August
2010
TOWN AFFAIRS
At the meeting of Southwold Town Council on 29th June 2010
Unusually, the meeting was conducted in the Cygnet Room of The Swan because the ceiling had recently come down in the main chambers of the Town Hall (see below).
Policing
PC Sadler reported that there had been 16 reported crimes since the previous Town Council meeting in May (as compared with 15 for the same period in 2009):
• One case of theft of a mobile phone from an unlocked car.
• One case of theft of a telescope from a bus.
• One case of minor assault involving visitors to Southwold.
• One case of a road traffic collision where one motorist failed to stop and exchange details.
• One case of vandalism to the seating area at the Boating Lake.
• One case of vandalism to the public toilets in North Parade.
• One case of theft of two rowing boats from the Boating Lake (one was later found in the sea at the entrance to the Harbour).
• One case of minor vandalism in the playground at the Primary School.
• One case of theft of a camera.
• One case of parent being overly physical when dealing with their child.
• One case of burglary at a house under construction.
• One case of importation of a controlled drug (extensively covered in the local press at the time).
• One case of theft of a mobile phone from an unattended bag.
• One case of shoplifting.
• One case of a vehicle being taken without consent.
• One case of being found on enclosed premises (two youths went onto the Pier after it had closed and were abusive to local fishermen).
• One case of attempted burglary of a dwelling.
PC Sadler noted that the most serious were the attempted burglary, which was being investigated by Lowestoft CID, and the interception of drugs in the mail.
There had been 42 other incidents reported, including cars being egged overnight on St James Green.
PC Sadler also reported that the Southwold team had a new sergeant, Gareth Temple, and PCSO, Philip Brill, who was taking over from PCSO Tracey Mason (she had resigned as she wanted to pursue full-time fostering).
Cllr Miller raised the question of cuts: would they affect the number of police and would the Police Station be sold off? PC Sadler responded that the Chief Constable had assured him that there would still be a Police Station in Southwold. There probably would be cuts, but they would not be as bad as suggested in the local media and would not involve sacking personnel.
Cllr Baggott noted that the reason why traffic management plans were needed was the problem with parked cars. But enforcing the rules on parking was necessary for this to work. PC Sadler replied that all they could do was the best with the resources they had. There was a problem with commitments and any expansion would go elsewhere first. The Town Mayor asked about the builders parking outside properties. This encouraged others to do the same. Were they being moved on? PC Sadler responded that most were good. There was the question of keeping an eye on equipment and being told by their bosses to park in front of the properties. Nevertheless, he accepted they did need to do more
Cllr Bryant wondered if the superglue incident in the toilet was in any way connected to the egging of cars (hundreds of eggs had been thrown (five to six to each car) and not in just one area). PC Sadler noted that a specific group of local youths was suspected of both these, the incident on the Pier and the case of the car being taken without consent. It appeared that one small group was the source of much trouble.
Planning
The following decisions were made:
Recommend approval
• 4 Salisbury Road (construction of a single-storey rear extension and rear dormer window, and removal of false window shutters and masonry paint on front elevation), but say something about the size of the proposed dormer window.
• Former Eversley School Gymnasium, Black Mill Road (Non Material Amendment – DC/10/0229/FUL – cladding material to the staircore element amended to pre-weathered zinc with vertical standing seams; plus variation of Condition 2 of DC/10/0229/FUL – Inclusion of two rooflights).
Other important matters
The first and probably the most important issue to hit Southwold for some time arose during the discussions of the Report of the meeting of the Traffic Management Committee held on 22nd June. This was the proposed one-way system for the town, an outline of which (prepared by Suffolk) the meeting had before it. Mr Bright used the Public Forum to speak in support of the one-way system in principle. He admitted that it was not good for the residents of Gardner Road and Lorne Road, but, equally, the traffic was not good at the moment. Perhaps a wider extension should be considered. The Town Mayor (Cllr Sue Allen) thought that financial cutbacks would mean restrictions to any extension. Mr Nottage’s experience of one-way systems in London was that they became race tracks. Cllr Bryant felt it had been a very good Traffic Management Committee meeting. It was quite certain that something had to be done with reference to the increase in traffic and the size of the buses, and sooner rather than later. She emphasised that the bus companies were trying to find a workable route. Cllr Miller observed that what was being proposed might be the most significant development in the town this century. He was not saying this was good or bad. It was happening to towns and villages across the country because of the bus companies. They could not cope in Southwold and he could see where they were coming from, although he was not entirely happy about the way the bus companies had acted on this issue. It would change Southwold and people would complain, but he felt it was the way they had to go. Many councillors agreed, particularly as it was felt it was getting dangerous for pedestrians and to cross the road. This scheme would make it more orderly. More than once, it was said that this was the best solution yet. The Town Mayor noted that it was so bad at the moment in the High Street and Market Place that it was putting off potential visitors to the town. Cllr Tucker felt the problem was more the lack of enforcement of the existing traffic regulations. It did make things a lot worse. There were not that many people who lived on the High Street and the proposed one-way system would adversely affect people who lived on the roads around. Cllr Baggott said that the Town Council would need to listen to people affected in a public consultation. Cllr Miller also urged a public meeting. The Town Mayor noted that Suffolk would be obliged to hold one; there would be a statutory consultation period of three months. Cllr Tucker felt it was important that people did have their say. She had just come back from holiday and there had been dozens of messages on their answer machine about this one issue. In the end, the meeting voted for the proposal that the Town Council in principle went forward with the one-way plan, seeking further discussions on the detail, and eventually having a public consultation through Suffolk.
Cllr Webb rejoined the Planning Committee as it was felt his advice was invaluable and there were currently only three on it.
Cllr Tobin reported that Suffolk had approved the trial of the paint system on part of the seafront railings. Once a section had been done by a community group, then the Town Council would be invited to assess the end result. The Town Clerk (Mrs Jenny Hursell) added that a risk assessment for volunteers plus liability had been set up.
As regards the trees on North Road, the Town Clerk reported that Waveney’s tree man said they would give the reasons for taking then trees down, although she had not heard anything yet. The meeting reiterated that the Town Council seek advice from its own tree expert. It was also agreed to approach EDF Energy.
With the closure of Church Street, the Town Clerk reported that Mr Dale had confirmed that all permissions were now in place and would now be able to proceed as quickly as possible, after a frustrating time with many delays.
The Town Mayor was aware this subject was raised at least two or three times a year, but she had to discuss the state of public toilets in the town. She had been informed of flooding in the ladies’ in the Church Green Toilets recently that had been caused by vandalism (a nail through a pipe). This had then been repaired, but the pipe was then pulled off to recreate the hole. There had also been incidents of vandalism to the Kilcock Cliff Toilets and the Ferry Road Toilets. What could they do with people like that? It was therefore important to let people know that it was not always the Town Council’s fault. The state of the toilets that the Town Council was not responsible for was deplored. Cllr Tobin wanted a letter written about the poor state of the Ferry Road Toilets as it reflected badly on the town.
The Town Clerk reported that the council chamber ceiling had collapsed on Friday, 25th June, which was why the meeting was in the Cygnet Room. A conservation specialist had looked at it. The ceiling rose would have to come down, the whole ceiling in the front bay would have to be cut out and replastered, and work on the electrics would also be needed. It was felt that the front chamber could be screened off and the back used for meetings. The Town Mayor noted that it would have to be professionally cleaned before that could be done. The Town Clerk continued that there appeared to be no reason why it came down, ie there was no water damage. Cllr Webb noted that ceilings just came down sometimes. The Town Clerk was thankful no one had been there. It would be a long job.
Finally, the Town Mayor reported that the closure of the Queen Street Co-op seemed to have been rather quick with no prior consultation with the Town Council. She had spoken to the Chairman of the Anglian Co-op, who confirmed that developers had bought the site, but nothing more could be said. She was trying to get more information, but all the rumours flying around the town about this were wrong. Cllr Baggott noted that a ‘shop to let’ sign had gone up.
At the meeting of the Policy and Finance Committee on 13th July 2010
The Committee Room in the Town Hall was the stage for this evening’s meeting as the main chamber was still unusable.
More planning
Recommend approval
• Garden Gallery, Victoria Street (variation of Condition 2 of DC/08/0940/LBC – alterations to previously approved plans; plus variation of Condition 2 of DC/08/0939 – various alterations to previously approved plans).
• The Presbytery, The Common (sycamore T1 – remedial pruning, prunus T2 – fell, oak T3 – reduction).
• Gun Hill Place, South Green (erection of iron fence and gates).
• Ellesborough House, 62 Pier Avenue (change of use from guest house to residential).
Recommend refusal
• 19 Hotson Road (construction of a detached single-storey outbuilding) on the grounds of overdeveleopment.
The word from Waveney
Waveney had given its approval to the proposed developments at 14A St Edmunds Road, 1 Church Street (The Chairman (Cllr Ladd): ‘That’s a relief!’) and 31 High Street. It had refused permission for the development at Gun Hill House.
Other matters
There would be more money available for the Klondyke resurfacing.
The meeting agreed to Mr Dale’s request to extend the period that Church Street was closed for work on 1 Church Street, but would monitor the situation. There had been an additional delay because of problems with the sewers. Concerns were expressed about the apparent slowness of work, the encroachment of the barriers into the road, the safety of the barriers and site, and the untidy state of the site (the Chairman reported that on Civic Sunday he seen that someone had parked a car there).
With the Town Hall ceiling, the insurers were suggesting that it was not covered, as the ceiling collapse was not the result of fire, accident or water ingress but old age. The Town Clerk was told that a claim could be put in, and it would be considered, but there was no guarantee it would be agreed to. The approximate cost would be £12,000. More work was due to start that Friday, which would cost about £4,000 alone. The Chairman felt it was important to find out what caused it and, with that cost, they would need to have specialist advice. The meeting agreed to challenge it and get an expert in quickly.
With the one-way system proposals, the Town Clerk reported that Suffolk was seeking a further meeting to discuss details of the scheme. It was agreed that the whole Town Council, not just the Traffic Management Committee, deal with it, as it was, as the Chairman put it, quite a big, contentious issue. The meeting also discussed the possibility of hiring a traffic warden to help enforce the existing traffic regulations. The Town Clerk reported that, for a sum of money, councils could get an additional PCSO who would do whatever the payer wanted. She had consulted with the clerks of Aldeburgh and Leiston, both of which precepted for one. In Aldeburgh, they did traffic management. She added that any fines/parking tickets would not benefit the Town Council directly as the money would go somewhere else, and was probably ring-fenced. Money from Leiston, for instance, went to Ipswich, who ploughed it back into roads. Councils were also not allowed to hire traffic wardens. The meeting agreed to find out a bit more and explore this a bit further.
Cllr Tucker reported that there had been issues on the weekend with camping on the promenade, with a fire and a car being brought down – on a concrete area. She had been told that Waveney was the body to contact.
On the issue of ship-to-ship oil transfers, Cllr Tobin noted that there was now going to be a full public consultation by 30th September. He supported this as he felt it was the best way to allow all groups (business, the people of Lowestoft, concerned local people etc) to have their say. He therefore suggested a response from the Town Council. It was agreed to consider this at the next meeting. The Town Mayor said there was now the question of finding out what the town thought. No one had approached her about it, but she knew that many had done so with Cllr Tobin. Cllr Tobin felt that the most important thing was that there had not been any control 18 months ago, but now people had a chance to be heard.
