Venue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Priory Road, Spalding
Contact: Democratic Services 01775 764838
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To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2024 (copy enclosed). Minutes:
Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2024. Agreed: That the minutes be signed as a correct record.
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Declaration of Interests. 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. Minutes:
There were none.
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To view actions arising from the meeting held on 11 June 2024 Minutes:
The Chairman discussed the actions raised from the previous Spalding Town Forum meeting held on the 11 June 2024, the following points were considered;
A2. Opening up of the River Welland –
A6. Setting up a SHDC Youth Council –
A7. Update on new Planters for the Town Centre –
A8. Provide a CCTV Data Report and update – · The Portfolio Holder - Community Development notified the Forum that CCTV reports and data updates would be supplied by the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection. The next update would be provided at the next Forum meeting, scheduled on the 3 December 2024.
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Spalding Special Expenses Q1 report 2024-25 To consider the Spalding Special Expenses Quarter1 forecast outturn report for 2024-25 (report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) (S151) enclosed).
Minutes:
Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development and S151) which considered the Spalding Special Expenses Q1 report 2024-25.
The Strategic Finance Manager stated that the report detailed the forecast outturn against budget for 2024-25. · A budget of £240,000 had been approved by council in February 2024, the outturn position on the 30 June 2024 was £213.000 which was in line with the forecast budget. · The report highlighted the variant in actual and forecasted spend from the original budget. Spend forecast was £33,400 less than budget, any savings realised at year end would be transferred to the earmarked Spalding Special Account Reserve. · An underspend of £33,400 was primarily against the Halley Stewart, amidst Spalding United Football Club signing a new lease in June 2024, along with savings from ground maintenance and utilities. · Section 4 of the report detailed the reserve position, thus with the inclusion of the 2023-24 surplus, a closing balance of £138,000 was outlined. These reserves were essentially funds for unexpected emergencies or a one-off investment. Use of reserves would require approval by Cabinet.
The recommendation was for the Forum to note the forecast outturn position.
The Strategic Finance Manager enquired if the Forum had any questions with regard to the report.
The Chairman noted the suggestions and said he would liaise with the Portfolio Holder for Community Development on what could potentially be realised.
In regard to the purchase of a Town Centre Christmas Tree, the Chairman had already received a quote for the cost of a Christmas Tree and would look into options for delivery/collection. The Chairman enquired if the Forum were in agreement for the Spalding Town Forum’s Chairman’s budget of £750 to be used to offset the expense of the tree.
The Chairman thanked the Strategic Finance Manager for presenting the report.
Agreed: That the report be noted, and That the Chairman’s budget of £750 be used to offset the expense of a Christmas tree for Spalding town centre.
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Hall Place/Market Place/Sheep Market Traffic Regulation Order - Update The Assistant Director for Strategic Growth and Development to provide a factual update on the Hall Place/Market Place/Sheep Market Traffic Regulation Order. Minutes:
The Chairman introduced the Assistant Director – Strategic Growth and Development to provide an update on the Traffic Regulation Order to the Forum.
The Chairman thanked the Assistant Director – Strategic Growth and Development and enquired if the Forum had any questions with regard to the TRO.
The Chairman thanked the Assistant Director – Strategic Growth and Development for providing the Traffic Regulation Order update.
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Spalding Christmas Lights Update A verbal update on the Spalding Christmas Lights will be provided. Minutes:
The Chairman introduced the Portfolio Holder - Community Development to present the Christmas Lights update.
The Portfolio Holder - Community Development shared that an announcement from the Communications team had been released regarding purchasing new Town Centre Christmas Lights.
The Portfolio Holder - Community Development enquired if the Forum had any questions regarding the Spalding Christmas Lights.
The Chairman thanked the Portfolio Holder – Community Development for the update and concluded that all points would be considered and noted.
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Spalding Town Forum Christmas Events The Chairman of the Forum to provide details of the upcoming Christmas Events 2024
Minutes:
The Chairman asked Councillor Sheard to provide an update to the Forum on the forthcoming Spalding Christmas Events.
Councillor Sheard provided the details for the “Christmas in the Crescent”, late night shopping event.
Councillor Sheard provided details for Ayscoughfreeze in Ayscoughfee Gardens.
The Chairman asked if the Forum had any questions on the Spalding Town Forum Christmas events.
The Chairman raised the point that road closures were costly to implement. For the evening to be successful, the Chairman appealed to the public to attend the event.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Sheard for updating the Forum.
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Any other business To discuss any other business that the Chairman deems significant.
Minutes:
Student Cinema Event
The Chairman voiced he wanted to host a cinema/film event for students in the district. This would take place at the South Holland Centre. The Chairman asked the pupils from the Grammar School to brainstorm some ideas of films they would like to watch. A provisional date of 25 January 2025 had been highlighted.
Carpark Signage
Councillor M Le Sage asked if improved signage could be sought to signpost visitors to our Town Centre carparks, potentially to be place when the new TRO comes into play, enabling shoppers to find alternative places to park.
Homeless sleepers in Abbey Passage
Councillor M Le Sage broached the subject of the homeless people occupying the area in Abbey Passage. Had every avenue been explored to help the homeless people?
New cycle rack in Sheep Market
Councillor E Sneath announced that a new cycle rack had been installed in the Sheep Market, making cyclists feel welcome, while offering a place to store their bikes.
Duke of Edinburgh Volunteering
The students in attendance were asked if they currently had volunteering positions as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award.
Improvements to Saturday bus routes
It was raised that the current bus routes, particularly the B13 only runs a few times on Saturday, making it difficult for students to travel into Spalding.
The Chairman thanked the Forum for their questions, which the Chairman noted.
The Chairman thanked the students from Spalding Grammar School and the members of the Spalding Town Forum for attending.
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Date and Time of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Spalding Town Forum is scheduled to take place on 3 December 2024 in the Council Chamber commencing at 6.30p.m.
Minutes:
The next scheduled meeting was to be held on 3 December 2024 at 6.30pm.
The meeting ended at 7.35pm
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