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 Councillors Kharawala, Hemmings and Councillor Harvey substituted by Councillor Snelling.

(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.

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(e) (f) (g) and 3(h).

There were no questions from the public.

(a)          To receive and approve as a correct record the minutes of the Partnership Committee meeting held on 9 September 2021.

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

(a)         The Committee received the draft minutes of the Partnership Committee meeting held on 9 September 2021. 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Partnership Committee meeting held on 9 September 2021 be approved as a correct record and were signed accordingly.

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

Minute reference 115/LLP Place Delivery – a question was raised regarding the provision of schools at Clipstone Park, Chamberlains Barn and Stearn Land and the possible change to a 2-tier system.  It was noted that a consultation process was on-going with the schools at present.  Sarah Hughes would raise with the relevant officers at Central Bedfordshire Council and share with the Head of Cultural and Economic Services.

Minute reference 116/LLP Land South of the High Street – the wording was amended in section (b) ‘Consideration should be given to the potential uses of the land with provision for adequate parking and research into the surrounding areas’ change research to permeability.

Amendment was made to wording on section (c) (ii) to add and read ‘That in Central Bedfordshire work streams’.  Also under ‘That Central Bedfordshire Council be requested to – (c) remove ‘of’ to read Support Town Council’s aspirations.

Also section (b) of the resolution to explore whether the S106 money was in existence and could be utilised to fund a feasibility study/business case for a civic facility on land south of the High Street.  This would be added to the agenda for the next meeting of this Committee.

To receive a report on proposals for the waterside park and consider the recommendations therein.

By invitation, Howard Hughes, CBC Active Lifestyles Manager, gave an update on the feasibility work undertaken to assess options for a new visitor hub and improved car parking facilities at Tiddenfoot Waterside Park.  Three location options were considered with the preferred option being a new building adjacent to the car park providing a sheltered space for a children’s play away from the car park. 

It was confirmed that the development at Grovebury Quarry would not be going ahead until at least 2027 and it was likely to be a private sailing/yacht club not for use by the general public so development of Tiddenfoot would be a welcome project.

A question was raised whether the S106 funding would cover the cost of the project.  It was noted that around £1 million would be available but more may be required to cover the costs depending on which option was agreed.  Also the rise in construction costs could impact on the final costs.    Members hoped the project would move forward reasonably quickly as it would provide much needed facilities for the area.

RESOLVED

(a)  To note the report

(b)  To support the principle of the proposal to develop visitor facilities at the park and note the next steps as set out.

To receive a report on the recent youth survey and consider the recommendations therein (attached).

The Committee received a report showing the results from the Community Forum Youth Survey.  Following the results from the survey it was suggested a further deeper survey be undertaken to ascertain what young people would wish to see enhanced in local park areas.

Gaming was an activity that received several mentions and a suggestion was made to provide a gaming event or purchase equipment for more regular access at the TACTIC centre.  TACTIC could then provide a supervised environment for young people who may not have the facilities at home and regulate the use of the equipment.  More information would be needed as to the type of equipment needed and costs before proceeding.

Members agreed that the Central Bedfordshire Council survey and the Community Forum Youth Survey be looked at together and then come back to Committee for further discussion and analysis in February 2022.

Members agreed to recommend the results of the survey to the Town Council’s Cultural and Economic Services Committee for consideration. 

RESOLVED

(a) That the Central Bedfordshire Council survey and the Community Forum Youth Survey be looked at together and then come back to Committee for further discussion and analysis in February 2022.

(b) RECOMMEND the results of Community Forum Youth Survey and committee report proposals to Cultural and Economic Services for consideration.

To receive and note an information report from Central Bedfordshire Council on matters affecting the locality (to follow).

The Committee received an update report from Central Bedfordshire Council on matters relating to the parish, including information in respect of social care, housing, community safety, business investment, environmental issues, transport matters, community services, sustainability, schools, public health and services to young people.

A question was raised regarding enforcement in the High Street whilst ETRO in place and who was responsible for and taking action on illegal use and parking.  Sarah Hughes would take this back to Central Bedfordshire Council Parking to clarify and bring back to Committee at the next meeting.

It was noted that a new section had been added to the report on Sustainability to cover areas such as walking, cycling, low and zero emission vehicles and supporting infrastructure. The Sustainable Transport and Active Travel team would be led by Steve Lakin and recruitment to complement the team was in the final stages with two posts appointed and one post for an apprentice.

Thanks were given to Sarah Hughes for her informative detailed report.

RESOLVED to note the information.

To receive verbal updates on:

              i.        Section 106  - Town Council request for further information

            ii.        Welcome Back Fund – update on delivery progress

           iii.        Land South of the High Street – update regarding next steps for a working group

           iv.        High Street ETRO – update on engagement activity

(a)          Section 106 – Town Council request for further information and understanding at to how S106 money was secured and allocated and how well a development was progressing against the S106 agreement.   It was confirmed a guide was being worked on to clarify how projects were defined and how the money was secured.  Specific workshops could be offered for leisure facilities and development of the town centre. 

Members agreed a guide would be useful but there was also a need for a document or spreadsheet including the key projects showing key terms, objections, trigger points and progress made.  It would also be useful to know what was being looked at before the money was allocated and the community informed of these decisions. Members wished to understand what opportunities are available for influencing spend within existing s106 arrangements and how to influence new s106 negotiations. 

(b)          Welcome Back Fund –   A Welcome Back letter had been sent to every house in the town and surrounding villages and a variety of events had and would be taking place in the High Street, the next being the Glow Event on 10 December 2021.   The benches ordered for the High Street were due to be delivered within the next week.  Also on the 10-year anniversary of the Children’s Trail activities were being planned. The social media ongoing campaign, ‘a great place to..’ was ongoing and a local photographer was working with the Council to provide visual images to further promote the local area.

(c)          Land South of the High Street – the proposed Terms of Reference for the Land South Working Group had been circulated with a focus on development of the land, community facilities and focussed meeting dates.  It was agreed that more discussions should be held with Central Bedfordshire Council Officers on how the S106 money should be used with the possibility of a Community Building on Land South of the High Street.

(d)          High Street ETRO – a consultation was underway by Central Bedfordshire Council into the restrictions (temporary pedestrianisation) on the High Street under the ETRO and results of this would be brought back to a future meeting.

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

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

RESOLVED to note the information.

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

No items were highlighted for Central Bedfordshire’s attention.

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

b) To receive Committee’s proposed budget for 2022/23 for consideration (to follow).

(a)          The Committee received a brief report regarding the current year budget to date, showing a spend of £344.

RESOLVED to note the report.

(b)          The Committee received and considered the proposed budget for 2022-2023.

RESOLVED to note the report.