HASLEMERE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL

Transcription

1 HASLEMERE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL Minutes of the Haslemere Town Council Meeting held at 7pm on Thursday 11 th September 2014 Council Chamber, Town Hall, High Street, Haslemere Town Mayor: *Cllr Penny Bradley Deputy Mayor: *Cllr Peter Isherwood Councillors *Mrs J Arrick Mr D Benson *Mrs P Blades *Mr M Dover *Mr J Edwards *Mrs F Foster *Mr M Foster Mr G Hall * present *Mrs B Hewett *Mr B Howard Mr W King *Mrs C Lancaster *Mr S Mulliner *Mrs M Odell *Mrs L Piper Mr D Reavley The meeting was clerked by the Deputy Town Clerk, Sarah Nash 8 members of the public attended in addition to SCC Councillors Nikki Barton and David Harmer, Revd Jonathan Carter, Jeremy Leach and Caroline Toms (Herald) 90/14 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllrs Hall, King and Reavley 91/14 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS Cllr Odell declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 20 on the agenda as she is the Chairman of Haslemere Educational Museum. Cllr Edwards declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 11 on the agenda as he is an organiser for the poppy fundraising appeal. 92/14 REPRESENTATIONS BY EXTERNAL BODIES Mr Jeremy Leach from 20 is Plenty for Us gave a presentation on 20mph speed limits (attached as Appendix 1) A number of questions and points were raised by councillors, including: There has been an overall increase in traffic on the roads so figures for road traffic accidents will inevitably increase. Although it is an emotive issue, Council will have to consider highway restrictions and planning regulations, and will be guided by what is allowable. Jeremy Leach advised Council that Haslemere does not have any special restrictions, and there is no legislation preventing the town from enforcing a 20mph limit. Cllr Barton confirmed that the decision on speed limits has been devolved to the Local Area Committees. A limited amount of traffic calming methods, such as raised tables, are needed when enforcing 20mph limits.

2 Cllr Barton confirmed that she would be happy to apply for certain roads to be put under the speed management program in partnership with the police so that current speeds can be monitored, and relevant data can be used to inform any decision. Jeremy Leach confirmed that the police have changed their stance, and have been reminded that if 20mph limits are implemented they have a duty to enforce them. It was suggested that both High Lane and the Sickle Mill estate should have 20mph limits implemented. RESOLVED: that the issue of introducing a 20mph limit is revisited at the next Planning & Highways meeting. 93/14 QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC None 94/14 REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLORS LAC funded works: 10k investigation into flooding at Fosters Bridge is pending. Designs for the gateways project that Cllr Barton has secured funding for are currently being drawn up. Investigations into making the crossings at Courts Hill Road / Shepherds Hill and the bottom of Shepherds Hill are ongoing. Improvements to the railings outside Claytons will be prioritised by Christmas. Highways updates: Repairs to the recurring leak on the Grayswood Road will start next week. The Critchmere Hill triangle is being renovated in addition to resurfacing from Polecat Hill to Lion Lane. The potholes outside St Bartholomew s will be repaired during the October half term. As part of their travel plan, Grayswood School have come up with a wishlist of actions. Cllr Barton confirmed that SCC is able to implement many of the things they have requested. The refurbishment of the Deepdene embankment is due to take place from October. The train station forecourt reconfiguration is ongoing. The Haslewey Centre is having some bike racks installed from Cllr Barton s community enhancement fund. Cllr Piper asked when the double yellow lines would be extended on Lion Lane ACTION: Deputy Town Clerk and Cllr Barton to chase David Curl for an update. Cllr Edwards stressed that the Sickle Road estate needs improving, the road is not wide enough causing vehicles to drive in the bank, which is now breaking down and blocking the gullies. ACTION: Cllr Barton and Cllr Edwards to revisit this issue to see if SCC and WBC can work together to resolve this problem. Cllr Mulliner requested that Cllr Barton speak with David Curl to see if the lines on Weydown Road can be supported by posts and signs ACTION: Cllr Barton to investigate with David Curl. The A286 to Gasden Lane will be closed for resurfacing from 29 th September, diversions will be in place. Cllr Isherwood raised the issue of BT broadband in the area. Cllr Harmer confirmed that SCC only has control outside of the commercial zone, which unfortunately extends to the 2

3 majority of the Haslemere area. SCC is currently working with Jeremy Hunt to get the rules changed to enable county councils to take control within commercial zones. 95/14 GULLY CLEARANCE A new SCC contract is being implemented which will categorise 180 thousand gullies into high, medium and low risk. The high risk gullies will be tackled within six months, medium risk within one year and low risk within two years. Cllr Barton and Cllr Harmer urged people to report blocked gullies via them and the online system. There needs to be more communication between SCC and WBC regarding street sweeping and gully clearance. Cllr Harmer advised that extra jetter resources could be requested via the Local Area Committee system, however this is not guaranteed. 96/14 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING The minutes of the meetings held 17 th July and 28 th July were approved and signed by the Mayor 97/14 MATTERS ARISING RESOLVED: That Cllr Mulliner writes to the PCC asking that Magistrates should have a motorist s Speedwatch history made available to them if that motorist was in court for a motoring offence. 98/14 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MAYOR The Mayor reminded Council of her Gala Dinner on 26 th September 2014 as tickets are selling quickly. 99/14 CLERK S REPORT Council noted the Clerk s report (appendix 3 of the agenda). Cllr Edwards advised that he is scheduled to meet with Arno Spaarkogel from Waverley regarding future planting at the site of the Oak which was recently removed. Cllr Mulliner questioned progress on the Ornamental Pears at the bottom of Shepherds Hill. The Deputy Town Clerk advised that this is currently being looked at with Arno Spaarkogel from Waverley. Cllr Dover would like to be kept informed of prices of Ornamental Pears for a separate project. 100/14 FINANCIAL MATTERS RESOLVED: 1. That the schedule of accounts paid since the last meeting is approved. 2. That the Bank reconciliations for Cashbook 1 (balance ), Cashbook 3 (balance 29,150.12) and Cashbook 4 (balance 157,319.62) are approved. 3. Any variances in the Management Accounts are approved. 101/14 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY WREATHS RESOLVED: That 200 is donated to the Royal British Legion for payment of the Haslemere Town Council wreaths. 3

4 102/14 EXTERNAL AUDIT RESOLVED: That the external audit report is approved and that no action plan for dealing with the issues raised is necessary as the Clerk is already implementing the recommendations. 103/14 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN UPDATE Council noted the update provided by Stewart Brown (appendix 6 of the agenda). Cllr Bradley voiced concerns over the proposed timetable for the 2 nd consultation, currently programmed to take place over the Christmas period. Cllr Piper proposed that HTC recommends to the vision that they postpone their consultation and commence on 12 th January This was seconded by Cllr Isherwood. Cllr Piper requested that the Vision supplies HTC with their full accounts for the next Council meeting to inform budget discussions. The Deputy Town Clerk advised Council that Stewart Brown is currently preparing a report for the budget to be circulated once received. Cllr Isherwood informed Council that the Vision will be holding their AGM at the Georgian House Hotel at 8pm on 23 rd September, to be followed by a presentation of the initial findings of the first consultation. RESOLVED: That HTC recommends to the vision that they postpone their consultation and commence on 12 th January RESOLVED: That HTC will cover up to 700 shortfall costs for the Vision, to be paid back when the final 700 from the Locality Grant is received. 104/14 REVISED GRANTS POLICY Cllr Dover suggested that if applications for revenue funding are going to be considered as part of the budget process this should be communicated to the relevant applicants. Cllr Mulliner suggested that repeat revenue grants should be awarded for a minimum of three years. ACTION: Cllr Mulliner and Deputy Town Clerk to redraft the policy and report back to Council. 105/14 FREQUENCY OF PLANNING MEETINGS Cllr Isherwood advised that the problem of having four weekly meetings is a temporary one, caused by Waverley s backlog of applications. This is now being cleared so four weelkly meetings will be sufficient. Cllr Piper proposed withdrawing the recommendation to implement three weekly planning meetings, seconded by Cllr Isherwood. RESOLVED. 106/14 MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS RESOLVED: that the minutes of the following meetings and any recommendations therein be adopted: Planning & Highways: 24 th July 2014 and 21 st August 2014 Amenities: 7 th August 2014 Finance and Audit: 4 th September 2014 Budget Sub-Committee: 4 th September

5 107/14 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES None 108/14 REPORTS FROM TWIN-HATTED MEMBERS Cllr Mulliner advised that the Waverley Local Plan consultation is now open. Cllr Lancaster questioned whether parking behind the station is likely to be agreed as suggested in January. Cllr Mulliner confirmed that there is an ongoing struggle between Network Rail Engineering and Estates. 109/14 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC RESOLVED: That in accordance with the provisions of section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the press and public be excluded from the meeting by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. Cllr Odell left the meeting 110/14 VIC OPERATING MODEL There was a lengthy discussion on this item with differing views aired by all councillors present. There were issues raised concerning: Access to the Museum and Town Hall Staff pay scales Contractual arrangements Cost implications / savings Potential five day opening of the Town Hall Customer facing service Footfall at both locations The proposed Service Level Agreement Prominence of the VIC and how well publicised it is / could be The use of volunteers Cllr Piper proposed that a decision is not made based on the information provided, and that the proposal should be looked at more in depth. The pros and cons of the Town Hall opening five days a week should also be considered. Cllr Mulliner proposed a variation to Cllr Piper s proposal, which was seconded by Cllr Dover, and voted on unanimously. It was subsequently: RESOLVED that the decision to move the VIC to the Town Hall is deferred and that a working party is set up to review the entire question of whether the VIC should move to the Town Hall. All councillors should be invited to join the working party, which should then report back to Council with its findings. Meeting finished 9.20pm Signed.. Chairman of Meeting Date.. 5