DISS TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of the
Town Council held in the Council Chamber at Diss Corn Hall on
Wednesday 24th
May at
7:15pm.
Present:
Councillors
J. Aiken
M. Bardwell
M. Gibson
N. Howard
R. Kitchen
K. Kiddie (District & County Cllr)
C. Liggett
J. Mason
G. Minshull (District Cllr)
S. Olander
F. Wenman
T. Wenman
In attendance:
Ms D. Sarson – Town Clerk
District Councillor Palmer
Sheila King, Heritage Triangle Project
Three members of the Youth Council
Two council office staff
Two members of the public
Before the meeting started, the Town Mayor asked for a minute’s silence in tribute for those who lost their lives in
the Manchester bombings earlier this week.
FC0517/01
ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR FOR THE MUNICIPAL YEAR 2017/2018
Councillors elected a Town Mayor and received a declaration of acceptance of office. It was
RESOLVED:
to elect Councillor Wenman as Town Mayor of Diss for the municipal year 2017/18.
Councillor Wenman signed the declaration of acceptance of office, received the robes and chain of
office and took the Chair. Councillor Wenman thanked his fellow councillors and said he hoped that, in the wake of events this
week, his mayoral year would be a ‘kind’ year, a year in which we all demonstrate kindness to each
other in all areas of life, but in particular, in the business of running the Town Council.
FC0517/02
TO CONSIDER APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor Traube.
FC0517/03
ELECTION OF COUNCIL LEADER
Councillors elected a Council Leader to lead on the Strategy Plan. It was
RESOLVED:
to re-elect Councillor Minshull as Council Leader for the municipal year 2017/18.
FC0517/04
DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
Minute No.
Councillors
Personal/
Pecuniary
Reason
Name
Other Interest
Interest
FC0517/08
K. Kiddie
✓
The Councillors are elected members of
FC0517/12
G. Minshull
South Norfolk Council.
FC0517/13
S. Olander
✓
The Councillor is an employee at Royal
Mail
FC0517/08
K. Kiddie
✓
The Councillor is an elected member of
Norfolk County Council
FC0517/12
K. Kiddie
✓
The Councillor is Vice-Chairman of the
District Council’s Electoral Arrangements
Review Committee
FC0517/05
MINUTES
It was
RESOLVED:
that the minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on the 19th April 2017 were
a correct record and were duly signed by the Town Mayor.
Full Council 24.05.17
Page 1 of 4
FC0517/06
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Councillors considered a resolution under Standing Orders 3 d., e., f., g. & h. to suspend the meeting
to receive reports from County and District Councillors, the Police and to hear comments from
members of the public on items to be discussed on the agenda. It was
RESOLVED:
to suspend the meeting to receive reports from County and District Councillors.
District Councillor Minshull:
advised that he had shown Council Leader John Fuller around the
Corn Hall and Heritage Triangle last week and advised of his
support for the way Diss Town Council operates
District Councillor Kiddie:
advised that no activity relevant to Diss has been happening at
South Norfolk Council over the past month
District Councillor Palmer:
congratulated Councillor Kiddie on his recent election as County
Councillor for Diss & Roydon and Councillor Wenman on his
election as Town Mayor; appraised the Council of a recent held to
reinstate the Diss Railway Station Group which will be reviewing the
Diss Station Travel Plan, completed prior to the new Abellio
franchise and to support the scheme to connect to Nelson Road
County Councillor Kiddie:
advised that he has only been in post for a couple of weeks but
noted that the railings outside the swimming pool have been
replaced at long last
FC0517/07
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
There was none.
FC0517/08
HERITAGE TRIANGLE PROJECT
Councillors received an update on progress of the Heritage Triangle Project. It was noted that a
grant of easement will be required from the Town Council for a utilities connection across land
outside Mallard Court for a new dwelling behind Larter & Ford, but there was concern this could
impact on the cost and programme of the streetscape project and/or result in damage to the new
scheme at a later date. It was
RESOLVED:
to grant an easement for utilities connections across land at Mallard Court (owned
by the Town Council as one of several pieces of land collectively known as the
Manorial Rights) to the owner of Mere Barn subject to ensuring that the works
would not in any way impact on the timing or cost of the streetscape element of the
Heritage Triangle project.
(Action: Clerk; by 02.06.17)
It was reported that the streetscape scheme is still on schedule but Market Hill work will take a
week longer, while St Nicholas Street is planned to be completed within four weeks. Although there
is a perception that not much is happening, a lot of time is spent planning solutions to problems
encountered underground, the bulk of work is preparatory, good progress is hampered by
maintaining access to premises. On the garden and boardwalk scheme, good progress is being
made with trees being delivered next month, some planting has already occurred including
specialist apple varieties, water edge planting and the foundation of the path mostly laid. A minor
boundary issue with the garden neighbours will be resolved by Plandescil, and Wetherspoon has
been in contact regarding the connectivity of the boardwalk at the King’s Head site. Sheila reported
that a number of traders were suffering with a severe drop in footfall while the works are underway
and outlined a number of measures to support the traders during this time with a ‘golden triangle’
promotion planned at completion. A trader’s meeting has been arranged to discuss these
measures. Sheila was thanked and congratulated for a fantastic project.
FC0517/09
FINANCE
a)
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
Councillors noted payment of accounts since the last meeting of Full Council.
b)
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE AND EARMARKED RESERVES
Councillors noted that the summary of income, expenditure and Earmarked Reserves for the
month ending April 2017 will be provided to the June meeting of Full Council
c)
QUARTERLY REPORT
Councillors received the fourth quarterly finance report including a report on reserves (report
reference 04/1718). Discussion was held about the funds the Corn Hall holds for the project
and the way this complicates matters. It was agreed this would be referred to the Executive
Committee. It was
Full Council 24.05.17
Page 2 of 4
RESOLVED:
i)
to approve the fourth quarterly report
ii)
To approve the proposed transfers to earmarked reserves
amounting to £23,341
iii)
To accept that the reduced general reserve is a consequence of
the extenuating circumstances which will be rectified during the
2017/18 financial year
(Action: RFO; by 14.06.17)
FC0517/10
STRATEGY PLAN REVIEW
Councillors considered recommendations from Officers following a review of the consultation
responses from councillors and staff including a priority plan (report reference 05/1718). It was
RESOLVED:
a)
To postpone from June those priorities that are not identified on
the priority plan namely: Facilities Management Plan (St Mary’s
Churchyard walls & paths / Mere Drain / DYCC Early Help /
Council Offices boiler replacement / Maintenance workshop);
Youth Council; Railway Group; CCTV; Increased engagement at
events; Museum Lease/registrations; and Councillor Support
b)
to refer a review of the resources required to deliver the Strategy
Plan to the Task & Finish Group
(Action: T&FG; by 12.07.17)
FC0517/11
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
a) Councillors appointed members to committees. It was
RESOLVED:
to adopt the draft committee structure.
(Action: Clerk; by 31.05.17)
b) Councillors noted the council & committee meeting schedule for the year to May 2018.
c) Councillors noted the meetings protocol. It was requested that the meetings protocol be reviewed
and considered at an appropriate future meeting.
(Action: Clerk; by 13.09.17)
FC0517/12
PARISH BOUNDARY REVIEW
Councillors received a report on the meeting held with representatives of those south Norfolk
parishes involved in the Neighbourhood Plan (report reference 06/1718). Councillor Kiddie advised
that there is a one month extension to the deadline because of the general election and then left the
meeting. It was
RESOLVED:
to defer this item to the next meeting of Full Council.
(Action: Clerk; by 14.06.17)
FC0517/13
POST OFFICE FUTURE Councillors considered what feasible options are available for securing the Post Officer’s Future
(report reference 07/1718). With six in favour, three against and three abstentions, it was
RESOLVED:
to approve the principle of appointing a contractor to develop a feasibility study once
an appropriate funding source has been identified and to consider proposals once
available.
(Action: Clerk; by 11.10.17)
FC0517/14
PARK RADIO
Councillors considered a recommendation from the Task & Finish Group for a suitable area for Park
Radio to lease at the DYCC (report reference 08/1718). It was
RESOLVED:
a)
to approve the principle of use of part of the downstairs meeting room at
the DYCC for Park Radio and the proposed building works to
accommodate it
b)
to refer consideration of the detailed proposal to the June Heritage &
Facilities committee.
(Action: DepTC; by 07.06.17)
FC0517/15
OFFICER’S REPORT
Councillors noted the Officers report (reference 09/1718) on activities not reported elsewhere on this
agenda.
FC0517/16
ITEMS FOR NOTING
a)
Progress Report
Full Council 24.05.17
Page 3 of 4
Councillors noted progress on decisions made at the last meeting of Council.
b)
Committee Minutes
Councillors noted that the minutes of the Community Engagement Committee (22nd March) are
available to view on the Council’s website. Councillors also noted committee minutes should be
addressed directly to the relevant Chairman.
c)
Correspondence Received
Councillors noted a letter of thanks received from the Corn Hall Trustees for the Town Council’s
support of the project.
--------------------------
Meeting Closed: 8.57pm
Councillor Wenman
TOWN MAYOR
Full Council 24.05.17
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