MINUTES OF THE EXTRA MEETING OF NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2005

PRESENT:      Councillors Phillips (Chairman and Mayor), Loveday (Vice-Chair), Asquith, Blundell, Mustoe, Pezet, Mrs Rainey, and Wellman.  Also Cllr M Tufnell (District) and 10 members of the public

1.                 APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE 

Councillors Cotton and Hancock and Cllr Mavis, Lady Dunrossil (County)

2.         MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2005

Deferred to the next Town Council meeting on Tuesday, 25 October 2005.

3.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Cllr Mrs Rainey declared an interest in Re-surfacing Back Lane (not financial).

4.         RE-SURFACING OF BACK LANE

The Chairman explained that two petitions have been received, one in favour and the other opposed to re-surfacing Back Lane.  Cllr Phillips introduced Members of the Council to those members of the public present and invited a representative from each petition group to speak, putting their points of view, for a few minutes.

Mr M Powell raised the following points:

·         The signs erected in Back Lane should not refer to a road, as it is a footpath.

·         Confirmed that he represented the residents of the bungalows for the elderly.

·         Motor insurance is not valid for vehicles using Back Lane, as it is not a designated public road.

·          Proposal for a gate halfway along the Lane to change from through way to access only

Mrs S Reeves raised the following points:

·         The footpath is currently unsafe and it is important to consider safety aspects in re-surfacing the Lane.

·         Current surface is appalling and the benefits of re-surfacing far out weigh the fears of being hit by a car.

·         Speed bumps should control vehicle speeds.

The Chairman reviewed the situation so far:

• At the last Council meeting it was agreed to fill in the holes as a temporary measure whilst reviewing safety issues.
• Speed bumps and other traffic calming measures had been considered in consultation with the County and District Councils.
• Council concerned not to reduce safety and act in the best interests of both pedestrians and drivers.
• Footpaths too narrow for Pedestrian Guard Rails and these in themselves would not reduce traffic speed.

Options:

a)     Fill in the holes

b)     Do nothing.

c)     Re-surface including soak ways and 2 speed bumps.

d)     Re-surface including soak ways and 2 speed bumps together with additional flat-topped speed bumps (plateaus) at the bottom of each footpath.

During the Chairman’s review there were constant interruptions from Mr Powell and his group to the point where the meeting was unable to continue.  It was explained that this was a Town Council Meeting and the group had been given opportunity to speak.  Mr Powell and four members of the public were asked to leave and the meeting resumed.

Cllr Loveday, Chairman of the Property and Premises Management Committee confirmed that the Council wished to take all residents’ opinions into consideration and put forward the following proposal:

To re-surface the section of Back Lane not owned by the County and District Councils including soak ways, drainage, speed humps, flat topped speed humps opposite the two narrow footpaths and erect temporary signage whilst the correct permanent signs were being made.

Work to commence week of 17 October 2005.

Members RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr Loveday’s proposal.

The Chairman voiced a vote of thanks to Cllr Loveday for all of the work he had carried out to reach this conclusion.

Cllr Wellman’s group re-viewing lighting in the Town would also look at Back Lane.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 6.45 p.m.