MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, 22 MARCH 2005

PRESENT:      Councillors Phillips (Chairman and Mayor), Loveday (Vice-Chair), Asquith, Cotton, Hancock, Pezet, Mrs Rainey and Wellman and three members of the public.

1.                 APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE 

Councillor Nevins (business), Mrs Jill Thomas (RFO) Councillor M Tufnell (District)

2.         MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2005

The Minutes were confirmed as a true and accurate record and signed by the Chairman.

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      Re-surfacing The Green

The Clerk confirmed that GCC Highways have scheduled the work and that she would be

contacting residents to advise them.

4.2      Insurance Claim for Repair of Broken Windows at Westwoods Centre

The Clerk confirmed that this is in hand.

5.         FINANCE

5.1      Cash Flow Analysis and Budget Status up to 31 January 2005

These were noted by Members. 

5.2             To Consider Bills For Payment

The list of bills for payment for January 2005 was approved.

Proposed:  Cllr A Wellman              Seconded:  Cllr C Hancock

5.3             Grass Cutting and Grounds Maintenance Contract

It was RESOLVED to award a three year contract to Bibury Landscaping in view of their excellent work in the past.

Proposed:  Cllr A Wellman              Seconded:  Cllr M Pezet

6.         MR ROCKY SHARROCK, FIELD MANAGER, NATIONAL PLAYING FIELDS

Mr Sharrock confirmed that, following the death of Mr Bobby Wills, he had been advised by Mr Wills Trustees that Hamilton Meadow has been left to the National Playing Fields Association.  Although Mr Sharrock had yet to received documentary evidence, it was anticipated that Mr Wills intended the Meadow to become part of the King George V Playing Fields, Northleach under the management of the Town Council.  Mr Sharrock asked that, once the situation becomes clearer, the Council should confirm its wish to manage the Meadow so that transfer could be expedited as soon as possible.

Mr Sharrock advised that the new Charities Bill may impact on the use of charitable land such as KGV.

7.         PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

7.1      Youth Club

Mr Brian Hulcup asked for a representative of the Council to sit on the Youth Club Committee.  Meetings take place 4 – 5 times per year.  He described a thriving Club that is currently held on 2 evenings per week and hoping to increase to 3.  Grants are in hand to increase activities.  Unfortunately, the Youth Club AGM date clashes with the next Council Meeting.

Action:  Clerk to check name of previously appointed representative.

7.2      Cotswold Heritage Centre

A copy of the report considered by CDC Cabinet had previously been circulated.  It is now clear that the District Council intend to re-open the Centre on a trial basis for summer 2005 with revised exhibits and a café.  It had been acknowledged that to keep the building in mothballs would cost more than some refurbishment and re-opening.

Members commented that, during closure, many of the original artefacts had been given away and old photographs of Northleach destroyed.  The Northleach Historical Society has been liaising with CDC to save the collection.

Action:  Clerk to include request for old photographs in Parish Magazine article.

8.         29 Regiment RLC – Freedom of the District Celebrations

It was agreed that it had been a successful day despite the bitterly cold weather.  It had been good for the Town and had established links with the Regiment.  The Chairman thanked Cllr Mrs Rainey, Cllr M Pezet, the Town Caretaker and the Clerk for their work.  The presentation badge and plaque made by the Regiment to the Town is currently on display in The Ox House window.  Members agreed that they should be offered to the Church where they could be placed on view.

Action:  Clerk to contact PCC.

9.         FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR EDUCATION IN NORTHLEACH

Cllr Hancock advised that Northleach School has obtained funding to increase the size of the hall and add office space.  In view of this development, access to the proposed new Playgroup building, on the old canteen site, will be changed to create access over the field to the rear of the School.  It was agreed that it would be of benefit to the School, the Playgroup and the community for both to be located on the one site.

Cllr Hancock advised that he has been researching the lease made to GCC in 1962 that appears to have lapsed together with the arrangement for charging GCC for use of the Playing Field.

Action:  Include on agenda for next meeting.

10.      PLANNING

10.1    New Planning Applications

CD. 2002/B              2 Gabled Cottages, Northleach – Additional/Amended Plans – No Objections

CD.5945/1/C            Coalyard Farm, West End – No Objections

CD.5945/1/D            Coalyard Farm, West End - No Objections

CD.3408/Y               12 Brook Close, Northleach - No Objections

CD.2314/N               The Ox House, Market Place, Northleach – No Objections

10.2    Planning Decision Received

CD.6046/C               Old Bank House, Northleach - Refused

10.3        Other Planning Issues

Development at Nurses’ House, 51, May’s Cresent

Work is being carried out on this property although no Planning Application appears to have been received.

Action:  Clerk to check Planning Records and consult Planning Authority

11.      Tree Works

11.1    Notifications Responded to:

CD.CONTR 2531        College Gardens, Mill End, Northleach – No objections

CD.CONTR.2498        Cotswold Hall / Prospect Cottage – A compromise has now been reached whereby some of the sycamores will be felled and replaced with a mixture of wild cherry, whitebeam, rowan and field maple.  Once these are established, the remaining sycamores will be felled.

11.2    Decisions Received

VH/TPO 143/7 Walton House, Northleach - Granted

12.      WESTWOODS CENTRE COMMITTEE

12.1        Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 March 2005

These were noted.

12.2    Report from the Chairman and Update on Current Issues 

• Mrs Rachel Robbins has been appointed as the new Administrator for the Centre and will take up post in April.
• Quotes are being sought to replace the oil tank with a bund tank to conform to legislation.
• Emergency Lighting check and Licenses are in hand.
• New Conditions of Hire have been formulated.

Action: Clerk to progress Licensing and investigate oil tank legislation and bund tank quotes.

13.      PROPERTY AND PREMISES MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE

13.1        Draft Minutes from the Meeting held on 3 March 2005

These were noted.

13.2        Report from the Chairman and Update on Current Projects

• Quotes for re-surfacing Back Lane and include drainage are in the region of £8,000
• It was agreed to consult locally and arrange a second public meeting to decide the way forward.
• Both Fooseway and CDC have contributed to the damage with the use of heavy vehicles and increased traffic to garages.

Cllr Mustoe complained that this issue is not moving forward and had been on the agenda too long.

13.3    Public Meeting, 22 March 2005 – Hamilton and Wills Meadows

• Attendance was good.
• Approved building of bridge, planting of trees on the Meadows and Playing Fields, controlled access to prevent motorcycles, retain hedge separating the Meadows.
• Dogs could be walked off leads provided that owners cleared up faeces
• In favour of path by Doctors’ Surgery.

Action:  PPMC to progress all issues.

14.      Correspondence for Action:

a)       CDC – Cotswold Heritage Centre report to Cabinet, 17 March 2005 - Noted

b)       Northleach Scouts, St George’s Day Parade - Noted

c)       CDC – Northleach Public Conveniences, request for joint maintenance responsibility – Members agreed that these were built by Northleach Rural District Council and taken over by CDC when it was formed.

Action:  Clerk to take up with CDC

d)       GCC, Highways – Resurfacing The Green

Action:  Clerk to liaise with GCC, Highways and advise residents.

e)       GCC, Highways – Proposed 30 mph Speed Limit Extension - Noted

Action:  Clerk to confirm that it extends to Helen’s Ditch

GCC, Highways – Snow Plough Operators Accreditation

Action:  Clerk to contact Snow Plough Operator to check Accreditation.

15.      ROUND THE TABLE

a)        Wall at Short Hedges Close

Cllr Cotton asked for progress on repair of the wall and the Clerk advised that it had been difficult to identify the owner(s) although one resident had acknowledged responsibility and it was believed that the adjoining property had joint ownership of the damaged section.

Action:  Clerk to pursue identification of ownership.

b)        Buses in The Market Place

Cllr Mustoe raised the matter of buses stopping to pick up passengers in High Street, on the wrong side of the bus shelter rather than entering The Market Place.

Action:  Clerk to write to Beaumont Travel requesting that buses enter The Market Place from the east and drive out to the west.

c)        Kissing Gate at Cemetery

Cllr Pezet advised that the contractor working on the Church Rooms needs access via the kissing gate and has requested permission to remove the gate while work is carried out and replace once work is completed.  Members agreed.

d)        Boundary Wall between Churchyard and Farmyard

Cllr Pezet advised that the wall has fallen into disrepair and asked whose responsibility it is to repair.  The Clerk advised that as the churchyard is closed, maintenance of walls and fences in the churchyard that are owned by the Church, are the responsibility of the Council.

Action: Clerk to investigate to determine ownership of the wall and Chairman to discuss with Mr Richard Wills.

e)        Stiles

Some stiles have fallen into disrepair and Members asked whose responsibility they are to maintain.  The Clerk advised that they are the responsibility of the owners of the land on which they are sited.

Action:  Clerk to contact Margaret Scott-Browne for a list of the stiles in disrepair.

The next Northleach with Eastington Town Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 26 April 2005 at 7.45p.m. at The Westwoods Centre, Bassett Road, Northleach.

The Annual Meeting of the Parish will be held on Tuesday, 26 April 2005 at 7.00 p.m. at The Westwoods Centre, Bassett Road, Northleach.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.25 p.m.