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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Baldock community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock

Contact: Amelia McInally (01462) 474514  Email: amelia.mcinally@north-herts.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

34.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Decision:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Janine Paterson (Vice-Chairman) and Valentine Shanley.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Janine Paterson (Vice-Chairman) and Valentine Shanley.

 

35.

MINUTES - 4 SEPTEMBER 2017 pdf icon PDF 234 KB

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 September 2017.

Decision:

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Baldock and District Committee meeting held on 4 September 2017 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Baldock and District Committee meeting held on 4 September 2017 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

36.

NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS

Members should notify the Chairman of other business which they wish to be discussed by the Committee at the end of the business set out in the agenda. They must state the circumstances which they consider justify the business being considered as a matter of urgency.

 

The Chairman will decide whether any item(s) raised will be considered.

Decision:

There was no other business notified.

Minutes:

There was no other business notified.

37.

CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

Decision:

(1)       The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, including the public speakers and Julie Barker from the Environment Agency and Alessandro Marsili from Affinity Water.

 

(2)       The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded; and

 

(3)       The Chairman drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.

Minutes:

(1)       The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, including the public speakers and Julie Barker from the Environment Agency and Alessandro Marsili from Affinity Water.

 

(2)       The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded; and

 

(3)       The Chairman drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.

38.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - BALDOCK BOWLS CLUB

Decision:

Mr Spencer Dean and Mr Brian Leadley gave a verbal presentation regarding an application from Baldock Bowls Club.

 

The Chairman thanked Mr Dean and Mr Leadley for their presentation.

Minutes:

Mr Spencer Dean and Mr Brian Leadley gave a verbal presentation regarding an application from Baldock Bowls Club requesting grant funding to assist with the costs of running a bowling programme with students from Knights Templar School over a three year period commencing in Spring/Summer 2018.

 

Mr Dean advised that the Club was hoping to develop bowls as a youth sport.  The Club already had some incredibly talented young bowlers amongst its rank, including two youth internationals.  Shortly after he had assumed the role of Chairman of the Club, Mr Dean was introduced to the Head Teacher of Knights Templar School, who was extremely supportive of a joint venture between the School and the Club to promote youth bowling.

 

Mr Dean stated that he and the School Sports Team Head had put together a strategy and plan aimed at increasing interest in bowls (including on-site school visits).  The Club had also interacted with some of the School’s PE lessons, which were bowling sessions held at the Club.  The Club had also held an Open Day, which had been well-attended by families and teachers.

 

Mr Dean explained that the Club was looking to take on 18 children per year for properly planned training sessions, in conjunction with the Hertfordshire Bowls Coaching Association.  There would be several other one-off events tied in as part of the training course.

 

Mr Dean commented that many senior bowlers from other clubs had left those clubs to join Baldock, in order to develop their children as youth bowlers.

 

Mr Dean advised that the Club would be charging each child £1 a week for 20 weeks.  The coaching time would be free, but equipment would need to be purchased.  The Club had donated £1,000 towards the project, but the total cost would be £4,320 for 54 children over 3 years.  It would be an initial 3 year project, but with the hope that it would be successful and continue for years to come.

 

Mr Dean stated that it was intended that the remaining £3,320 would be acquired throughout the 3 years, as not all the funding would be required in Year 1.  He therefore asked the Committee to provide as much further financial support to the initiative as possible.

 

Following a period of questions and answers, the Chairman thanked Mr Deane and Mr Leadley for their presentation.

39.

PRESENTATION FROM THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

To consider a presentation from the Environment Agency in respect of water levels in the River Ivel.

Decision:

Ms Julie Barker (Environment Agency), assisted byMr Alessandro Marsili (Affinity Water), gave a presentation regarding water levels in the River Ivel.

 

The Chairman thanked the Environment Agency and Affinity Water representatives for their presentation and attendance at the meeting.

 

RESOLVED:  That the representatives from the Environment Agency and Affinity Water be thanked for their presentation.

 

REASON FOR DECISION:  To keep Members of the Committee abreast of water level issues on the River Ivel and Ivel Springs.

Minutes:

Ms Julie Barker (Environment Agency), assisted byMr Alessandro Marsili (Affinity Water), gave a presentation regarding water levels in the River Ivel.

 

Ms Barker advised that she was attending the meeting to answer Members’ questions following Affinity Water’s presentation to the Committee’s previous meeting in September 2017.

 

Ms Barker stated that anyone who abstracted water from bore holes or a river would need a licence from the Environment Agency (EA).  The EA had to judge whether or not there was sufficient water to enable a grant of the licence, and that there would not be any adverse impact on third parties, other licence holders or the water environment.  A justification for the need for the water would also be required.

 

Ms Barker commented that the legal system came about following the Water Resources Act 1963.  Before then, anybody could abstract water.  The boreholes currently operated by Affinity water near Baldock were all pre-1963.  She thought that one was drilled in the 1920s and the others a little later.

 

Ms Barker explained that when the legislation changed in 1963, those responsibility for each borehole had been required to apply to prove that they had been pumping at certain quantities.  If so proven, they were provided with a Licence of Right.  This was the situation for the Baldock boreholes.

 

Ms Barker advised that, since 1963, the EA had granted licences to other users.  The EA had to publish plans and policies on how it allocated water to certain catchments.  In most cases in her area, the ground water was fully committed (ie. no more abstraction licences were being issued).  Summer surface water was also fully committed, but the EA were still issuing licences concerning water taken from rivers above certain flow thresholds.

           

Ms Barker stated that East Anglia was an area of low rainfall.  The annual average rainfall was about 600mm, but 450mm of that evaporated (mostly in the summer), leaving only 150mm to permeate into the ground for abstraction purposes.

 

Ms Barker commented that the EA had bid for Affinity Water to undertake a project on the River Ivel.  In common with other water authorities, Affinity Water were funded in 5 year blocks (called Asset Management periods).  Affinity Water were currently in the middle of Asset Management period 6 (undertaking investigatory work), and that EA had lobbied that this was a project on which Affinity Water could spend their customers’ money.  Following this investigation and, if appropriate, the EA would lobby for the next 5 year block (2020-25) to address any problems.

 

Ms Barker explained that the current investigatory (options and appraisal) stage aimed to discover the cause and effect between abstraction and the river.  There was no gauging station on the River Ivel, and so there was no historical flow record as the EA would have for other rivers.  The EA did monitor water quality and ecology, and Affinity Water had drilled additional observation boreholes.  Some increased flow measurement had been undertaken over the past few years (from November 2014).  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

40.

GREEN SPACE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY - PROGRESS: INFORMATION NOTE pdf icon PDF 805 KB

INFORMATION NOTE OF THE PARKS & COUNTRYSIDE MANAGER

 

To consider the Information Note on progress regarding the Green Space Management Strategy.

Decision:

RESOLVED:  That the Parks and Countryside Manager be requested to write to Committee Members with further details on progress in respect of the Business Case for Bakers Road pavilion and any expressions of interest by community groups to take over the Ivel Road play area.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: To comment on the Green Space Management Strategy Information Note.

Minutes:

The Committee considered an Information Note prepared by the Parks and Countryside Manager in respect of progress regarding the Green Space Management Strategy.

 

RESOLVED:  That the Parks and Countryside Manager be requested to write to Committee Members with further details on progress in respect of the Business Case for Bakers Road pavilion and any expressions of interest by community groups to take over the Ivel Road play area.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: To comment on the Green Space Management Strategy Information Note.

41.

BALDOCK COMMUNITY EVENTS

To receive a quarterly oral update on Baldock Community Events.

Decision:

Councillor Jim McNally gave a verbal presentation regarding Baldock Community Events.

Minutes:

Councillor Jim McNally advised that the Baldock Christmas Fair had taken place over the weekend of 2/3 December 2017.  More people had attended the event than in previous years.  It had been very successful, and he was aware of only one negative comment on social media.  It was the first Christmas Fair organised by the Baldock Community Events Forum, and a de-briefing would be held in the near future.  However, positive feedback had already been received from a number of major contributors to the Fair.

 

Councillor McNally stated that there had also been a Christmas Tree Lights switch-on, conducted by a local celebrity.

 

The Committee formally acknowledged the input of the Communities Officer in to Baldock Christmas Fair and thanked him for his time and effort in helping to bring the Fair to successful fruition.

42.

GRANTS AND COMMUNITY UPDATE pdf icon PDF 250 KB

REPORT OF THE COMMUNITIES MANAGER

 

To update the Committee on the activities and actions of the Communities Officer, to advise on the current expenditure and balances of the delegated budgets and to consider applications for grant funding.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:  That the actions taken by the Community Development Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Royston and District be endorsed.

 

REASON FOR DECISION:To keep Members of the Committee apprised of the latest developments in community activities in the Baldock and District area.

Minutes:

The Communities Officer introduced the report of the Communities Manager in respect of Grants and Community Update.

 

The Communities Officer drew attention to the Committee’s updated Budget for 2017/17, broken down by ward, set out at Paragraph 7.3 of the report.

 

The Communities Officer advised that the Balstock Family Run Weekend had been held for the sixth time in Baldock High Street on the weekend of 9/10 September 2017.  As well as the activities on the High Street, there was live music performed in all of the Baldock Public Houses throughout the weekend.  The event had proved as popular as ever and passed without incident, and had raised funding for six charities, as set out in Paragraph 8.1.2 of the report.

                       

The Communities Officer stated that the Baldock Community Fireworks had been held for a fifth time on Sunday, 5 November 2017.  The event was again well supported by the people of Baldock and surrounding villages with just under 2,000 people attending the show.  As well as being a good fundraiser for Hartsfield PTA, Knights Templar School and Baldock Brownies, the event also generated £3,000 profit, which was being shared amongst 6 schools in Baldock.

 

RESOLVED:  That the actions taken by the Community Development Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Royston and District be endorsed.

 

REASON FOR DECISION:To keep Members of the Committee apprised of the latest developments in community activities in the Baldock and District area.

43.

GRANT APPLICATION - BALDOCK BOWLS CLUB

Decision:

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £1,500 be awarded to Baldock Bowls Club taken in proportionate shares from the Baldock Town, Weston & Sandon and (subject to the subsequent agreement of the respective ward councillors) Arbury and Baldock East Ward Budgets, to assist with the costs of running a bowling programme with students from Knights Templar School over a three year period commencing in Spring/Summer 2018.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.

Minutes:

The Committee had been impressed by the Bowls Club’s presentation and, mindful of the fact that the costings were spread over three years and that under the Council’s Grants Policy organisations were not able to re-apply for grant funding for a period of two years, it was agreed that a grant of £1,500 be awarded, subject to the agreement of the Arbury and Baldock East Ward Members.

 

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £1,500 be awarded to Baldock Bowls Club taken in proportionate shares from the Baldock Town, Weston & Sandon and (subject to the subsequent agreement of the respective ward councillors) Arbury and Baldock East Ward Budgets, to assist with the costs of running a bowling programme with students from Knights Templar School over a three year period commencing in Spring/Summer 2018.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.

44.

WARD MATTERS AND OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS - MEMBERS' REPORTS

To receive any oral reports from Members regarding Ward matters and Outside Organisations.

Decision:

The Chairman advised that he had committed the entirety of his £90,000 Hertfordshire County Council Highways Localities Budget for 2017/18.  A number of projects were still to be completed.  He had also committed about £50,000 of his 2018/19 Budget.  He invited Members to approach him with suggestions for any further schemes.

 

Councillor Steve Jarvis reported that he had also spent all of his 2017/18 Hertfordshire County Council Highways Localities Budget.  He was in the process of putting together his planned schemes for 2018/19.

Minutes:

The Chairman advised that he had committed the entirety of his £90,000 Hertfordshire County Council Highways Localities Budget for 2017/18.  A number of projects were still to be completed.  He had also committed about £50,000 of his 2018/19 Budget.  He invited Members to approach him with suggestions for any further schemes.

 

Councillor Steve Jarvis reported that he had also spent all of his 2017/18 Hertfordshire County Council Highways Localities Budget.  He was in the process of putting together his planned schemes for 2018/19.

Audio Recording of Meeting MP3 27 MB