MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COASTAL AND AMENITIES COMMITTEE

Held on 3rd September 2007

Present: Cllr Mrs M Rolls (In the Chair)

Cllrs A Howard, G Gooding, Mrs J Gooding, P Jackson, Mrs C Lewis, Mrs M Morgan, G Parkhurst, Miss H Parkhurst, E Rolls.

Town Clerk

In attendance: Cllrs B Dobbs, Mrs J Taylor and five members of the public.

22. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr R B Shields, MBE (personal).

23. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllrs A Howard, Mrs J Gooding and G Gooding declared a personal interest in minutes 27 and 33 due to their business interests in the town.
Cllrs A Howard and G Gooding declared a personal interest in minutes 28 and 31 due to their membership of East Lindsey District Council.

24. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2007, having been previously circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a correct record thereof.

25. ACRE GAP SUB-COMMITTEE

It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of the Acre Gap sub- committee held on 3 August 2007 be received and noted.

26. ST MARY’S PARK

The Committee considered a report from the Town Clerk regarding the flooding in the park adjacent to the conservation pond and the condition of a number of trees. The Clerk also reported that further issues had been raised by members of the public regarding the leylandii hedge at the rear of Winchester Drive, the condition of the dyke at the rear of Hawthorn Drive and evidence of camping in the park.

It was acknowledged by the Committee that the white poplar trees adjacent to Hawthorn Drive were near the end of their life and required attention. With regard to the flooding from the pond, it was considered that a drainage scheme would not be a practical solution due to the previous use of the site. It was also considered that the pond should retain its natural environment, therefore a natural solution should be the first option.

With regard to the leylandii hedge, it was suggested that this was outside the boundary of the park.

Following further consideration it was proposed, seconded and
Resolved:

(i) That tenders be invited for the felling of the row of white poplar trees adjacent to Hawthorn Drive with the felled timber to be stacked in the wildlife area, the contract to include clearing of rubbish from the adjacent dyke.
(ii) That a report be considered at the next meeting of this Committee on the cost of tree planting in the area adjacent to the conservation pond and the cost of raising the footpath.
(iii) That the Clerk investigates the ownership and previous maintenance of the leylandii hedge adjacent to Winchester Drive.
(iv) That a visit to the park by the Committee be arranged for the Spring of 2008.

27. CCTV EQUIPMENT

A report from the Town Clerk detailed the requirement for replacement of two CCTV cameras and the microwave link at Sutton-on-Sea.

It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That in accordance with Financial Standing Order 100(a)(iv) (extension of existing contract), an order be placed for the replacement of two CCTV cameras and a microwave link at an estimated cost of £7,000 plus V.A.T. with the existing maintenance contractor.

28. QUEEN’S PARK

The Town Mayor, Cllr A Howard, reported a meeting had been held at the park with representatives of East Lindsey District Council to discuss problems within the park. It was understood that following the meeting a report would be produced for this Committee to consider.
The Mayor reported that the main problem discussed at the meeting was the clash between the business operators within the park and the mess left by the wildlife. It was questioned whether the park could satisfactorily operate both as a leisure park and a wildlife area, particularly as there was no programme for removal of the debris. Concern was also expressed about the possible detrimental effect on the water quality in the boating lake.

Following discussion about the cleaning programme, the fish in the lake, damage to the grassed area caused by the wildlife and the prolific ragwort on the island, it was proposed, seconded and

Resolved: That the District Council be requested to provide information on the current maintenance programme for Queen’s Park and details of its proposals for the future of the park and that an urgent response be sought.

29. BROADBAND

Following referral of this item from the Finance, Policy and Development Committee, it was considered necessary for the Town Council to move from a dial up internet connection to broadband.

It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved:

(i) That the Town Clerk be authorised to select the most suitable broadband provider and to transfer the connection to that provider.
(ii) That provision for secure wireless connection be implemented to cover the upstairs area of the offices.

30. TOWN COUNCIL’S WEB PAGE

This was referred by the Finance, Policy and Development Committee to consider improving the information provided on the web page.

Due to questions being raised regarding the Council’s contractual arrangements with the web provider, Councillors Mrs J Gooding, G Gooding, A Howard and Mrs C Lewis declared a personal and prejudicial interest due to business connections with the contractor and left the meeting during consideration of this item.

Following discussion about the content of the site, comparisons with other Councils’ web sites and possible improvements, it was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the Council be recommended to establish an ad hoc committee to advise the Council on the future development of the site.

31. DOG WARDEN PROVISION

Concern was expressed regarding the difficulty for the existing two dog wardens covering the whole of the East Lindsey District. It was suggested that the Town Council could consider employing a part time warden to address the problems in the town.

Following further consideration it was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That East Lindsey District Council be requested to provide details of how it is addressing the problems associated with dogs and what action the Town Council could take to assist.

32. TRUSTHORPE ALLOTMENTS

The Town Clerk reported on the progress on drafting a lease between the Council and the Association of allotment holders.

It was noted that in addition to the financial provisions set out in the report that the Council would be invited to appoint a representative to serve on the Association’s management committee.

It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved:

(i) That the Council transfers the day to day management of the Trusthorpe allotments to the Trusthorpe Allotment Gardens Association on the terms set out in the report and detailed in the draft lease.
(ii) That the annual rent for the allotments from April 2008 be set at a rate of 8.8 pence per square metre.
(iii) That Cllr R B Shields, MBE be appointed to represent the Council on the Association’s management committee.

33. SUMMER ILLUMINATIONS 2008

It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved:

(i) That this item be deferred for consideration at the next meeting of this Committee to give an opportunity for a representative of East Lindsey District Council to attend the meeting.

(ii) That the Clerk makes enquiries about the arrangements of the summer illuminations in Skegness.

34. RECYCLING/REFUSE BINS, SUTTON-ON-SEA

It was reported that a number of complaints had been received regarding the condition of the bins, their location within the car park and the accumulation of rubbish regularly left close to the bins. It was suggested that the bins should be replaced by ones similar to those located near Queen’s Park. There was also discussion about relocating the bins to a different area of the car park.

It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the relevant officer from East Lindsey District Council be invited to a meeting with the Town Clerk on the site to discuss the problems.

35. CLERK’S CORRESPONDENCE

(i) CCTV information from East Lindsey District Council regarding the follow up of action following the damage on the pullover, including details of the subsequent conviction of the individual responsible.
(ii) Flags – response from East Lindsey District Council regarding the temporary removal of the flags at Sutton-on-Sea.
(iii) Victoria Road – response from Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership with details of a speed survey carried out in 2005 which showed very good levels of compliance with the speed limit.
(iv) Lions International – details of proposals for a “Lions” sign on the A1031 to be given formal consideration at the next meeting of the Committee.
(v) Coastal Masterplan – an invitation from East Lindsey District Council to respond to consultation on the masterplan. The Clerk to circulate a copy to all members of the Council.

36. MATTERS FOR URGENT DISCUSSION

(a) Clerk to investigate/action the following matters:-

(i) Bus Shelter – condition of the bus shelter and surrounding area on the Trusthorpe Green triangle.

(ii) Princess Diana Memorial Garden – maintenance of the plants and surrounding area.

(iii) Sherwood Playing Field – use of the area by youths drinking and leaving empty bottles and cans.

(iv) Sherwood Playing Field – condition of the fence.

(v) CCTV – incident involving young people cycling on the flat roof of
the toilets adjacent to The Dunes.

(vi) Footway Lighting – light not operating on the seafront near Seacroft Holiday Camp.

(vii) Sutton Road – fence between Main Bridge and St Peter’s Lane requires attention and vegetation is encroaching onto the pavement.

(viii) Quebec Road – condition of garden area at the entrance to
Sea View car park opposite Golf Road.

(ix) Footpath – condition of the elevated walkway from the entrance to Sea View car park in a southerly direction adjacent to Quebec Road.

(x) The Pullover – difficulty being experienced by the lifeboat crew as the posts at the bottom of the pullover will not come out.

(b)
(i) Delegation of Responsibilities – it was noted that other councils had been delegated additional responsibility for functions such as street naming and numbering. The Clerk explained this was probably a result of the council attaining Quality Status.

(ii) Sutton-on-Sea Enhancement Scheme – details were provided of the proposals being put forward for the scheme which included improvements to the car park, street furniture, shop fronts and resurfacing of the highway.