STAMFORD TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES OF STAMFORD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE TOWN HALL, STAMFORD ON TUESDAY 23 MARCH 2010 AT 7.00 P.M.

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1 STAMFORD TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES OF STAMFORD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE TOWN HALL, STAMFORD ON TUESDAY 23 MARCH 2010 AT 7.00 P.M. PRESENT Town Mayor, Councillor Miss C Brough Councillor H Bisnauthsing Councillor Mrs M Riley Councillor D Nalson Councillor J Judge Councillor J Poznanski Councillor D Brailsford Councillor J Binder Councillor B Sandall Councillor Mrs. S Sandall Councillor P Rose Councillor J Harvey Councillors Jalili Councillor B Turner Councillor J Hicks ALSO PRESENT Town Clerk Town Treasurer Councillor Trollope-Bellew, LCC Paul Darley, Energy from Waste 6 Member of the Public One Member of the Press OPENING PRAYER 447 PAUL DARLEY, ENERGY FROM WASTE A presentation was made on the problems faced with the disposal of waste produced in the UK, enough to fill the Albert Hall every hour. He explained that landfilling was harming the environment so much so that many countries in Europe have banned this practice. As the UK has an energy supply problem together with a shortage of power generation capacity and in addition, the need to cut CO² emissions it would seem prudent to extract energy from waste. The EU Renewable Energy Directive requires 20% of energy from renewables across the EU by 2020 with the UK having a legally binding target of 15% by 2020 in comparisons to the highest, Sweden, 49%. He further explained that residual waste could be used to generate 17% of our electricity; residual waste included anything rejected as useless or in excess of what is required or anything unused or not used to its full advantage. There were many examples of wastes that contained energy, these included residual municipal waste, forestry and parkland residues commercial and industrial waste to name but a few. Mr Darley explained that there were many options for the reduction of waste which were laudable but would not solve the problem of how it could be disposed of however kerbside recycling could not be classed as recycling it was more separation at source which was the traditional approach. The new modern approach would require an unobtrusive building where all clean waste would be stored and used in heat recovery and power generation and at the same time

2 STC March 2010 generation of skilled employment. This would pose the question of emissions from the Efw plant but in comparison to the plant at Lancing, West Sussex the equivalent from this plant was equal to dust from cars on an average 700 yard stretch of the motorway, methane from 13 cows and dioxins from accidental fires in a town less than the size of Stamford. To put this in to perspective the Millennium fireworks display produced dioxin emissions equivalent to those for 15 years from all regulated incinerators in the country. Studies had also shown that emissions from recycling and composting were more harmful than those from EfW. The benefits of energy from waste would reduce the shortfall in our power generating capacity and would lead to national energy security as well as the potential to contribute 17% of UK power demand and to reduce or eliminate waste going to landfill. Some biomass/waste projects are working as close as Corby and Peterborough with a purpose built energy park at Sutton Bridge, only 36 miles away from Stamford. Mr Darley believed this was the way forward to combating our waste problems with this one clear solution. He thanked Councillors for the time allowed to inform Councillors of this future initiative. 448 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence has been received from Councillor Exton and Dawson, the reasons noted and accepted DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None 450. MINUTES a) It was proposed by Councillor Mrs Jalili, seconded by Councillor Nalson that the notes of the Town Council Meeting of 9 February be received. All agreed. It was RESOLVED that these minutes be ratified as a true record and signed by the Chairman TOWN CLERK S REPORT a) Correspondence Received Insurance Policy As per discussions with the Finance, Personnel and Assets Committee the WPS Insurance renewal had been accepted and Risk Improvements had been implemented. A more competitive quote had been received for the mini fleet insurance and would now be directed to Red Equity which would be implemented in the financial year. LCC Grit Bins The Clerk reported that several requests for grit bins had been received by LCC after the recent inclement weather. They explained that they cannot match all requests but would evaluate and prioritise. It was reported that Mr Chappell, a previous Councillor had continued to represent the Town Council on the Browne s Hospital Committee, and his term would expire on 28 February Councillor Mrs Riley proposed, seconded by Councillor

3 STC March 2010 Brailsford that Mr Chappell should continue as a Governor on this Board. Majority agreed. Integrated Local Working in Lincolnshire Invitation to Focus Group A correspondence from LCC inviting residents to the town to help with issues that they struggle to get resolved that may fall between agencies. Various locations were available, Stamford s would be held at Stamford Library on 13 May between 6 p.m.to 8 p.m. Numbers are limited therefore to reserve a place contact should be made to carol.dawes@lincolnshire.gov.uk A communication received from a past Mayor Mr Anthony Jefferis concerning photographs of previous Mayors stored in the Town Hall dating back to the 1940 s. He thought that it would be of considerable interest to the many visitors to the Town Hall if the photographs could be displayed in another room at the Town Hall. Suggestions put forward were an additional row below the row in the Council Chamber or on the wall either side of the entrance hall stairs. Suggestions welcome. Local Forum The next meeting was scheduled to be held on Thursday 8 July 2010 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. Air Cadets A request from the Air Cadets to use the town shield on their jackets. All agreed. Bye Election The Town Clerk reported that the By Election scheduled for 6 May could be delayed if the General Election was called for the same day. Standing Orders Until the end of 2009 the version of the Standing Orders was the 2004 edition. New Standing Orders had just been released and should be reviewed, these have been previously attached for perusal. Health & Safety Policy The new Policy has been forwarded for perusal. 452 PLANNING COMMITTEE a) It was proposed by Councillor Mrs Peckett, seconded by Councillor Binder that the notes of the meeting held on 16 th February, 2 and 16 March be received together with the list of Approvals/Refusals dated 23 March. Item 389a of the meeting held on 16 Feb. Councillor Brailsford declared an interest. Councillors agreed that the proposed Zebra Crossing at the Empingham Road/Casterton Road junction would indeed create problems and that a response in this regard should be forwarded to LCC. Councillor Sandall stated that he hoped that LCC Councillors representing Stamford would object strongly to this proposal. Proposal 1 - That a letter be forwarded to LCC stating their reservations to this proposal. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings be ratified and confirmed as a true record of the meetings.

4 STC March STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT COMIITTEE a) It was proposed by Councillor Rose, seconded Councillor Sandall, that the notes of the meeting held on 17 March were confirmed as a true record of the meeting. Matters Arising from those Minutes: Item 401 Moving the county boundary. Councillor Brailsford stated that the wording of 401 was not accurate and that it should be changed from It was understood that the residents of Stamford had been consulted to understood a survey had been conducted by the Mercury of the residents of Stamford, this was agreed. Councillor Jalili stated that an investigation and study was the best option for Stamford and the interest of the residents. Councillor Poznanski wished it to be recognised that he supported Councillor Jalili pursuance of this matter. Councillor Rose stated that amalgamation with Rutland would increase Band D by 17%. Item 402 d A Boards Councillor Mrs Peckett urged that a decision must be made on the A Boards but there had been no response from SKDC. Councillor Mrs Jalili said that Town Partnership were considering new designs that would eliminate the need for A Boards. The Town Clerk informed members that one person was now working on the analysis of the questionnaire and it was hoped that another person would be recruited. It was RESOLVED that these minutes be ratified as a true record of the meeting. 454 SCRUTINY AND AUDIT COMMITTEE a) It was proposed by Councillor J Harvey, seconded by Councillor P Rose that the notes of the meeting held on 10 March be received. It was RESOLVED that these Minutes be ratified as a true record of the meeting. This was agreed. 455 FINANCE COMMITTEE a) It was proposed by Councillor B Sandall, seconded by Council S Sandall, that the notes of the meeting held on 9 March be received. Item 413 e The Town Clerk informed members that unfortunately the Malcolm Sargent School was not available this year for the Playscheme due to major construction work taking place during the summer holiday period. Councillor Turner and Councillor Rose agreed to pursue the possibility of using Queen Eleanor School and Councillor Hicks suggested the Leisure Centre and New College Stamford as a possible venues. Stamford Recreation Ground - Councillor Rose said the meeting held with the Stakeholders had been a very positive meeting although there was some concern with the hold up.

5 STC March 2010 Proposal 2 It was proposed by Councillor Sandall, seconded by Councillor Dawson that the accounts for payment are accepted All agreed. 456 STRUCTURE OF MEETINGS The frequency of meeting was discussed, Councillor Turner stated that he had little regard for day time meetings as a full time worker, evening meetings were more convenient to him and he had altered his shifts accordingly. Proposal 3 - Proposed by Councillor Turner, seconded by Councillor Poznanski that all meetings take place on a Tuesday evening. However Councillor Harvey made a plea that the Scrutiny & Audit Committee meetings remained on Wednesday mornings. Similarly Councillor S Jaili appealed that the Strategic Development Committee also remained on a Wednesday morning which was supported by Councillor Nalson. Councillor Sandall also asked that Finance Committee meetings were held every four weeks on a Tuesday evening. Councillor Turner s proposal was taken to the vote 2 for, 10 against and 2 abstentions. The proposal fell. It was agreed that Finance Committee meetings should be at four weekly intervals and Planning twice monthly, All agreed. Councillor Judge, Poznanski, and Harvey left the meeting at 9 p.m. 457 REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES/ORGANISATIONS a) Councillor Turner reported that the footfall into the CAB had increased by 30% but that it was regrettable that funding from SKDC had decreased. 458 MATTERS ARISING a) The seating for the Town meeting was raised, it was felt that the Councillors were too far away from the general public. Proposal 4 Proposed by Councillor S Jalili, seconded by Councillor Mrs Riley that the same seating arrangements were used as the local forum. All Agreed. b) Councillor Binder said that he could see benefit in the Wednesday morning meeting held once a month in between the C A & M meeting, it was agreed that this would be discussed after Mayor Making in the new Mayoral year. c) Councillor Mrs Sandall felt that forthcoming events should be advertised in subsequent Newsletters. d) Councillor Rose said he had been approached by two local teenagers who had been litter picking the Recreation Ground, they were disappointed with the bad press on the Skatepark. e) Councillor Bisnauthsing had been approached by Mrs Brocklebank to inform members that the Community Room at St Clements was available for hire at a small fee.

6 STC March EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC The Chairman proposed in accordance with Section 100a (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public and press were excluded from the meting during consideration of the following item of business because of the likelihood that otherwise exempt information would be disclosed. This was unanimously agreed. Chairman (The Meeting closed at 9.10 a.m.)