Agenda and draft minutes

Where a Councillor has a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest the Councillor must declare the interest to the meeting and leave the room without participating in any discussion or making a statement on the item, except where a Councillor is permitted to remain as a result of a grant of dispensation.

There were none

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2024 (copy enclosed). 

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2024.

Agreed:

That the minutes be signed as a correct record.

To view actions arising from the meeting held on the 8 October 2024

The Chairman discussed the actions raised from the previous Spalding Town Forum meeting on the 8 October 2024, the following points were considered;

A8. CCTV and Data update –

• The Portfolio Holder for Public Protection had been invited to provide a verbal update and answer any questions.

A10. Volunteer tidy up in the Crescent –

• The Chairman thanked the members who donated their time to clear rubbish and weeds in the Crescent.

A11. Democratic Services to contact Spalding Grammar School - to          confirm genre and names of films that teenagers would like to see at the South Holland Centre.

• The Chairman would provide further details to Democratic Services when a date could be agreed.

A12. Assistant Director – Strategic Growth – to provide contact details to the schools regarding volunteering information for their Duke of Edinburgh Award.

• All details had been forwarded on to the Schools that requested the information.

A13. Portfolio Holder - Community Development - to investigate the possibility of recycling/repairing the old Christmas lights.

• The Portfolio Holder - Community Development, would provide an update at a Future Spalding Town Forum meeting.

A9. To provide a St Georges Celebration Event in Spalding Town Centre.

•  The Vice-Chairman of the Spalding Town Forum would provide details of the planned event at the following Forum meeting.

The Portfolio Holder – Public Protection to provide a verbal update on Spalding Town Centre CCTV and Data.

The Chairman introduced the Portfolio Holder - Public Protection to provide a CCTV and Data update.

The Portfolio Holder - Public Protection informed the Forum that within Spalding there were currently 82 cameras, inclusive of static and rotating cameras.

The Portfolio Holder - Public Protection was asked;

• Had additional staff been employed at the Boston CCTV monitoring hub since November 2023, and if so, how many?
  • The Portfolio Holder responded that the Boston CCTV monitoring hub were currently fully staffed with an adequate number of full time/part-time and flexible staff, along with some volunteers.

• What was the time frame for repairing/servicing a non-functioning CCTV camera?
  • The Portfolio Holder responded that when a camera required an engineer to attend, this could take up to one week, although with advanced technology a portion of repairs to CCTV cameras could be conducted remotely, therefore the issue would be resolved within a matter of an hour.

• Could the Portfolio Holder provide a breakdown for each locality, detailing the number of occurrences that had been reviewed and attended by the Police?
  • The Portfolio Holder responded that a statutory CCTV report was available detailing the number of instances per CCTV camera. The report was presented to the Performance Monitoring Panel Committee in July. A copy of the report was accessible on the South Holland District Council website.

• Had the CCTV monitoring procedures and processes been reviewed recently, and if so, when?
  • The CCTV monitoring procedures were reviewed and updated apace with any major amendments in legislation or changes in equipment, any modifications would be incorporated into our CCTV policy.

• What was the overhead cost of monitoring the CCTV in South Holland?
  • South Holland District Council contributed £30,000 for the 2024/25 financial year.
  • Officers were currently setting the budget for 2025/26.

• Following the recent tragic deaths in our community, what guarantees could the Portfolio Holder offer to support frightened residents?
  • The Portfolio Holder - Public Protection stated that the Police had arrested and charged an individual, this had been an isolated incident. The Portfolio Holder along with the Police urged all residents to report any occurrences witnessed immediately.

• Were the images from the South Holland CCTV cameras of high definition and resolution.
  • The Portfolio Holder - Community Development, explained that the issue was not with the quality of the captured footage, but that many criminals do their upmost to become unrecognisable by using face coverings, making it impossible to identify the perpetrators. The CCTV cameras had been recently replaced. It was stated that the monitoring of the cameras may require improvement.

It was noted that it would be inducive to arrange a visit to the Boston CCTV monitoring hub for 2025, where the skilled operatives would be available to answer any further relevant questions.

The Chairman enquired if a written report could be provided for future Spalding Town Forum meetings, to include all available statistics and figures.

The Chairman thanked the Portfolio Holder – Public Protection, for providing a verbal update.

Councillor James Le Sage to provide a progress update on the potential to open up the River Welland.

The Chairman introduced Councillor James Le Sage to provide an update on the potential of opening up the River Welland.

Councillor James Le Sage informed the Forum that a meeting had been scheduled with Anglian Water to discuss what options were available to improve access to the River Welland.

• Current access points were in Crowland or the Spalding Yacht Club. membership at the Yacht Club was required to access the water from their ramp.
• Working alongside the Chairman of the Spalding Yacht Club and the proprietor of Spalding Water Taxi’s, a ‘Celebrate the River Welland’ fun day had been organised for 8 June 2025.
• The celebration event would link in with the Spalding Yacht Clubs open day, the Spalding Yacht Club would provide canoes and self-propelled watercraft for participants to use, along with life jackets.
• The event would include a flotilla of watercraft entering the River Welland at the Spalding Yacht Club’s access point, continuing down to the Moorings Public House, where participants could stop for refreshments or simply turn around and head back.
• A safety boat would be provided by the Spalding Sub Aqua Club branch, to eliminate watercraft getting into issues.
• The Spalding Yacht club had offered to provide some afternoon/ evening hospitality.

The event would highlight the opportunities the River Welland could offer. A further update would be provided at a future Forum meeting.

The Chairman thanked Councillor James Le Sage for the update.

The Chairman of the Forum to provide details of the upcoming Christmas Events 2024

The Chairman requested if Councillor Sheard would provide an update on the forthcoming Christmas events in Spalding Town Centre.

Councillor Sheard delivered an updated itinerary on the forthcoming events.

• Christmas Crescent Shopping event;
  • Friday 6 December 2024 from 5 – 7pm
  • A variety of bespoke stalls selling unique Christmas themed gifts.
  • An assortment of food stands.
  • Interactive fun for Children, including a Santa’s Grotto and appearances from the Grinch.
  • Musical entertainment delivered by Spalding Community Choir, Holbeach Brass Band, and singer Jayden Ravenhill.
  • The event would include all shop traders in the Crescent.
  • Road closures would be in place for the duration of the event.

Councillor Sheard would welcome any assistance from the Spalding Town Forum members with the ‘set up’ and ‘pack up’.

It was hoped that the resident would support the Crescent businesses and shop locally.

• Chairman’s Santa Fun Run;
  • Sunday 8 December at 9.30am – Castle Sports Complex – swimming pool entrance.
  • 4.5k fun run/walk, open to all families and more serious competitors.
  • Medals, mince pies and hot drinks for all who compete.
  • Donations would be divided between the Chairman’s two charities – Mencap and Blood cancer UK.

• Ayscoughfreeze event;
  • Saturday 21 December 2024 between 4-7pm at Ayscoughfee Gardens.
  • Enjoy a mix of traditional themed songs, carols, and modern music, all performed in the idyllic gardens at Ayscoughfee.

It was noted that the Communities Christmas Light switch on event, was a huge success and well supported.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Sheard for delivering the update.

Vice-Chairman – Councillor Whitbourn to provide an update for Spalding In Bloom.

The Chairman introduced the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Whitbourn to provide an update on Spalding In Bloom.

• The Vice-Chairman informed the Forum that many business along with residents had enquired if hanging baskets would be decorating our town centre in 2025.

The Spalding Town Forum Chairman added;

• Accompanied by members, the Chairman had assisted to plant and erect numerous hanging baskets, encouraging local businesses to improve the visual aspect of the Town Centre.
• The responsibility subsequently lay with the individual businesses to water the baskets, enabling them to blossom throughout the season.
• Although initially the baskets were blooming, some were neglected through lack of watering.
• The hanging baskets could also be very high up, often requiring a step ladder to enable watering.
• The feedback was that the businesses wanted to display hanging baskets but could not afford the time and the monitory value to keep them maintained and watered.

The Chairman expanded that;

• He had informed local businesses, with the proposition regarding the 2024 hanging baskets, in previous years funds had been secured for the planting and watering of the baskets.
• South Holland District Council funded and maintained 100 hanging flower baskets each year.
• The additional 100 baskets were earmarked for individual businesses as part of Spalding in Bloom – which were not budgeted for by South Holland District Council.

It was recommended to discuss with other areas who displayed hanging baskets in their towns/villages and enquire how they were funded and maintained.

• The Portfolio Holder – Community Development, highlighted that entering the East Midlands in Bloom competition could incentivise businesses/organisations to work together, along with the Business Improvement District who could provide future funding.

• It was suggested if the hanging baskets could be planted with arrangements that did not require much watering. Would this be easier for local business to manage?
  • All ideas and funding opportunities available could be explored.

The Forum was in agreement that all planted areas within the town centre required ongoing maintenance, to attract residents to visit and shop in Spalding.

Decision:

1. That The Vice-Chairman approach the Spalding Town Board to enquire if funds could be made available to help with the costs of watering and maintaining the hanging baskets.

2. That The Vice-Chairman ask the Cabinet if any future funding avenues  towards the flowering baskets were available.

The Chairman to discuss the possibility of hosting a Saturday film screening – Students pick.

The Chairman introduced the Spalding Town Forum’s idea to organise a film screening event for teenagers at the South Holland Centre.

Previously, when the students from the Spalding Grammar School attended a Spalding Town Forum meeting, they voiced that collectively they would wish to see films screened at the South Holland Centre, that appealed to a teenage audience, to be shown at opportune times.

• The Chairman had proposed that the Spalding Town Forum could arrange a film screening event specifically for students/teenagers, with a potential date for January 2025.

Since that time, the Chairman following a discussion with the Manager of the South Holland Centre and had been informed that due to the film projector requiring new parts, which had been ordered, an alternative date would be proffered.

• The Chairman would liaise with the Manger of the South Holland Centre to compile a selection of films that would then be conveyed to the students, enabling the students to select their ‘students pick’.
• The Chairman put forward that the Spalding Town Forum underwrite the afternoon film event for the students, to include sponsoring the ticket price and providing appropriate entertainment alongside the chosen film screening.
• The Spalding Town Forum would support the students in promoting the event within their schools and on social media.
• The Chairman offered to approach food outlet establishments to request if they would offer a discount to the students to coincide with the screening event.
• The Chairman reiterated, that although he could not provide a definitive date at present, this would be shortly forthcoming.

To fund the Spalding Town Forum film event for the students, the Chairman would wish to draw down on the Spalding Special Reserves, the budget for the student film event would not exceed £2000.

The Chairman enquired if the Spalding Town Forum members would all be in agreement to submit a written report to the next Cabinet meeting to formally request the funds.

The Chairman asked for any questions or comments regarding the event and use of the Spalding Special Reserves budget.

• The Forum concurred that this was a great idea, and it would encourage teenagers to visit the town centre. It was noted that present daytime film screenings often appealed to younger children rather than teenage audience.
• If successful, the event could be replicated at other times throughout the year.

Decision:

1. That The Chairman request funds, not exceeding £2000 from the Cabinet to sponsor a Student Film Screening Event.

To discuss any other business that the Chairman deems significant.

The Chairman announced that he had not been presented with any other business to discuss.

A question was raised on the Traffic Restriction Order.

Could the current situation be clarified? Had the report been finalised?

• The Chairman responded that the TRO was currently sitting with Lincolnshire County Council and should be finalised by Spring 2025.

The Chairman wished everyone a merry Christmas.

The next meeting of the Spalding Town Forum is scheduled to take place on 22 January 2025 in the Council Chamber commencing at 6.30p.m. 

The date for the next meeting was set for 22 January 2025.