MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COASTAL AND AMENITIES COMMITTEE

Held on 23rd July 2007

Present: Cllr Mrs M Rolls (In the Chair)

Cllrs A Howard, P Jackson, Mrs C Lewis, Mrs M Morgan, G Parkhurs, Miss H Parkhurst, E Rolls, R B Shields, MBE

Town Clerk

In Attendance: Cllr B Dobbs

11. APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr G Gooding (personal), Cllr Mrs J Gooding (personal), Cllr Mrs J Taylor (personal) and Cllr C Tebbutt (work).

12. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr R B Shields, MBE declared a personal interest in minute 15 (iii) due to his membership of the same organisation as the applicant.

Cllr R B Shields, MBE declared a personal interest in minute 14(ii) due to his wife being on the Meridale Hall Committee.

Cllrs A Howard and P Jackson each declared personal interests in
minute 14(ii) due to being the Town Council’s representative on the Tourism Forum.

Cllr A Howard declared a personal interest in minute 15(i) due to having been interviewed for the project.

Cllr A Howard declared a personal interest in minute 18 due to his business interests in the music industry.

Cllr B Dobbs declared a personal and prejudicial interest in minute 19 due to being a member of the Meridale Hall Committee and left the meeting during consideration of the item.

13. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 June 2007, having been previously circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a correct record thereof.
14.(i) MOBILE ART FAIR

The Committee received a presentation from Mr George Relf of Mobile Art Fair Limited. Mr Relf outlined his background as a former teacher and his work with charitable organisations. He explained that he had always been an artist and it was this that had made him realise how art can sustain and develop people.

Mobile Art Fair had been created earlier this year although the work had been ongoing for some time. A project in Mablethorpe in 2006 had initiated the idea of making a bid to create the longest drawing in the world.

In response to questions from members, Mr Relf acknowledged there were many possible problems, including heavy rain and high winds. He hoped there would be enough volunteers on the day to overcome any problems that did arise. With regard to recognition of the record, he explained that ratification by the Guinness Book of Records was a lengthy and complex process. He considered the achievement and the community involvement would be recognition enough. He concluded by saying that if the event was a success then next year could be a formal record bid.

(ii) FAIRTRADE

At the discretion of the Chairman, Mr & Mrs Gregory gave a presentation on the possibility of the town achieving Fairtrade status. Mr Gregory explained that over 400 towns in the United Kingdom had achieved the status but none of these were in Lincolnshire. Having been involved in the scheme in St. Neots whilst Mrs Gregory was Mayor, he was aware that Mablethorpe and Sutton met most of the criteria for accreditation. The required number of retailers and businesses were using Fairtrade produce, all that was required was a commitment from the Town Council to support Fairtrade and the constitution of a steering committee which included representatives from the Council.

It was suggested by Mr & Mrs Gregory that Mablethorpe and Sutton could be the first town in Lincolnshire to achieve accreditation.

The Town Mayor confirmed that this would be considered at the next meeting of the Town Council.

15. FINANCIAL AID

(i) 07 Visions – financial support towards the production of a documentary film covering the main events being held during the summer. The Committee considered that there was insufficient information in the application regarding what any funding would be used for, such as equipment or materials.

It was therefore proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the applicant be requested to provide more information on what the organisation required and what the funding would be used for. If appropriate, this could be by means of a presentation to a future meeting of the Committee.

(ii) Sutton-on-Sea and Trusthorpe Carnival - financial support towards the annual carnival. Members of the Committee expressed similar concerns to those above. It was also noted that the carnival was to be held on 28/29 July, therefore it was considered rather late to be applying for funding to organise the event.

It was therefore proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That no grant be approved and the applicant be informed that any future application should be submitted in good time and specify what equipment was required.

(iii) Mablethorpe Marathon – financial support towards the cost of policing the marathon. The Committee considered the application, together with details of the expenditure and income for the 2006 event. It was noted that, due to the success of last year’s event, additional policing would be required at additional cost to the organisers. It was proposed and seconded that a grant of £250 be made and that the applicants be asked to provide details of the actual cost of policing the event.

An amendment was moved and seconded that a grant of £538.60, the same amount as that awarded in 2006, be approved. After being put to the vote, the amendment was supported, the motion was then put to the vote and it was
Resolved: That a grant of £538.60 be made to the Mablethorpe Marathon Foundation to assist with the cost of policing the 2007 marathon.

16. ACRE GAP SUB-COMMITTEE

It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the minutes of the meetings of the Acre Gap Sub- Committee held on 18 May and 22 June 2007 be received and noted.

17. DOG WASTE BINS

(i) North End, Mablethorpe – it was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That a new dog waste bin be provided near the entrance to the Seal Sanctuary.
(ii) Seaholme Road, Mablethorpe – it was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the bin located in front of the new property on Somersby Park be relocated to a suitable position in Medina Gardens.

18. MUSIC FESTIVAL

Following the successful event held this year, it was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the Town Council support, in principle, an annual event and that consideration be given to working with the Tourism Forum and the Playing Fields Committee on the organisation of the event.

19. MERIDALE HALL

It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted, it is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to withdraw.

The Committee considered a report from the Town Clerk on the provision in the lease for Meridale Hall for the rent review due before November 2007. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the rent for the Meridale Hall be retained at £245 per annum for the next three years.

20. CLERK’S CORRESPONDENCE

(i) Stanley Avenue – letter from East Lindsey District Council regarding litter bins, dog waste bins and seating on Stanley Avenue.

(ii) Free Trees for Parishes Scheme – information on the annual free trees scheme to be submitted by 30 September 2007.

21. MATTERS FOR URGENT DISCUSSION

Clerk to investigate/action the following matters:

(i) CCTV – action following the incident on the pullover when damage was caused to the seating with red paint.

(ii) Sand on foreshore – difficulties clearing sand from parts of the foreshore due to the installation of ramps and handrails.

(iii) Visitor Attractions – details of correspondence in the local newspaper regarding facilities in Mablethorpe.

(iv) Flags – investigate the absence of a number of flags in Sutton-on- Sea.

(v) Victoria Road – incidents of speeding vehicles on the road creating a danger to residents leaving their property and other road users.

(vi) Summer Illuminations Switch on – a number of issues raised regarding the arrangements for the switch on ceremony including:-
the stage area, parade, transport, venue for the reception, publicity, firework display and some illuminations failing. Arrangements for 2008 to be considered by this Committee.

(vii) Car Parking – problems due to car parking on Quebec Road at the end of the pullover.

(viii) Flooding – recognise the work of the Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board during the recent heavy rainfall.

(ix) Acre Gap – use of the narrow footpath from Church Lane to Acre Gap by horse riders.

(x) Sutton-on-Sea Car Park – recent fires in the rubbish bins on the car park. This item to be included on the agenda of the next meeting of the Committee.