MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

Held on 10 March 2008

Present: Cllr B Dobbs (in the Chair)

Cllrs Mrs I Daw A Howard P Jackson Mrs M Morgan G Parkhurst S Pratley P Prince G Richards E Rolls Mrs J Taylor

103. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mrs M Rolls (recovering from surgery). The Chairman and members of the Committee wished
Mrs Rolls well for a speedy recovery.

104. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr A Howard declared a personal interest in minute 106 due to being a member of the District Council and minute 110 due to being a member of the County Council.

Cllr A Howard declared a personal interest in minute 107, planning application N/172/01661/07, due to the applicant being a member of MASCOT.

Cllr A Howard declared a personal and prejudicial interest in minute 108 due to a business relationship with the applicant and left the meeting during consideration of the item.

Cllr G Richards declared a personal and prejudicial interest in minute 109 due to being a life member of the Royal Air Force Association and left the meeting during consideration of the item.

105. MINUTES
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 February 2008, having been previously circulated, be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

106. E.L.D.C. PLANNING DECISIONS
N/110/02986/07 To occupy one caravan, no. B52, as security warden’s accommodation without complying with limiting occupancy condition no. 2 as imposed on planning permission reference N/110/00143/92 – Mermaid Caravan Park, Seaholme Road, Mablethorpe. Application refused.

N/110/02918/07 Change of use and conversion of first floor of existing detached garage to provide a self-contained unit for private use. Application refused.

107. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That in accordance with Schedule 16 of the Local Government Act 1972, observations on the following planning applications be submitted to East Lindsey District Council (for details of submissions see appendix attached).

N/110/00292/08 This application was withdrawn by the applicant.

N/172/00201/08 That this application be supported.

N/110/01973/06 That this application be supported.

N/110/00463/08 That objection be made – as the access and egress to the proposed car park was inadequate. The access was off a narrow road where visibility for vehicles leaving the car park would be restricted; it was therefore considered to constitute a danger to vehicles and pedestrians using Admiralty Road.

N/110/00218/08 That objection be made – as the proposed development was too large for the site resulting in over intensive development which would be detrimental to the occupiers of the neighbouring property. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy A4 of the East Lindsey Local Plan Alteration 1999.

N/172/01661/07 That this application be supported.

N/172/00470/08 That this application be supported.

108. APPLICATION TO LICENCE TUK TUKS AS PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES

The Committee considered correspondence from East Lindsey District Council regarding an application to operate Tuk Tuks as private hire vehicles in the town. It was noted that specific conditions would be required to accommodate the licensing and testing of these vehicles. This would be a matter for the licensing authority to determine.
Members of the Committee welcomed the proposal which would provide a novel form of transport for visitors to the area. There was some concern that a suitable operating centre for the vehicles should be identified and stipulated in the licence conditions. It was noted that Tuk Tuks were operating in other areas and seemed to be a popular attraction.

It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That East Lindsey District Council be informed that the Town Council supports the proposal to introduce Tuk Tuks in the area and hopes that the necessary licence can be issued, subject to satisfactory safety conditions and operating base.

109. STREET COLLECTION PERMIT – WINGS APPEAL
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: That the application for the Royal Air Force Association Wings Appeal collection to be held on Sunday 24 August 2008 be supported.

110. CAR PARKING ENFORCEMENT
The Chairman explained that there were continuing problems caused by illegal parking and the lack of enforcement action. Of particular concern was the area around High Street, Mablethorpe and adjacent streets. It was noted that the main problem was the lack of a traffic warden for the area. However, it was recognised that some action had been taken recently by local police officers and a visit from a traffic warden from another area. With the imminent start of the holiday season it was considered that the enforcement action should continue. It was reported that the previous traffic warden had undertaken a survey and identified a number of areas where the yellow lines and/or signage required attention to conform to the road traffic regulations.

It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved:

(1) That the Town Clerk should write to the Chief Constable, the Chairman of the Police Authority and the local Inspector setting out the Town Council’s concerns.

(2) That the Town Clerk should write to the County Council requesting that all the necessary yellow lines and signs are in place as required by the road traffic regulations.

111. CLERK’S CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Planning Application N/110/00820/07 – correspondence from East Lindsey District Council that the application to erect a block of apartments at Seacroft Ford, Seacroft Road, Mablethorpe had been withdrawn.

(ii) Traffic Survey – correspondence from Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership regarding an investigation into speeding traffic on The Strand, Mablethorpe. It was noted that the Town Clerk would request more information regarding the data collected during the survey.

(iii) East Lindsey Landscape Character Assessment – information from the District Council regarding consultation on the landscape based policies in the forthcoming Local Development Framework. The Town Clerk to attend the workshop on Friday 14 March 2008. All Councillors were invited to events around the District, including one on Tuesday 1 April 2008 at the Community Hall, Stanley Avenue, Mablethorpe between 10.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m.

112. MATTERS FOR URGENT DISCUSSION
(i) Rural Action – update on the proposed project to be undertaken along the promenade at Trusthorpe by the Rural Action group.

(ii) Mayor’s Ball – it was noted that the Ball had been a success, the Mayor was congratulated on the arrangements for the event. The Mayor informed the Committee he had extended his thanks to Mr Michael Wellby who had organised the night.

(iii) Temporary Road Signs – concern was expressed regarding the inadequate signage for temporary road closures and diversions.

113. TENDERS - FOOTPATHS
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved:
(i) That in view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, it is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of this item.

(ii) That the tender for the construction of footpaths in the new cemetery extension at Trusthorpe cemetery, submitted by tender number 3 in the sum of £9,418.59 be accepted.

(ii) That the contribution to the earmarked reserves for the construction of footpaths be kept under review to ensure adequate funds are available for the next phase.