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 were received from Tricia Humber, John Gelder and Councillor B Spurr who was substituted by Councillor G Perham.

(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).

Councillor Harvey declared an interest as a member of South Bedfordshire Friends of the Earth and Leighton Buzzard Society.

No disclosable pecuniary interests were declared 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 regarding the potential development of the land south of the High Street and raised concerns over a post on social media which he felt gave a pessimistic view of any development being agreed.  He supported Arts and Heritage and hoped this land would provide an innovative hub for residents and a public consultation would take place for views to be expressed.

Councillor Dodwell replied that she was not against the idea of a facility and wanted the community and council to work together to achieve the best results.  However, she felt that promises should not be made at this early stage of the process especially as public money could be limited after the effects of the pandemic.

It was confirmed there had been good positive discussions at the South Side Task and Finish Group, but no decisions had been made to the mix of uses.  Central Bedfordshire Council were working with consultants to form viable and sensible options for this land which would benefit the town and community.

Another resident spoke to support using the land south of the High Street but stated the businesses already in the High Street also needed support. A question was raised regarding the installation of the architectural lighting in the High Street which had resulted in the felling of 2 Silver Birch trees.  Information regarding this would be passed on when received.

Members of the public were thanked for their questions and attending the meeting.

(a)   To receive and approve as a correct record the minutes of the Partnership Committee meeting held on 4 February 2021 (attached). 

(b)   To receive any updates arising from the minutes.

(a)   The Committee received the draft minutes of the Partnership Committee meeting held on 4 February 2021. 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Partnership Committee meeting held on 4 February 2021 be approved as a correct record and would be signed at a later date, when safe to do so. 

(b)   Members received the following updates from the minutes:        

Minute reference 86/LLP Minutes of the Previous Meeting (Parking Strategy): it was confirmed that parking issues had been circulated to the Planning & Transport Committee. A reply was received from CBC on issues raised and circulated to committee on 9^th April.

Minute reference 87/LLP High Street Pedestrianisation Update - members were informed a letter had been written to Councillor Dalgarno and the reply circulated on 8^th April 2021

Minute reference 88/LLP Homelessness/Black Horse and Foodbanks – since the Committee received an update on Central Bedfordshire Council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Plan the Black Horse in Leighton Buzzard had permanently closed.

To receive a report from Howard Hughes, Active Lifestyles Manager at CBC on the outline concept of a visitor facility at the Park.

The Committee received and considered a report from Howard Hughes, Active Lifestyles Manager at Central Bedfordshire Council on the outline concept of a visitor facility at the Park.

A feasibility study was undertaken to develop options for visitor facilities at the Park which included an online survey of residents.  Three main options were considered with variations under each.  The first being the rebuilding of Black Barn Stable block to provide a dual facing café with external seating and internal space for hiring to the public.  The second option was a small café with internal seating and toilets.  The third option a larger café in the paddock providing extra parking spaces.  The preferred way forward was option 2(d) to provide a small café, community room and public toilets on brownfield land of the existing car park and stable block without encroaching on the field.  The café would have external and internal seating and extra car parking spaces.

After detailed discussion members agreed that Tiddenfoot would benefit from more visitor facilities but a list of alternatives should be considered and how this would link in with these facilities and who would be responsible for the upkeep.   A particular link to Grovebury Lake should be considered and whether facilities should be provided at this location when appropriate rather than Tiddenfoot. 

A question was raised as to when the S106 money had to used by and it was confirmed this was not until 2029.  Members agreed there was ample time and the report should be noted and alternatives looked into.  It was proposed that officers should come back with a more detailed report showing alternatives, e.g., consideration to the places linked by the green arc.  On being put to the vote 6 voted for, 2 against and one abstention.

RESOLVED to note the report and that a list of alternatives be brought back to Committee at a later date.

To receive a verbal update from Sam Caldbeck Place Programme Manager on CBC’s approach to Place shaping.

Sam Caldbeck, Place Delivery Manager at Central Bedfordshire Council gave the Committee an update on Land South of the High Street.  An options analysis was being undertaken by consultants and when this was completed recommendations would be provided on the best options for deliverability for the town.  The whole process was in early stages and with the present economic market it would be unlikely any project would move forward for a few years. Nothing had been ruled out as far as land use and the enthusiasm for development of arts and culture in the town had been noted but the site would have to be commercially viable and sustainable. 

Sam Caldbeck informed the Committee of a new fund called Welcome Back Fund to the High Street where Central Bedfordshire Council would work with Town and Parish Councils to fund activities to encourage people safely back to the High Street.  All spend should happen by end of this financial year. Some plans should be formulated as soon as possible and the Town Clerk informed members that an informal Council Workshop would be set up to discuss options before presenting to Council for endorsement.

Members unanimously agreed that the Council should take advantage of this fund to enhance the High Street. 

RECOMMENDED to the Town Council to expedite as fast as possible any decision on the Welcome Back Fund ideas for spend.

(a)      Partnership Project List, (Ref: 76/LLP)

(b)      Community Facility funding

(a)     Partnership Project List (Ref 76/LLP)

A concern was raised that the Partnership Project List was not up-to-date as matters such as the Tiddenfoot proposed development or Grovebury Lake were not included also the Green Wheel with sustainable transport links to the town should be included.

It was proposed by Councillor S Owen and seconded by Councillor C Palmer that officers be requested to bring a scoping document to the next meeting of the Committee, setting out a possible way forward in reviewing the Partnership Project List. On putting to a vote this was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED to request officers to bring a scoping paper to the next meeting setting out options for a way forward in reviewing the Partnership Project List.

(b)      Community facility funding

Members of the Town Council received training on S106 from CBC officers in September 2020, which set out processes for collecting and spending S106 monies which are collected to mitigate the impact of development and provide infrastructure necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms. The S106 contributions collected from the South Leighton development sites were agreed in 2006 and a supplemental deed in 2014 for management and maintenance of sports/community/leisure/formal and informal open space.

RESOLVED to note the information.

To receive an update on Community Forum work activity (verbal).

In the absence of Tricia Humber the Committee were informed that a scoping meeting had been held with representation from the two councils and the Community Forum to discuss what resources were needed, what ages to target and what resources and budgets were available. Community Action Bedfordshire was also a member, and it was agreed to invite a representative from Groundwork. The next meeting would be held on 23 April 2021.

To  receive if available, updates on standing items.

No updates on standing items.

(a)   To conclude the Committee objectives and work plan for 2022 – 2021 (attached)

(b)   To consider items to be programmed into Committee’s the draft work for 2021–2022 (attached).

(c)   Process for requesting items to CBC.

(a)      The Committee received and considered the objectives and work plan for the municipal year 2020-2021. 

RESOLVED to note the information.

(b)      The Committee received the draft work plan for 2021-2022 and considered what additions could be added and whether standing items should be amended.

A suggestion was made to add a project for young people and how they could be assisted to prepare for adulthood, as a legacy after the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh.  The Head of Cultural and Economic Services suggested this would be a topic for the Community Forum to research and ascertain where this could best be accommodated in the survey work.

Further suggestions of employment in ‘Green Jobs’ and how to encourage young people to access these jobs could be added to the list.

With regard to S106 funding it was suggested an overview be provided of what money had been spent on Land East and what was allocated to this development.

(c)       Sarah Hughes informed members of the process for requesting items to Central Bedfordshire Council and a report (which unfortunately had not been attached) would be circulated to the Committee detailing this.

RESOLVED to note the information.

To identify and confirm if any requested items for CBC’s attention.

This would be discussed further at the next meeting.

To receive Committee’s budget financial monitoring report (verbal).

The Committee received a brief report regarding the current year budget to date.

RESOLVED to note the report.