Minutes of Eye Town Council Meeting held in

Paddock House, Church Street, Eye on

Wednesday 16th February 2011 at 7.30pm

PRESENT: Cllrs Williams (Deputy Town Mayor) Cooper, Cummins, Evitt, Flatman, N. Ford, M. Ford, Hooton, McSheehy, C. Michell, S. Michell, Morris & Ross

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - Cllrs Bennett & Carr

2. MEMBERS DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
There were no declarations of interests.

3. NEW STRATEGIC DIRECTION TECHNICAL EVENT
Cllr Hooton spoke about the Technical Event held in Hoxne on 1st February which he had attended with The Mayor & Cllrs Maria Ford, Carr and McSheehy. Also in attendance were representatives from neighbouring Parishes, S.A.L.C. & Officers from Suffolk County Council. He said the aim of the Meeting had been to provide an opportunity for informed practical and technical discussion about the County Council's divestment specifically for local councils interested in taking on additional services. Those present were able to access financial information on the library service and ask about the logistical issues around running the service. A panel of experts were also able to help with issues that were relevant to the divestment of other services, including youth clubs etc. The County Council agreed to produce an outline plan of all the services potentially under threat and contact details of those persons who would be able to guide response on the potential changes.

4. LIBRARY MEETING
Cllr Williams said that working with County Councillor Guy McGregor the Town Council were in the process of setting up a ‘Parents Council' which is aimed initially at preserving the Library. It will encourage residents to respond to the Consultation Document and look at ways in which the Library could be maintained in the town without damaging the town's finances. By combining the facilities to support other services being divested it is hoped that savings can be made which will ensure continued funding from the County Council. The ‘Love Our Library' protest was held on 14th February, it was well attended and proved to be very successful attracting good press coverage. At the next library meeting costs, a venue and the combining of services (such as Youth & Library) will be considered. Cllr Hooton said it was important to refer to the Parish Plan when looking at ways of delivering services. He thanked Cllr Williams for the inordinate amount of time he has put into the ‘New Strategic Direction' and divestment of services and suggested that more people are given responsibility in these challenging times so the Deputy Mayor is not trying to co-ordinate it all.

5. UPDATE ON DIVESTMENT OF EYE SERVICES
County Councillor McGregor spoke about services not already mentioned which Suffolk County Council are looking to divest to the local community. Both Paddock House and the Day Care Centre in the grounds of Paddock House are under threat of closure. He said he felt that Paddock House may be closed or sold but did not have know what the future of the Day Care Centre may be. Cllr Williams said that Youth and Adult services in the town will cease to exist and Jonathan Pooley will be made redundant. However, he has made available a building at this home where young people can continue to meet. The Deputy Mayor said it was very important that the Pooleys were supported in this venture. The Town Council and Youth Council have met and identified several needs including a job club to help find employment, a safe environment for young people to meet in and an employment/modern apprentice scheme. For this Cllr Williams explained the support of businesses within the community was needed.

6. PROPOSAL BY S.C.C. TO CLOSE SEVEN HOUSEHOLD WASTE SITES
The Deputy Mayor said the Brome waste site was one of the seven threatened with closure and District Councillor Caroline Byles has started an on-line e-petition for people to sign. County Councillor Guy McGregor explained that the proposed closure of seven of the Council's 18 Household Waste Recycling Centres would contribute to a saving of £2.3 million from the waste services budget. The Brome site costs the County Council £160,000/year. Cllr McGregor said that a decision is to be reached at the Budget Meeting on 17th February and those sites being shut will close on 9th May 2011.
Cllr Charles Michell said he was hoping that something could be done to avoid closure or mitigate the effect such as opening for shorter periods however; he acknowledged that the fixed costs attached to the site were very high.

THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8.30PM FOR PUBLIC QUESTION TIME.
POLICE REPORT
Pc Anthony Price attended the meeting and reported 13 crimes since the last meeting. These included 4 instances of egg thefts in the town, criminal damage, burglary, arson and 6 miscellaneous crimes. The next Neighbourhood Tasking Meeting is to take place on Tuesday 3rd May 2011 at Bedfield Sports Pavilion between 7.30pm - 8.30pm.
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORT
Cllr Flatman in his report spoke about the proposed merger with Babergh District Council which would produce a new Local Authority covering the whole of the South and Central Suffolk. He said a Poll would be conducted after the District Council Elections, to ascertain whether residents of Mid Suffolk and Babergh District Councils are in favour of a merger between the two Authorities.
Cllr Flatman said he had recently chaired a Meeting of the Community Policy Panel at which a disabled couple and their dog had attended to talk about the work of Mid Suffolk's Disability Forum. The couple spoke movingly about their situation and how pleased they were that the Disability Forum existed. Cllr Sara Michell said she had been very pleased to hear this because as a member of the Panel and supporter of the Forum she had encouraged them to attend the Meeting.
COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT
The County Councillor Guy McGregor said he spoke about much of what he wished to report earlier in the Meeting however; he would be happy to answer any questions. He said that a Library Meeting will be held in Eye on Thursday 3rd March at which Roger McMaster and Paul Howarth will be in attendance.
Resident Kathy Barr asked whether the W.I. Country Market would be able to return to the Town Hall in March. Cllr Evitt said the builders had now completed the work and although a great deal of cleaning was required, he was confident that the building would be re-opened on 1st March.
Resident Geoffrey Lane asked whether the Council knew who owns the Library building. Cllr McGregor said he had checked with the Head of Legal Services who said that the County Council hold the freehold of the property.

7. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
0196/11 Land at Brome Industrial Estate, Eye Road, Brome
Erection of loading canopy extension to existing warehouse (Bartrum Road Services)
3830/10 Chestnuts Farm, Langton Green, Eye 
Erection of agricultural warehouse and Canteen/WC building

Acceptance of all Planning Applications was proposed by Cllr Evitt, seconded by Cllr Nancy Ford and carried.

8. PLANNING DECISIONS
3537/10 Alder Carr Lodge, Park Lane, Eye LB/3539/10 Remove conservatory. Erect new conservatory.  GRANTED

3555/10 Orchard House, Cocks Road, Eye Change of use and alterations to existing barn to form a holiday let.  GRANTED

3638/10 Hartismere High School, Castleton Way, Eye Erection of a M.U.G.A. pitch.  GRANTED

3480/10 41-43 Church Street, Eye Conservatory to rear.  GRANTED

3707/10 Hartismere Hospital, Castleton Way, Eye Extensions & external alterations to hospital.  GRANTED

9. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - (19.01.11)
Acceptance of the Minutes of the Meeting was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Maria Ford and carried.

10. MATTERS ARISING
Page 1621 - Item 9 Cllr Williams thanked the press correspondent Janet Chambers, for ensuring the Budget information was printed in the Eye Magazine.
Page 1623 - Item 15 Cllr Cooper asked if the Dog Warden had been contacted following the report by Cllr Morris concerning the increase in dog fouling at Belllands Way. Cllr Sara Michell said the District Council no longer employed a Dog Warden and that an email would have to be sent to Environmental Health to make them aware of any problems.
Page 1623 - Item 15 Cllr Williams said that interviews had taken place for the new Town Clerk and it was hoped the successful applicant would be able to attend the March Council Meeting.
Page 1623 - Item 15 Cllr McSheehy asked if a representative from HEART had been invited to speak at a forthcoming Council Meeting. The Town Clerk said that Nick Cone would be attending the March Meeting.

11 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Acceptance was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr McSheehy and carried.

12 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Acceptance of Accounts Payable was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Evitt and carried.

13. CORRESPONDENCE
Items 3, 4 & 7 Noted.
Item 1 - M.S.D.C. Letter offering the Town Council the tenancy of Garage No. 10 in Oak Crescent for use by the Street Cleaner. It was agreed to accept the offer. Cllr Hooton said he would contact the Housing Department to see if a lower rate could be negotiated for an annual up-front payment.
Item 2 - S.C.C. Copy of the consultation booklet regarding Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan 2011-2014. Cllr Ross agreed to complete the questionnaire on behalf of the Town Council.
Item5 - NATIONAL GRID Information regarding the public consultation into the National Grid approach to undergrounding the electricity lines needed to connect new power generation. Cllr Hooton agreed to complete the on-line questionnaire on behalf of the Town Council.
Item 6 - SUFFOLK ACRE
Information regarding the television switchover shortly coming to Suffolk. It was agreed to publicise this information on the Town Website and the Town Hall Notice Board.
Item 8 - SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL
Copy of correspondence sent to the owners of 52 Castle Street, Eye regarding fencing posts erected on the road frontage to their property. Cllr Evitt explained he had spoken to the owners who said they concerned about the brick wall surrounding their property suffering damage from vehicles parking in the vicinity and had put in the posts to protect it. S.C.C. had agreed to a compromise by requesting a reduction in the number of posts, which should be moved back one metre from the road edge, the removal of the chains and the surface area grassed.
Item 9 - SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL
Letter from the Disposals Surveyor at Corporate Property giving details of 6 Cross Street, Eye which is to be sold. The market value of the property in January 2011 stands at £215,000. Cllr Williams said this was being looked at as a possible location for housing the Library and other services and the County Councillor said he had on behalf of the Town expressed an interest in the premises.
Item 10 - MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCIL
Information from Environmental Services regarding the annual Spring Clean taking place between 26th March - 10th April 2011. Cllrs Charles & Sara Michell agreed to organise a Litter Pick in the town during that period.
Item 11 - MRS ENID HOWARD
Letter from resident of 18 Church Street seeking the support of the Town Council in her request for a designated parking space (for Blue Badge holders) who are dependent on street parking. Cllr Cooper said that although the Town Council sympathised with Mrs Howard he felt that if the request were approved it would set a precedent, there were already other parking restrictions in Church Street and it would reduce spaces in an area where parking is already limited. However, it was agreed that Cllr Nancy Ford would contact Tony Buckingham to discuss this before response was made to Mrs Howard.
Item 12 - SUFFOLK ACRE
Copy of the Department for Communities and Local Government Consultation Document on Community Right to Buy. The document includes a questionnaire for those wishing to take part in the consultation. Cllr Nancy Ford agreed to complete the questionnaire on behalf of the Town Council.

14. REPORTS
Cllr Ross said he had been asked by the Town Clerk to consider new contacts from the Public Catalogue Foundation. He explained that the Foundation who had previously photographed and catalogued the 8 Oil Paintings in the Council Chamber were now proposing to digitally record paintings for their new website ‘Your Paintings' created in partnership with the BBC. He said that before the contracts could be signed by the Mayor, approval had to be sought from the Town Council. Cllr Evitt said that a clause in the grant award when the paintings were restored had been that they were photographed therefore he could not see this as being a problem. Cllr Ross said he would therefore prepare the contract for signature and return.
Cllr Williams spoke about the Waveney Valley Market Towns Audio Guide. He said the Town Council had shown an interest in becoming involved with this project and he had attended the Action Group meetings. Jan Perry and Chris Mawson were also helping with the venture. However, he felt he could no longer take an active part due to the ever increasing work involved with the New Strategic Direction and divestment of services. Cllr Evitt kindly agreed to talk to Norman Hart who is leading the Action Group to discuss whether he might take over this role from Cllr Williams.

15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr McSheehy said she had been asked by Cllr Carr to bring to the attention of Councillors, the March for the Alternative (Say no the cuts) protest organised by the TUC. This is to take place in London on Saturday March 26th. Further details are available from Cllr Carr.
Cllr Hooton said that as part of the Mid Suffolk District Council Walking Festival he had organised an Eye walk. This is to take place on 24th May 2011 meeting at the Community Centre car-park.
Cllr Cooper said he had been asked by Jonathan Pooley if the Town Council had any vacant allotments. He said that members of the Youth Club were keen to rent their own plot and were willing to help with other peoples gardens.
Cllr Ross said that now work on the Town Hall was nearing completion, the Paintings from the Council Chamber would need to be re-hung. He suggested this be placed on the Agenda of the March Meeting for consideration because it would not be a straightforward procedure. Cllr Evitt said he felt ETHIC were not expecting these to be put back in the Town Hall at the present time and this could be considered at a later date.
It was agreed that the March Council Meeting would be held in the Town Hall because by then it will have re-opened.

THE DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR CLOSED THE MEETING AT 9.45PM

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-