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.

Apologies for absence had been received and were accepted from Councillor P Snelling substituted by Councillor S Owen.

(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).

Members were asked to declare any interests, including the nature of those interests, which they had in any of the items under consideration at this meeting. No declarations were made.

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).

There were no questions from members of the public.

To receive and approve as a correct record the minutes of the Cultural and Economic Services Committee meetings held on 9 December 2019.

The Committee received the draft minutes of the previous Committee meeting held on 9 December 2019.

Minute reference 36/CE Council Objectives (Older People) –  it was confirmed the Task and Finish Group would meet on 30 April 2020.

Minute reference 40/CE Standing Items – it was confirmed that the Best Bar None scheme would be co-ordinated by Central Bedfordshire Council commencing in April with assessments taking place from May to July, the Peoples Vote in August and the Awards Evening in September 2020.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Cultural and Economic Services Committee held on 9 December 2019 be approved as a correct record and were signed accordingly.

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

(a)  Market Sub Committee 27 February 2020 (to follow)

The Committee received the draft minutes of the Market Sub-Committee meeting held on 27 February 2020 for consideration.

RESOLVED to receive the draft minutes of the Market Sub-Committee meeting held on 27 February 2020.

To receive a final review of the 2019 community events programme including an update on progress made towards events for the 2020 season, and to consider the recommendations contained therein (attached).

The Committee received a progress report on all of the annual community events and the work taking place for the scheduled events coming up including the annual Business Networking Event 22 April, the Big Lunch Food Festival 7th June, Canal Festival 25th July and the summer Band Concerts.

VE Day celebrations were progressing with events within Church Square on Friday 8th May during the afternoon  and food stalls along with entertainment in the early evening.

A question was raised regarding the provision of refreshments at the Band Concerts and whether ice-cream could be sold from a mobile vendor at the upper level of the park where most people would be seated.  This would be discussed prior to the re-opening of the Café in the Park.

RESOLVED to note the report.

To receive a final review of the 2019 TACTIC work programme activity inclusive of draft plans for the 2020 work programme, and to consider the recommendations therein (attached).

The Committee received an update report on work undertaken at TACTIC during November, December 2019 and January 2020 and a brief summary given of what was offered at the clubs/groups. 

A question was raised asking if there was demand for evening clubs.  It was confirmed there was some demand but at present there were no resources available to do so.

Members were informed the Basketball had proved popular and was well attended and the new Box Release which would start on the 23 April was already fully subscribed. 

Work on the VE Project would begin in the Easter Holidays with an artist leading the project.  Two large boards would be created and displayed by The Monument in Church Square.  Members asked that some identification be added to the boards so members of the public would know that TACTIC young people had created the art work.

RESOLVED:

(a)       To endorse the TACTIC Annual Work Delivery Plan 2020/21.

(b)       To endorse the use of earmarked reserves to continue the commissioning of CHUMS to deliver the Talk-Space Wellbeing Service, Option A as currently provided,  up to £9500 using budget code 970/9020 for £6,000 and code 970/9018 for the remaining £3,500.

(a)      To receive and consider the Committee work plan for 2019-2020 (attached)

(b)       To receive and consider the proposed workplan for 2020-2021 (attached)

The Committee received the Committee Objectives and Workplan for the current year, in accordance with the Town Council’s Three-Year Plan, as well as a proposed plan for the forthcoming municipal year.

Pigeon Management and the Youth Film Club had been deferred until the June meeting and it was confirmed businesses were being approached regarding the management of pigeons and how to address the problem.

A suggestion was made to prepare a general invite to schools and organisations within Leighton-Linslade for choirs to perform on a Saturday at the Market to encourage members of the public to come into the town. 

RESOLVED to note the Committee objectives and work plan for 2019-2020 and for 2020-2021.

To  receive and consider a budget update report for revenue and earmarked reserves (attached).

The Committee received a system generated budget report for the revenue budget and earmarked reserves, as well as a report outlining any committed expenditure and the amounts remaining available.

RESOLVED to note the report.

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

The Committee received a report to inform on service activity to the end of the financial year regarding completed and ongoing projects.

Buzzard Trails and WiFi`

Members were informed that the Buzzard Trails were successfully launched in October 2019 and  progressing well with future development of the app to add additional trails.  The Town Centre WiFi would continue to be monitored with a half yearly review to look at registration and also footfall within the town.

Architectural Lighting

Work on this project was on-going and officers had been securing landlord confirmations and gaining information from the principal authority on planning processes required.

Electronic Signage

Two signs had incurred faults over recent months with the town council being reliant upon the principal authority to assist access and management of the problems.  The sign on the by-pass had now been covered until it could be repaired and might be relocated in the future.  The other sign on West Street had now been repaired and was operating correctly.

A suggestion was made to use the signs to promote the wealth of shops in the Town and the Committee agreed a clear policy would be needed on how and when they could be used  appropriately before this could be implemented.

Pigeon Management

Officers had been contacting individual businesses to gain interest in working collaboratively with the council to solve this problem  A report would be brought back to the next meeting in June.

Section 106 Approved Projects

The transfer of the Christmas Tree to the bottom of the High Street had taken place and officers were exploring alternative uses for the ground fixing when not being used for the tree.  One idea was to erect a flagpole with guy-ropes leading off it.  Ideas would need to be explored and a budget set for these works. 

RESOLVED a budget of £3000 be proposed to carry out these works after Officers had explored alternatives available.

Liaison with Town Centre Retailers

A Special Interest Group had been formed with the aim of working collaboratively with local authorities to secure investment for the town centre.  Members agreed this should be brought back to the Partnership Committee for further discussion to formulate ideas to promote this work.

Community Defibrillators

A question was raised whether members of the public knew the location of the defibrillators and how they worked.  It was suggested a video clip be added to the Town Council facebook page showing how they were used and their locations added to the town map when reprinted.