MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, 24 MAY 2005

PRESENT:      Councillors: Loveday (Vice-Chair), Asquith, Cotton, Hancock, Pezet, Mrs Rainey and Wellman, Cllr Mark Tufnell (District), Mrs Jill Thomas (RFO), Mrs Caroline Braidwood (Clerk), Mrs Sheila Reeves (Tree Warden), Mr Jacques Astic, Mr Gerald Green, Mr Brian Hulcup, Mr Rupert Willday, Mr Keith Blundell.

1.                 ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Cllr J Phillips was re-elected Chairman and Mayor unopposed

Cllr S Loveday was re-elected Vice Chairman unopposed

Committees

Finance – Cllr C Hancock (Chairman), Cllr Phillips, Cllr Loveday, Cllr Pezet

Westwoods – Cllr Pezet (Chairman), Cllr Wellman, Cllr Mrs Rainey and Mr J Astic (NM)

Property and Premises Management Committee – Cllr Loveday (Chairman), Cllr Vincent, Cllr Hancock and Mr A Nevins (NM)

Planning – Cllr Phillips (Chairman), Cllr Cotton and Cllr Asquith

2.                 REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Primary School Governor – Cllr Hancock

Youth Club – Mr B Hulcup will represent the Town Council and liaise with Cllr Loveday.

Business Club – Cllr Cotton although it was noted that the Business Club is currently inactive.

King George V Playing Field Trust – Cllr Hancock

3.         APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE 

Councillor Lady Mavis Dunrossil (County), Cllr Phillips (holiday) and Cllr Vincent (illness).

4.         YOUTH CLUB – HELEN BRIGGS, YOUTH WORKER

Helen Briggs circulated a report (attached) and updated Members on the work of Northleach Youth Club.

Two sessions:          Tuesday – 9 to 13 years – 14 members

                             Wednesday – Seniors – 10 members

• The work of the Youth Club has helped to address issues of behaviour encouraging members to take responsibility.
• Activities include: making of rural racism video, film of rural issues for young people, watersports at South Cerney Outdoor Centre leading to possible certificate of achievement in outdoor activities, sexual health.
• Have access to mobile skate ramp one a week and need site in the Town.
• Hoping to hold Table Top sale to raise funds
• Need additional Youth Workers to increase sessions to 4 per week.
• Work with the disadvantaged who cannot support financially.

Funding to support building maintenance and activities is always an issue: it has not proved possible to involve parents in raising or providing funds.  The Club has failed to win some grants but now have the opportunity of £2,000 per year for 3 years from the Notgrove Trust provided matched funding can be found from the Town Council.

Action:  Clerk to provide grant application form and Council to consider financial support in the next financial year.

5.         PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

5.1     Following an accident on the A40 all traffic, including articulated lorries, had been re-directed through the Town causing chaos.

Action:  Clerk to write to Police requesting a standard procedure for an alternative route should the A40 be closed again in the future and discuss the possibility of staggered double yellow lines at Cooks Corner to prevent parking both sides of the road.

5.2             With the planned re-surfacing of The Green, priority parking for residents was requested.

Action:  Clerk to request draft scheme for the parking area from GCC Highways.

6.       MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 26 APRIL 2005 AND THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON 25 MAY 2004

5.3     “Steam” should read “stream”.

16 e)   Lord Vestey has agreed to be a Patron not a Trustee.

15.1    The meeting with Mr R Wills was attended by Cllr A Wellman and not Cllr C Hancock.

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

Proposed:  Cllr Mrs R Rainey           Seconded:  Cllr D Cotton

7.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Cllr Mrs P Rainey declared an interest in Back Lane.

8.         TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA

8.1      Wall at Short Hedges Close

The Clerk confirmed that further information has been received from the Land Registry and she would liaise with Cllr Hancock to progress.

8.2             Contract for work on Hamilton Meadow

Limitations raised by the Environment Agency mean that changing the course of the stream would involve further cumbersome checks and enquiries.  The PPMC recommended that the proposal be simplified and streamlined by simply building a favour of a bridge over the existing course.  This was accepted and the PPMC will progress this project with the selected supplier.

9.         FINANCE

9.1      Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 May 2005 and Report from the Chairman

Cllr Hancock explained that finance is already under pressure this year.  It would have nothing to take forward to next year if it is to support projects such as re-surfacing Back Lane and grant aid to local organisations.

9.2      Cash Flow Analysis and Budget Status up to 31 March 2005

These were noted by Members.  The RFO made the following points:

• The first precept payment of £33,000 has been received.
• Budget is currently on line.
• Westwoods is slightly under budget for takings and the maintenance contract for the pump is in place.

It was agreed that the RFO should continue to attend Council meetings.

9.3             To Consider Bills For Payment

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

Proposed:  Cllr A Wellman              Seconded:  Cllr C Hancock

10.      COTSWOLD HERITAGE CENTRE

CLLR DAVID FOWLES, COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL

Cllr D Fowles (CDC) was unable to attend and Cllr M Tufnell (CDC) gave the following report:

Following the meeting with CDC Officers on 9 May it had been agreed that fuller figures were required before taking to CDC Cabinet in June.  The Conservation Board will be moving into the centre block and the space vacated re-let.

11.      PLANNING

Schedule attached.

CD.7453/G    The Malt House.  Advice has been received that the applicant is appealing --- delete to -  to the Decision Notice.

CD.5945/1    Coalyard Farm.

Cllr M Tufnell (CDC) advised that an incorrect Decision Notice has been issued allowing access on to Midwinter Road.  This is currently under investigation and an amended Decision Notice will be issued.

12.      Tree Works

Schedule attached.

Mrs S Reeves (Tree Warden) advised that a conifer has been removed from the garden of one of the Dutton Leys Almshouses exposing an electricity box and without application having been made.  Mr G Green confirmed that the work has not yet been completed and that the transformer would be screened.

Action:  Clerk to investigate.

13.      WESTWOODS CENTRE COMMITTEE

13.1        Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 23 May 2005

These were noted.

13.2        Chairman’s Report and Update on Current Issues 

• Hire charges for functions requiring the whole of the Centre have been reviewed and a charge for providing cleaning or access to clean the day following an event has been added.
• It was recommended that Northleach School be charged £200 for use of the Hall for the School Play.
• The Centre Administrator has resigned and, for the time being, the Caretaker and Clerk would administer the Centre.

The Committee has considered quotes for a replacement bunded oil tank and recommended take up of the Watson Petroleum proposal and to use a local contractor to lay the concrete plinth.  Members RESOLVED to accept the Committees recommendation.

Proposed:  Cllr C Hancock              Seconded:  Cllr M Pezet

The outgoing Chairman, Cllr A Wellman, thanked everyone for their support of Westwoods and particularly the Caretaker, Mr B Crossley.

14.      PROPERTY AND PREMISES MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE

14.1        Report from the Chairman and Update on Current Projects

a)        Hamilton Meadow

Work on the bridge would be progressed as soon as possible.

b)                 Back Lane

The Chairman thanked Cllr M Tufnell (CDC) for his help in progressing this project.  The County Council have offered £2,000 towards the cost of the work and it is hoped to secure a similar contribution from Fosseway Housing Association and CDC.  The outcome of the public meeting on 26 May would be reported to the next Council meeting.

c)        Additional Lighting on Footpath between MacArthur Road and Fortey Road

The cost of an addition light would be in the region of £2,000.  GCC have tentatively agreed some funding provided that the balance can be raised.

Action:  Clerk and Cllr D Vincent to progress.

15.      CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION

• CDC – Code of Conduct and Declaration of Interests – Members Update

No Members need to update at the moment.

• Request for Change in Grass cutting Contract – collection of cuttings

Action:  Clerk to request Bibury Landscaping to collect grass cuttings.

• PCC – Response to our Request to Display 29 Regimental Plaque and Badge in the Church

Cllr Pezet had advised that this is not possible without a faculty being obtained.  It was agreed that these items should be displayed at the Westwoods Centre.

• GCC – Temporary Road Closure – Arlington Pike to Ablington

Noted.

• CDC – Review of Right to Buy, Resale of Former Council Homes Policy

Mr K Blundell to provide further information and this matter would be considered at the next meeting

• Cotswold Conservation Board -Community Event – Wednesday, 15 June 2005 & Standards Committee – Independent Members

Noted.

• Northleach Countryside Day – Request for use of KGV and Public Liability Insurance Cover

Members had no objections and approved the request.

16.      Parochial Church Council News

Cllr Pezet advised that the Trust is now up and running.  A Service will take place in the Church on Sunday, 19 June 2005 at 6.00 p.m. to launch the Appeal and a brochure delivered to every household in the Town.

17.      ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a)        Rubbish behind Londis shop blocking access to The Green.

The owner of the shop would be asked to assist by clearing the rubbish.

b)        Volume of Parking for NADFAS Events at Westwoods 

NADFAS should be asked not to park in disabled bays (unless warranted) or to take spaces at the Surgery.

Action:  Clerk to make enquiries regarding additional parking in the adjacent field with GCC.

c)        Lights in the Market Place

Following a request for the bright lighting to be muted, a different type of bulb is being trialled near the Post Office.

d)        Bowls Club

The Clerk was asked to include a request for anyone interested in forming an Outdoor Bowls Club in her Parish Magazine Article with a view to considering use of the area between the Centre and the Surgery.

e)        Hut at the Church Rooms

During the renovations gardening tools have been found in the hut that is earmarked for demolition.  It transpires that the Town Council erected the hut some considerable years ago and the equipment belongs to Mr F Cripps.

The next meeting of Northleach with Eastington Town Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 28 June 2005 at 7.45p.m. at The Westwoods Centre, Bassett Road, Northleach.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.