7th June 2005 - Minutes

COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON TUESDAY, 7^TH JUNE  2005

PRESENT:          Mrs S M Wigglesworth - Chairman

 The following Members were unable to be present:-

Mrs E F Bates, Mr A C Bavington, Mr N A Bennett, Mr A J Hinton, Mr P J Holbrook, Mr N H J Irwin, Mr R E Kemp, Mr C D Kerr, Mr J A B Long, Mr J M Owen, Mr A E Pearce, Mr J W Roberts, Mrs W J Sadler, Mr G S White, and Mr L H Young.

The proceedings were opened with prayer.

20          MINUTES

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th April 2005 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

21          DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Mr C M Spence declared a personal interest in the Item referred to in Minute No.24 – Review of Sheltered Housing Accommodation, due to a family connection with a tenant but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the matter concerned.

22          CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

(a)          Chairman’s Reception

The Chairman advised that invitations had been sent out for the Chairman’s Reception which is to take place on the evening of Friday the 15^th July 2005 at Old Buckenham Hall School, Brettenham Park.

(b)     Events attended

The Chairman informed the meeting of events attended on behalf of the Council by herself and the Vice-Chairman since the last meeting.

23     TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE NO. 13

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13, it was noted that the following petitions had been received:

Application No. B/05/00179/FUL – Change of use to Class A3 at ground floor level, 4 No. residential units at first floor level, extended landscaped area and elevation changes, 67 – 70 North Street, Sudbury

Petition signed by approximately 24 residents of Babergh which was considered by the Development Committee at its meeting on 27^th April 2005 in conjunction with the relevant report.

Application No. B/05/00396/FUL – Proposed crazy golf course, land at the Maldon Grey Public House, Cats Lane, Sudbury

Petition signed by approximately 28 residents of Babergh which was considered by the Development Committee at its meeting on 25^th May 2005 in conjunction with the relevant report.

Application No. B/03/01085/OUT – HMS Ganges, Shotley

Petition signed by approximately 110 residents of Babergh which was reported to Development Committee at its meeting on 25^th May 2005 and will be considered in conjunction with the relevant report on 8^th June 2005.

24          RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES

Review of the Council’s Sheltered Housing Service (Strategy Committee Minute No.8)

RESOLVED

(1)     That the following Sheltered Schemes be reduced in size:-

• Ash Street, Boxford
• Playford Court, Sudbury
• Hill House, Bildeston
• Hadleigh Central
• Parkers Way, Nayland

(2)     That feasibility studies into improvement and/or redevelopment options for the following schemes be undertaken in the priority order shown, and that reports be prepared for Strategy Committee to determine proposals for:-

(a)     Clibbon House, Great Cornard

(b)     Spring Street and Tenterpiece, Lavenham

(c)     Angel Street, Hadleigh

(d)        Ash Street, Boxford

(3)     That a dedicated ‘Handyperson’ Scheme be introduced as a two-year pilot to undertake minor repairs and major cleaning works in the communal areas at the larger Sheltered Schemes, subject to a detailed cost evaluation. 

(4)     That, if and when the TV Licensing authority withdraws a tenant’s right to a concessionary TV licence fee as a result of the Sheltered Scheme review, the fees be paid from the HRA for the tenants affected.

(5)     That a programme of improvement works be established for works at First Avenue, Sudbury and for security measures, internet surfing clubs and scooter parks at the larger Sheltered Schemes.  Further that these improvements be funded from the Council’s existing Sheltered Units – General Improvements budget, already included in the Council’s HRA Business Plan.

(6)     That the possibility of upgrading Playford Court Sheltered Scheme into a Very Sheltered Housing Scheme be investigated with Suffolk County Council.

(7)     That (a) a programme of conversion/adaptations be established for works at William Wood House and Sydney Brown Court and (b) these improvements be funded from the Council’s existing Conversions/Adaptations budget already included in the Council’s HRA Business Plan.

(8)     That the Head of Housing in consultation with the Head of Organisational Development be authorised to make all appropriate changes to the Sheltered Service staffing structure which become necessary as a result of the implementation of the Review.

(9)     That sheltered tenants living at Schemes which are scheduled for any form of re-designation or remodelling be awarded priority status on the Transfer List.

(10)   That the Council’s Lettings Policy be amended to allow the `Over 50`s` rule to apply to those Schemes being reduced in size.

(11)   That the Housing Panel undertakes a review of the progress of the implementation of these recommendations, commencing in 2006.

25          QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

None received.

26          QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS

None received.

27      ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ACT 2003, COMPLAINTS ABOUT HIGH HEDGES – FEES

(a)     Action out of Meeting

RESOLVED

That the action out of meeting taken as detailed in Paper E36 be noted.

(b)     Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, Complaints about High Hedges – Fees

The Head of Planning (Control) submitted a report (Paper E37) advising that fees need to be set for complaints about high hedges made under Section 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

RESOLVED

(1)     That with effect from 8^th June 2005 the fee to be charged under Section 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 (Complaints about High Hedges) be set at £300.

(2)     That the fee referred to in (1) above and the service provided be reviewed after 12 months.

28          MEMBER APPOINTMENTS

(a)           Dual Use Sports Centres

The Head of Legal and Administrative Services reported that one of the conditions of the increased financial support for the Four Dual Use Leisure Centres (East Bergholt, Great Cornard, Hadleigh and Sudbury was that the Council should seek Member representation on each of the management committees.  This is now being pursued through the schools and the Council were asked to consider an appointment to each of the management committees.

RESOLVED

That for the remainder of their current term of office the following Members be appointed to serve on the Dual Use Leisure Centre Management Committees as indicated below:

East Bergholt – Dr M R Miller
Great Cornard – Mr H N Todd
Hadleigh – Mr K Grimsey
Sudbury – Mr J R A Sayers 

(b)     Member Champion for Diversity

It was agreed that consideration of this item be deferred to a future meeting. 

The business of the meeting was concluded at 10.55 a.m.

Chairman