Annual Parish Meeting report

It's been a week since the Halesworth annual parish meeting yet the minutes haven't appeared on the web for anyone to read, act on or even dispute. So for the sake of open and accessible local democracy I've put my own notes up here. Please note this is not the official record which will come from the clerk whenever they're ready.

Halesworth Town Council Annual Parish Meeting.

Edgar Sewter Primary School.

Wednesday 13th March.

Meeting opened 19:00 

Councillors gave introductions: attending was

Doug Mizon

Janet Wright

Andrew Jones

Ezra Leverett

Sandra Leverett

Pat Smith

Annette Dunning

Jen Berry

Letitia Smith

David Fosdike

James Wagner - chair


PC Simon Green gave a police report.

198 crimes were reported, he thinks this is representative as crimes are

well reported. His figures for 2012/12 didn't compare crime in 2011/12 but compared back to 2002. Offences for public order are different category today. Weekends were busy ten years ago with public order offences. Number has dropped dramatically in Halesworth.

Public question: what is the future of police station.

Station built in 1971 as the HQ for the Suffolk Constabulary but then Martlesham land was given to them and another HQ built so made it white elephant. The science services are now based there. Now because of more cooperation with Norfolk, we may lose science services to Wynmondham, so might become empty but it is fully occupied now.

Public question: what are you doing about computer theft from our schools? (Headlines were in newspapers this week)

SG: PC and PCSOs visit all local schools twice a year and offer advice on security and recovery marking etc.

Public question: vandalism at former HMS Playing Fields Land. There was theft and damage to tractor and vandalism to tennis courts.

SG: PC encourage calling 999 immediately if you see something happening or 101 after the event especially late at night or early hours. Too many people think it's not their business. 

James Wagner: We are grateful we have another PCSO now in the town. (We lost one and it has taken some time to replace)

James Wagner gave his report: The projects in Halesworth. A Portas task team was set up to produce bid. The Old Print Works refurbished, logo and bags being made. The big society is happening in Halesworth. The campus is an opportunity to address long standing lack of sport services. The middle school closure was a tragedy but it is opportunity to have a campus. Some negatives: the car parking, the car park now has 1 hour free but we have no stats from WDC. Increasing town centre footfall is a priority. The rejuvenation of the print works will help footfall as will the new cycle route. The New Reach cleaning will improve flooding protection and the general amenity. Zoe is working on a town council website. A successful twinning event, thanks to those who helped.

Councillors aims and reports are on the wall for all to read and questions will be answered later.
Ezra Leverett gave his report: The Portas project was a lot of work but exciting and attracted people interested in working on it. The format of the grant application was very rigid, only 200 words per field. A video was submitted. It soon was apparent it was going to be a political decision. We got put in the second round, were told Halesworth is too affluent. 10% of funds granted but still had to sign up to achieve the goals we first submitted. With a cut budget, we have done a logo for halesworth, we are positioning Halesworth as a regional cycling centre and refurbished the printworks. That was because the produce market went to Holton and we wanted to win them back. People driving can't make sense of the signage in the pedestrian area so we'll try to improve signage. Now spent 50% of £10k budget. Local school has designed logo for Portas. Next Saturday at noon in library will be unveiling the logo and printed onto 1000 bags. There is a competition to get bags into unusual locations. Town centre shops also get stickers to wrap products. We're writing a list of all the things we can get in Halesworth. (People said in Portas video you can't buy knickers) You can now buy women's knickers here.

The old print works was a very sorry state. The business groups were asked to help. It has now been decorated. It has a new mezannine floor. There is a new schedule of use: 1st Sat will be an auction. 2nd Sat produce market, 3rd Sat craft market, 4th Sat available for community use and for any group during the week. Produce market is very happy about new loos and having hot water. The finance came from within community as well. 

Our car parking charges are a disincentive (only applies to one car park). HTC asked WDC for 2 hours. Got 1 year trial for 1 hour free. HTC will continue to lobby WDC about parking.
Tamsyn Imison gave a report on Halesworth In Bloom (Anglia in Bloom).

In July 2 judges will come to Halesworth for 2 hours to look at the town. Our plea: we need people and flowers or produce on two month cycle for the housebound who need support. Need at least 11 people to provide this. Our thanks to HTC for money for AIB. Sponsorship is important, all the town roundabounts have been sponsored, there is new planting by Woottens as sponsor and a sculpture at Triple Plea, Hammonds, Angel Podiatory and Coop are sponsoring. The planting will be drought and bee friendly and easy to maintain. There are 100 people involved now.. Some of our ideas; The Hooker Garden will commemorate the family and have their plants, There is a Mencap garden, Wisset Lake trees planting. The U3A technology project is working on a computer controlled remote watering system for planters in the Thoroughfare.

WI refreshment break.

Public Q&A

Member of public: What is the HTC response to Sizewell?

JW: our objective is to look at potential benefits and how it affects our town not the objections. Jen Berry has made the case against nuclear power. The brief is to advise EDF where their investment should be made in our community.

David Cask: more shops in the town have become vacant, does the council have any power about what can go in them? 
JW: short answer no, we have no powers. but we do want diversity. A mobility shop in expected to go into Taylors. 
EL: HTC has no control over what can fill a vacancy other than it must be a retail establishment. WDC views a charity shop as retail. We have asked WDC for rate relief on our shops. We lost Anglia Photographic because high rates. HTC are pushing for start-up rate relief for first year.

Public asked what shops they wanted in Halesworth:

Response: mens clothing, sports, household linens, small electrical.


EL suggested community shops. If there is a need then community could run its own shops 

Peter Lucas: I am a new resident, what is the situation about Tesco?JW: we haven't had any new correspondence with Tesco. 
EL: They own the Old Print Works but have allowed us to use them on three year lease. 3 month in/out. No new correspondence.
Under the LDF their land is for housing or community use. Tesco lost their appeal. Any rumours are Tesco agents feeling their way forward. Now that other stores have opened, their catchment area is smaller, they are more likely to develop smaller stores or look for diverse use.

SL: HTC suggested to Tesco develop their land for housing.

Janet Huckle: Have questions about tourism promotion in Waveney. I found a forgotten box of Town Trail leaflets. The audio trail cost £4000 but nobody able to get it working. I took leaflets around but shops would not take leaflets. Sometimes manager said no posters or leaflets allowed. Some businesses are not supporting the town, just their businesses. We must think of ways to bring them onboard. 
Sandra Leverett: Simon Tennant of Angel is tourism group head and is investigating a Halesworth tourism website. We don't have a TIC but that could help. The library are trying to expand tourist information facilities.
Member of public: After WDC refurbished their foyer (London Road) they have cleared out all the information and refuse to stock it.

David Cask: Can we improve the Market Place appeal?

Mary Copperthwaite: power points have been installed. Most stalls there are in the produce markets. Street markets are dying. market traders can't compete with Primark etc. 

Halesworth in Bloom: are going to look at market place to make the place more attractive, banners will hung from Christmas trees holders.

JW: Number 10 was a real benefit to the area but has closed down.

EL: funding found for community stalls with bright covers and banners for groups.


Pat Miller: We have 1 hour parking but can't get parking places though. Is Horse and Garden area included?

Andrew Jones: Parking being studied with Halesworth and Bungay in comparison but unfairly, every Bungay car park is free but Halesworth is only 1 car park. 2 free hours will make a difference to vitality. The loss of Number 10 is tragic. 
EL: HTC didn't know WDC trial was going to be different in Bungay. WDC decided that the same amount of the loss of revenue to them would be applied to each town, so Bungay gets all its car parks free, Halesworth one. 
Bryan Holmes from Halesworth Museum gave a report: New project is 1970's in Halesworth.

The Wisset Hoard will be on show late next year. Has an archive of 20,000 negatives from Robbie Page school head and press photographer that need people identified.
David Cask: what is progress of bus hub at Angel?
JW/EL: HTC was told funds not available then funds are available. Issue is with Tony Goldson. HTC hopeful it will go ahead but no timing known yet. It must be this financial year. Copy of plans with are with HTC.

AJ: still some unresolved questions on the safety audit. The assessment was it would be used by 72 buses per day. Money had to be spent by April this year.

David Cask: position of the present bus stop and people turning right out of Town car park is a hazard and causes congestion.

Eric Wilcox gave a report on campus:

After SOR the HMS became a warehouse. Campus couldn't discuss with SCC until it is clear. It now has floodlights, being used for rugby. The SCC do want to give to campus but moving slowly. Current situation is pitches will belong to Halesworth next year. Between May - Sept there is work on improving the pitch drainage which improves their durability. The land behind Skill Centre will become home of Halesworth town FC. Will be a full size rugby pitch and 3 cricket strips. Now discussing the buildings; SCC can't sell the playing fields but could sell the building. NSSA is now charitable not run by Lowestoft college (after September). There are 5 schools now using NSSA now instead of 3. HMS buildings could be demolished to start again, could be partial rebuild or conversion (that decision a bit longer off)

The school bungalow is being discussed regarding being leased. That creates revenue and a presence on site. Halesworth Health and Campus have worked together, to pull off both would make sense. It makes a much stronger offer locally. The Dairy Hill site is earmarked by them. Apollo Centre has 3 year lease and transition funding should it come to it.

EL: The Patrick Stead is much loved but local health facilities needs to be improved. 

EW: WDC and SCC understand they can't let this opportunity slip away.

Public question: why does Campus only have short lease on HMS?

EW: SCC told them it would be increased once they had a track record.

Ezra Leverett thanked everyone for coming. Thanked council members and two clerks. The councillors are volunteers. Sandra Leverett presented clerks with gifts.

Meeting ended 21:00