HOUGHTON REGIS TOWN COUNCIL
Community Services Committee
12th January 2015 at 7.30pm
Present:
Also Present:
Apologies:
7956
Councillors:
Ms L Ellaway
J Carroll
E Costello
RD Hines
DJ Jones
A Roberts
K Wattingham
Councillor:
Mrs S Gilchrist
A Winter
Officers:
Clare Evans
Jan Cooper
Councillors:
R Shimmin
Chairman
(Substitute)
Town Clerk
The Way Ltd
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllr R Shimmin.
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
None.
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QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
It was advised that the Houghton Regis Leisure Centre Action Group were meeting
on 27th January to conclude and finish the group as it was considered that the
group had served its purpose in securing the continuation of the towns leisure
centre and the reopening of the swimming pool. The Action Group thanked the
Town Council for their support and in return the Council thanked the Action Group
for their efforts and hard work.
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MINUTES
It was noted that Cllr Roberts had attended the meeting as a substitute for Cllr
Hines and it was requested that the Minutes be amended.
Minute 7920 – Community Organiser
It was advised that the meeting with Craft & Coffee had been arranged for 26th
January 2015.
Resolved:
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To confirm the amended minutes of the Community
Services Committee meeting held on 3rd December 2014
and for these to be signed by the Chairman.
TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING WORKING GROUPS AND
CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN
Events Working Group
Pride Of Houghton Working Group
Combating Crime Working Group
None.
None.
12th November 2014.
Community Services Committee
2
Resolved:
To receive the above Minutes.
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12th January 2015
GRANT APPLICATIONS
End of Award Reports
Members received End of Award Reports from South Beds Dial A Ride and Keech
Hospice Care.
Resolved:
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To note the End of Award Reports.
BUDGET REVIEW
Members considered the Community Services budget to date for 2014/15.
Resolved:
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To note the report.
BUDGET 2015/16
Members received the draft budget for the Community Services Committee for
2015/16 with supporting project information. In considering specified projects the
following comments were made:
1. Development of a Business Plan for the Bedford Square Community Centre;
There was general discussion over the ownership and management
arrangements for this centre and on its potential role within the community.
2. Development of a Village Agent Scheme to support the emerging Growth
Agenda;
Queries were raised over anticipated budget expenditure, level of training for
volunteers and scheme objectives.
3. Commissioning Play Ranger services to provide regular weekly youth
sessions and / or one off youth / family events.
It was felt there was a need to identify outcomes and objectives and to
investigate whether there were any other grant opportunities.
4. Hire of Grove Theatre for the 2015 Celebration of Christmas event;
Members requested consideration of the income and expenditure for this.
Resolved:
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To forward the draft budget to Town Council on 26th
January 2015.
COMMUNITY ORGANISER
Members considered the update report from The Way.
The following pieces of work were suggested for further consideration and
progression:
 DDA compliance at the Cemetery Road Scout Hut. It was suggested that
further investigation be carried out into the DDA requirements and an
approach made by the Clerk to the Scouts;
 Support group for young carers. Feedback on this was requested;
Increase awareness of local retailers of the issues and support services available
for people suffering from dementia as a current CBC initiative was around creating
dementia friendly towns. Feedback on this was requested.
Community Services Committee
3
12th January 2015
The following pieces of work were suggested for progression and continuation:
 Continued support to the Houghton Regis Network Group and email loop;
 Support to the HR Leisure Centre Action Group in the conclusion of the
group;
 The previously agreed preliminary support to Craft & Coffee;
 Houghton Hall Park, with the successful outcome of the bid it was
considered that work on this project may be required. the Committee
considered that this would be acted on as necessary;
 Redevelopment of the Co-Op site, to provide support in promoting the
retailer briefing;
 Tithe Farm Tenants & Residents Association: to continue to provide support
to this group although concern was expressed over the ongoing role of The
Way as interim treasurer. It was requested that the group be advised of
these concerns and ask them for their thoughts.
 Consideration was given to involvement in the Election process as outlined;
 To arrange a Voluntary & Community Group session / meeting to help them
promote and publicise their organisation.
 To update town council noticeboards as required
 To trail a monthly community newsletter to be circulated via community and
retail outlets.
Resolved:
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1. To consider and investigate DDA compliance at the
Cemetery Road Scout Hut
2. To express concerns over the ongoing role of The
Way as interim treasurer to Tithe Farm Tenants &
Residents Association;
3. To receive feedback on support groups for young
carers.
4. To receive feedback on the CBC initiative of creating
dementia friendly towns and how this could be
promoted within the Town.
5. To authorise the following work programme:
 Continued support to the Houghton Regis Network
Group and email loop;
 Support to the HR Leisure Centre Action Group in
the conclusion of the group;
 Preliminary support to Craft & Coffee as
previously agreed;
 Houghton Hall Park project progression if
required;
 To provide support in promoting the retailer
briefing on the redevelopment of the former Co-Op
site;
 To continue to provide support to the Tithe Farm
Tenants & Residents Association;
 Involvement in the Election process;
 To arrange a Voluntary & Community Group
session / meeting:
 To update town council noticeboards as required;
 To trial a monthly community newsletter to be
circulated via community and retail outlets.
PROMOTING THE ELECTION PROCESS
At the Meeting on 3rd December Members made the following Resolution:
Community Services Committee
12th January 2015
4
To approve the Programme for Promoting the Election Process subject to
further detail being provided on the Awareness meeting and on the
Workshop.
Awareness Meeting
The Beds Association of Town & Parish Councils had been awarded an Awards for
All grant to run a number of information sessions across the county to encourage
people to consider standing for election as a parish or town councillor in the May
2015 elections.
The Clerk approached the BATPC and provisionally arranged for one of these
sessions to be delivered in Houghton Regis on 27th January. The session was
open to anyone.
The session would include a short presentation on what Parish Councils are and
what Parish Councilors do. It is hoped that existing councilors would attend to
informally chat about HRTC.
Workshop session
It was suggested that this session would follow on from the Awareness Meeting by
providing interactive sessions considering in more detail local government structure
and how HRTC operates within this, what activities and roles HRTC councillors
may be involved in and what could be expected from the role. It was suggested
that this session would be held late February. People attending the awareness
meeting in January would specifically be invited to attend but the session would be
open to anyone who was interested.
To approve the BATPC Awareness meeting on 27th
January 2015 and the Workshop Session to be held late
February 2015.
Resolved:
The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.40pm
Dated this
Chairman
9th
day of
March
2015