MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, 22 AUGUST 2006
PRESENT: Councillors Phillips (Chairman and Mayor), Loveday (Vice-Chairman), Asquith, Blundell, Cotton, Mustoe, Mrs Rainey and Wellman, Cllr Mavis, Lady Dunrossill (County), Mrs Jill Thomas (RFO), Mrs Caroline Braidwood (Clerk), 5 members of the public, PC Ian Ranford and PC Chris Skinner.
1. APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Hancock (holiday) and Councillor Mark Tufnell (District).
2. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 22 JUNE 2006
Cllr Cotton was added to those Members present and the Minutes were then confirmed as a true and accurate record and signed by the Chairman.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Cllr Loveday declared a prejudicial interest in the Planning Application for Glebe Field Cottage and did not take part in the discussion or decision.
4. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA
Condition of Walls at West End
Cotswold Conservation Board has advised that the stone is in a poor condition and cannot be used to re-build; therefore, no grant will be made available.
Trees in Mays Crescent
The Clerk confirmed that the trees, owned by Gloucestershire Highways, were to be cut back and the pavement repaired.
Attention was drawn to another tree, believed to be the responsibility of Cotswold District Council, which needs attention.
Action: Clerk to progress
Broken Culvert at West End
It was reported that following a recent meeting with Pat Mooney (GCC), Jenny Watkins (Gloucestershire Highways) and Rob Bull (CDC), the drainage problem in the Town is being taken seriously and steps taken to address it. The drainage issue on the Primary School site is to be discussed with County Council Officers tomorrow.
5. FINANCE
5.1 Cash Flow Analysis and Budget Status up to 31 July 2006
Noted. The RFO advised that the Town Council account is near to budget. The Westwoods budget has drifted over the summer and £2,000 has been transferred from the Town Council support fund.
5.2 Bills for Payment for June 2006
It was RESOLVED to approve the Bills for payment.
Proposed: Cllr Mrs Rainey Seconded: Cllr K Blundell
5.3 Contribution to Clerk’s Conference Fee
It was RESOLVED to support the Clerk’s Conference Fee by £155.
5.4 Donation Request from Vitalise
It was RESOLVED not to support Vitalise in view of the previous decision to only support local organisations.
5.5 Audit for Year Ending 31 March 2006 - Approve Amended Statement of Accounts
The figures for the Year Ending 31 March 2005 were amended and initialled by the Chairman.
6. POLICE REPORT – PC IAN RANFORD
PC Ranford advised the following:
· 13 crimes in 2005 – 25% detected. 7 crimes in 2006 (to date) – 30% detected.
· The Police had been present in the Town less during the last 6 – 8 weeks having been called elsewhere.
· Vandalism incident at Mustoe’s Store was being investigated by CID.
· The CPO had decided not to prosecute the suspected offenders for damage to the Church windows due to insufficient evidence.
· Close circuit TV has now been installed in the Northleach Post Office, one of 16 installations in Post Offices in the District.
Members raised the following issues:
· Parking in the road leading from the Market Place to The Green between Cotswold Stores and Fruitcakes.
· Parking in the Bus Bays.
The Police agreed to monitor these issues and to endeavour to attend whilst the Disabled Parking Bays are installed outside Fruitcakes.
7. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr Tufnell was unable to attend but his report was read by the Chairman (attached).
8. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
DRAINAGE AND CULVERT AT THE PLAYING FIELD – Mr J Mustoe and Mr R Ashton
The following points were raised:
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ISSUE RAISED |
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REPLY |
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Mr J Mustoe explained that the culvert had been installed in 1948, had been a problem for 25 years and was currently ¾ full. |
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The Chairman replied that drainage engineers have advised that the level of the river needs to be lowered to allow water from the culvert to flow freely into the stream.
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Mr Mustoe suggested that this might be helped by changing the angle that the culvert empties into the river.
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Agreed that this suggestion should be passed on to County Council engineers. |
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Mr Ashton advised that School Hill is also a problem and needs a comprehensive review and that CDC Road Sweeping has been reduced from 4 times per year to 2.
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GCC Engineers are carrying out a full engineering survey. Although the Road Sweeping is not key to the problem, comments would be passed to CDC. |
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Cllr Lady Dunrossill advised that the new School hall will have drainage and that there is concern that the extension must not be held up. |
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GCC Engineers are looking to take storm water from the School site through the allotments to the river. |
The Chairman thanked Cllr Mavis, Lady Dunrossill for her help in progressing the drainage works.
9. PLANNING AND TREE WORKS
9.1 The items discussed are detailed on the attached schedule.
10. WESTWOODS CENTRE COMMITTEE
Report and Update from the Chairman
Cllr Pezet advised that the Committee is to meet on 19 September.
11.1 Report from the Chairman
Cllr Loveday advised that a dog fouling patrol has been carried out on the Playing Field and that the Primary School has given support to raising awareness.
Cllr Mustoe raised the matter of the Eastington Road Bridge and Cllr Loveday agreed that residents should be advised why this project had not been progressed.
11.2 MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION FOR WILLS MEADOW
This was deferred to the next meeting.
11.3 PROVISION OF BUS SHELTERS IN THE TOWN
Cllr Mustoe expressed the view that Bus Shelters are needed both in West and East End but during discussion it was agreed that many residents do not want these structures outside their properties.
Cllr Blundell confirmed that a proposed site for a shelter has been incorporated into the Car Parking plan and it was, therefore, agreed to defer this item to the next meeting when the plan would be available.
12. UPDATE AND REPORTS FROM STUDY GROUPS
12.1 Traffic Calming
Cllr Blundell confirmed that the Proposal has been submitted to Gloucestershire Highways for consideration. A further proposal for Eastington Road was presented and it was RESOLVED to include this in the original plan and submit to Gloucestershire Highways for consideration. Mr Ian Ager was thanked by Members for his work on the Eastington Road proposal.
Proposed: Cllr S Asquith Seconded: Cllr S Loveday
It was also agreed to investigate the possibility of installing a handrail on the sloping path leading from Fallows Road to the Westwoods Surgery and Centre.
13.1 Affordable Housing
Cllr Mrs Rainey advised that a meeting is due to take place with Sinead Barker (GRCC) when the report from the survey will be presented.
13.2 Design Statement
This project is pending receipt of further information from CDC’s Conservation Officers.
13.3 Town Council Newsletter (Attached)
Members were asked to submit copy for the second issue to Cllr Asquith by mid-September.
14. Clerk’s Information Update
Noted. Cllr Blundell confirmed that he will be attending the Market Towns AGM and will act as liaison for the Council.
15. CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
GCC – Parking Adjacent to Cooks Court
It was agreed that as this is included in the Traffic Calming Proposal submitted to Gloucestershire Highways, the proposal as a whole could be jeopardised and priorities distorted if this work was carried out in isolation. It was, therefore, RESOLVED to request that the work be deferred until the Traffic Calming Proposal has been considered by Gloucestershire Highways and nearby residents consulted.
16. Chairman’s Report
The Chairman advised that the long awaited Disabled Parking Bays are due to be installed later this week together with the road markings in College Row.
Cllr Phillips congratulated Mr Drew Nevins on the success of the Countryside Day on 6 August and requested that a letter of thanks be sent. It was the first time that the Council had had a presence at the event and it was agreed that this should be improved upon next year.
17. PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS
Cllr Cotton advised that the first window has been completed, scaffolding is in place for work on the side of the building and the organ is being protected.
Delay of Postal Deliveries
Cllr Cotton advised that postal rates are due to change and that deliveries may be delayed by half an hour while new arrangements are made.
All Alone
Cllr Cotton expressed concern on the condition of the road surface in All Alone.
The next meeting of Northleach with Eastington Town Council will be held on
Tuesday, 3 October 2006 at 7.30 p.m.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.05 p.m.