospital but were treated in situ by the paramedics - it was preferable to keep patients safely at home where appropriate. The Air Ambulance is very much needed, but its use costs approximately Â£100,000 per month. 350 emergency calls were responded to during each 24-hour period, including GP-Urgent, which was for transport to hospital. Surprisingly, it was explained that the location of 999 calls was possible to predict using historical data! There had been problems with response time targets, especially in Norfolk and Suffolk, but in North Hertfordshire all the government response time targets were met - 75% met the 8 minute response time and 95% met the 20-30 minute response time. Mr Edwards explained that there was a national shortage of paramedics. In the past they had undertaken specialised training, but nowadays all paramedics needed to gain a degree and then join a national register, all of which took two years. 400 paramedics had been advertised for, but at l3ast 35 were needed urgently, as a paramedic should ideally be in every ambulance or rapid-response car. The Committee questioned Mr Edwards on telephone requests and triangulation of locations. Questions were also raised regarding the ambulance based at Royston Hospital and Members were informed that there was also a rapid-response car based there. There were also Community First Responder groups located throughout Hertfordshire. These were volunteer members of the public who were trained in CPR, defibrillation etc. They could be called out ahead of an ambulance, who would back them up when it arrived. Members asked about the air ambulance flying at night and the technology required and were told that this Service has its own particular challenges which it was trying to overcome. Each aircraft had a trained medic on board. On being asked how many staff had to be on duty in each vehicle, the Committee was informed that there must be two in an ambulance, one in a rapid-response car. Parking outside an elderly residents' home was also discussed. Karl Edwards then offered the Members the chance to take part in a 12-hour shift. The Committee was notified of the â€˜Message in a Bottle' scheme run by the Royston Lions Club. The Chairman thanked Karl Edwards and Stuart Wilson for their informative presentation and for responding to the questions posed by the Royston and District committee. She stated that the Committee commended them for their valuable work for the people of Royston and assured them of the Committee's support. RESOLVED: (1) That Karl Edwards and Stuart Wilson of the Hertfordshire West branch of the East of England Ambulance NHS Trust be thanked for their excellent and informative presentation; (2) That the Royston and District Committee assured them of their support and wished them all the best in their valuable work for the people of Royston.	Noted
82	HIGHWAYS ISSUES The Chairman introduced this item. The list of projects discussed was as follows: - Mill Road - road - resurfacing and drain due to be repaired; - A crossing in Melbourn Street was imminent and crossings in Baldock Street/Road were in the programme for 2014/2015. together with a new path along the Baldock Road; - The flooding issue in Burns Road near the community centre and bus stop had been remedied and the path and drains in Newmarket Road were in the process of being dealt with; - Newmarket Road had been patched and would be resurfaced in June. Possible County Councillor Highways Locality Budget Schemes 2014/2015 (currently being costed): North Herts Rural - A10 to The Joint and Willow Close in Reed was to be costed. Royston - Garden Close - road and footpath - resurfacing; - Garden Lane - road and footpath - resurfacing; - Garden Walk - a safety study needed to be carried out. Crossing patrols are required; - Clydesdale Road - road - resurfacing; - Elliott Road and Lumen Road, amongst others, required the application of parking restrictions. Councillor Robert Inwood left the Committee Meeting at 8pm.	Noted
83	OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS - MEMBERS' REPORTS The Chairman introduced this item. Royston Town Twinning Association Councillor Green stated that there would be a meeting of the Royston Town Twinning Association (RTTA) the following week. Families and children from Spain were seeking hosts for their stay in Royston from 17 to 19 May. The Royston Twinning Association will visit La Loupe, France, from 22 to 26 May 2014 would visit at the end of May. It is the 40th Anniversary of the twinning between Royston and Grossalmerode, Germany and the formation of the RTTA. The Grossalmerode Civic visit to celebrate this will take place from 3-7 October 2014 and Royston TTA will visit Grossalmerode in 2015. There is also a planned visit by German youth footballers and their families from 6-10 June this year and a German Band visit from 29 May to 2 June. The Royston Day Centre would be holding their Committee Meeting on 6 March 2014 - an update would be given at the next Royston and District Committee Meeting. Coombes Community Centre would hold a meeting on 24 March 2014. North Herts Homes Board - a meeting had been held.	Noted
84	CHAMPION NEWS AND FINANCE REPORT Report Appendix A - Finance Spreadsheet Appendix B.1 - Grant Application - Home Start Appendix B.2 - Grant History - Home Start Appendix C.1 - Grant Application - Royston Open Secrets Appendix C.2 - Grant History - Royston Open Sectrets Appendix D - Grant Application - Royston Childrens Centre Area Committee Work Programme Appendix E - Grant Application - Royston May Fayre Appendix E.2 - Grant History - Royston May Fayre Appendix E.3 - Grant History - Royston Town Council Appendix F - Grant Application - What a Mess Appendix G - Grant Application - Ignite The Community Development Officer (CDO) updated the Committee on, and gave a brief summary of, the activities with which he had been involved since the last meeting on 20 November 2013. Brief details are as follows: - As a result of the meeting outlined in the report, The Town House, Barley, is to be included under the Rural Community Halls Funding Scheme; - There was an issue of damp ingress in Kelshall Village Hall, which needed remedial treatment; - A group of visitors from Belgium had visited the Royston BMX track and successfully tried it out; - Three citizenship classes had been held and litter had been a big issue. Grant Funding A spreadsheet at appendix A showed the detailed spend to date of the Area Committee budgets. Members were asked to note that this indicated the Royston and District Committee's base budget of Â£18,660 and any monies allocated in previous years which would not be spent, as well as the Â£9,214 carry-forward from the 2012-2013 financial year. Unallocated funds available to the Committee currently totalled Â£1,301 in the Development Budget and a further Â£4,334 currently allocated to Highways, Environmental and Waste projects. Members' discussion resulted in an agreement to transfer Â£1,069 from funds initially allocated at a previous meeting to Highways, Environmental and Waste projects, to the Development Budget in order to cover a shortfall of funding in the Base Budget there. The Committee considered the grant applications submitted. Their determination is recorded in Minutes 85 to 90 which follow the resolutions. The Chairman thanked the Community Development Officer for presenting the report and for his continued hard work for the people of Royston and surrounding areas over the years in which he has served the Royston and District Committee. She also thanked the Committee, NHDC officers and Press for their support over the past Civic Year. RESOLVED: (1) That the Community Development Officer (CDO) be thanked for his hard work on behalf of the people of Royston during the time he had been in post and the Committee wished him all the best for the future; (2) That the actions the CDO has taken to promote greater community capacity and well-being be endorsed; (3) That the activities and schemes with which the Community Development Officer has been involved, be noted; (4) That the budgetary expenditure, balances and carry-forwards from the Development Budgets be noted; (5) That the transfer of Â£1,069 from funds initially allocated at a previous meeting to Highways, Environmental and Waste projects, to the Development Budget, in order to cover a shortfall of funding in the Base Budget there, be agreed. 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. (5) Production of this report is a requirement of the â€˜Priorities for the District', in which the Community Development Officer is required to produce a formal report to the Royston and District Committee on six occasions per annum, in line with the Civic calendar.	Agreed
85	GRANT APPLICATION - HOME START ROYSTON AND SOUTH CAMBS Councillor Fiona Hill stated a Declarable Interest as a member of Home Start Royston and South Cambs. She stated that she would not vote to determine this grant application. RESOLVED: That the sum of Â£250 be granted to Home Start Royston and South Cambs for updating and replacing family support play equipment. 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
86	GRANT APPLICATION - ROYSTON OPEN SECRETS Councillor Fiona Hill stated a Declarable Interest and advised the Committee that she would not vote to determine this grant application as the organisation had also applied to her Herts County Council Locality Budget for funding. RESOLVED: That the sum of Â£500 be granted to Royston Open Secrets in support of their annual exhibition. 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
87	GRANT APPLICATION - ROYSTON AND VILLAGES CHILDREN'S CENTRE Councillor Fiona Hill stated a Declarable Interest and advised the Committee that she would not vote to determine this grant application, as she was the Chairman of the Advisory Board and they had applied to her Herts County Council Locality Budget 2014/2015 for funds. RESOLVED: That the sum of Â£700 be awarded to Royston and Villages Children's Centre for the Royston and Villages Fun Day. 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
88	GRANT APPLICATION - ROYSTON MAY FAYRE COMMITTEE Councillor Fiona Hill stated a Declarable Interest as the May Fayre Committee had applied to her Herts County Council Locality Budget 2014/2015 for funds. Councillor Bill Davidson also revealed a Declarable Interest as he is on the May Fayre Committee and Councillors Robert Inwood and Peter Burt also stated a Declarable Interest, as they are both Royston Town Councillors. RESOLVED: That, as the Committee was not quorate for this grant application, awarding the sum of Â£470 requested be a decision delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Rural Affairs and the Strategic Director of Finance, Policy and Governance. However, Members expressed their full support for the event and the awarding of the grant. 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
89	GRANT APPLICATION - WHAT A MESS! RESOLVED: That the sum of Â£150 be awarded to What a Mess! for assistance with insurance and refreshments, conditional on acceptance of a constitution and existence of a bank account. The CDO is to resolve this. 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
90	GRANT APPLICATION - IGNITE RESOLVED: That the sum of Â£300 be granted to Ignite to assist with organising and carrying out the community relations â€˜Easter Taster' events for all ages at the Coombes Community Centre on 10 and 16 April 2014. 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

Published on Thursday, 24th April, 2014

9.00pm