MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2006
PRESENT: Councillors Phillips (Chairman and Mayor), Loveday (Vice-Chair), Asquith, Blundell, Hancock, Mustoe, Pezet, Mrs Rainey, Vincent and Wellman and Cllr Mark Tufnell (District), Mrs Jill Thomas (RFO) and Mrs Caroline Braidwood (Clerk) and 1 member of the public.
1. APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Councillor Cotton and Cllr Mavis, Lady Dunrossil (County).
2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 24 JANUARY 2005
Apologies Councillor Mustoe (no reason given) - (no reason given) to be removed.
Item 5.4 £44.044 replaced by £44,044.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None.
4. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA
a) Sports and Social Club
Cllr Blundell reported having had a meeting with the Manager and Chairman of the Club with a view to developing a closer relation ship with the Council. The Club’s AGM is to take place in May and it was agreed to progress this with the new Committee. The Club have applied for a grant from CDC’s 2nd Homes Fund with the help of Cllr Blundell and he will liaise with the Club regarding space for use by the Primary School during building work. Cllr Hancock reminded the Council that under the terms of the lease the Club couldn’t sub-let.
b) Disabled Parking Bays
It was noted that these have not been completed as the owner of Fruitcakes prevented the contractor from carrying out the work.
Action: Clerk to take up with GCC Highways and provide Councillors telephone numbers when the markings are re-scheduled.
5. FINANCE
5.1 Cash Flow Analysis and Budget Status up to 30 November 2005
These were noted. The RFO advised:
5.2 To Consider Bills For Payment
The lists of bills for payment for October and November 2005 were approved.
Proposed: Cllr Mrs P Rainey Seconded: Cllr A Wellman
6. CLLR MARK TUFNELL, WARD COUNCILLOR, COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL
Cllr Tufnell advised:
1. There is £450 in the Northleach Ward Projects Fund, available until 31 March.
2. 2nd Homes Fund can provide grants to support CDC’s objectives and will be an annual scheme.
3. CDC will be increasing Council Tax by 3.5% in the next financial year. This is the lowest in the County.
4. CDC’s Licensing Committee will hear Sherborne Arms licence application on 27 February.
5. The planning application for 4 houses on Mustoe's Yard has been withdrawn.
Action: Clerk to ask CDC to enforce previous decision to re-instate the burgage plot.
7. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mr Dawson said that he had carried out research into burgage plots following the application to erect 4 houses at Mustoe's Yard. Northleach is one of 20 planted towns in the County with only Northleach and Chipping Campden left that have retained burgage plots. These are approx. 2 – 300 years older than the houses in the Town and vulnerable if development is allowed.
It was RESOLVED to support Mr Dawson’s view that burgage plots should be protected.
8. PLANNING AND TREE WORKS
8.1 The items discussed are detailed on the attached schedule.
9. WESTWOODS CENTRE COMMITTEE
9.1 Draft Minutes from the meeting held on Wednesday, 15 February 2006
Noted.
9.2 Report and Update from the Chairman
Cllr Pezet advised that the current financial situation is good; there has been an increased number of functions with one booked every weekend in April; Volunteers from the Council are needed for the bar; and the payphone in the foyer is to be re-connected in the interests of safety as cellular reception is not always good at the Centre.
Cllr Mustoe suggested that the Council might wish to consider approaching one of the mobile phone companies regarding installation of a mast near by to create income. Members rejected this suggestion in view of public concern of emissions and the users of the Centre.
10.1 Report from the Chairman and Update on Current Projects
Eastington Road Gate
Cllr Loveday reported that a meeting had taken place with Officers of the County Council to discuss their objection to the planning application to the gate. The essence of the objection was the lack of footway on Eastington Road and the Officers were insistent that this would be necessary to change their minds.
Enquiries are being made into the feasibility of a footway with Highways Officers and include in the possible options for Traffic Calming.
10.2 Traffic Calming Study Group
Cllr Blundell advised that a meeting is planned for 6 March with Police Officers and Highways Area Traffic Manager to discuss the draft plan and explore options. The Group was asked to include flashing lights near to the Primary School.
11. PROCEDURES
11.1 Committee Structure – To Consider Areas Of Responsibility
The Chairman introduced a draft flow-chart (attached) showing the Committee and reporting structure that Members were asked to consider for discussion at the next meeting.
Council Newsletter
Cllr Asquith offered to co-ordinate and edit the Newsletter and asked for articles to be submitted by the end of April for publication and distribution in May. It was agreed that it should be printed on 1 x A4 duplex sheet, contain Councillors’ details, projects completed the previous year, those planned for the future, financial general interest information and the format should be interesting and contain graphics.
Action: Clerk to investigate options for delivery to every household in Northleach and Eastington and include as a standard item on Council agendas.
Design Statement
Cllr Mrs Rainey advised that initial plans were in hand to identify local residents and organisations that could make a contribution to the Statement but acknowledged that the development process could take in the region of 1 – 2 years.
11.2 Annual Review Of Risk Assessment
It was RESOLVED to adopt the reviewed Risk Assessment (attached).
12. CLERK’S INFORMATION UPDATE
News Sheet attached.
Change in Bus Services – noted. The Traffic Calming Study Group was asked to look at the problem preventing some buses from accessing the Market Place.
13. CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION:
a) GCC - The Gloucestershire Charter
It was RESOLVED to support the Charter.
b) CDC – Declarations of Interest and the Grant of Dispensations to Local Council Members
Noted.
c) GRCC – Invitation to Carry out a Local Housing Needs Survey
It was RESOLVED to form a Working Group to meet with Sinead Barker, Housing Enabler, to progress this. Cllr Mrs Rainey and Cllrs Wellman and Mustoe offered to from the Group.
d) GCC – Draft Gloucestershire Walking & Cycling Strategies – Consultation period extended to 31 March 2006
Noted.
e) CDC – Modified Revised Deposit of Local Plan – 16 Feb to 30 March 2006
Noted.
14. Chairman’s Report
The Chairman raised the matter of the armed robbery at the Post Office and extended the Council’s sympathy to the Post Master, Cllr Cotton, and his staff.
Action: Clerk to arrange for Police to attend the next meeting.
15. PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS
Cllr Pezet advised that a faculty has been obtained for repairing the windows and the work is progressing. There will be a fund raising concert in the Church on 11 March.
· Cllr Loveday gave his apologies for not being able to attend the next meeting and advised that he will be out of the country from April until June.
· Cllr Mustoe drew Members attention to potholes in the road by the Traffic Lights and asked the Council to replace the missing traffic mirror opposite the Farmington Road junction with High Street. The Chairman advised that County Highways are no longer willing to accept liability for such mirrors and that the Council should consider this responsibility before replacing this one.
Action: Clerk to investigate insurance cover.
· Cllr Vincent asked if there are any costs to adding inscriptions to a headstone in the Cemetery.
Action: Clerk to provide details of charges.
· Cllr Asquith advised that a new sign has been installed pointing to Hampnett.
The next meeting of Northleach with Eastington Town Council
is to take place on Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 7.30 p.m.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.