Agenda, decisions and minutes

No apologies for absence were received from Councillors.

Audio Recording of Meeting – Start time of Item – 35 seconds

No apologies for absence were received from Councillors.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on the 13 June 2018.

These minutes are to follow.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 13 June 2018 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 42 seconds

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 13 June 2018 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

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 12 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 those present at the meeting, especially those who had attended to give a presentation;

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

(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.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 1 minute and 16 seconds

(1)       The Chairman welcomed those present at the meeting, especially those who had attended to give a presentation;

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

(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.

Royston Cricket Club

Mr David May, Chairman and Nigel, Committee Member, Royston Cricket Club thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee regarding their application.

The Chairman thanked Mr May for his presentation.

North Herts Multiple Sclerosis Society

Ms Susan Gibbons, a member of the North Herts Multiple Sclerosis Society, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee regarding their grant application.

The Chairman thanked Ms Gibbons for her presentation.

TLG Make Lunch

Councillor Ruth Brown declared a Declarable Interest in that she was a member of the Church that ran the project, although she played no part in that project. She advised that she would remain in the room, but would take no part in the vote.

Councillor Bill Davidson declared a Declarable Interest in that his wife was on the management committee. He advised that he would remain in the room but take no paek in the vote.

Ms Cate Hall, TLG Make Lunch, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee regarding their grant application.

The Chairman thanked Ms Hall for her presentation.

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

Royston Cricket Club

Mr David May, Chairman and Nigel, Committee Member, Royston Cricket Club thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee regarding their application.

Mr May informed members of the following:

·                     The Club started in 1760;

·                     It was a very active club with 150 members - adults, juniors and 5-8 year olds and an ECB All Stars Programme;

·                     They supported the Sunday side run by Therfield and Kelsall Sports Club;

·                     The Club was trying to grow participation and active sport within cricket and provide sport for those who wanted to participate;

·                     Team growth was needed and for this to happen investment in facilities was required to fulfil league ground requirements; and

·                     They had a layered plan to develop facilities at Therfield to improve training facilities and develop the club house.

In response to questions from Members, David May advised that:

·                There were three streams of funding – memberships, match fees and year book in which local businesses advertise;

·                Funding covered roller and engine repair.  A capital pot was being developed to enable work to be done; and

·                5-8 years - non-competitive; 8-15 years – 50 players; 13-15 year olds could play adult cricket and 15+ played senior/adult cricket.

The Chairman thanked Mr May for his presentation.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 7 minutes 55 seconds

North Herts Multiple Sclerosis Society

Ms Susan Gibbons, a member of the North Herts Multiple Sclerosis Society, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee regarding their grant application.

·                Funding was required for an innovative bike which provided bilateral and symmetrical exercise which enabled mobility, strengthening and coordination for both upper and lower limbs. The stability of the design offered more support to a greater range of users including those who had limited movement or had spasms;

·                Motivational aspects were included within the programmes which would further enhance the benefits of users, encouraging symmetry and motivation to go further or faster;

·                Each physio session was attended by individuals of mixed ability, including wheelchair users;

·                New people were all assessed by their well-established physio with the support of a volunteer, retired physio and two pilates instructors (one of whom was also occupational therapy trained);

·                Members were also offered other activities;

·                60^th Anniversary in 2018.  Outings and Christmas lunch all paid for by Society;

·                Funds were mainly sourced from donations and flag day participation throughout North Herts during the year;

·                Tesco had kindly made a donation towards the bike;

·                Lunch was available for £3/head if wanted by members after physio;

In response to questions from Members Sue advised that:

·                     16 members were from Royston; 11 from the Baldock, 29 were from Letchworth and 30 from Hitchin;

·                     There were Initiatives which were involved with Parkinson’s disease;

·                     Balance of funds required for this would be provided by the Society;

·                     Funds had been requested from other area committees;

·                     Exercises were varied for each member on a weekly basis;

·                     Sessions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

The Chairman to lead a discussion regarding any issues raised, including current and proposed highways schemes.

County Councillor Hill reported some updates regarding highways issues.

Councillors Ruth Brown and Gerald Morris provide further information.

The Chairman thanked County Councillor Hill for the update.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 31 minutes and 0 seconds

County Councillor Hill reported some updates:

·                Drainage work was in progress;

·                There were issues on both sides of A10 with leaves only swept in certain areas.  This matter had been chased, particularly regarding the left side of the road going out of Royston;

·                John Street – there had been a parking issue on the corner.  Due to traffic regulations already in place, yellow lines would not be possible.  However, enforcement by NHDC would be taken to resolve this;

·                Resurfacing work for 5 nights on A1198/A505 roundabout.  Noisy work has been happening on occasions. However they do try to avoid where possible; 

·                Work near railway station was due to commence;

·                Speed indicator devices were working well. There had been a query over the siting of a device at Barkway Road.

Councillor Ruth Brown commented that residents had contacted her about:

·                The trucks going along Baldock Road and Baldock Street.  She had spoken to Steve Jarvis who advised that they were discussing a weight restriction being put on the Buntingford/Baldock A507 but was awaiting relevant information before making a decision about Royston.  It was felt that if this situation was not resolved, it would cause a negative impact on the surrounding areas.  Lorries could still go through weight restricted area as long as they were conducting their business. 

Councillor Morris advised that:

·                Anstey Quarry had been closed by the Environment Agency on the 12^th September 2018.

The Chairman thanked County Councillor Hill for the update.

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

RESOLVED: 

(1)       That grant funding of £1,500 be awarded to Royston Cricket Club to assist with the purchase of a set of cricket sight screens;

(2)       That grant funding of £740 be awarded to North Herts MS Society to assist with the purchase of a specialist exercise bicycle;

(3)       That grant funding of £450 be awarded to TLG Make Lunch to assist with the cost of First Aid Training for the two leaders (£150 each) and 10 volunteers (£50 each).

(4)       That grant funding of £240 be awarded to McSplash Swimming Centre to assist with swimming gala costs including the hire of additional life guards, facility hire during the gala and publicity costs.

(5)       That the Committee endorses the actions taken by the Community Officer to promotegreater community capacity and well-being for Royston.

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

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 41 minutes and 8 seconds

The Communities Officer presented the report entitled Grants and Community Update and drew attention to the following:

Budgets

There was £8,100 that remained unspent for the current financial year, which included £1,000, which had been allocated from the Members’ Allowances Budget. 

If all of the applications for funding were granted this at this meeting, £5,235 would remain unallocated. 

Alternative Options

All of the alternative options considered were detailed in the report.

Grant Application - TLG Make Lunch

Councillor Ruth Brown declared a Declarable Interest in that she was a member of the Church that ran the project, although she played no part in that project. She advised that she would remain in the room, but would take no part in the vote.

Councillor Bill Davidson declared a Declarable Interest in that his wife was on the management committee. He advised that he would remain in the room but take no part in the vote.

The Chairman proposed that £ £450 be awarded.

Grant Application - McSplash Swimming Centre

In the absence of a representative from McSplash Swimming Centre, who had requested grant funding, the Communities Officer informed the Committee that: 

•        They provided swimming sessions for aged 8+ to adults on a Friday evening;

•        There were 78 members of which 46 came from Royston;

•        As they had been unable to host the 2017 swimming gala due to lack of funding, they were seeking support of £338 in order that the gala could take place in November;

•        They were applying for grant funding from NHDC as South Cambs did not have such funding ability and it greatly benefitted residents of Royston.

Pathway at the End of Green Drift

Councillor Brown had been advised by Councillor Jarvis that once the pathway at the end of Green Drift had been adopted, he would use some of his Highways Liaison Budget towards lighting. The Communities Officer advised that the delay of 18 months was due to funding of legal fees and this had been costed out and paid for.

Royston and District Twinning Association

Councillor Brown advised that the visit would coincide with the Arts Festival at the end of September with 47 Germans, 9 Spanish and 1 French.  Big band and finale concert would take place on the Saturday night.

Councillor Dingley was thanked for offering to set aside tickets for musicians who were not involved in the finale concert.

Councillors were invited to attend the Civic Reception which would be held in The Old Bull Inn on Saturday 29 September.  She informed that the Mayor had been invited to speak and would be in attendance.

RESOLVED: 

(1)       That grant funding of £1,500 be awarded to Royston Cricket Club to assist with the purchase of a set of cricket sight screens;

(2)       That grant funding of £740 be awarded to North Herts MS Society to assist with the purchase of a specialist exercise bicycle;

(3)       That grant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

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

Members discussed:

·                Section 106 training for the Committee and Town Council Members.

Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 56 minutes 56 seconds

Councillor Ruth Brown informed the Committee that she had met with the Planning Control and Conservation Manager to learn more about Section 106 Unilateral Undertakings.  An allocation had been made of £129,000 towards the hockey pitch and £55,000 for the A505 cycle bridge. 

The Chairman advised Members that any individual, organisation or Councillor could put forward suggestions to the community team at any time with respect to Section 106 spending. He further stated that he had arranged that on 26 September 2018 all Committee Members, Town Councillors and County Councillors would be invited to an information session on Section 106.