Page 12 - Hunstanton Town & Around - June 2013

12 Hunstanton Town & Around June 2013 Tel: 01485 533422 email: editor@hunstantonnewsletter.co.uk
HUNSTANTON TOWN COUNCIL

Annual Report 2012/13

people outside those hours and staff could be contacted on 01485
532402 or by e-mail at enquiries@hunstanton-council.co.uk
Overview

Councillors: One Councillor resigned this year, this being Cllr Richard
Webb. This position will be filled by co-option at the meeting on 14th
June 2013. The average attendance of Councillors at Full Council
meetings was 14. The average attendance at Committee meetings was
14. There are five committees and several working parties that answer
to these committees. This system works well and enables the Council
to cover a wide range of issues.
Neighbourhood Development Plan: This is a new Government
Seated L-R: Cllrs: Kate Dunbar & Elaine Clutton,
Town Clerk Lisa Powell and Deputy Clerk Chris Amos initiative which permits a parish to set out policies and plan for an area.
Standing L-R Cllrs: Carol Bower, John Smith, James Johnson, This is a lengthy process by which peoples’ opinions are sought on
Lynda Brister, Geoffrey Smith, Richard Bird, Christine Earnshaw, how they would like to see their parish develop, whilst adhering to
Bob Davies, Andrew Murray, John Maiden & Richard Webb planning policies and consulting with other authorities, it can help a
Cllrs Brian Devlin, Nick Godfrey-Cole, David Jones & Cliff Allman parish develop but also protect it for future generations. Hunstanton
unable to attend for photo. was one of the first parishes in Norfolk to commence the
Neighbourhood Development Plan.
Structure/Meetings Events: This year the Town Council was involved in several events
Hunstanton Town Council consists of 17 Councillors. They vary from such as the Diamond Jubilee Festivities, the Mayor’s Reception, Civic
being in office for many years to just a few months. Each Councillor Service, Mayor’s Gala, the Town litter pick, the naming of Reis
has a duty to represent the electorate of Hunstanton and receives no Leming Way after the hero of the 1953 floods and the commemoration
remuneration for their hard work. The Council meet at least twice a of the 1953 floods in January. The Council is now looking into
month in the Council Chamber. The first Wednesday of the month is presenting the Freedom of the Town to both Kathy Leming and the
when the Committee meetings are held. These comprise of the General USAF 67th Special Operations Squadron.
Purposes Committee, where general business issues and future events Community: The Town Council worked extremely hard during the
are considered, the Finance Committee where donation requests and year to build strong relationships with community groups being led by
all other finance matters including budgets and precepts for Council example by the Mayor. Representatives had regular meetings with
Tax are discussed, the Town Hall Management Committee which deals Hunstanton Civic Society, Chamber of Trade, Safer Neighbourhood
with all aspects of the Town Hall such as the Tourist Information Action Panel and the Hunstanton Youth Cafe. The community was so
Centre, bookings, health & safety, improvements etc., Quality Council united that it won the EDP Pride of Norfolk Best Community award
Committee which deals with matters such as localism, neighbourhood for the second year running. The Community Orchard also won a
development and quality town council status, and the Allotment Campaign to Protect Rural England award.
Committee which oversees the Northfields Allotments. All planning Borough Council: Although the Town Council is not always in
applications are dealt with by E-planning which reports to the General agreement with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk,
Purpose Committee. Any particularly contentious planning matters it does its best to put forward the views of the residents to ensure they
are referred to either General Purpose Committee or Full Council. The get the best deal on offer. It manages The Green jointly with the BC,
Friday of the week following these committee meetings is when the has taken over the Tourist Information Centre from the Borough
Full Council meets. At Full Council meetings representatives from the Council and in April 2013 took over the Community Centre. One of
Borough Council, County Council and Norfolk Constabulary make the Town Councillors, Richard Bird, is also a Borough Councillor and
representation. Members of the public are allowed to attend all Council gives regular reports at Full Council meetings as do the two other Ward
meetings unless otherwise directed by the Chairman. There is a ten Borough Councillors, Elizabeth Watson and Paul Beal.
minute period at the start of every Full Council meeting for the Town Hall: The Town Council’s property portfolio is increasing. It
Hunstanton electorate to put their questions or comments to the now has the whole Town Hall, including the fabulously newly
Councillors and a five minute period at the end to discuss matters that refurbished Tourist Information Centre and excellent basement
have arisen during the meeting. facilities and as of April the Community Centre. By running these
The Mayor for 2012/2013 was Cllr Elaine Clutton (to 10 May 2013), places in conjunction with each other, hirers can be guided to the best
it was her responsibility to chair all Full Council meetings, in her venue to suit their needs. Also by keeping it local the Town Council
absence the Deputy Mayor for 2012/2013, Cllr Kate Dunbar, followed can offer best value and hence lower the precept.
by Cllr. Carol Bower, took over the role. The Mayor was requested to This year saw the position of Town Hall Manager filled by Mrs. Angela
attend many functions and duly obliged whenever possible. Green. She is responsible for all hirings in the hall and basement (and
The Town Clerk was Ms. Lisa J Powell, and the Deputy Town Clerk Community Centre as of April), she is also manager of the Tourist
was Mr. Chris Amos, the office being on the second floor of the Town Information Centre. A new Caretaker also joined the team after Mr.
Hall. Opening hours were Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 11.30am Keith Anthony retired. Mr. Kevin Green joined and has fitted in very
and Tuesday afternoon 1pm -3pm, although it was possible to see well.