MORECAMBE TOWN COUNCIL
19th SEPTEMBER, 2013
SUPPORTING PAPERS
CONTENTS
Agenda Item
Number
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Item Heading
Allotments and Environment Committee
Minutes – 5th August, 2013
Police Liaison Group Minutes – 14th August,
2013
Finance and Management Committee Minutes
– 9th September, 2013
Festival and Events Committee Minutes – 2nd
and 10th September, 2013
Promenade Lighting
Page
Number
2
6
9
17
26
Outrageous Ambition – Request for Town
Council support
Standing Orders – Recording of Council
Meetings
Correspondence received
33
36
38
1
MORECAMBE TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes from the Allotments & Environment Committee Meeting held on
Monday 5th August, 2013 at 7.00 p.m. at Morecambe Community Fire Station
Councillors Present – Councillors N. Baxter (Chairman), J. Bates, M. Pattison and B.
Spelling
Also in attendance: Councillor D. Whittaker
Officer in attendance – D. Croxall
1.
Apologies for Absence
Councillors D. Andrew, H. Ball and J. Firth
2.
Declarations of Interest
None
3.
Appointment of Vice Chairman
Resolved:
That Councillor Bates be appointed Vice Chairman of the Committee until the Annual
Meeting of the Council in May 2014.
4.
Minutes of Meeting held on 30th April, 2013
Resolved:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 30th April, 2013 be approved as a correct record.
5.
Allotment Update
The Clerk to the Council informed the Committee that the issue regarding the flooding
remained unresolved with neither the City nor County Councils offering solutions or support,
other than requesting Network Rail to clean the drainage ditch on their land. This had not yet
taken place.
The Allotments Association remained concerned that flooding was greater than prior to the
construction of the adjoining sports hall and car park.
Resolved:
That Council be recommended to agree that:
The Clerk to the Council:
•
writes to the Environment Agency requesting their views and advice
•
writes to relevant City and County Councillors
2
•
arranges a site visit with relevant Agency and Authority staff to discuss a way
forward.
6.
Community Payback Scheme
The Committee were reminded that at its last meeting it had requested the Clerk to seek
further information about the types of projects the Council could request Community
Payback to undertake.
The types of work carried out for City, County Council and other Parish Council's by
Community Payback had included:
•
Railing painting
•
Litter picking
•
Tidying grot spots
The key aspect was that the land worked on must be in public ownership and the work itself
should be outdoors, with a benefit for the whole community.
The Committee discussed possible projects in Morecambe and were of the initial opinion
that projects that would be suitable were on land owned by the City Council and fell under
their statutory responsibility e.g. litter removal, and therefore if the Town Council requested
such work and paid for materials this could be seen as “double taxation”.
Resolved:
(1)
That Council be recommended not to recommend any projects at this stage for
Community Payback, but that the Clerk to the Council to discuss with the
Probation Service the possibility of the Community Payback members
formulating their own project within Morecambe that would be of benefit to the
town.
(2)
That Councillors inform the Clerk of projects within the Town Council area that
they believe met the Community Payback criteria for forwarding to Lancaster
City Council, with a view to the City Council being requested to support/fund if
the proposed works normally fell under their statutory powers.
7.
Future Litter Picking Strategy
The Committee were updated on the proactive approach to the Council’s Litter campaign.
Local schools had been invited to become involved in a litter pick in order to educate the
children and demonstrate the Council’s proactive response to litter issues within the town.
The schools contacted were:
•
Sandylands Primary
•
Heysham High School
•
Morecambe Community High School
3
•
Great Wood Primary
•
Poulton le Sands Primary
All the schools except Poulton le Sands had undertaken litter picks supported by Town
Council staff. The litter picks had been received by students and teachers and fitting in
perfectly with the curriculum.
The Committee were reminded that attendances at the Council community litter picks
remained very low. Concern was expressed at the advantages from continuing with this part
of the initiative, particularly as it was probably seen by local people as a task which the City
Council should be undertaking through their statutory responsibilities.
Resolved:
That Council be recommended to.
(1)
Request staff to continue with the schools initiative as an educational tool for
tackling litter.
(2)
Request the City Council and Police to undertake more enforcement action
through the issue of fixed penalty notices
(3)
Request the Clerk to research and report back to a subsequent meeting
regarding a possible project which could be implemented by the Council as an
innovative way of educating the whole community of the problems of dropping
litter, and to consider involving relevant community groups and educational
establishments in designing a Project Brief.
8.
Dog Fouling
The Committee were updated on the progress of the dog foul bag campaign.
The budget had enabled 22,000 bags to be purchased and these were available at
establishments throughout the town including shops in each ward which were open early
and late. Additionally bags were carried by PCSO’s and offered to persons who were seen
not to be using bags as an educational tool.
Demand had been high. The Clerk informed the Committee that in his opinion whilst the
project was worthwhile, a great number of bags were being taken by members of the public
who would normally use bags, but saw these as a free alternative. It was therefore likely that
a significant proportion of the bags were not being used by the dog owners to whom the
initiative had been aimed at.
Resolved:
That Council be recommended to agree the following:
(1)
That at this stage no further supply of dog bags be purchased.
(2)
That the Clerk to the Council researches methods being undertaken by other
Local Councils and reports back to a future meeting.
4
(3)
That innovative methods for tackling the issue be considered as part of the
recommendation set out in Minute No. 7(3) above.
-------------------------------------------Chairman
The meeting closed at – 7.55 p.m.
David Croxall
Clerk to the Council
7th August, 2013
5
MORECAMBE TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Police Liaison Group held on Wednesday 14th August, 2013
at 7.00pm at Morecambe Police Station
Present: Councillors B. Spelling (Chair), H. Ball S. Lomax and M. Pattison
Also in Attendance:
Councillor L. Davies
Officers in Attendance: D. Croxall (Clerk to the Council), Inspector K. Banks-Lyon and
Sergeant L. Brown (Lancashire Constabulary)
38.
Apologies for Absence
Councillors T. Brown, J. Firth, D. Kerr and G. Walker
39.
Declaration of Interest
There were no declarations of interest
40.
Minutes of Meeting held on 24th June, 2013
Resolved:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 24th June, 2013 be approved as a correct record
41.
Current Risk Crime
Sergeant Brown reported that over the last two months crimes had increased in the town by
11.8% against last year’s figures, the first increase in 10 years. The increases were with
regard to Acquisitive crime i.e. burglaries from houses, sheds, cars and shoplifting together
with a small increase in violent crime. Anti Social behaviour incidents continued to reduce.
To tackle this worrying trend the Constabulary were reviewing resource deployment with
Morecambe now receiving additional support and existing resources were being refocused.
Within this the work of the PCSO’s remained paramount, although it would not be possible to
spend as much time on the greed priority regarding cycling on pavements originally agreed.
Since the last meeting PCSO’s had dealt with 328 incidents producing 101 pieces of
intelligence that had allowed Police Officers to follow through their enquiries and producing
several arrests.
The current position with regards to PCSO’s remained unchanged with the police
Commissioner indicating that the proposals were to retain the status quo although
redundancies would occur elsewhere within the Constabulary.
PCSO’s were currently dealing with several anti social behaviour issues using the SB car at
Lancaster and Morecambe College,, the basketball court on Alexandra Road and at the
Langridge Estate.
6
Resolved:
That Council be recommended to:
Note that the revised priority for PCSO’s over the next quarter would be focusing on
assisting Police Officers in measures to reduce Acquisitive crime within the town.
42.
Police Commissioner Community Action Fund
The Clerk presented details of the Commissioner’s Community Action Fund from which
small grants were obtainable. The criterions of the fund were:
•
Protection of vulnerable people
- Domestic Abuse
- Hate Crimes
• Champion the rights of victims
- improving help and support for victims
- giving victims an effective voice and ensuring that their views are heard
• Targeted, local initiatives to tackle crime, ASB and re-offending
- ensuring that ASB is prevented and tackled
- local initiatives to reduce crime and reduce re-offending
- supporting local business and rural communities in tackling crime that affects them
The Group discussed how the Constabulary and Council could work with/assist/facilitate with
community groups to access the Fund with a view to helping tackle some of the issues within
the town.
Resolved:
That Council be recommended to request the Clerk to liaise with the police and
relevant Community Groups particularly to facilitate an application to the Fund to help
address Anti Social Behaviour/Acquisitive crime issues within the town
43.
Issues raised by Councillors and the Public
Feedback
When incidents/areas of concern were reported to the Police feedback was often not
received on action taken. The Police indicated this was sometimes difficult as more than one
person often reported at the same incident, but agreed to consider how to improve in this
area.
7
Mobility Scooters
Concern was raised regarding there being are two types of mobility scooter. Only Class 2
should be driven on the roadway. It was suggested that the police should work with both the
suppliers and the users need to raise awareness about registering class two scooters, and
using the different types or there will be serious accidents as a very near miss was
witnessed in Morecambe on 3rd August.
The Police indicated that this was a similar issue to dealing with cycling on pavements
although they would issue guidance to PCSO’s with a view to awareness being raised when
incidents were witnessed.
School Policing
A member of the public had raised a query concerning the number of PCSO’s outside
Morecambe Primary Schools whilst at the same time other incidents were not dealt with.
The Police indicated that there was presence at some schools at the beginning and end of
the school day to assist with road safety issues and parking issues. Both schools and
surrounding residents were increasingly concerned about these two issues. With regards to
not responding to other incidents the Police requested further details of the incidents being
referred to.
Resolved:
That Council be recommended to:
(1)
Note that the Police would review their feedback systems and issue guidance
to PCSO’s with regard to mobility scooters
(2)
Request the Clerk to seek further information from the member of the public
who had raised the issue regarding schools/other incidents
___________________ Chairman
The meeting closed at 8.25pm
Any queries regarding this meeting, please contact David Croxall, Clerk to the Council on
01524 422929 or via email to clerk@morecambe.gov.uk
David Croxall
Clerk to the Council
14TH August, 2013
8
MORECAMBE TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes from the Finance and Management Committee
held on Monday 9th September, 2013
Councillors Present: P. A. Heath (Chairman), J. Ashworth, S. Burns, L. Davies, D. Kerr and
B. Spelling
Officer in attendance – David Croxall (Clerk to the Council)
11. Apologies for Absence
Councillors E. Archer and J. Hanson
12. Declarations of Interest.
There were no declarations of interest.
13. Minutes of meeting held on 1st July, 2013
Resolved:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 1st July, 2013 be approved as a correct record.
14. Payment Schedule – 1st July to 31st August, 2013
The Clerk to the Council presented the payment schedule for the period 1st July to 31st
August, 2013.
Resolved:
That Council be recommended to note the Payment schedule for the period 1st July to
31st August, 2013 attached at Appendix “A” to these minutes.
15.
Budget 2013/14
The Clerk to the Council submitted a report setting out the current position with regard to the
Council’s Budget at 31st August, 2013.
The Clerk advised the Committee that it should consider the nil spend against the following
budget heads which current showed nil spend:
•
Flagpole for Stone Jetty
The City Council had previously indicated they could not permit a flagpole as
originally proposed by the Town Council as it would interfere with access to the end
of the Jetty for persons who were allocated access permits for fishing
•
Sandylands Paddling Pool:
The Clerk indicated that in accordance with the decision taken by Council in July he
had written to the City Council, Environment Agency, English Nature, Lancashire
9
County Council and Morecambe Bay Partnership requesting their views on residents
request for a paddling pool to be reinstated prior to a feasibility study being
undertaken.
The City Council had responded indicating their concern as to provision of a padding
pool for the following reasons:
a) The shore lies within several designations of environmental protection. Special
Area of conservation (SAC), Ramsar Site, Special Protection area (SPA) and Site
of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
b) Such a pool would have high capital and maintenance costs and as such would be
unsustainable in financial climate which local authorities will be expected to
operate in the future.
c) Such a pool would require substantial daily maintenance and attendance to
ensure safety and cleansing.
Morecambe Bay Partnership had indicated they had no comments to make and the
Environment Agency had no objections against a Feasibility Study being undertaken.
•
Bare Station Information Sign
Network Rail were yet to confirm arrangements for the installation for a sign and
indeed whether this was still required
•
Youth and Senior Citizen
The Clerk sought guidance on the Council’s strategy for the use of this budget. The
Chair highlighted an application made by the Bay Community Dance Festival to the
Festivals Committee for funding from the Festivals Grants Budget and indicated that
the Festival worked mainly with young people but did not meet the Festivals Gants
criteria.
Resolved:
That Council be recommended to:
(a) Note the position with regard to the 2013/14 budget at 31st August, 2013 as set
out at Appendix “B” to these minutes.
(b) Authorise the Clerk and Chair of the Committee to meet with City Council
officers to discuss a way forward for the siting of a flagpole as close to
Trafalgar point as possible on the Stone Jetty.
(c) Request the Clerk to undertake further discussions with Network Rail
regarding the Bare Station sign and that matter be resolved no later than the
January 2014 meeting of the Committee, with a view to any funds set aside
which could not be utilised being available for use within the preparation of the
2014/15 budget.
10
(d) Agree that the feasibility study be undertaken at a maximum cost of £5,000,
with the study investigating the provision of a Boating/Paddling Pool in a
similar position to the previous Pool, and the Clerk to prepare tender
documents and advertisements in respect of the awarding of the Feasibility
Study Contract as soon as possible.
(e) Award a sum of £1,350 to the Bay Community Dance Festival 2014 from the
Youth and senior Citizen Budget as seed funding for one year only and the
Clerk to produce a contract setting out the management of the Council’s risk
and outcomes which the Festival should meet prior to funding being released.
16.
Internal Audit
The Clerk to the Council presented the Internal Auditor’s report in respect of the 2012/13
financial year.
The Internal Auditor had highlighted a number of areas which the Council should consider
and determine an appropriate course of action.
(a)
Festival and Grant Contracts –Payment to third parties
Whilst the report indicates no improper practice had or was taking place the Council needed
to tighten up this area.
All recipients of Festival grants in particular had been required to submit receipts prior to
funds being released. This had been adhered to by the majority although over the last two
years some providers had not always provided all required documents. This year and
following this report, the Clerk had informed providers that payments would be withheld
unless all required documents were received.
A suggested form of words for inclusion in future contract was set out in the report.
(b)
Reserves
The report was not requiring the Council to hold no reserves. However the Council should
consider being more strategic in its reserves and clearly state what reserves were
earmarked for, i.e. all reserves should be in funds which were clearly identifiable
(c)
Training
Despite consideration of and a resolution being adopted by Council earlier this year the
report suggests the Council’s Training Strategy was still not adequate and therefore the
Committee were asked to consider suitable recommendations.
Resolved:
That Council be recommended to:
(a)
Note the Internal Auditors report
(b)
Include the following wording in all future funding contracts with third parties:
11
“Funding will not be released until receipts, invoices and other associated
documents are received providing evidence of expenditure on your Project or
Festival for which the funding has been approved and has taken place.”
(c)
To rename the Contingency Fund the Election Fund with its level being reviewed
during the annual budgetary process and that it be noted that should the
Council wish to fund items not previously budgeted for it would then need to
consider allocating funds from other budgets previously assigned.
(d)
Councillors to be reminded about the unallocated funds of £30,000 and the
previous resolution which stated:
“Request Councillors to put forward capital projects for the benefit of the
Town Council area, which could be funded from the unallocated funds now in
balances, and that in the interests of clarity the project should be detailed in
description, demonstrate value to the community, costed in as much detail as
possible, including ongoing annual costs, before it is considered at a future
meeting of the Finance and Management Committee and Full Council.”
(e)
To introduce a Policy requiring Councillors to undergo training in respect of
financial and legal matters appropriate to each of the Finance, Grants,
Personnel, Festivals and Allotments Committees within three months of being
appointed to the respective Committee and if the training was not attended their
membership of the Committee be rescinded and reallocated by Council.
(f)
The revised Training policy being introduced prior to the next Annual Meeting
and the Clerk implement the required training for each Committee prior to 31st
March, 2014.
17.
Insurance
The Clerk presented quotations received in respect of the renewal of the Council’s insurance
policy for the period 29th September, 2013 to 28th September, 2014.
Resolved:
That Council be recommended accept the quotation from AON Insurance at a
premium of £527.29 for the period 29th September, 2013 to 28th September, 2014.
18.
Ward Budgets
Resolved:
That Council be recommended to agree a contribution of £500 from each of the
Harbour and Heysham North Ward Budgets (a total of £1,000) as a contribution to
West End Traders and Community Group in respect of their Christmas Lights 2013
project.
-------------------------------------------Chairman
The meeting closed at 7.50 p.m.
12
Appendix A - Payment and Receipts Schedule – 1st July – 31st August, 2013
Code
Date
Cheque No
Description
Supplier
Net
VAT
Total
Salaries
01/07/2013
100534
Staff Car Mileage
Morecambe
Town Council
108.02
0.00
108.02
Photocopier
Charges
01/07/2013
100535
Photocopier Hire
Danwood
741.16
148.23
889.39
100536
Hire of Platform Blueswater
Festival
Lancaster
City Council
1,200.00
240.00
1,440.00
HMRC
2,402.82
0.00
2,402.82
Festivals
01/07/2013
Salaries
01/07/2013
100537
Quarterly Tax
AND
Employer/Employ
ee NI
Contributions
Festivals
01/07/2013
100538
Promenade Concert
Orchestra
Promenade
Concert
Orchestra
1,000.00
0.00
1,000.00
Telephone
02/07/2013
Standing
Order
Telephone Bill
Talk Talk
Business
28.00
5.60
33.60
Festivals
04/07/2013
Standing
Order
Blueswater
Festival
The
Revolutionaires
750.00
150.00
900.00
Festivals
04/07/2013
Standing
Order
Blueswater
Festival
Morecambe
Live
1,800.00
0.00
1,800.00
Festivals
11/07/2013
100542
Hire of Platform Morecambe Jazz
Festival
Lancaster
City Council
700.00
140.00
840.00
Grants
2013/14
04/07/2013
100539
Morecambe
Town Council
442.00
0.00
442.00
63.25
12.65
75.90
Morecambe Cricket
Club Grant
Postage,
Printing and
Stationery
16/07/2013
100543
Stationery
GLS
Educational
Supplies
Postage,
Printing and
Stationery
16/07/2013
100544
Postal Charges
Lancaster
City Council
53.45
2.40
55.85
Contingency
Fund
16/07/2013
100545
Cedric Robinson
Award
Classic
Engravings
63.33
12.67
76.00
13
Festivals
16/07/2013
100546
Morecambe Jazz
Festival
Morecambe
Live
3,050.00
0.00
3,050.00
Contingency
Fund
18/07/2013
100547
Cedric Robinson
Award – Framed
Scroll
Shaw and
Sons
160.00
32.00
192.00
Salaries
21/07/2013
Standing
Order
Salaries
Morecambe
Town Council
2,663.41
0.00
2,663.41
Contingency
Fund
18/07/2013
Standing
Order
Cedric Robinson
Award - flowers
Lune Valley
Home and
Garden
20.00
0.00
20.00
Employer
Pension
Contributions
19/07/2013
Standing
Order
Pension
Contributions
Morecambe
Town Council
262.89
0.00
262.89
Telephone
02/08/2013
Standing
Order
Telephone Bill
Talk Talk
Business
27.15
5.43
32.58
Salaries
19/07/2013
Standing
Order
Employee
Pension
Contributions
Morecambe
Town Council
133.50
0.00
133.50
100549
Additional Annual
Subscription to
LALC
LALC
5.00
0.00
5.00
Lancashire
County
Training
Partnership
150.00
0.00
150.00
0.00
150.00
Subscriptions
01/08/2013
Training
01/08/2013
100550
Cilca Training
Course
Training
01/08/2013
100551
Cilca Training
Course
SLCC
150.00
PCSOs
01/08/2013
100553
PCSO's Funding
Lancashire
Police
67,608.00 0.00
67,608.00
Bank
Charges
20/07/2013
Internet
Banking
Bank Charges
Morecambe
Town Council
16.20
0.00
16.20
Hire of
Rooms
(Meetings)
16/08/2013
100554
Hire of Meeting
Rooms
Lancaster
City Council
130.00
0.00
130.00
Festivals
16/08/2013
100555
Motown Magic
Festival
Morecambe Live
3,100.00
0.00
3,100.00
14
Salaries
19/08/2013
Standing
Order
Pension
Contributions Employee
Contributions
Employer
Pension
Contributions
19/08/2013
Standing
Order
Pension
Contributions
Morecambe
Town Council
262.89
0.00
262.89
Bank
Charges
19/08/2013
Internet
Banking
Bank Charges
HSBC
10.80
0.00
10.80
Salaries
21/08/2013
Standing
Order
Salaries
Morecambe
Town Council
2,773.54
0.00
2,773.54
Festivals
29/08/2013
100556
Catch the Wind
Festival 2013
More Music
3,000.00
0.00
3,000.00
Festivals
01/08/2013
100552
Tutti Frutti
Festival – Hire of
Platform
Lancaster
City Council
1,300.00
260.00
1,560.00
Total
Morecambe
Town Council
133.50
0.00
133.50
94,308.91 1,008.98
15
95,317.89
Appendix B – Budget 2013/14 – Position at 31st August, 2013
INCOME
EXPENDITURE
Actual
Estimated
UNDERSPEND/O
VERSPEND
Budget Head
Estimated
Staffing and Administration
0.00
0.00
63,600.00
23,673.83
39,926.17
Training
0.00
0.00
2,500.00
300.00
2,200.00
Bare Ward Budget
0.00
0.00
1,000.00
0.00
1,000.00
Harbour Ward Budget
0.00
0.00
1,000.00
0.00
1,000.00
Heysham Ward Budget
0.00
0.00
1,000.00
0.00
1,000.00
Poulton Ward Budget
0.00
0.00
1,000.00
0.00
1,000.00
Torrisholme Ward Budget
0.00
0.00
1,000.00
0.00
1,000.00
Westgate Ward Budget
0.00
0.00
3,000.00
2,000.00
1,000.00
Rail Information Sign
0.00
0.00
5,000.00
0.00
5,000.00
Flagpole
0.00
0.00
3,600.00
0.00
3,600.00
Allotment Bin Emptying
0.00
0.00
300.00
171.12
128.88
Litter Picking
0.00
0.00
1,700.00
608.30
1,091.70
Festivals
0.00
0.00
55,350.00
27,425.47
27,924.53
Grants 2013/14
0.00
0.00
16,000.00
2,151.99
13,848.01
Sandylands Paddling Pool Feasibility
Study
0.00
0.00
5,000.00
0.00
5,000.00
PCSOs
0.00
0.00
67,608.00
67,608.00
0.00
Community Centre and Town Council
Office Funds
0.00
0.00
55,000.00
0.00
55,000.00
Contingency Fund
0.00
0.00
12,000.00
243.33
11,756.67
Bank Interest
400.00
409.07
0.00
0.00
9.07
Annual Precept
224,355.00
224,355.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Healthy Streets
0.00
0.00
4,200.00
683.34
3,516.66
Bank Charges
0.00
0.00
0.00
65.25
-65.25
Portas Town Team
0.00
5,714.90
0.00
236.00
N/A
Youth/Senior Citizen Engagement
0.00
0.00
6,000.00
0.00
6,000.00
16
Actual
MORECAMBE TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes from the Festivals and Events Sub-Committee Meeting held at 7.00 pm on
Tuesday 2nd September, 2013
Councillors Present: R. Dennison, T. Heath, S. Burns, P. Kerr, S. Lomax, D. Whitaker and
M. Pattison
Officers in attendance – Abigail Fawcett (Assistant Clerk to the Council)
8.
Apologies for Absence – Councillors T. Brown and T. Metcalfe
9.
Declarations of Interest.
Councillor Dennison declared an interest in the application by the Bay Summer Festival of
Dance on the grounds that he knew one of the named applicants.
Councillor Whitaker declared an interest in the application by the Promenade Concert
Orchestra on the grounds that he had worked with the applicant.
Councillor Pattison declared an interest in the application by the Promenade Concert
Orchestra as she knew the applicant.
10.
Minutes of Meeting held on 17th June, 2013
That the minutes of the meeting held on 17th June, 2013 be approved as a correct record
11.
Festivals Funding 2014/15
The Committee considered the Clerk to the Council’s detailed report regarding applications
which had been received for funding towards Festivals and Events in 2014/15
Applicants had been invited to attend the meeting and make a brief presentation on their
event outlining their proposals and how these would meet the Council’s criteria and vision.
The following applicants attended:
Morecambe Live
Mousehouse Productions
Harrison (Nice n Sleazy)
S. Boswell (Tutti Frutti)
Bay Kite Surfing
Lancaster and District Canoe Club
Morecambe and Heysham Yacht Club
17
Lancaster City Council
Deco Publique
H. Rogerson (Promenade Concert Orchestra)
Morecambe carnival Organising Committee
Bare Village Business Association
More Music
The Dukes Theatre
P. Williams (Bay Summer Festival of Dance)
The Committee asked questions to each applicant present regarding their proposals but
indicated that this was strictly for information purposes only and no decisions would be made
regarding recommendations to Council on amounts of funding at this meeting.
Resolved:
(1)
That the presentations be noted and organisers thanked for their attendance.
(2)
That the Clerk to the Council contacts all applicants to request that they provide
additional details of their forecasted budget ensuring that the income tallied up with the
expenditure including a full list of all in-kind support, sponsorship, ticket sales,
donations etc. In addition due to the amount of applications received compared to the
level of funding available they were to be asked if they were able to submit to the Clerk
their bottom line figure to which they would need in order for the festival/event to go
ahead. It was noted that this may have meant altering their overall plan slightly to
absorb the loss in income.
(3)
That the Committee meets on 10th September to consider recommendations to Council
regarding funding amounts to be awarded to applicants.
-------------------------------------------Chairman
The meeting closed at 9:45 pm
18
MORECAMBE TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes from the Festivals and Events Sub-Committee Meeting held at 7.00 pm on
Tuesday 10th September, 2013
Councillors Present: R. Dennison (Chairman), S. Burns, P. A. Heath, P. Kerr, S. Lomax,
M. Pattison and D. Whitaker
Officers in attendance – David Croxall (Clerk to the Council)
12.
Apologies for Absence – Councillors T. Brown and T. Metcalfe
13.
Declarations of Interest.
Councillor Dennison declared a non prejudicial interest in the application by the Bay Summer
Festival of Dance on the grounds that he knew one of the named applicants.
Councillor Whitaker declared an interest in the application by the Promenade Concert
Orchestra on the grounds that he has worked with the applicant.
Councillor Pattison declared an interest in the application by the Promenade Concert
Orchestra as she knew the applicant.
14.
Exclusion of Press and Public
The Committee discussed their concerns that it would not be possible to discuss applications
for funding in public without disclosing potential exempt information in respect of businesses
and organisations.
It was therefore proposed and voted upon:
“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and
public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it
could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of
Schedule 12A of that Act.”
Resolved:
That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and
public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it
could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of
Schedule 12A of that Act.
15.
Festivals Funding 2014/15
The Committee considered the following applications which had been received been
received for funding from the Council’s three Festival Funds:
19
Community Festivals Fund – Budget £10,000
Proposed Date
Amount Requested
(£)
4th May, 2014
7,000
7th June, 2014
1,500
June 2014
5,000
20th - 21st June, 2014
3,000
5th – 6th July, 2014
1,920
Besides the Sea Community Film Festival - The
Dukes Theatre, Lancaster
19th – 20th July, 2014
9,950
Bay Summer Festival of Dance
24th – 27th July, 2014
1,350
West End Festival – More Music
19th or 26th July, 2014
2,000
Winter Lantern Festival – Festival Market Traders
December 2014
1,500
Morecambe Chinese New Year Festival – Hua
Xian Chinese Society
Jan – Feb 2015
3,500
Name of Festival
Morecambe
Committee
Carnival
–Morecambe
Carnival
Bare Fest – Bare Village Business Association
Inspired 2014 – Lancaster and Morecambe
College
Catch the Wind (Kite Festival) – More Music
Family Fun Weekend – Festival Market Traders
Total
36,720
20
Major Festivals Fund – Budget £35,000
Proposed Date
Amount Requested
(£)
2nd – 4th May, 2014
3,750
North Lancs Soul Festival
16th – 18th May, 2014
4,950
Nice n Sleazy
22nd – 25th May, 2014
5,500
Country Kickback – Morecambe Live
23rd – 25th May, 2014
3,750
Name of Festival
Morecambe Live Weekender – Morecambe Live
Morecambe Bay Watersports Festival:
7,650
Kite Surfing Club, Canoe Club and Yacht Club
June or July 2014
2,500
2,500
Blueswater – Morecambe Live
Morecambe Jazz– Morecambe Live
Tutti Frutti
Motown Magic – Morecambe Live
Zombieville – Morecambe Live
20th – 22nd June, 2014
3,750
4th – 6th July, 2014
3,750
26th – 27th July, 2014
3,100
8th – 10th August, 2014
3,750
10th – 12th October,
2014
1,950
Total
46,900
Partnership Festivals Fund – Budget £15,000
Name of Festival
Proposed Date
18/11/2014
16/11/2014
25/01/2015
22/03/2015
Promenade Concert Orchestra
Amount Requested
(£)
4,000
World War 1 Centenary Event – Festival Market
Traders
3rd August, 2014
2,375
Vintage by the Sea – Lancaster City Council and
Deco Publique
6th – 7th September,
2014
20,000
Christmas Festival - – Festival Market Traders
29th – 30th November,
2014
3,000
Total
30,850
21
The additional information requested by the Committee from each organisation at the
meeting held on 2nd September was circulated and applications were discussed in detail.
The Committee also considered the future funding profile of the Town Council which was a
small Council and would have a reduced budget by 2015/16 of 25%, together with the results
of the consultations report regarding the branding of Morecambe and Morecambe Bay.
Some of the festivals which had been funded every year since the Town Council came into
being, and the continuing support of the same festivals year on year, was unsustainable, and
by its nature prompts inertia in a fast changing entertainment offer.
The Committee were of the view that the Town Council should be attempting to achieve a
series of weekend events, which attracted an increased number of outside visitors for the
weekend to the town, thus increasing retails spend in the town. This would involve risks, but
attracting new and innovative entertainment offer was vital to maintain Morecambe and its
tourism trade.
Resolved:
That Council be recommended to approve the following recommendations:
(a)
Partnership Festivals Fund – Budget £15,000
Name of Festival
World War 1 Centenary
Event –
Vintage by the Sea
Christmas Festival
Total
Amount
Awarded(£)
NIL
18,000
NIL
Notes
The Committee were of the view that this Festival was
supported by Lancaster City Council who owned the
market and that it did not meet the newly introduced
criteria as it was linked to commercial venture
Subject to £3,000 being utilised as joint funding of a
fireworks display within the event with the additional
£3,000 being transferred from the Community and Major
Festivals Fund
The Committee were of the view that this Festival was
supported by Lancaster City Council who owned the
market and that it did not meet the newly introduced
criteria as it was linked to commercial venture
18,000
22
(b)
Community Festivals Fund – Available Budget 10,000
Name of Festival
Amount
Awarded(£)
Notes
Morecambe Carnival
1,500
To fund the Carnival portion of the event only
Bare Fest
1,000
The Festival be required to seek additional sponsorship in
the future
Inspired 2014
Catch the Wind (Kite
Festival)
NIL
The Committee were of the opinion that the event could
be funded by Lancaster and Morecambe College and its
sponsors
2,500
Subject to More Music acknowledging funding support by
the Town Council on its website
Family Fun Weekend
NIL
The Committee were of the view that this Festival was
supported by Lancaster City Council who owned the
market and that it did not meet the newly introduced
criteria as it was linked to commercial venture
Besides the Sea
Community Film Festival
NIL
Members decided not to fund this Festival
NIL
It was recommended that the event be supported via the
Council’s Youth and Senior Citizen Budget to the value
of £1,350 on the basis of the award being for one year
only as seed funding
1,000
Subject to More Music acknowledging funding support by
the Town Council on its website
1,000
Subject to More Music acknowledging funding support by
the Town Council on its website and More Music
providing a satisfactory explanation as to the apparent
high proportion of hire costs for PA Equipment
NIL
Whilst the Committee believed this would be a positive
addition to the Morecambe Events scene, it was of the
view that the Festival was already supported with
alternative funding from agencies which were supporting
the event
Promenade Concert
Orchestra
£1,000
This application was moved from teh Partnership Fund to
the Community festivals Fund
Total
£8,000
Bay Summer Festival of
Dance
West End Festival
Winter Lantern Festival
Morecambe Chinese New
Year Festival
23
(c)
Major Festivals Fund – Budget £35,000
Name of Festival
Amount
Awarded(£)
Notes
Morecambe Live:
Morecambe Live Weekender
Country Kickback
Blueswater
Morecambe Jazz
Motown Magic
Zombieville
North Lancs Soul Festival
Nice n Sleazy
NIL
The Committee were of the view that the applications
from Morecambe Live should not be supported
2,000
The Committee acknowledge that this was not the full
amount applied for and formed the view that it cannot
continue to fund free festivals indefinitely and suggests
that Organisers seek alternative/additional forms of
funding (this decision would provide 18 months notice
Organisers).
3,000
The Committee acknowledge that this was not the full
amount applied for and formed the view that it cannot
continue to fund subsidised festivals indefinitely and
suggests that Organisers seek alternative/additional
forms of funding (this decision would provide 18 months
notice Organisers).
12,000
The award would be subject to clarification of equipment
hire and purchases being resolved
2,000
The Committee acknowledge that this was not the full
amount applied for and formed the view that it cannot
continue to fund subsidised festivals indefinitely and
suggests that Organisers seek alternative/additional
forms of funding (this decision would provide 18 months
notice Organisers).
Morecambe Bay
Watersports Festival
Tutti Frutti
Total
19,000
24
(d)
That to ensure the entertainment and tourism offer within Morecambe being of
the highest possible quality the remaining balance of £15,000 within the overall
Festivals Budget for 2014/15 be re-advertised:
• With expressions of interest being invited from Festival Organisers and
Promoters for the provision of a major Festival or Festivals within the town
during the summer of 2014;
• Proposed events should aim to attract as many outside visitors as possible to
the town;
• Potential applicants be informed that proposed festivals need not be purely
music based festivals
• The closing date for the receipt of applications being Friday 20th December,
2013.
-------------------------------------------Chairman
The meeting closed at 9:10 pm
David Croxall
Clerk to the Council
11th September, 2013
25
COUNCIL – 19th September, 2013
Item No: 11
Report of: Clerk to the Council
Promenade Lights
Introduction
The Council will recall that the following Notice of Motion was approved in January:
“That the Town Clerk be requested to investigate all options for the provision of lights
on Morecambe Promenade between The Battery and Bare, with a view to the lights
being available to be used all year round and to report back to Council on:
• Costings (including how funding could be obtained other than just through the
Town Council’s budget)
• Types of Lights
• Health and Safety issues
• When the lights could be switched on
• Views of City and County Councils
• The benefits to the Town
• The views of local residents
Since the resolution was agreed several meetings have taken place, costings sought and
businesses/public asked for their views.
This report sets out details of progress to date, although there are still some areas to
be investigated and the Council is asked to consider this update report.
Project Viability
The concept of the project would be to implement a “string of lights” on the promenade
ideally from The Battery to Happy Mount Park.
The County Council would have no problem with the project although as the lighting would
be located on the public highway a licence would be required from the County Council and
the County would approve such a licence with no charge.
The City Council have raised no objections in principle.
If the project proceeded there would be two options for the siting of the lights:
•
Adjacent to the road; or
•
On the seaward side of the sea wall (the railings side)
26
At this stage costings have been sought for the lights to be positioned on the seaward side
as this was assumed to be more appropriate as this was the part of the Promenade that was
used by pedestrians.
However, this would require the installation of steel columns 30m apart from which to hang
the lights. The columns would be 5m high (less than a lamp post).
Costings
Costings have been sought based on these assumptions although the costs could
increase/reduce depending on the type/design of the columns.
Estimate via County Council for supply of columns:
1. 3300m, probably requires approx 110 columns costing around £16500 to install (The
Battery to Broadway)
2. 2450m, probably requires approx 82 columns costing around £12300 to install (The
Battery to Lord Street)
3. 1300m, probably requires approx 43 columns costing around £6450 to install (Midland
to Lord Street)
Estimate from Lighting and Illumination Technology Limited:
Item 1 - Option A - MaxiLED festoon – Broadway to The Battery
To supply 3,300m of IP68 rated 24v MaxiLED festoon with 3,300 no. ultra-bright multidirectional warm white, 0.6 watt high quality LED lamps (spaced at 1 metre intervals) and
protected with 64mm diameter clear polycarbonate globes, including 17 no. 24v
weatherproof electronic drivers, for £26,195 total
To supply 110 no. 5m high steel columns for the budget sum of (depending upon style and
design) £250 each, £27,500 total
To install 110 columns, supply and install stainless steel catenary cables to these columns
and then attach the MaxiLED festoons to the catenary cables, including power supplies, for
the sum of £37,825 total
GRAND TOTAL = £91,520
Item 1 - Option B - MaxiLED festoon – Broadway to The Battery
To supply 3,300m of IP68 rated 24v MaxiLED festoon with 6,600 no. ultra-bright multidirectional warm white, 0.6 watt high quality LED lamps (spaced at 500mm intervals) and
protected with 64mm diameter clear polycarbonate globes, including 17 no. 24v
weatherproof electronic drivers, for £50,945 total
To supply 110 no. 5m high steel columns for the budget sum of (depending upon style and
design) £250 each, £27,500 total
27
To install 110 columns, supply and install stainless steel catenary cables to these columns
and then attach the MaxiLED festoons to the catenary cables, including power supplies, for
the sum of £37,825 total GRAND TOTAL = £116,270
Item 2 - Option A - MaxiLED festoon –The Battery to Lord Street
To supply 2,450m of IP68 rated 24v MaxiLED festoon with 2,450 no. ultra-bright multidirectional warm white, 0.6 watt high quality LED lamps (spaced at 1 metre intervals) and
protected with 64mm diameter clear polycarbonate globes, including 12 no. 24v
weatherproof electronic drivers, for £19,395 total
To supply 82 no. 5m high steel columns for the budget sum of (depending upon style and
design) £250 each, £20,500 total
To install 82 no. columns, supply and install stainless steel catenary cables to these columns
and then attach the MaxiLED festoons to the catenary cables, including power supplies, for
the sum of £28,165 total
GRAND TOTAL = £68,060
Item 2 - Option B - MaxiLED festoon –The Battery to Lord Street
To supply 2,450m of IP68 rated 24v MaxiLED festoon with 4,900 no. ultra-bright multidirectional warm white, 0.6 watt high quality LED lamps (spaced at 500mm intervals) and
protected with 64mm diameter clear polycarbonate globes, including 13 no. 24v
weatherproof electronic drivers, for £37,855 total
To supply 82 no. 5m high steel columns for the budget sum of (depending upon style and
design) £250 each, £20,500 total
To install 82 no. columns, supply and install stainless steel catenary cables to these columns
and then attach the MaxiLED festoons to the catenary cables, including power supplies, for
the sum of £28,165 total
GRAND TOTAL = £86,520
Item 3 - Option A - MaxiLED festoon – Lord Street to Midland Hotel
To supply 1,300m of IP68 rated 24v MaxiLED festoon with 1,300 no. ultra-bright multidirectional warm white, 0.6 watt high quality LED lamps (spaced at 1 metre intervals) and
protected with 64mm diameter clear polycarbonate globes, including 7 no. 24v weatherproof
electronic drivers, for £10,345 total
To supply 43 no. 5m high steel columns for the budget sum of (depending upon style and
design) £250 each, £10,750 total
To install 43 no. columns, supply and install stainless steel catenary cables to these columns
and then attach the MaxiLED festoons to the catenary cables, including power supplies, for
the sum of £14,825 total
GRAND TOTAL = £35,920
28
Item 3 - Option B - MaxiLED festoon – Lord Street to Midland Hotel
To supply 1,300m of IP68 rated 24v MaxiLED festoon with 2,600 no. ultra-bright multidirectional warm white, 0.6 watt high quality LED lamps (spaced at 500mm intervals) and
protected with 64mm diameter clear polycarbonate globes, including 7 no. 24v weatherproof
electronic drivers, for £20,095 total
To supply 43 no. 5m high steel columns for the budget sum of (depending upon style and
design) £250 each, £10,750 total
To install 43 no. columns, supply and install stainless steel catenary cables to these columns
and then attach the MaxiLED festoons to the catenary cables, including power supplies, for
the sum of £14,825 total
GRAND TOTAL = £45,670
The MaxiLED festoon is a high quality product, designed specifically for seafront locations
and is therefore offered with a 5 year warranty.
The electronic drivers will be IP67 rated and would be positioned at approximately 200m
intervals, being centrally fed to avoid voltage drop off and would be column mounted.
The estimated costs for running the supplies to these columns are included, although all
installation costs are subject to a formal site survey and are therefore for budgeting purposes
only.
(These prices are net excluding VAT and carriage.)
This Company has a good track record of supplying this type of lighting to several seaside
resorts.
Other Costs:
Costings have been sought a further supplier locally based.
Maintenance/Ongoing Costs/Health and Safety
The quote from Lighting and Illumination Technology Limited would use high brightness 0.6
watt LED lamps and are protected by IP68 rated 64mm diameter polycarbonate globes and
therefore cannot be smashed. They would be fitted with multi-directional LED lamps which
have been produced to withstand stormy weather and high saline environments and have
already been installed in several seafront locations in the UK and also in South Africa.
MaxiLED festoons are offered with a “no quibble” 5 year warranty and therefore the Council
would have no financial commitment in terms of maintenance for this period.
Lighting and Illumination Technology Limited expect that, even running these lights all year
round, you would still have a further 5 years of life with nominal maintenance issues in these
subsequent 5 years.
The running costs would also be very low as each lamp uses only 0.6 watts of power despite
the ultra-bright light output levels.
29
Thus if the project proceeded using the column as indicated and the type of lights indicated
Health and Safety should not be an issue and the long term maintenance of the lights
particularly in the first 5 years would be negligible other than the cost of power.
To date the estimation fo the cost of power has been difficult as this would depend on the
length of time the lights were switched. A steer would be required to allow further research
on this to be undertaken including what the costs are for other towns.
Public/Business Views
Quotes form public responses:
“Yes I think the Illuminations would be a good thing, all year round because it will brighten
things up for residents as well in the winter months.
Norman Woodhead
PS LED lights will cost a fraction of what normal bulds would all be it dearer to buy in the first
place”
“I write to give my support to the proposal of re-illuminating the Promenade at Morecambe.
Morecambe needs something, anything, to help restore it to its former glory and this would
be a step in the right direction. Illuminations could complement the excellent work done at
the West End gardens and the Tern Project and, if done with taste and imagination, could
almost be viewed as an "art installation".
I am sure there are ways in which the Council could explore "green" lighting as a draw and a
possible hook for external funding and collaboration with local businesses. The lights could
be used for the summer season and also (with modification) would make the prom look
special at Christmas.”
Quotes from Business responses:
“The construction of festoon lights on the Prom would not benefit the business community as
these are not an "attraction", rather an embellishment.
Promenade lights (as what is being proposed are not Illuminations) would not benefit my
own business as we are off the prom and therefore would glean no increase in footfall.
Having said this, I do not see how the addition of festoon lights would create enough interest
to bring additional tourists or visitors to our town.
Therefore, as a business owner I would not be prompted to support/sponsor this scheme.”
“I believe that this would be a terrible mis-use of money where there is so much more that
can be done to improve our Town Centre and make this "Eric's view" more attractive to
visitors, tourists and shoppers.
in brief, as I don't have much time at the moment, as local hoteliers, we think the provision of
light along the promenade is a wonderful idea, especially if the area covers from The Battery
to Bare, We are situated at promenade end of West End Road, and due the blue hording on
the old Frontierland site, we feel very cut off and separated from the rest of the town, this
would help us tremendously to feel a part of the town. It would be something quite different
and a marvellous boost the tourism economy, the promenade is Morecambe's best and very
unique feature and we should build on this.”
30
“With regards to the illuminations you have mentioned below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The lights being introduced into the west end of Morecambe would highlight that
there are recreational areas and shops, also/perhaps point people towards the
picturesque Heysham village.
I am now situated opposite the Midland hotel and feel that this would also highlight all
areas of Morecambe from one end of the prom to the other, visitors residents alike
would also feel safer if the Prom was lit through the winter months.
Even if the lights were on for 9 months of the year it would (as mentioned above)
make people feel safer walking along the prom. If the lights were on during the
winter period it would let people know that although the summer season is over,
Morecambe is still 'open for business'.
I think for many including myself would prove to be difficult at this time due to the
current climate, however the larger stores within Morecambe may be able to provide
support to a very worthwhile project.
Even though steel columns are required, maybe local schools could be contacted to
decorate these using a seaside theme to make them more pleasing to the eye.”
Any improvements to Morecambe whether large or small must be seen as a good thing,
which will in turn raise the profile of Morecambe and bring in more visitors.
Obviously it would be an expensive venture, and as a local business we would be happy to
contribute in some way.”
“Morecambe does tend to look closed for business. Illumination will create a perception of
openness and welcome. It will also make people feel more secure, with regard to walking on
the prom after the sun has gone down. It will hopefully, with a bit of help from regular
patrols, get rid of the drunks (and teenagers trying to get drunk) off the prom.
Would allow guests to use the prom as an amenity and provide a better walkway into the
town’s pubs and restaurants. More romantic than a blacked out prom with itinerants lurking
in the shadows. Might seed ideas for using the prom at night e.g. pop up restaurants, plays
on the prom?
What have the council done in terms of looking into renewables to help or totally feed the
illuminations? The amenity would be for all of Morecambe and Lancaster, not just the
businesses. Visitor will benefit, people employed in the local businesses businesses, people
using Morecambe’s prom, from Morecambe and nearby Lancaster.
Everyone should pay through their council taxes. Goodness knows, enough of
Morecambe’s taxes have gone into Lancaster’s projects – It really is time for some revenue
to be put back into Morecambe, not what is left once Lancaster has been satisfied – it really
is embarrassingly obvious – this is coming from someone who was sceptical of the people
who said “it all goes to Lancaster”.
Fine, just make sure they are aesthetic and not like those hideous lollipop lights around the
station, and up central drive going towards the front. They clutter the skyline.
In summary Great Idea – don’t let them spend too much money having meetings about it
though.”
31
“My only concern is that with Blackpool being so close to us, and I would assume having a
greater budget for illuminations, persons choosing to visit illuminations would tend to go
there instead of to Morecambe. I can't see that it would necessarily benefit the general
Morecambe economy to a large extent but might give a boost to some of the promenade
cafes and shops. Financially, that would be difficult to anticipate but I personally feel the fact
that SOMETHING is being done and provided to entice visitors has to be of benefit as it
creates a positive message. I think they will become less of an event if you have them
working all year around. The anticipation and excitement factor of a "switch on" and the fact
they potentially give a boost at a time of year when things may be going a bit flat is the main
purpose of illuminations. If you are reliant upon contributions to run this it may fall flat IF
benefits by business community are not felt as a result of the implementation, I think the
benefits of the lights surpasses the negatives of steel columns but without seeing a
computer generated image or sketch of this it is difficult to give a clear answer.”
“We feel to have valid opinion, a pictorial representation of the Promenade Illuminations
would have to be seen by the membership of the BVBA. Although the idea and concept in
principle we do like and can see benefit to the local economy, if it brought visitors to the town
or encouraged day trippers to stay into the evening. The fact that the proposed end of the
illuminations is Broadway (the division line between Morecambe and Bare) and not as far as
Happy Mount Park (which was previously a focal point of Morecambe Illuminations in the
past) is a concern to us.”
The University responded as follows:
“When this was discussed at a Future Morecambe event, the idea rather than the process
was what was (pretty briefly) discussed, but I would imagine it would work by having a single
(lighting) design-trained leader working to facilitate each year’s community project might be
done through an annual competition to find the design (which should include ease of build as
a criteria), and then some element with community workshops to build the design. and rather
than renew the entire run of illuminations each year it would likely be a case of renewing a
section which could then be ‘launched’ in an annual illuminations event... obviously there
would still be costs involved but would save on some design and build costs and would
embed the community into the project on an on-going basis.”
The Way Forward
The Council is asked:
To consider the merits of continuing with the development of the scheme including:
•
•
•
•
•
Obtaining design drawings of the columns and how it would actually appear on
the Promenade
Further costings
Powers costs for which a steer would be required on hours the lights would be
used
Options for obtaining the additional funding required to allow the full project to
be implemented
Implementing the University’s ideas regarding managing the project as a
Community Project.
32
•
COUNCIL – 19th September, 2013
Item No: 12
Report of: Clerk to the Council
Outrageous Ambition – Request for Town Council funding support
Introduction
A request has been received from Mr Simon Rudd the Manager of the Outrageous Ambition
project (Business Plan circulated separately to members of the Council).
The following correspondence was initially received from Mr Rudd:
“I am the father of a disabled daughter. Chloe is in her 3rd and final year at Beaumont
College Lancaster, Chloe has had a truly wonderfully 3 years however her future when she
Leaves College is at best is uncertain.
Around 12 months I had a conversation with Richard Hawkes CEO of Scope regarding the
future of my daughter and young adults like her. My conversation lead to me leaving my job
and setting up a social enterprise to support disabled adults to live rich rewarding lives.
In July of last year I was accepted onto the Lloyds Banking Group at Social Entrepreneurs
Programme at the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE). During the course of the
programme I have travelled the UK speaking to social entrepreneurs who are making a real
difference, it has been a privilege to meet and work with people who do amazing things
every day of their lives.
As a local councillor you may be interested to know:
The School for Social Entrepreneurs was founded in 1997 by Michael Young (Lord Young of
Dartington).
There are 8 SSE schools in the UK, 2 in Australia and 1 in Canada.
Over 850 Fellows have completed programmes.
70% of Fellows work in the 20% most deprived areas in the UK.
Fellows' organisations are 20% more likely to survive for 5 years than traditional UK
business.
On average, each organisation set up by a Fellow recruits 2 full-time and 3 part-time workers
after graduation. The total value of jobs created by SSE Fellows is estimated to be £13m per
year.
90% of Fellows say they have had a wider impact beyond their community, ranging from
raising awareness to influencing government policy.
I’m passionate not just improving the life of my daughter but also the wider community of
disabled people, we can achieve so much more when we work together. I also love
Morecambe and feel it has huge potential, my memories of Morecambe as a child are very
special and if I can in a very small way contribute to returning Morecambe to its former
glories I would be delighted.
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I have been working on my social enterprise now for 12 months and during that time I have
spoken to and worked with many influential people in the world of disability and business. I
am now at the stage where I require funding to make my project a reality. I have identified a
number of grant funders who would be willing to support the project if I can evidence need
for new ways of supporting disabled people and support for the project in the local
community.”
The Project
Members will note from the Business Plan that the project aims to set up a “Hub” as a social
enterprise within the town centre as a place for young disabled people to meet and be fully
involved in the design and delivery of social enterprise projects that benefit disabled people
as well as the wider community.
The Outrageous Hub would address all the needs identified during their recent consultation:
Disabled people did not have the same employment and voluntarily opportunities as
non disabled people:
The Outrageous Shop will sell and promote products made by social enterprises in the UK.
Work experience and volunteering will be available to adults with physical and learning
difficulties, barriers to work will be removed by lowering counters and displays to ensure
wheelchairs users are not disadvantaged.
Disabled young people are more likely to be NEET (not in education, employment or
training):
The enterprise hub would provide training, support and mentoring to disabled people
wanting to develop their own enterprise ideas.
Young Autistic people feel they have no opportunity to their aspirations:
We will ensure that people with Autism or Asperger syndrome are supported in a structured,
organised environment and work with them to build on their many strengths which include
accuracy, good eye for detail, reliability and meticulous application of routine tasks
Disabled people do not feel they can play an active role in their local communities:
The cafe, meeting and performance space will be a community asset available to the wider
community. Disabled people will be involved in the design and delivery of all services.
Disabled people will have the opportunity to become service providers and not users of
services.
Disabled people did not have the same leisure and social opportunities as non
disabled people:
The cafe, meeting and performance space will be available to disability groups, disabled
people, their families and their careers.
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Details of the Request to the Council
The organisers are asking for the Council to consider a one off grant of £15,000 which would
pay the first years rent on a property in Morecambe town centre.
The organisers have been quoted the following rental terms for the next 3 years:
Year 1:£15,000
Year 2:15,000
Year 3:£32,000
The organiser has asked for the 1st years rent as this would enable Outrageous Ambition to
establish themselves locally and enable work to be undertaken towards funding for years 2
and 3 of the project from the Big Lottery Reaching communities with a view to the Project
becoming self sufficient.
Issues to Consider
a) The Council could fund this project from its powers within the Local Government
(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 s.19 which gives powers to Local Councils to
provide and equip buildings for use of clubs having athletic, social or recreational
objectives
b)
Supporting such a Project would meet with the Council’s Strategic Vision as it would fall
under the following three of the Council’s priority areas:
•
•
•
Youth Engagement
Community Engagement
Improving the economy of the town
c)
Subject to decisions earlier at the meeting funds of £4,650 remain in the Youth/Senior
Citizen Budget. As the Council has not determined a clear strategy for the use of this
budget and Outrageous Ambition engages young people the Council would be able to
use this budget if it wished. The Council also currently has available £30,000 of
unallocated expenditure which could be used for the project.
d)
If the Council wished to support the project it would need to consider matters such as:
•
risk management issues e.g. the longevity of the project, guarantees that the project
could proceed beyond one year
•
outcomes which it would require to be met by the service provided as a method of
ensuring appropriate service delivery
•
matched funding to the Town Councils being guaranteed from other funding bodies.
Suggested Way Forward
If the Council wished to support the Project as requested, as Clerk it is suggested that
an in principle decision be taken only at this stage with a view to the Clerk meeting
with the Project Organiser and preparing terms and contract documentation for
consideration at the next meeting of Council.
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COUNCIL – 19th September, 2013
Item No: 13
Report of: Clerk to the Council
Standing Orders – Recording of Meetings
Introduction
The Council’s Standing Orders currently state in Standing Order No. 1 (m):
“Photographing, recording, broadcasting or transmitting the proceedings of a
meeting by any means is not permitted without the Council’s prior (written) consent.”
If consent is given, such a recording shall be under the control of the proper Officer and only
that person and the Chair and Vice Chairman of the recorded meeting shall have access.
Recent Government Guidance
The Government recently published the following guidance regarding the filming of Council
Meetings:
The Local Government Secretary published a new guide for local people on 14th June, 2013
explaining how they can attend and report their local council meetings. New guidance
explicitly states that Councils should allow the public to film council meetings.
The Government has changed the law to allow citizens to report, blog, tweet and film council
meetings in England. It also outlines the assorted rights that taxpayers’ have to access
council papers and documents.
The new guidance explicitly states that councillors and council officers can be filmed at
Council meetings, and corrects misconceptions that the Data Protection Act somehow
prohibits this.
The Health and Safety Executive has also shot down the suggestion that ‘health and safety
‘regulations’ also bar filming, which Wirral Council used to justify a filming ban last year.
The guidance gives practical assistance: filming should be overt, people should be informed
at the start of the meeting, and councils should have a clear policy on whether members of
the public who may speak at a meeting should have the right to opt-out of filming (so as not
to discourage public participation). But the guidance is clear that town officers and
councillors can be filmed, as they are public officials.
The detailed provisions are contained in the secondary legislation made under the 2000 Act,
that is the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information)
(England) Regulations 2012.
Although this guidance is strictly directly relevant to English Principal Councils, the guide
nevertheless gives an interesting indication of the current Government’s thinking.
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What should a Town Council do?
The Society of Local Council Clerks stated in its September 2013 magazine:
“It is increasingly likely that members of the public will want to record Council
meetings. Their expectations will be that they have a right to do. What is your
Council’s position? Do you have a policy on how and when filming or other
recording may be done? Even though the 2012 Rules do not apply to Local
Councils, the prohibiting of all recording of meetings would not accord with the
public expectation or with the Go9vernment’s call for greater transparency and
accountability.
Nevertheless, recording should not be allowed to disrupt the meeting and
business being transacted. If it does, that is a good reason to require it to stop.
But recording need not be overly intrusive and it may even be beneficial. It may
have an impact on the attendances and conduct of members at meetings and it
may lead to greater public engagement with the Council. AS Secretary of State
Pickle’s says, ‘Councillors should not be shy about the public seeing the good
work they do in championing local communities and local interests.’ “
As one the Council priorities is to achieve Quality Council status and improve
communication/transparency within its Strategic Vision, the advice of the Clerk would be that
Council should consider amending Standing Orders to allow filming of Council Meetings.
If the Council amended Stranding Order to allow filming it may wish to consider costing the
purchase of its own recording equipment, to film meetings itself and provide a recording after
each meeting via its website and the setting up of its own You Tube account. In this way any
disruption which could be caused by members of the public wishing to record meetings could
perhaps be averted.
Action required:
(a)
To consider whether to amend Standing Orders to allow filming at future
meetings of Council
(c) To consider the wording of the Standing Order 1(m) and the process that
would be implemented regarding filming of meetings should Council decide it
wishes to amend Standing Orders to allow filming/recording.
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COUNCIL – 19th September, 2013
Item No: 14
Report of: Clerk to the Council
Correspondence Received
West End Community and Traders Group
West End Community and Traders Group recently wrote to the Council following a meeting
between the Group and the Clerk.
The Group will be progressing their Christmas Light project and working closely with More
Music to support the Lantern Festival.
The Group are concerned about the number of empty shops in the west End and the state of
the buildings. They are currently discussing with the City Council action that be taken to
address their appearance.
The Group are also concerned about the lack of toilets in the West end and are exploring the
feasibility of opening the Regent Road toilets one day per week.
Perhaps of most concern remains the Frontierland site which in the view of the Traders fuels
the apparent division between the central shopping area and the West End.
The Group have asked if the Town Council would enter into discussions with themselves,
Lancaster and District Chamber of Trade and Morrison’s to examine a way forward for more
productive use of this site until a major private investor comes forward.
Action Required:
The Council are asked to note the Trader’s Group current activities and to consider
whether it wishes to engage in preliminary joint discussions with Morrison’s. If so, it
would perhaps be beneficial to meet with the Traders Group and the Chamber to
agree a strategy for any subsequent meeting.
Request re Help for Heroes – The Berkeley Hotel
The following request has been received from the owner of the Berkeley Hotel which I have
included in this report as I received it
“There is an ex homeless soldier from Blackpool called Christian Nock who set out from
Blackpool last August and is walking the entire coastline of Britain raising money for Help 4
Heroes and the homeless. His original intention was to raise £10k but so far has raised well
over the £70k mark.(I think it is now over £100k).
He is presently on the east coast of Scotland and is expected to be on our coast sometime
next year. Wherever he has been so far on his travels, he has been greeted by Mayors,
dignitaries, marching bands, shows etc. He was actually marched over Tower Bridge in
London by the Household Cavalry with full mounted escort.
At Skegness they actually held a ‘Nockfest’ on the beach with the councils blessing and
support. Myself and some of the other ex soldiers that live around the Bay area,( ex Kings
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Own Royal Border Regt recruiting areas), are planning on making a fuss of Christian when
he hits the Cumbrian coastline around the Silloth area and until he reaches his final
destination at Blackpool. Myself, I plan on meeting him around the Barrow area and
spending a couple of days walking with him and sleeping rough.
Christian has slept rough every night in shop doorways, car parks, garden sheds and only
accepts food and drink plus somewhere to charge his phone and wifi access as he writes a
blog on facebook daily. We will be offering him the use of our shed to sleep in and feeding
him unless we can think of a plan where he could be honoured at a civic dinner on the night
he is in town. Or something along that line
If the people of Morecambe were to put something on when he arrives in the town, it will put
Morecambe in the limelight as each area Christian passes through, the local media have
covered his journey. It has already been on Sky and in some national papers.
Do you think the town council may be interested in supporting this idea?
The support team would be able to give approx 4 weeks notice as to his intended arrival
date in the area. If he is a day or 2 out, he accepts lifts from his current spot to attend
functions/sleep/food etc as long as he is dropped back off at the same place the next day.
There is an official web site at www.christainaroundbritain.co.uk that gives the link to the
main story that is on facebook.
This has gone to the local Army regiment at Weeton as well and there could be a good turn
out from them right along the Cumbria/Lancashire coast until he reaches his finishing line in
Blackpool. It is the Duke of Lancaster’s regiment so a lot of local connections.
I am going to be planning fund raising events beginning in the New Year or as soon as we
find he is a matter of months away from Morecambe. The idea would be to hand him one of
those big cheques from the people of Morecambe.”
Action required
The Town Council could offer financial support as a donation to the cause or towards
the cost of any “Welcome Event” organised, although this would need to be approved
Section 137 expenditure and there is currently no budget other than contingency from
which any contribution could be sourced.
With regard to an event being organised, the City Council would need to be involved
as the Town Council currently has no jurisdiction over any land that would need to be
utilised.
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