Present: Chairman: Cllr. B. Beale

Vice-Chairman : Cllr. J. Buchanan

Cllrs. P. Bowditch, R. Crew, G. Dann, M. Dunn, C. Dyer, J. Garlick (arrived 7.25 p.m.) T. Gandy, D. Knight, M. Moore, D. Spencer, T. Stansfield, G. Thurman, P. Went and M. Wilson.

Town Clerk.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. J. Devlin, E. Guest and R. Rapley.

Members received and considered the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2007.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 8 March 2007 be taken as read, approved as a correct record and signed.

The Chairman reported that together with Cllr. Bowditch he had met with Mr. A. Dyckhoff, Chairman, Churches Together in Billericay. Mr. Dyckhoff had stated that they were forming a new Constitution which included cross fertilization within the Churches and consideration of ways to engage with the community. Instead of being titled Churches Together they were to be renamed "The Gathering". Among the subjects discussed was the Outwood Common area from which it was noted that a number of the churches have full time youth workers and Reverend Enid Pow was going to look at activities for young people. Reference had also been made to the Winifred Emily Trust and Mr. Dyckhoff had said that the Church may have been able to assist with the provision of Trustees if required. Further meetings would be held when it was felt necessary and it was hoped the Town Council and The Gathering could work together in the future for the benefit of the Community.

The Chairman reported on the Litter Pick on 17 March and thanked those members of the Council who had participated and helped collect over one hundred bags of rubbish. He said a number of participants had suggested that the event should be staged twice a year.

The Plant-a-Shrub event on 28 March had been well supported and he thanked Cllr. Wilson and the Town Clerk for their assistance with regard to this. As the garden is slowly filling up the time will come to start thinking of some other form of commemoration or area.
Mr. John Burrows, Billericay in Bloom judge, had as part of the tenth anniversary celebrations made a presentation and answered questions regarding gardening at The Reading Rooms on Wednesday 11 April. Although the numbers could have been greater, those in attendance had an enjoyable evening.

On Wednesday 11 April he had along with the Vice-Chairman and Town Clerk had a meeting with District Cllr. T. Sargent regarding the Day Centre and this would be discussed later in the meeting.

Cllr. J. Buchanan, Vice-Chairman, reported on his attendance at the 4^th Billericay Scout Group fundraising event on Sunday 25 March – Arsenal Ex-Professional & Celebrity Charity Football Match which had been held to raise funds to renew their premises.

Resolved: that the reports be noted.

(a) Planning Committee – 13 and 27 March

Cllr. J. Buchanan, Vice-Chairman, of the Planning Committee presented the minutes of the Planning Committee meetings.

27 March – minute 132 – Annual Review of Terms of Reference

Notwithstanding that the Planning Committee proposed an amendment to their Terms of Reference, Cllr. Stansfield referred to the fact that the Finance & General Purposes Committee and Environment Committees had considered a review of their Terms of Reference regarding attendance at meetings and had decided that there should be no amendment. It was proposed and seconded that the same should apply to the Planning Committee but when put to the vote this proposal was lost.

27 March – minute 135 – Basildon District Council – Overview & Scrutiny Review – Parking in Residential Areas

Discussion ensued regarding this minute during which it was suggested that the request for a one hour parking ban should be set at a radius from the Railway Station rather than Woolworths and various distances were discussed.

In answer to a question Cllr. Buchanan said that the Planning Committee had looked at a map when making their recommendation as well as considering the radius in great depth. Reference was also made to the fact that by requesting a parking ban, residents of the roads concerned would also be affected and not just the commuters. It was also suggested that by extending the radius the parking problem would be extended as it was a proved fact that commuters were prepared to walk quite a distance. It was also suggested that specific roads should be identified for the introduction of parking bans but it was pointed out the closing date for responses on this matter was 13 April.

It was proposed and seconded that : "A request be submitted to Basildon District Council for a one hour parking ban to be imposed on all roads within a 1 mile radius of the Railway Station". When put to the vote this proposition was lost.

It was then proposed and seconded that the half mile radius in the original recommendation should be from the Railway Station and not Woolworth’s car park but when put to the vote this proposition was lost.

Members then voted on the recommendation contained within the minutes and it was resolved that this should not be accepted and there should be no response to the District Council.

Resolved: that (i) if a member fails to attend, and does not submit apologies for 12 consecutive meetings, they cease to be a member of the Planning Committee;

(ii) the Terms of Reference be amended accordingly;

(iii) minute 135 of the meeting held on 27 March be not accepted and there be no response to the District Council regarding the Overview & Scrutiny Review – Parking in Residential Areas;

(iv) in all other respects the minutes of the meetings held on 13 and 27 March be approved and adopted.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2007 be approved and adopted.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2007 be approved and adopted.

(i) Working Party minutes

Cllr. P. Bowditch, Chairman of the Working Party presented the minutes

96. of the meetings held on 15 March and 28 March 2007.

Resolved: that (a) Cllrs. P. Bowditch and T. Stansfield be appointed as the Town Council representatives upon the Town Design Steering Committee for the remainder of the municipal year.

(b) the minutes be approved and adopted

(ii) Town Council support to the Steering Committee

Members were reminded that a sum of £5,000 had been allocated within the 2007/08 budget for the Town Design Statement and were asked to consider whether this should be forwarded to the Steering Committee. Members were also reminded that a grant of £150 had been received from the Essex Association of Local Councils specifically for the Town Design Statement and this would be forwarded to the Steering Committee.

In answer to a question the Chairman stated that the Steering Committee was completely independent from the Town Council and would be able to raise its own funding; the Town Council would not be expected to cover all costs relating to the preparation of the Town Design Statement. It was also pointed out that the Steering Committee would decide what aspects were covered within the Statement and they would work closely with the officers of the Rural Community Council of Essex and the District Council.

The provision of photocopying and free use of the Coach House for

meetings was also discussed both of which could be recorded as ‘funding in kind’ for grant application purposes.

Resolved: that the Steering Committee (a) be granted £1,000 to enable it to open a bank account;

(b) be advised that Town Council grant application forms will have to be completed and considered by members with regard to the remaining £4,000;

(c) be advised that they can have free use of the photocopy machine to copy minutes, agendas and other similar documents and they be requested to nominate a representative to operate the photocopier;

(d) have free use of the Coach House for their meetings.

110. COURSES

Further to minute 69(e) of the Finance & General Purposes Committee meeting held on 28 March 2007 members were requested to indicate whether they wished to attend the following:

(a) Essex Training Partnership – Law & Procedures Course to be held on Thursday 19 April 2007

(b) Essex Association of Local Councils – Chairman’s Day – Modules 1 & 2 to be held on Wednesday 25 April 2007.

Resolved: that Cllr. B. Beale attends the Chairman’s Day on 25 April 2007 and the fee of £50 and expenses be met by the Town Council (Local Gov. Act s111 & 175).

Further to minute 63 of the Finance & General Purposes Committee meeting held on 28 March 2007 members received the report of the Town Clerk providing information regarding the Community Service and Unpaid Workers and estimated costings.

Lengthy discussion ensued regarding this matter and it was:

Resolved: that (a) the Community Service be requested to decorate the Coach House first and once this has been undertaken further consideration be given to decorating The Loft;

(b) a sum of up to £150 be made available for materials.

Resolved: that the schedule of meetings as circulated be adopted for the 2007/08 municipal year.

114. REVIEW OF STANDING ORDERS

Further to minute 32 of the Council meeting held on 13 July 2006 members considered whether the Standing Orders needed to be revised.

Resolved: that there be no amendments to the Standing Orders.

Cllr. Buchanan reported that, because of a change of date of meeting there had not been many representatives in attendance. The guest speaker had been Cllr. John Williams representative of the Parish and Town Councils on the East of England Regional Assembly. The next meeting was to be held on 19 June and if members of the Forum have any items they wish included on the agenda they should notify the Essex Association.

Resolved: that the report be noted.

The report of Cllr. Bowditch on the Conference which he and Cllr. Buchanan had attended was circulated to members. Cllr. Bowditch reported that the timing of this Conference was very beneficial bearing in mind the setting up of the Billericay Steering Committee and he said it had been well attended and networking had been undertaken with representatives of Basildon District Council.

Resolved: that the report be noted.

Cllr. Gandy reported that this meeting had been cancelled and the next meeting was to take place during April.

Resolved: that the information be noted.

Cllr. Buchanan reported on his attendance at this Forum and gave a brief overview of a presentation made by a speaker from the Basildon Women’s Refuge.

A further report was made by the Essex County Council Traffic and Safety Manager on "Driving Casualties Down" and this detailed ways of trying to reduce traffic accidents.

Inspection of Care Homes was also discussed and Cllr. Buchanan reported that the next Forum meeting was to be held on 14 June at the Holiday Inn, Basildon.

Resolved: that the report be noted.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2007 be noted.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2007 be noted.

There were no members of the press or public in attendance.

Resolved: that in accordance with s.1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to
Meetings) Act 1960, in view of the confidential nature of the business to be discussed, in the opinion of the Council it is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to withdraw.

Cllr. Beale reported on a meeting which he, Cllr. Buchanan and the Town Clerk had attended with District Councillor T. Sargent on 11 April to discuss the outcome of the consultation in respect of the Day Centre. Cllr. Sargent had stated that the District Councillors for Billericay had agreed that the matter should be discussed with the Town Council prior to submission to the Cabinet meeting. Unfortunately District Councillors Hedley and Turner had been unable to attend the meeting.

Cllr. Beale reported on the discussion that had taken place and asked members if they wanted to have involvement with the District Council regarding the future of the Day Centre.

It was noted that the Town Council had no financial provision within the 2007/08 financial year.

Resolved: that (a) a Project Group be set up to look at options available regarding the Day Centre and reports to the Town Council;

(b) the Project Group membership be considered at the Annual Town Council meeting to be held on 24 May 2007.

Cllr. B. Beale

Chairman

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.04 p.m.

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