OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL’S PLANNING AND PARKS COMMITTEE 7.00PM WEDNESDAY APRIL 25TH 2012 VICTORIA HALL, 39, HIGH STREET, OAKHAM Report

A MEETING OF OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL’S PLANNING AND PARKS COMMITTEE 7.00PM WEDNESDAY APRIL 25TH 2012 VICTORIA HALL, 39, HIGH STREET, OAKHAM Report
6. CLERK’S REPORT – For information only
(iii) Arrangements for Band Concerts

Oakham Town Council
Victoria Hall, 39 High Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AH
Telephone: 01572 723627 Fax: 01572 759395
e-mail: enquiries@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

A MEETING OF
OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL’S
PLANNING AND PARKS COMMITTEE
7.00PM WEDNESDAY APRIL 25TH 2012
VICTORIA HALL, 39, HIGH STREET, OAKHAM
Report

I arrived a little early to be greeted in a pleasant manner by the assistant Clerk, she informed me Cllrs were receiving a presentation from the CAB.

I waited and entered the chamber after the presentation and Cllr Lucas said "You are most welcome" a  pleasant change.

The meeting was chaired by Cllr Jane Woodcock as deputy planning and parks chairman. I was surprised to learn it was her first attempt at chairing a meeting and in my view a very professional attempt.

The meeting was unusual there was debate and disagreements and agreement, it all made a change from the normal stage managed affiar that is so common at Oakham town council meetings.

1. APOLOGIES - Standing Order 1(u)
(i) To receive apologies for absence
(ii) To decide whether to approve apologies for absence

Apologies were received from the Clerk who is off sick again.

Cllr John Nowell sent his saying he was unavoidable detained. (not sure if this had anything to do with me and another member of the public attending a taped interview at Leicestershire Constabulary regarding his companies grant application.)

Cllr Dewis sent his saying he had a long standing appointment. (I find the atmosphere at meetings improves when ever he is absent and this was certainly evident this evening)
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members are asked to declare any interest they may have in respect to items on the agenda

Cllr Guthrie declared P&P for planning item 10 - 1

3. MINUTES (Appendix A)
To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Parks Committee held on
Wednesday March 28th 2012

Cllrs agreed to amend an error in the minutes and a additional line was added to clarify a situation.
4. COUNCILLOR’S QUESTIONS
To answer questions previously notified to the Clerk under Standing Order 8

There were none
5. MEMBER’S REPORTS
To receive reports from members relating to the work of the Committee
(Members intending to give a report should inform the Clerk before the meeting)

There were none

To receive a report from the Clerk

A report was tabled 
7. DEPUTATIONS BY THE PUBLIC
Members of the Public are invited to address the meeting in accordance with procedures laid
down in Standing Order 1(d) – 1(i)

I thanked the council for the correction to the minutes

Another member of the public was clearly upset and demanded the entry be removed amongst other things.
8. CUTTS CLOSE
To consider the following and to make any appropriate decisions:

(i) Installation of bird boxes

Cllr Lucas request four boxes were purchased even though it was a little late for the birds to nest as this would show the council had followed advice from the green flag committee. 

Cllrs approved this and three bird boxes and a bat box will be purchase soon.

(ii) Removal of dog bins

The council has decided to remove the red dog poo bins as they are now considered unsightly and it is now perfectly acceptable for owner to place dog poo in bags and use the normal black litter bins for disposal, labels will be ordered to highlight this on the litter bins.

Cllr Dodds asked if anything could be done to stop owner tossing bags of poo up into the trees. 

Cllr Haworth reported three companies would be permitted to trade on Cutts Close on Band Days the council agreed, which they did.

I think they should have tendered and possible issued licences as I feel they may find problems down the line when other companies want to trade and are turned away this could be seen as unfair.

The Castle Cottage Cafe,  Rutland Lions and a burger van from Ryhall have been approved.

Of course no one would object to The Lions a charity selling, If I was the owner of one of the many coffee shops in Oakham I would want to know why my competitors can trade for free on council property but I can't.

What happens next year if Tesco comes along and say we want to set up a cafe in the park?

(iv) Arrangements for Diamond Jubilee Event

Councillors approved the purchase of two new sign that will be used to rename the bandstand

Cllr Haworth announced he had received £7750 in donations for the party + £5,000 from the Council 

budget it should be a good Jubilee party for all.
9. ROYCES PLAYING FIELD (Cllr John Nowell)
To discuss the future development and improvement of Royce’s Field and to make
recommendations as appropriate

This item was meant to be handled by Cllr Nowell, but he was unavoidable detained.

Cllr Lucas spoke instead.

She wants to plant more trees and create hills and hollows. 

She also said she felt far to much time and money is spent on Cutts Close and not nealry enough is spent on Royce Rec. 

This prompted Cllr Guthrie to point out the proposed spend of £50,000 on  new toddlers play area was not insignificant. I think it was only two year ago the same sum was spent on the play equipment for the older children.

In the seven year I have lived here in Oakham I don't think the council has spent a penny on improving any of the other play areas it manages.

10. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
To consider the following applications received to date and to make recommendations
or observations thereon to Rutland County Council:

(i) APP/2012/ 0191/EZE (HSE) Mr Gary Murden
Construction of first floor extension over existing ground floor extension to rear
(east) elevation of dwellinghouse
11 Catmose Park Road

Mr Guthrie left the room due to P&P (A property close to his home)
(ii) APP/2012/0220/EZE (FUL) Barclays Bank plc
Installation of No. external dome CCTV camera to front elevation and AC plant
equipment to replace existing to rear elevation

Approved
(iii) APP/2012/0180/EZE (ADV) Barclays Bank plcInstallation of 1 No. illuminated fascia sign and 1 No. illuminated projecting sign to
replace existing
10 High Street

Approved (No one including me knew what (ADV) meant)
(iv) APP/2012/0183/APB (HSE) Mr and Mrs I Pringle
Construction of single storey double garage and garden store to front of property
following demolition of existing garage
Southlea, 27 Stamford Road

Approved although concerns were raised about the apparent loss of trees
(v) APP/2012/0232/ APB (PTA) Mr Justin Perry
Crown lift 1 No. Oak by 3m
2 The Vale

Approved
(vi) APP/2012/0141/APB (HSE) Mr and Mrs Walters
Construction of single storey extension to rear (east) elevation of dwellinghouse
incorporating new garage to side, following removal of existing conservatory and garage
block

Approved
15 Redland Road
(vii) APP/2012/0253/APB Mr Stewart
Reduce 1 No. Eucalyptus tree to suitable growth points by approximately 6 meters
47 Brooke Road

Approved