Agenda and minutes

Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a record be kept of the Members present and that this record form part of the minutes of the meeting. Members who cannot attend a meeting should tender apologies to the Town Clerk.

No apologies for absence had been received.

(i)     Under the Localism Act 2011 (sections 26-37 and Schedule 4) and in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, Members are required to declare any interests which are not currently entered in the Member’s Register of Interests or if he/she has not notified the Monitoring Officer of it.

(ii)   Should any Member have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in an item on the agenda, the Member may not participate in consideration of that item unless a Dispensation has first been requested (in writing) and granted by the Council (see Dispensation Procedure).

No declarations of interest were made and no dispensations were requested. 

To receive questions and statements from members of the public in respect of any item of business included in the agenda, as provided for in Standing Order No.s 3(f) and 3(g).

A member of the public spoke to welcome the Town Council’s Equality and Diversity Statement and asked how this would be publicised so residents were aware.  It was agreed this could be made more visible around the town to promote inclusion.  Black History Month and COP26 were mentioned as opportunities for planning events to highlight the Equality and Diversity Statement.  The member of the public was invited to stay and listen to further discussions on items later in the meeting regarding these questions.

(a)   To receive and approve as a correct record the minutes of the Cultural and Economic Services Committee meeting held on 7 December 2020 (attached), in accordance with Standing Order 12.

(b)    To receive information updates on matters arising from the previous meeting (if appropriate).

(a)      The Committee received the draft minutes of the previous Cultural and Economic Services Committee meeting held on 7 December 2020.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Cultural and Economic Services Committee meeting held on 7 December 2020 be approved as a correct record, to be signed at a later date when safe to do so.

(b)      Minute reference 69/CE Older Persons Task and Finish Group – Members were informed the recommendations regarding financial commitment in the five year financial plan for older persons projects had been endorsed by Policy & Finance Committee on 22 February 2021 and would now go to Council for final ratification on 26 April 2021. 

Minute reference 74/CE Standing Items and General Updates – it was confirmed Central Bedfordshire colleagues had been contacted to seek alternative funding for the installation of a Changing Places facility in the town centre and a reply was awaited.

To receive the draft minutes of the following meetingsand to consider any recommendations contained therein:

(a)      Older People Sub Committee 4 February 2021 (attached)

(b)      Market Sub Committee 25 February 2021 (to follow)

(a)      The Committee received the draft minutes of the Older Persons Sub-Committee meeting held on 4 February 2021 for consideration.

Members were informed the launch of the Helping Hands Website had progressed and had been promoted in the local newspaper.  The 55Up logo was being used and included in About Town newsletter. 

RESOLVED to receive the draft minutes of the Older Persons Sub-Committee meeting held on 4 February 2021.

(b)      The Committee received the draft minutes of the Market Sub Committee held on 25 February 2021.

RESOLVED to receive the draft minutes of the Market Sub-Committee meeting held on 25 February 2021.

To receive a recommendation from Council’s meeting on 14 December 2020, Ref:  97/GE:

97/GE     REVIEW OF FIRST YEAR OF WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT

A verbal update was given on the first year of the Council’s new waste management contract.  Members agreed the review was positive and an improvement on previous years with a chance to look at our environmental ambitions and review what would be wanted and could be achieved.

Councillor Harvey requested that the terracyle bin for recycling of crisp packets be made more visible to the public at the market. She also noted that putting litter in bins was not seen as “cool” by older children/teens and whether any thought could be given to how to encourage this behaviour from that age group. It was suggested that a specific report on town centre/market waste be given to the Market Sub Committee or Cultural and Economic Services Committee. A suggestion was made to have  a notice displayed at the market regarding the amount of food waste recycled. 

RECOMMENDED to the Cultural and Economic Services Committee:

(i) to receive specific information on waste collected from the market and to look at ways in which to promote these figures.

(ii) to look at ways to maximise the opportunities for the market to embed and promote recycling at the market.

Committee received and considered a recommendation (minute reference 97/GE) from the Grounds and Environmental Services Committee meeting held 14 December 2020 regarding promotion of waste collection information and the future of further recycling opportuities on the market.

Concerns were raised regarding the recycling of crisp packets via the market and how this could be improved to be more practical and accessible as a council wide initiative.  Members agreed the results achieved from the new contract should be promoted and made available to the public via social media and posters displayed using Town Council noticeboards.

Members were informed that The Head of Grounds & Environmental Services would be meeting with Veolia to discuss a more robust solution to crisp bag recycling and other recycling opportunities available.  Once this meeting had taken place the ideas could be taken forward to the next appropriate meeting.  It was suggested to come back to Policy & Finance Committee with a Council wide proposal for recycling.  Members agreed to offer the crisp packet recycling via the Market until a more appropriate proposal could be actioned. 

RESOLVED to note the information.

To receive an update on the community events programme and to consider the proposals contained therein. (attached) 

The Committee received a report to update members on the proposed Events programme and outline plan for the 2021 season with the additional complexities due to Covid-19 restrictions.

A roadmap of events had been set out but all plans would be made with as much flexibility as possible to enable events to take place with appropriate lead times which were needed in the current circumstances.  Each roadmap step would be reviewed prior to confirmation and draft recommendations had been formulated with this in mind.

RESOLVED

(a)         To endorse the postponement of the Big Lunch from the first weekend in June until 21 & 22 August and that it be a ticketed activity in Parson’s Close Recreation Ground, subject to local or national restrictions.  Should restrictions permit, to delegate the decision to the Town Clerk, Chair and Vice Chair of the Cultural & Economic Services Committee to rescind the requirements for tickets.

(b)         To endorse the cancellation of the Canal Festival in 2021 and replace it with ticketed film screenings on 31July and 1 August, subject to local or national restrictions.  A proportion of the budget allocated for Canal Festival (101/4515) would be used to deliver the film festival.

(c)         To endorse the proposal to hold the Band Concerts throughout June to September and that it be a ticketed activity in Parson’s Close Recreation Ground, subject to local and national restrictions.  Should restrictions permit, to delegate the decision to the Town Clerk, Chair and Vice Chair of the Cultural & Economic Services Committee to rescind the requirements for tickets.

(d)         To continue with the planning for the Last Night of the Proms event subject to local and national restrictions.  Should additional restrictions be imposed on the event either locally or nationally, to delegate the decision to the Town clerk, Chair & Vice Chair of the Cultural & Economic Services Committee to cancel the event.

(e)         To continue with the planning of the Christmas Festival with a final decision to be taken at the Cultural & Economic Services Committee on the 14 June, 2021.           

To receive a recommendation from Council’s meeting on 25 January 2021, Ref:168:

168    EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Council considered a recommendation from Policy and Finance Committee of 21 September (minute ref 193/PF) to consider approval of an Equality and Diversity Statement.  On being proposed and seconded, the Statement was approved unanimously.

Councillor Harvey requested that this statement be taken forward to Cultural & Economic Services Committee for further discussion at a future meeting.

RESOLVED to approve the Equality and Diversity Statement as set out.

 The Committee received and considered a recommendation from

 Council’s meeting on 25 January 2021 for further discussion on the

 Equality & Diversity Statement. 

The statement had been included on the Town Council website and in the March/April edition of the About Town newsletter. It was agreed that a celebration of Black History Month would be included in the September/October newsletter and Cop26 in the November/December newsletter. A suggestion was made to take Black History Month to the next meeting of the  Living History Task and Finish Group for discussion and consideration.

An idea for discussion in the future as a regular event was a Diversity Day where inclusion could be explored and celebrated in the town.

RESOLVED to note the statement.

To receive an update report on TACTIC activities and consider the proposals contained therein. (attached) 

The Committee received a report providing an update of work at TACTIC (Teenage Advice and Information Centre) in November, December 2020 and January 2021 and future project work during the coming months.  TACTIC continue to experience on-going disruption due to the pandemic; however, they had continued to offer support to the most vulnerable young people with socially distanced one-to-one sessions.  New initiatives were introduced with workshops being offered for Sexual Health and Relationships and the Red Box Project was set up offering free sanitary products. Future projects over the coming months would include TANG (additional needs group), volunteer training, return of youth drop-in sessions, 1-1 mentoring and Youth Forum recruitment.

A question was raised regarding support for NEET children (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and it was confirmed that staff would be trained to offer careers guidance from April 2021 and then go into schools with up-to-date information and guidance on apprenticeships and writing CV’s. 

Thanks were given to TACTIC staff for the comprehensive report and their continued hard work with young people during this challenging time.

RESOLVED to endorse the TACTIC draft 2021/2022 Annual Work Plan, as set out.

To receive an update report on delivery of the Christmas Lighting contract and consider the proposals contained therein.  (attached).

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

To receive an update report on service budgets inclusive of the half year detailed  income and consider the recommendations therein. (attached)

The Committee received and considered an update report on service

budgets.  Due to the on-going pandemic, it had not been possible to

deliver events in the normal way so some unused event budgets would be moved to earmarked reserves for use in 2021/22 as required.

RESOLVED to endorse that existing spend commitments from earmarked Reserves are continued into financial year 2021-22.

To receive an update report and consider any recommendations contained therein. (attached)

The Committee received a general service update report to inform of work activity over the past months.

Architectural Lighting

Officers await the outcome of the planning application for Waterbourne Walk and Central Bedfordshire officers had confirmed acceptance to utilise funds at alternative locations which would include the Flypast Monument at Bridge Street and Town Centre trees.  It was hoped this work would be completed by Spring this year.

Electronic Sign

The transfer of the sign from the bypass to Hockliffe Road had been accepted

by Central Bedfordshire Council and the remaining market town regeneration grant funds and Council’s match funding monies would be used for this transfer.

Changing Places

Officers had contacted Central Bedfordshire Council to request them to seek

alternative funding for the installation of a Changing Places Facility at the

multi-storey car park.

Pigeon Management Grant Scheme

Twelve business applications had been received with a total of 18 buildings

being highlighted.  Some schemes may require listed building consent.  This may cause a delay in completion of works so the publicised completion date of 30^th April 2021 would need to be extended to accommodate this.

RESOLVED

(a)          To endorse an open completion date, within the financial year 2021/22, for Pigeon management Grant applicants who occupy a listed building to enable them to gain consent for works.

(b)         To investigate further costs of installing a Changing Places Facility and bring back to Committee.

RECOMMEND to Policy & Finance Committee to carry forward underspend of £2,000 from Buzzard Trails (4509/101) to earmarked reserve (9018/970) to fund annual maintenance to the Children’s Trail.

(a)   To receive and review the workplan for 2020-2021 (attached)

(b)   To receive and consider the draft workplan for 2021-2022 (attached).

(a)          The Committee received the Committee Workplan and Objectives for 2020-2021.

RESOLVED to note the Committee Workplan and Objectives for 2020-2021.

(a)         The Committee received the draft workplan and Objectives for 2021-2022.

Members agreed that the closing down of the Leighton-Linslade Homeless centre was a cause for concern and should be looked at by the Partnership Committee.  It was agreed to discuss with Sarah Hughes, Central Bedfordshire Council regarding the closure.

RESOLVED to note the draft workplan and objectives for 2021-22.