MINUTES OF BIGGLESWADE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 24 JULY 2012 AT THE
OFFICES OF BIGGLESWADE TOWN COUNCIL, THE OLD COURT HOUSE, SAFFRON ROAD
BIGGLESWADE
Present:
1.
Cllr Mrs H Ramsay (Chair), Cllr Mrs J Lawrence, Cllr D Lawrence, Cllr Ms S Mulchrone, Cllr S
Watkins, Cllr Mrs W Smith, Cllr I Bond, Cllr Mrs M Russell, Cllr D Albone, Cllr R Skinner, Cllr P
Woodward.
Rob McGregor - Town Clerk
Louise Wilcox - Deputy Town Clerk
Sgt G Kidd - Biggleswade Police
Members of the public - 3
APOLOGIES
Cllr B Briars, Cllr G Wilson, Cllr P Vickers, Cllr T Woodward
2.
3.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
(a)
Prejudicial interests – there were no prejudicial interests declared
(a)
Personal Interests – there were no personal interests declared
TOWN MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Deputy Town Mayor made the following announcement.
The Town Clerk has attended and passed power of competence training.
The Deputy Town Clerk and Works Foreman have completed and passed Children’s Play Inspectors
training.
John Rooke and Patrick Geoghegan have been invited to attend a further Council Meeting to discuss the
Biggleswade Hospital; to date no response has been received.
CBC documents relating to consultation on road maps and Library Service Strategy have been received.
A speaker will be asked to attend a future Town Council meeting to discuss the Library Strategy.
4.
PUBLIC OPEN SESSION
Mr Strange representing the Town Plan Steering Group noted and welcomed the agenda item regarding
Quality Council status. Mr Strange thanked the Town Clerk for taking the time to meet with Mrs Grayston
from the Town Plan Steering Group.
5.
BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTABULARY
Sgt G Kidd presented a report detailing crime statistics for Biggleswade between 26/06/12-23/07/12.
There has been a significant reduction in crime against the same period the previous year. There has
also been an increase in the number of detections, although some relate to crimes committed in the
period prior to 26/06/12.
Cllr Mrs J Lawrence, asked Sgt G Kidd to clarify if there had been any serious incidences of domestic
violence. Sgt G Kidd confirmed that there had been no serious incidences during this period of time.
Cllr Mrs J Lawrence asked if there was any truth in the rumour that Biggleswade Police Station may be
closing.
Sgt G Kidd advised that as far as he was aware the Biggleswade Police station would not be closing,
although a restructure is currently being undertaken and is expected to take effect from 1 st October 2012.
It is expected that officers will parade at just two locations, one being Luton and the other being
Kempston. Officers would still use the Biggleswade station, but would start of finish their shift at Luton or
Kempston.
Cllr Mrs J Lawrence observed that it sounds like we will see fewer officers on patrols.
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Sgt G Kidd responded that the role of the PCSO’s is changing and they will be undertaking fewer foot
patrols. PC’s shifts are generally spent responding from one incident to the next.
Cllr Mrs M Russell asked what would be the impact of officers starting and finishing their shifts at
Kempston.
Sgt G Kidd stated that officers would be recording much greater mileage each day under these
proposals, but there would be benefits of officers being together for one briefing. Sgt G Kidd advised that
there are still many details to be finalised but there will still be cover for Central Bedfordshire.
Cllr Mrs M Russell asked if response times would be monitored.
Sgt G Kidd confirmed that response times would be monitored.
Cllr Mrs H Ramsay asked what the timescale would be for further details being finalised.
Sgt G Kidd replied that an announcement was expected to be given to staff within the next few weeks.
Cllr Mrs H Ramsay requested that Sgt Kidd return to council as more details emerge.
Cllr S Mulchrone stated that she has been very impressed with the response times of the PCSO’s to
incidents on the High Street and the positive way in which the PCSO’s have dealt with these situations.
Sgt G Kidd responded that the role of the PCSO’s has changed considerably from when they were first
introduced and the PCSO’s are now being used more and more to fight crime and their role continues to
change.
Cllr Mrs H Ramsay thanked Sgt G Kidd for attending.
6.
INVITED SPEAKERS
There were no invited speakers.
7.
MINUTES OF MEETINGS
a.
Members received and Minutes of the Council meeting held on 26 June 2012 at the Offices of
Biggleswade Town Council, The Old Court House, Saffron Road, Biggleswade.
Cllr Mrs M Russell stated that the minutes should reflect that a reply had been sent to Aldi regarding the
covenant and reiterating that BTC are working to address capacity and management issues. CBC are to
be written to requesting that they take forward the enforcement of the covenant.
b.
Members received and approved Minutes of the Planning meeting held on 10 July 2012 at the Offices of
Biggleswade Town Council, The Old Court House, Saffron Road, Biggleswade.
c.
Members received and accepted the recommendations, of the Finance & General Purposes meeting
held on 10 July 2012 at the offices of Biggleswade Town Council, The Old Court, Saffron Road,
Biggleswade, including the amendments to the BTC financial regulations, without further change, The
financial regulations are to be formally approved at the August 28th meeting of the Town Council
8.
MATTERS ARISING
a.
Minutes of the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 26 June 2012
There were no matters arising
b.
Minutes of the Planning meeting held on 10 July 2012
Cllr D Lawrence asked if the Council is provided with a list of planning decisions. The Town Clerk
advised that CBC do not provide a list of planning decisions.
Cllr Mrs H Ramsay suggested this is a matter that could be raised at the next Joint Committee meeting.
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The Town Clerk was asked to comment to CBC on the increase in retrospective applications being
received.
9.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a.
CB/12/02338/FULL – 5 Apollo Gardens, Biggleswade
Conversion of part of garage (retrospective)
No comments were raised with respect to this application.
The Town Clerk was asked to express concerns to CBC on the increase in retrospective applications
being received.
Cllr Mrs M Russell stated that with the Deputy Clerk now in post, this could be a role for the Deputy Town
Clerk to look up the outcome of Committee reports.
Cllr Mrs M Russell proposed that the Town Clerk arrange for the office staff to keep a spreadsheet
recording eventual outcomes of applications.
Cllr S Watkins seconded this proposal.
Members RESOLVED that a spreadsheet recording the outcome of planning applications should be
compiled.
10.
ACCOUNTS
a.
Financial Administration
The Accounts for to 30th June were not available for the Cllrs due to a misunderstanding of the dates with
our accountants. The Town Clerk has informed the accountants of the due dates for the financial year.
The Accounts for the month ending 30 June and 31st July 2012 will be presented to Council on 28th
August.
11.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
a.
Request from Just Jivin’
Members considered the request from Just Jivin’ requesting permission to hold a Roadshow on Saturday
1 September from about 11am to 2pm on the Market Square.
Cllr Mrs J Lawrence suggested the Market Superintendant be asked to consider if there is room to
accommodate this on the market square and to work out a suitable location.
Cllr Mrs W Smith stated the Council should try and accommodate this request, ensuring that the White
Hart Car park not be impacted upon.
Members RESOLVED to agree with this request and that the market superintendant finds room.
b.
Request from Bedford College, Career Coach Event – Monday 20 August 2012
Members considered a request from Bedford College requesting permission to park a ‘Career Coach’ on
Biggleswade Market Square on Monday 20 August, 8.30am – 12.30pm.
Members RESOLVED to agree with this request.
c.
Further to Planning meeting – Item 5c - 12 June – Request from Biggleswade History Society reFlutters Bingo Heritage plaque
Members discussed a letter of response received from Flutters Bingo.
Cllr D Albone suggested that perhaps the Town Council should bow out of this matter, but should be
prepared to support the Biggleswade History Society.
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Cllr D Albone proposed that the Town Council approach the history society and consider offering
financial support for the replacement of the plaque.
Cllr I Bond stated that he should have declared an interest in this matter as a member of the
Biggleswade History Society and now wished to do so.
Cllr W Smith expressed disappointment at the response received from Flutters and seconded the
proposal put forwards by Cllr Albone.
Members RESOLVED that the Council should contact the History Society with a view to finding a
solution as it may be possible to get a replacement plaque at a lesser cost.
d.
4YPUK
Members resolved to award the remainder of the Grant allocation (£400) to 4YPUK.
e.
Quality Status
Members discussed if Biggleswade Town Council would like to achieve Quality status and if so, how this
could be attained.
Cllr D Albone suggested the Council should be thinking of achieving quality status and there is much
available information on the NALC website. Cllr Albone highlighted that many of the neighbouring Town
and Parish councils have achieved Quality status.
Cllr D Albone suggested that a working group is set up to look at the various steps required to obtaining
Quality Status and that speakers could be invited to provide more information to the Council regarding
Quality Status.
Cllr Mrs H Ramsay stated the 10 criteria that Councils are judged on1) Electoral Mandate
2) Qualification of the Clerk
3) Meetings
4) Communications and Community Engagement
5) Annual Report
6) Accounts
7) Code of Conduct
8) Promoting local democracy and citizenship
9) Terms and conditions
10) Training
Cllr Mrs J Lawrence stated that the Town Clerk is currently part way through completing the training for
the clerk’s qualification and the Deputy Town Clerk is also willing to undertake this training.
Cllr D Lawrence explained that he believed that the Town Council needed to obtain Quality Status,
particularly with the expected increase in delegated powers to Town and Parish councils as a result of
the Localism Act.
Cllr Mrs M Russell highlighted that there will be a cost to the Council for the training, in addition to the
registration cost and proposed that full details be circulated to all Councillors.
Cllr Mrs M Russell proposed that details be emailed to all Councillors and at the next Council meeting
members should discuss Quality Status further and consider the establishment of a working group to
progress achieving Quality Status.
Cllr D Albone seconded this proposal.
It was RESOLVED that details regarding the quality status scheme would be emailed to all councillors
and should be further discussed at the next meeting with a proposal to establish a working group.
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f.
Replacement Photocopier
Members considered 3 quotations for a replacement photocopier for Town Council office.
Quote A
Quote B
Quote C
Cllr Mrs M Russell stated that Quotation A is the most favourable, but enquired if the terms must be fixed
to the five years stated in the quotation and if a three year term would be possible.
Cllr P Woodward asked if the quotation included toners, the Town Clerk confirmed that this was the case.
Cllr I Bond queried if the proposed MFD will be capable of producing colour A3 copies. The Town Clerk
confirmed that this would be possible.
Cllr Mrs M Russell proposed that Quotation A be accepted subject to checking the possibility of a three
year term.
Cllr D Lawrence seconded this proposal.
It was RESOLVED to proceed with Quotation A, but to ascertain details of a three year contract rather
than the proposed five year term.
g.
Issues raised at the Annual Assembly – 22 May 2012
Members considered the issues raised at the Annual Assembly on 22 May 2012
The Town Clerk provided a written response to the questions asked by Mrs Grayston and has
subsequently met to discuss these matters in more detail.
The Council’s procedures are currently being reviewed by the Standing Orders working group and the
format of the Annual Assembly is incorporated within this review.
The work to create a new website is ongoing.
The matter of publicity was discussed and the point regarding displaying information earlier had been
noted.
Cllr Mrs M Russell advised that the Mayor would be convening another meeting of the working group to
progress the website and this should be fed back to members at the August Council meeting.
Cllr D Lawrence suggested it needed to be more clearly stated regarding questions being submitted in
advance of the meeting to receive responses.
h.
Standing Orders
Members considered the revised Standing Orders.
Cllr Mrs H Ramsay highlighted the change to Standing Orders that allow issues to be raised at the annual
assembly.
The Standing Orders were accepted without further changes and are to be formally approved at the
August 28th Council meeting
i.
Central Bedfordshire Council Consultation on proposed changes to Customer
Services Centre Provision in Central Bedfordshire
Members considered the review carried out by CBC of the five face to face customer services centres in
Ampthill, Biggleswade, Chicksands, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard.
Cllr Mrs M Russell explained that the review does not account for the service that is provided in
Biggleswade by the Town Council, in terms of the issuing of the various types of refuse sacks and food
waste caddies.
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Cllr Mrs J Lawrence outlined that CBC members did oppose the relocation to the job centre.
Cllr Mrs J Lawrence advised that there is reciprocal working between the two councils, for example with
CBC renting office space for housing appointments at the Old Courthouse.
Cllr Mrs J Lawrence stated that making a fuss with this document will not help and the Town Council
should continue to work positively with CBC.
Cllr Mrs M Russell stated that the document should reflect the role of Town Council.
Cllr D Albone stated that CBC appears to be going through the motions; there are no details of costs per
visit or information on possible closures or relocations.
Cllr Mrs M Russell proposed that a response be sent to CBC that highlights the services provided by the
Town Council.
Cllr D Albone seconded the proposal.
Members RESOLVED to send a response to CBC stating the services that the Town Council carries out
on behalf of CBC.
12.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
a.
Biggleswade Joint Committee – 4 July 2012
Members received provisional minutes of the Biggleswade Joint Committee held on 4 July.
Cllr Mrs M Russell expressed concern that Item 7 is tying down matters that can be discussed and the
Committee should not just be constrained to these items. Cllr Mrs M Russell stated that she will be
raising the matter at the next meeting of the Joint Committee.
b.
Replacement of Boiler at the Old Courthouse
Members were advised that the Boiler had been recently serviced and was found to be leaking and to be
beyond repair. The contractor had disconnected the gas supply to the boiler and quotations from 3
potential suppliers would be obtained.
Members noted this item and asked that three quotations are obtained for the next meeting of the
Council in August.
13.
PUBLIC OPEN SESSION
A period of up to 15 minutes is permitted to allow members of the public to ask questions.
Mr M Strange commented that discussions about the new roundabout did not appear in the minutes.
Cllr Mrs J Lawrence; CBC are renegotiating the terms of the S106 agreement with Taylor Wimpey.
Cllr Mrs M Russell stated that this matter had been included on the confidential items (pink paper)
minutes
14.
EXEMPT ITEMS
The following resolution will be moved that is advisable in the public interest that the public and press are
excluded whilst the following exempt item issue is discussed.
Pursuant to section 1(2) of the public bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 Council resolve to
exclude the public and press by reason of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted.
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15.
a.
Matters Arising – Panning 12June 2012
Mrs Juliet Brookes-Employment Tribunal- update.
Cllr Mrs J Lawrence highlighted unnecessary detail within the minutes and asked that the minutes be
amended accordingly.
b.
Provisional Minutes Joint Committee
CBC Verbal Reports in Exempt Items
Items 12.1, 12.2, 12.3
Cllr Mrs M Russell expressed concern that substitutes were not allowed to remain at the Joint Committee
meeting and highlighted these concerns to Cllr M Jones, substitutes are working under Town Council
Standing Orders. Cllr Jones advised that he would seek clarification from CBC’s Monitoring Officer on
this matter. This matter will be pursued at the next Joint Committee meeting for clarification.
Cllr Mrs H Ramsay asked the Town Clerk to update members on the break in that occurred at the Drove
Road workshop on Friday 20th July.
The Town Clerk explained that a break in had occurred during the afternoon of 20 th July and one
strimmer and two hedge cutters had been stolen. These items have yet to be recovered and an
insurance claim is being pursued.
Members proceeded to discuss the potential loss of the workshop at the Acorn Centre.
Cllr Mrs J Lawrence suggested this matter be raised at the next Joint Committee meeting.
Members discussed the provision of a new workshop at the Land East of Biggleswade development.
Cllr D Lawrence stated that this is a S106 requirement and the trigger point is some way off being
reached.
Cllr M Russell suggested the Town Council should be looking at the workshop space that it requires.
Cllr D Lawrence suggested that a report on progress towards S106 trigger points should be requested for
the next Joint Committee meeting.
Cllr D Lawrence expressed concerns that Biggleswade residents are paying the bill for the housing
developer’s changes.
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