Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 31 seconds

There were no apologies for absence.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on the 3 September 2018.

To follow.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 3 December 2018.

To follow.

RESOLVED:

(1)          That the minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 3 September 2019 that were distributed to Members be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman at the next Baldock & District Committee Meeting.

(2)          That the minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 3 December 2018 that were distributed to Members be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman at the next Baldock & District Committee Meeting.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 42 seconds

RESOLVED:

(1)          That the minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 3 September 2019 were distributed to Members, and be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman at the next Baldock & District Committee Meeting.

(2)          That the minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 3 December 2018 were distributed to Members, and be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman at the next Baldock & District Committee Meeting.

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.

There was no other business notified.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 1 minute, 5 seconds

There was no other business notified.

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, wished to exercise a ‘Councillor Speaking Right’, must declare this at the same time as the interest, move to the public area before speaking to the item and then must leave the room before the debate and vote.

(1)       The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, particularly Sergeant Alan Clarke from Hertfordshire Constabulary and those making presentations to the committee;

(2)       The Chairman welcomed Lauren Fair who was clerking the meeting, explaining that Lauren would soon be joining North Hertfordshire District Council as the new PA to The Service Director – Legal and Community;

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

(4)       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.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 1 minute 14 seconds

(1)       The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, particularly Sergeant Alan Clarke from Hertfordshire Constabulary and those making presentations to the committee;

(2)       The Chairman welcomed Lauren Fair who was clerking the meeting, explaining that Lauren would soon be joining North Hertfordshire District Council as the new PA to The Service Director – Legal and Community;

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

(4)       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.

Sergeant Alan Clarke (Hertfordshire Constabulary) thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal update on the issues being addressed by the Hertfordshire Constabulary in the Baldock and District area.

The Chairman thanked Sergeant Clarke for his informative presentation and attendance at the meeting.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 2 minutes, 30 seconds

Sergeant Alan Clarke (Hertfordshire Constabulary) thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal update on the issues being addressed by the Hertfordshire Constabulary in the Baldock and District area.

The following points were highlighted:

·         Various changes had been made to the team;

·         Mr John Hammond was formally thanked for all of his work with the Neighbourhood Watch team.

·         A new computer system ‘Athena’ had been installed which allowed communication with 11 other forces.  Whilst there had been teething problems, going forward, it was felt that the new system had huge potential to assist with sharing information;

·         Figures provided to the Committee were a comparison from the period 1 April 2017 to 4 March 2018 to the present date;

·         Online crime recording meant there were more ways to report crime.  North Herts had seen an overall 8.8% increase in reported crime, whilst the total figure of overall crimes recorded in Baldock was 545, a very pleasing 7% drop from the previous year;

·         Baldock had seen a 42% decrease in reported burglaries, (14 recorded, compared to 24 recorded the previous year);

·         A slight increase in non-dwelling burglaries, theft from motor vehicles, theft from a shop and domestic violence had also been recorded. 

·         Hertfordshire Constabulary were working on increasing methods of reporting and offering crime prevention measures such as tool marking events and shed alarms.

·         Implementation of a Gangs and Schools team to present the dangers of carrying knives to the relevant age groups in schools.

·         Priorities:  remain as they have been – theft from motor vehicle, shoplifting and theft from a person (shop watch programmes) and vehicle borne anti-social behaviour.

·         The Chairman, Councillor Janine Paterson requested a break down of crime figures for rural areas – Arbury, Ashwell and particularly Bygrave.  Sergeant Clarke stated that he would pass the figures directly on to Councillor Michael Muir.

·         Councillor Michael Muir also formally thanked John Hammond for all of his hard work.  He requested from Sergeant Clarke crime figures for between 00.00 and 06.00 to see if there was any correlation between the street lights being switched off and crime.  Councillor Muir also raised concerns regarding speeding, particularly along North Road and Royston Road.

·         Councillor Jim McNally raised concern about Tesco and associated criminal activity, particularly in the Petrol Station.

·         Councillor Michael Weeks raised his concern about the upcoming lorry ban and the difficulty with regard to enforcement.

·         Councillor Michael Weeks formally thanked Sergeant Alan Clarke and his team for the work done locally, which was unanimously endorsed by the Committee.

The Chairman thanked Sergeant Clarke for his informative presentation and attendance at the meeting.

Pauline Kellett thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for Home-Start Hertfordshire.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 34 minutes 52 seconds

Councillor Steve Jarvis, having declared a declarable interest left the room for duration of the presentation.

Pauline Kellett thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for Home-Start Hertfordshire as follows:

·                Been in existence for three years, providing emotional and practical help to vulnerable families.

·                Average support length of time given to a family varied but averaged between six to nine months.

·                Funding was required to provide support to two families in Baldock.

·                All of the mentors that provided support were trained volunteers, assisting with the building of trusted relations but focussed their help tailored to a family’s individual needs.

·                Associated costs for such services were £460 per family for 3 month’s intervention.

·                Home Start would be providing additional funding to allow for three further months service for each of the two families in Baldock.

·                The project currently supported 15 families residing across North Hertfordshire.

In response to questions from Councillors Michael Weeks, Jim McNally and Michael Muir Pauline advised:

·                In order to match fund for a further three months, Home-Start would diversify income by seeking grants from other areas, comic relief funding and local fundraising.

·                The grant funding application request was specifically to support to two families in Baldock.

The Chairman thanked Pauline Kellett for her presentation.

Rachel Godschalk thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for Ashwell Music Festival.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 45 minutes 50 seconds

Rachel Godschalk thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for Ashwell Music Festival as follows:

·                This would be the 66^th Ashwell Music Festival.

·                A registered charity made up of volunteers and the profit from the event goes towards the restoration of St Marys Church, with a percentage being held back for staging future Music Festivals

·                The Ashwell Festival had been a key feature of the Ashwell calendar of events since 1953.

·                The festival was held for a week in May and showcased local musical talent from local villages as well as Baldock

·                Seeking grant funding support to assist with publicity costs for the next 2019/2020.

·                They were looking to expand the event next year.

Councillor Jim McNally suggested that a leaflet drop would incur no distribution costs.

The chairman thanked Rachel Godschalk for her presentation.

Jo Durkin thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for Magic Moment Pre-School.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 52 minutes

Jo Durkin thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for Magic Moment Pre-School as follows:

·                Magic Moments provided early years care and education for pre-school age children.  The group was a registered charity and had been operating from the 1st Baldock Scout Hut since September 2002.

·                The group catered for 60 children, 28 children attended each session.

·                Seeking funding support to assist with the costs for developing the outside classroom for the benefit of the 2 year olds – expand facilities.

·                Enhancements to the outdoor area would support the children’s learning and imaginative play.

In response to questions from Councillors Michael Weeks, Jim McNally and Michael Muir, Jo advised:

·                Majority of the children attending were from Baldock, with a few coming from Letchworth.

·                Magic Moments did lots of fundraising, and they had received a grant from Hertfordshire County Council previously.

·                Whilst expansion would be possible to accommodate more children in each session, it was felt provision of staffing would then become a concern.

·                Sensory plants, garden utensils, storage and decoration holders for the fence would be purchased if the grant application were to be successful.

The Chairman thanked Jo Durkin for her presentation.

Paul Luckett thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for Baldock Town Twinning.

Audio Recording – Start of Item – 1 hour 5 minutes, 39 seconds

Councillors Michael Muir and Valentine Shanley declared declarable interests and the left the room for the duration of the presentation.

Paul Luckett thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant funding application for Baldock Town Twinning as follows:

·                Baldock Town Twinning had been operating since 1988 and was made up of 9 volunteer committee members.

·                There had been two successes in French and German Twinning events in 2017 and 2018, celebrating the 20^th and 30^th anniversary of partnerships.

·                They were seeking funding support to assist with costs for the visits of their twinned towns in 2019 and 2020.

·                2019, Baldock Town Twinning would receive visitors from Sanvignes in France and in 2020 they would host visitors from Eisenberg in Germany.

·                Funding would be used to help with transport and venue hire costs, tour entry costs and entertainment.

·                Wished to create an environment in which those who wished to do so, could have a positive opportunity to meet and establish friendship bonds with partner twinned communities.

The Chairman thanked Mr Luckett for his presentation.

To receive a quarterly oral update on Baldock Community Events.

Councillor Jim McNally updated the Committee on the recently held Baldock Beast Half Marathon and a number of forthcoming Baldock Community Events.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 1 hour 13 minutes, 12 seconds

Councillor Jim McNally informed of the Baldock Community Forum,  (Trading as Baldock Events Forum) and updated the Committee on forthcoming Baldock Community Events as follows:

·                Baldock Beast Half Marathon - had attracted 470 entries, this well-established event had been very successful, with much community involvement.

·                Baldock Big Lunch – The Project Manager had unfortunately pulled out of organising this occasion, however the committee were assured that there was ample documentation to continue as planned, whilst still looking for an event co-ordinator.

·                Summer Ball – to be held on Saturday 13 July 2019, would take place in the Old Town Hall as hoped, but due to some issues, there was a slight chance the venue may have to be moved.

·                Cycle Challenge – Katie Harburn was named as the co-ordinator of this event, and the cycle challenge would take place on Sunday 14 July 2019.

·                Rat Run – A second year of hosting this event for “Sports Therapy For You” would take place in September 2019.

·                Christmas Fair – Last years fair was extremely successful and would run again this year.

·                Street Food Heroes – Would begin in April (until September), this would run every third Friday of the month, between the hours of 4pm and 9pm.  Bringing a variety of street food that could be purchased at stalls where customers could sit, eat and enjoy ambient music.  The type of food was rotated between Baldock, Royston and Hitchin.  It was clarified that the vendors would be in charge of clean up.

·                Discussions had been taking place with the Beer Festival organisers since January to aid the improvement of the Christmas Lights for this year.

·                Due to the disappointment of last years Christmas Tree, a new provider would be sought for the provision of this year’s tree.

Councillor Michael Weeks formally thanked Councillor Jim McNally on behalf of Baldock and District Committee for all of his hard work putting these events together.

REPORT OF THE COMMUNITIES MANAGER

To advise the Committee on the current expenditure and balances of the Area Committee budgets.

To bring to the Committee’s attention details of recent requests received for Area Committee Grant Funding, made by community groups and local organisations, which conform to the Authority’s Grants Policy approved by Cabinet on June 14th 2016.

RESOLVED: 

(1)       That any unspent funds from the 2018/19 financial year be allocated to Community Initiatives, and

(2)       That the actions taken by the Community Development Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Baldock 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.

Audio Recording – Start of Item – 1 hour 32 minutes

RESOLVED: 

That their would be no district divisions of funds at this the last meeting of the Civic Year, and that the Budget would be viewed in full, it was therefore decided:

(1)       That grant funding of £920 be awarded to Home-Start Hertfordshire to assist with costs of providing emotional and practical support to two families in Baldock;

(2)       That grant funding of £720 be awarded to Ashwell Music Festival to assist with publicity costs for one year;

(3)       That the grant funding of £250 be awarded to Magic Moment Pre-School to assist with the purchase costs of equipment and new resources for the outside classroom to support the children’s learning and imaginative play; and

(4)       That grant funding of £1,500 be award to Baldock Town Twinning to assist with costs associated with visits from the Twinned Towns.

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

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

A Number of ward matters were raised by Members.

Audio Recording – Start of Item – 1 hour 50 minutes

Councillor Michael Muir updated the Committee on a number of ward matters as follows:

·                Luton Airport wished to increase their passenger limit to 18 million for 2020 and further wished to increase this limit to 32 million in the future.  New traffic would remain, for the time being, on the existing runway.

·                Highways Budget – Baldock would receive three moveable speed indicating devices, the places that had been noted to situate were London Road, North Road and the Baldock High Street.

·                Car Parking – Resurfacing of the car park in Hill Crest, Grosvenor Road, (pending confirmation of cost) and also Tesco Roundabout.

This being Councillor Janine Patterson’s last meeting was formally thanked by the Baldock and District Committee for all of her hard work.

The meeting closed at 9.30pm