MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, 25 JANUARY 2005

PRESENT: Councillors Phillips (Chair and Mayor), Cotton, Hancock, Pezet, Vincent, Wellman and Councillor Mrs Rainey together with Mrs Jill Thomas (RFO), Councillor M Tufnell (District), Mr I Prout and three members of the public. Also Col S English, Maj R Pratt, Maj A Delves, Capt J Shuttleworth and one other member of the 29th Regiment, Royal Logistics Corp.

The Chairman opened the Meeting by thanking Bud Dutton, The Fire Service and Councillor and Mrs Loveday for their efforts collecting for the Tsunami Disaster Appeal.

1. APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Councillors Asquith (family commitments) and Loveday (business).

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2004
The Minutes were confirmed as a true and accurate record and signed by the Chair / Mayor.
Proposed: Cllr M Pezet. Seconded: Cllr D Vincent

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None

4. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA
4.1 Open Meeting Regarding Public Buildings In Northleach
Update on this matter is deferred to the next meeting in the absence of Cllr Loveday.

4.2 Community Safety – Les Haines, Community Safety Officer, CDC
Les Haines to be chased for the “Message in a Bottle” supply.

4.3 Development Near Traffic Lights
Signs have appeared naming this development “The Parvis”. Members agreed that, as customary in Northleach, the development should bear a local name and Webb’s Court was RESOLVED upon.
Action: Clerk to contact CDC and developers accordingly.

4.4 On-Licence Update
The full implications of the new Licensing Regulations are still unclear. It was RESOLVED to ask Phil Mustoe to remain on the Westwoods Licence until the District Council could advise the full details.
Action: Clerk to write to Phil Mustoe

5. FINANCE
5.1 Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 11 January 2005
These were noted.

5.2 Cash Flow Analysis up to 31 December 2004
Currently in credit approx. £19,000 which is more than originally anticipated. It would appear that Bibury Landscaping are spreading their invoiced over the year rather than presenting heavy bills during the summer months. £50 cheque for Evergreens will be re-issued once it has been checked that it has not been presented for payment. The British Legion wreath for Remembrance Day has been put against Chairman’s Expenses. Westwoods is running £4,000 worse than expected but has incurred addition expenses for pump repair (£552) and Caretaking costs. However, this is only slightly down on budget and should improve with better invoicing. Oil leaks have increased fuel usage to 3,000 ltr over the winter so far against 4,000 ltr over the whole 2003/4 winter months.

5.3 To Consider Bills For Payment
The list of bills for payment for January 2005 were unanimously approved.

5.4 Budget and Confirm Precept Request 2005 – 2006
It was RESOLVED to maintain the precept at its current rate of £44,044 and the Finance Committee would finalise the budget headings.

5.5 Grant Application From 1st Northleach Scout Group
Mr Prout described a thriving Scout Group that had grown to 16 in number during the past year. Whilst much equipment had been gathered over the years, the group needed basic equipment such as camping lighting at an estimated cost in the region of £360. It was RESOLVED to support this grant application but Cllr Pezet would investigate alternative sources that may cut the cost.
Action: Cllr Pezet to investigate alternative sources of lighting equipment.

5.6 Renewal of Membership to Gloucestershire Market Towns Forum
Members required further information in order to fully assess the benefits of membership. Renewal decision deferred to next meeting.
Action: Clerk to circulate information.

5.7 Renewal of Subscriptions to Clerks & Councils Direct
It was RESOLVED to renew only one subscription for the Town Council Office that could be circulated to Members.

5.8 Grass Cutting and Grounds Maintenance Contract
It was RESOLVED to seek 1 year and 3 year tenders.
Action: Clerk to progress.

5.9 Repair of Play Equipment at KGV
It was RESOLVED to delegate this decision to the Property and Premises Maintenance Committee.

5.10 Lights at KGV Car Park
It was RESOLVED to accept Gloucestershire County Council’s quotation of £700.

5.11 Delegation of Powers to Westwoods and Property and Premises Maintenance Committees and Procedure for Tendering
It was RESOLVED to delegate responsibility to spend money to these committees provided that it is within their approved budgets without first referring to a full Council meeting for approval. It was also RESOLVED that the Council would use local contractors and suppliers of whom the Council had previous experience and whose work is to the required standard without following the tendering procedure up to a value of £1,000. All work over £1,000 in value would be put out to tender.

6. 29TH REGIMENT, ROYAL LOGISTICS CORP – FREEDOM OF THE COTSWOLD DISTRICT
Col English announced to the meeting that the Regiment was to be given the great honour of Freedom of the District by the Chairman of Cotswold District Council. The main celebrations would take place in Cirencester on Thursday, 10 March 2005 with a parade in the Town followed by a service in the Parish Church and a civic ceremony.

The Regiment is keen to extend the celebrations to the whole of the District and proposed similar parades and ceremonies in the market towns of Chipping Campden, Tetbury and Northleach on Friday, 11 March 2005.

The Colonel explained that “Freedom” of a city or district is one of the most prized honours a marching unit can have conferred upon it and meant that the Regiment would have the honour, for all time, of marching through the District with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed.
It was RESOLVED to accept the Regiments invitation to be part of the celebrations.
Action: Cllrs Phillips, Pezet and Wellman would form a working group to make the necessary arrangements and liaise with the Regiment.

7. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
7.1 Development Near Traffic Lights
Mr Green advised that the development appeared to have been named “The Parvis” and asked if the Council had had any input into this. Members RESOLVED that the developers and CDC should be requested to name the development “Webb’s Court” in remembrance of a previous owner of the site.
Action: Clerk to contact CDC and the developer.

7.2 Lighting at KGV and Phipps Yard
Mr Green asked why these lights are still not working.
Action: Clerk to contact Gloucestershire County Council and SEB.

7.3 Trees Planted on Hamilton Meadow
Mrs Harrington advised that, in her opinion, some of the trees planted on the Meadow were too close together to allow easy mowing in between and that the position of the oaks was too wet to be suitable.
Action: Clerk to make enquiries with grass cutting contractors and Tree Warden Organiser.

7.4 The Green
Cllr Tufnell said that whilst canvassing for the recent by-election he had noticed how dark The Green is at night without lights and that it also needed re-surfacing. The Chairman explained that discussions are continuing with CDC and GCC with a view to re-surfacing and that when this takes place, lighting could be considered.
Action: PPMC to look at lighting.

8. PLANNING
8.1 New Planning Applications
CD.7945/H Land at Green Lane, Northleach – No objections
CD.5820/D Red Lion Inn, Market Place, Northleach – No objections
CD.8677/A Wheelwrights, West End, Northleach – No objections
CD.8637/C Church Cottage, Mill End, Northleach - No objections
CD.8940 Glebe Field Cottage, Mill End, Northleach – No objections
CD.4459/B Calves Close, Guggle Lane, Northleach – Although there were no specific objections it was RESOLVED to ask Planners to review the development of this site.

8.2 Planning Application Responded to Since the Last Meeting
CD.8935 Near Tannery Lane, East End, Northleach – No Objections advised

8.3 Planning Decision Received
CD.5095/H Mandel House, West End, Northleach – Permits Dated 24 Nov 2004
CD.5820/C Red Lion Inn, Market Place, Northleach - Permits Dated 20 Dec 2004
CD.8890/B & CD.8890/C Farriers, Market Place, Northleach –Consent & Permits Dated 14 Jan 2005

9. Tree Works
9.1 New Notifications
CD.CONTR 2498 Fell Line of Sycamores behind Cotswold Hall and overlooking Prospect Cottage No objection.

9.2 Decisions Received
CD.CONTR 2455 Wheelwrights, West End – No Objections
CD.CONTR 2467 The Coach House, Great Union House – No Objections
CD.CONTR 2472 Coalyard Farm – No Objections

10. WESTWOODS CENTRE COMMITTEE
10.1 Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 January 2005
These were noted.

10.2 Report from the Chairman and Update on Current Issues
The Chairman reported:
· The front door had been damaged as a result of vandalism or an attempted break-in. Repairs had been completed and the Police had inspected the damage.
· Approx. £2,000 worth of invoicing had been done.
· The building alarm had gone off during the Christmas / New Year closure and it appeared that there is a fault with the sensor in the Taylor Room.
· Pims Pumps had been asked to quote for a service and maintenance contract and this is being progressed.
· The sewer had been blocked near the Surgery and Thames Water had cleared it.
· Small Business Rate Relief and National Non-Domestic Discretionary Rate Relief were being investigated. If successful it could result in a minimum 25% reduction.
Action: Caretaker to arrange Taylor Room sensor check by CIA
Clerk to progress Rate Relief applications.

11. PROPERTY AND PREMISES MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE
11.1 Draft Minutes from the Meeting held on 8 January 2005
These were noted.

11.2 Update on Current Projects
In the absence of the Committee Chairman and the length of the meeting, this was deferred to the next meeting.

12. Correspondence for Action:
· GCC, Integrated Transport Unit, Conference Invitation: Friday, 4 February 2005
No one is available to attend.
· CDC, Invitation to Chairman’s Civic Service on 6 February 2005
No one is available to attend.
· GCC, Lorry Advisory Map (recommended routes)
This was noted.
· GCC, Local Transport Plan 2, 2006 –2011, Draft for Consultation
This was noted.
· GCC, Diversion of Footpaths Order (KNE 8 and 9)
This was noted.
· SW Regional Assembly, Shaping the Future of Cheltenham & Gloucester to 2026 Consultation
Action: Clerk to provide copies for Members to study and advise any comments.
· ODPM, Freedom of Information Act 2000, Authorisation of Qualified Person
This was noted.
· GTP, Annual Audit, Internal Audit and Risk Assessment Training, 23 Feb 2005
No one wished to attend.
· PCC, Notification of Easter Egg Hunt in Churchyard
Action: Clerk to warn organiser of possible hazards from dilapidated tombstones.
· GRCC, Community Safety Action Planning Workshops
The Clerk would attend and the Chairman would endeavour to attend the session in Northleach.
· Gloucestershire Geo Trust, Local Geodiversity Action Plan
This was noted.
Action: Clerk to advise School.

13. ROUND THE TABLE
St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church, Northleach
Cllr Cotton advised that contrary to popular belief the Church is not falling down. He confirmed that there is some unsafe stonework and that architectural reports are awaited. The matter is progressing on schedule and fund raising to pay for the work will be carried out.
The PCC has booked the Westwoods Centre for interviews for the new vicar.
Recycling Sign
The sign needs to be turned round pointing to East End.
Action: Caretaker to arrange.
The next Northleach with Eastington Town Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 22 February 2005 at 7.45p.m. at The Westwoods Centre, Bassett Road, Northleach.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.55 p.m.