MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, 31 OCTOBER 2006
PRESENT: Councillors Loveday (Vice-Chairman of the Council and Chairman of the Meeting), Asquith, Blundell, Cotton, Mustoe, Pezet, Vincent and Wellman, Cllr Mark Tufnell (District), Mrs Jill Thomas (RFO), Mrs Caroline Braidwood (Clerk), 2 members of the public.
1. APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Councillors Phillips (Chairman and Mayor) (Business), Hancock (Prior Engagement), Mrs Rainey (Illness) and Cllr Mavis, Lady Dunrossill (County).
2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2006
At Cllr Mustoe’s request it was agreed that his comment regarding the Disabled Bays should be recorded :
Cllr Mustoe stated that he had told Mr Blades that his trailer is taking up valuable parking space illegally and that some people had fallen over it.
The Minutes were then agreed as a true and accurate record and signed by the Chairman.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None.
4. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA
Handrail and Non-slip Surface on the sloping path leading from Fallows Road to the Westwoods Surgery and Centre.
GCC are investigating whether this is the responsibility of Gloucestershire Highways or Footpaths.
Donation Request from Northleach Football Club Youth Team
Deferred to the next meeting.
Donation Request from Young Gloucestershire
Deferred to the next meeting.
Forward list of properties in West End and High Street with dropped kerbs to Gloucestershire Highways.
This has been done and Highways are looking into the flooding implications.
Land Registry Search – Ward Road Playground and area in Crail View
In progress.
Traffic Calming Proposal
Cllr Mavis, Lady Dunrossill is being kept informed.
Affordable Housing Query – Use of existing properties
Ms Barker (GRCC) has advised that the cost implication of using existing properties is considerably greater than new build.
Article for Town Council Newsletter – Elections 2007 and Need for Candidates
In hand.
Street Light at the top of School Hill , Farmington Road Surface, Road Signs on Farmington Road All in hand.
A429 Traffic Lights
It was reported that the defective light is now working.
Anti-Social Behaviour Officer Still to be progressed.
Additional Lighting in Mays Crescent
Will be included on the next PPMC agenda.
Lights in The Market Place To be progressed.
5. FINANCE
5.1 Draft Minutes from the Finance Committee Meeting held on 16 October 2006
Noted. The Clerk read the Chairman’s report as follows:
· Numbers pretty well on target.
· Attention is now being turned to long term consideration of fixed assets and how they are best managed and maintained. Hence, seeking the Westwoods survey, etc., to determine what we should be aiming to put aside and over what period.
· Whilst we will be looking to set, hopefully, a level precept again this year we are also determined to ensure that sinking fund capital continues to be set aside each year for renewal/ repair/ replacement of significant assets like Westwoods and play equipment (£30k on its own).
5.2 Cash Flow Analysis and Budget Status up to 30 September 2006
Noted. The RFO advised that the Town Council budget is on target and that £500 of the Westwoods support has been repaid. Westwoods has done well this month and is now on target.
5.3 Bills for Payment for September 2006
It was RESOLVED to approve the Bills for payment.
Proposed: Cllr K Blundell Seconded: Cllr D Vincent
5.4 Quotations for Tree Works on King George V Playing Field
Only 2 quotations have been received and it was RESOLVED to defer this decision until the next meeting.
5.5 Donation Request from Young Gloucestershire
Deferred to the next meeting pending Cllr Blundell’s further enquiries.
6. POLICE REPORT – SGT IAN RANFORD AND PCSO MARK WILLIAMS
Sgt Ranford introduced Mark Williams as the new PCSO dedicated to Northleach. PCSO Williams explained that he had carried out foot patrol in the Town for 70 hours during the past month, more than the Town has received in the preceding 10 years, and is particularly well known in the Fortey Road area. He had found very little anti-social behaviour although 1 youth has been served with a Fixed Penalty Notice. He is endeavouring to set up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in the Market Place and re-introducing a Beat Diary. 13 crimes (Burglaries and Bogus Callers) have been committed in the Town during the past 2 months, 30% of which have been detected.
Cllr Cotton is providing a link between the community and the Police and confirmed that most offences are trivial irritations. Cllr Tufnell asked if PCSO Williams’ hours cover pub closing times. Sgt Ranford replied that there is currently no problem at that time of night but if incidents were reported they would be dealt with by Police Officers and PCSO Williams’ hours would be reviewed if problems persisted.
Sgt Ranford advised that promises made to the community 6 months ago are now being implemented and that the Safer Communities Team now have an additional member. He asked that Members give some thought to 3 community issues that they wish PCSO Williams to address for discussion at the next Council meeting. He also advised that PCSOs powers are changing.
7. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – COUNCILLOR MARK TUFNELL
Cllr Tufnell advised:
· Encouraged to hear the Police report.
· Both County and District Councils will be consulting on Waste until Christmas.
· He urged the Council to support CDC’s Clean Up.
· Road Sweeping would cease to be carried out twice per year and would be done ‘as and when’ triggered by requests from the Clerk.
Cllr Mustoe stated that Mays Crescent is not swept regularly enough and that leaves are blocking the drains. Cllr Tufnell replied that it may be the duty of Fosseway Housing and Cllr Mustoe became argumentative insisting that Fosseway HA, CDC and GCC should make arrangements for one authority to be responsible to avoid confusion. The Chairman reminded Cllr Mustoe that it was necessary to move on to the next item.
Cllr Wellman asked Cllr Tufnell how the Cotswold Conservation Board is financed. Cllr Tufnell replied that the Board receives contributions from member authorities with CDC contributing £31,000 p.a. The Board also received matched funding from the Countryside Agency and additional funding from Heritage Lottery and Defra. Its total annual spend is £800,000.
8. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
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Mr G Green raised the following: |
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If double yellow lines could be installed in the entrance to The Green from The Market Place between Fruitcakes and Cotswold Stores. |
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Cllr Blundell replied that these are included in the Traffic Calming Proposal submitted to Gloucestershire Highways. |
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The 30 mph signs on the approach from Oxford are obscured by overgrown trees. |
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The Clerk will advise Gloucestershire Highways. |
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Gullies have recently been emptied but will soon be blocked with fallen leaves. |
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The Clerk to pass this on to GCC. |
9. PLANNING AND TREE WORKS
9.1 The items discussed are detailed on the attached schedule.
CD.0171/N GCC Corporate Property Services
Northleach Church of England Primary School. Mill End
Provision of Hall, Admin Accommodation and Reception
Revised supporting statement to incorporate proposals to improve drainage and some minor amendments to the ramps and window in the gable end of the building.
Members expressed grave concerns regarding a soak away on the Playing Field into which the School site would be drained. It was felt that this scheme could result in ¼ of the Field being flooded and may interfere with current drainage provision. Members suggested that instead of the soak away, the existing pipe from the car park to the river could be reinstated to cope with the likely volume of flow.
Cllr Tufnell drew Members attention to various meetings that have been held with interested parties to develop a drainage plan for the Town including the School site. He explained that there is a danger that the School development will be held up if further funds have to be found to address an alternative drainage system. The Council has already been advised that it is the County Council’s Drainage Engineer’s intention to develop a scheme that will eventually drain School Hill into a pipe that will empty into the stream on the Playing Field, and that when this scheme is built, it is intended to run the overflow from the soak away into the same pipe.
Mr Green stated that no percolation tests have been carried out to prove the effectiveness of a soak away.
Cllr Loveday advised that a meeting is to take place tomorrow at 2.30 pm on the Playing Field with the Assistant Project Engineer and the Contractor when these issues might be discussed.
The Clerk drew Members attention to a request from GCC Drainage Engineer to dump the spoil from the river on the Meadows when the river is dug out. It was RESOLVED that this request be refused and to recommend that the spoil be taken away.
Cllr Loveday advised that he had received a request from the School site Project Manager for permission to park contractor’s vehicles on the Playing Field during the works. Members expressed grave concern that the surfaces of the Football and Cricket pitches would be severely damaged and RESOLVED to deny the request. It was agreed to suggest that Glebe Field or the Wills Estate Field at the top of the hill above the School could be used. Cllr Loveday agreed to consult the licence holder of Glebe Field.
Cllr Mustoe left the meeting at 9.05 pm.
10. WESTWOODS CENTRE COMMITTEE
10.1 Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 24 October 2006
Noted
10.2 Report from the Chairman
Cllr Pezet confirmed that finances have improved in the last month and raised the following:
· User Group Meeting on Tuesday, 21 November 7 – 8.30 pm. It is hoped to gain evidence and feedback, recruit new Committee Members and thank users. Members were encouraged to attend.
· Lower windows are in need of refurbishment and the Centre Supervisor will deal with these one at a time.
· Golf Nets – it was agreed to refer this to PPMC as KGV is considered a better location.
· The Committee have considered how best to make use of the area between the Surgery and the Centre. Additional parking is needed for large events and overnight parking for motor vans and associated services is being investigated.
11.1 Report from the Chairman
Nothing to report.
12. UPDATE AND REPORTS FROM STUDY GROUPS
12.1 Traffic Calming
Meeting with Gloucestershire Highways
This is being arranged.
Road Safety Campaign
A quote has been obtained to produce a car sticker from the winning poster amounting to £255. It was RESOLVED to delegate responsibility for sourcing the car sticker to Cllr Blundell providing that the cost does not significantly exceed the grant from CDC.
12.2 Affordable Housing
Members were advised that GRCC is consulting CDC Planners on possible sites.
12.3 Town Council Newsletter
Members were reminded that copy is needed for the second issue and should be sent to Cllr Asquith or the Clerk as soon as possible.
13. Clerk’s Information Update
Noted. The Clerk drew Members attention to the Local Government White Paper that has now been published. GAPTC are holding a Seminar at the Westwoods Centre on 30 November and all Members were encouraged to attend.
14. CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
a) Savage Collection – Request to Place Barrow in the Market Place
Noted. The Clerk advised that a reply has been sent explaining that Gloucestershire Highways are responsible for the highway and that the Town Council are unable to grant any suggest request.
b) Gloucestershire Highways – Parking at the Junction of Mill End Northleach
Noted.
c) GCC – copy of letter from P Mooney, Environmental Drainage Engineer to Gloucestershire Highways Noted. See Item 9.1
d) Mr R Ashton – School Drainage / Mill End Flooding Noted.
e) CDC – Keep the Cotswolds Clean Campaign
Cllr Blundell suggested that this might be something that a Youth Council would wish to be involved with.
f) Extract from Notes of the Parish/Town Council and GCC Charter Test Group Meeting – Street Lighting Pilot
It was agreed to defer discussion on this item to the next meeting. The Clerk advised that it might be too late to be involved in a pilot scheme if left to December.
15. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
None.
16. PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS
Cllr Cotton advised that excellent progress has been made on the windows and that the scaffolding will be removed on target by Easter.
Cllr Loveday said that he welcomed the VAS now situated in the eastern approach to the Town and he emphasised the need to recruit new Members during the Elections next year particularly as he will be moving away from Northleach and will not be standing again.
The next meeting of Northleach with Eastington Town Council will be held on
Tuesday, 5 December 2006 at 7.30 p.m.
at the Westwoods Centre
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.