MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, 24 JANUARY 2006
PRESENT: Councillors Phillips (Chairman and Mayor), Loveday (Vice-Chair), Asquith, Blundell, Cotton, Hancock, Pezet, Mrs Rainey, Vincent and Wellman and Cllr Mark Tufnell (District), Mrs Jill Thomas (RFO), Mrs Caroline Braidwood (Clerk) and 1 member of the public.
1. APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Councillor Mustoe (no reason given) and Cllr Mavis, Lady Dunrossil (County).
2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2005
Item 16 Any Other Business should be numbered 17.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None.
4. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA
Webbs Court
The Clerk confirmed that the developer is arranging the new Webbs Court signs for The Parvis development.
Sports and Social Club
The Primary School is interested in discussing the possible use of space at the Club during building works on the School site and it was agreed that representatives of the Council should arrange an early meeting with the Sports and Social Club Committee.
Youth Club
In reply to the Council’s enquiry to the Council’s request for further information related to the
Club’s request for funding, Cllr Loveday had received an email from Brian Hulcup indicating that the Committee are discussing the matter and would respond in due course.
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 S Loveday Seconded: Cllr Mrs P Rainey
It was unanimously RESOLVED to donate £100 each to the Citizens Advice Bureau and Victim Support this year.
5.3 Draft Minutes from the Finance Committee Meeting held on Saturday, 21 January 2006 Noted.
5.4 Budget, Precept Request and Donations for 2006 – 2007
Cllr Hancock presented the proposed budget for 2006 – 7 (attached) with the following comments:
Cllr Hancock, therefore, recommended that the precept be set at £44,044 again there being no need to increase it for the coming year.
The Council unanimously RESOLVED to set the precept at £44.044.
Cllr Wellman thanked the Finance Committee for their excellent management of the Council’s finances.
A list of previous year’s donation was circulated (attached). Cllr Hancock proposed and it was unanimously RESOLVED that £1,000 be set aside in the coming year for charitable donations.
6. CLLR MARK TUFNELL, WARD COUNCILLOR, COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL
Gate on Eastington Road
Cllr Tufnell advised that he had supported the Council’s planning application although it had later been withdrawn to allow discussions with the County Council following their objection.
Planning applications for refurbishment of the building are being processed.
Parties interested in the South Gallery café are being contacted.
CDC has proposed that the name be changed to “The Old Prison” while the Conservation Board has made other suggestions. Members discussed the various options and RESOLVED to support CDC’s recommendation.
7. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mrs Given advised that 16 residents had lodged objections with CDC highlighting: the date on the notice displayed on the premises is incorrect and has only been displayed on one window, there has already been a number of incidents of disturbance to residents from noise pollution and anti social behaviour of customers leaving the premises. It was noted that the owner does not appear to be present on the premises on a regular basis apart from mornings.
Following discussion it was felt that extending the hours until 1.30 a.m. all through the week was unnecessary and Mrs Given was asked to provide the Clerk with copies of correspondence to enable the Council to decide whether to support residents’ objections.
Since CDC has approved this application, Mrs Given asked if the pavement (on the Market Place side of the building) could be extended round into The Green or alternatively a white line painted to indicate pedestrian access. The Clerk confirmed that this has already been requested.
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 Tuesday, 20 December 2005
Noted.
9.2 Report and Update from the Chairman
Cllr Pezet advised that Westwoods Licence application has been approved with Brian Crossley as our Premises Supervisor and thanked the Clerk for her patience and perseverance in managing the process to a successful completion. He advised that Brian Crossley (Westwoods Supervisor) is of great benefit to the Centre and that efficient booking administration and invoicing has improved cash flow.
Maintenance – Councillors’ Working Party in the Spring.
Gazebo – attempt to repair with additional poles.
Lettings – 100 – 110 hours per month. Room to increase events and weekend hire.
Letting Rates – not increased for 4 years. New rates agreed from 1 April 2006.
10.1 Draft Minutes from the meeting held on Monday, 9 January 2006
Noted
10.2 Report from the Chairman and Update on Current Projects including Traffic Calming Study Group
King George V Playing Field
Cllr Loveday advised that new signs are being looked into to request that dogs be kept on a lead and owners pick up faeces. The Dog Warden has also been asked to increase patrols. He asked that when the signs were up, Members would support the initiative and advise offenders.
Action: Clerk to provide copy of Bylaws.
The Committee have given some consideration to providing golf practice nets but this also needs to be checked against bylaws.
Traffic Calming Study Group
Cllr Blundell reported that following the December meeting with Ms Alex Luck, GCC Highways, some of the group had visited the Corinium Museum to view old photographs of Northleach. He had received responses to his Parish Magazine article highlighting areas of concern including Eastington Road that has no pavement and the red patch painted on High Street. It was agreed to install 3 wires instead of 2 for the speed and traffic survey.
11. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE – TO CONSIDER AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Members discussed the possibility of splitting the Property and Premises Management Committee’s area of responsibility into 2 Working Parties that could meet together as a Committee every 3 – 4 months: one covering KGV Playing Field & Cemetery while the other could cover Highways, Lighting & Town Enhancements.
It had previously been suggested that the Council could create a Design Statement that could provide guidance to CDC Planners and the Council’s Planning Committee. Cllr Mrs Rainey offered to look into this and report back to a future meeting.
12. CLERK’S INFORMATION UPDATE
News Sheet attached.
CDC 2nd Homes Council Tax Fund
Cllr Phillips would enquire if the Playgroup might be interested in applying and that this information should be passed on to the Sports & Social Club.
13. CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION:
· GCC – Unification of the Gloucestershire Registration District – Noted.
· GCC – Draft Gloucestershire Cycling Strategy - Noted
· GCC – Provisional Gloucestershire Local Transport Plan 2006 – 2011 - Noted
· GCC – Walking Strategy – Noted.
· HMS Starwort
A letter has been received from the Flower Class Corvette Association asking the Council to give consideration to where presentations made by the surviving crew to Northleach might be housed. These items are currently stored at the Heritage Centre but not displayed. It was agreed to make enquiries if they can be displayed at The Old Prison and, if not, then a suitable place might be found at the Westwoods Centre.
Action: Clerk to progress.
14. Chairman’s Report None.
15. PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS
Cllr Pezet advised that funds raised now amounted to £115,000. The PCC has obtained a faculty to carry out a trial clean of the stone around one of the windows and repair cracks to obtain a better estimate of damage and likely costs of restoration. Scaffolding will be removed by the end of 2006.
Plastic Poles in West End - Action: Clerk to consult GCC Highways on their removal.
New Bus Timetable – Needs to be publicised.
Road Cleaning on Walton Estate and Leyton Lane – It was confirmed that Walton Estate has recently been done. Action: Clerk to chase CDC regarding Leyton Lane.
Disabled Parking Bays and Road markings – Action: Clerk to chase GCC, Highways.
Newsletter – If an editor could be found to progress this, the Council could enquire if the Scouts would deliver to all households. It was considered to be an ideal method of highlighting the work of the Council to residents especially at budget time. Include on agenda for next meeting.
The next meeting of Northleach with Eastington Town Council
is to take place on Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at 7.30 p.m.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.