89/08

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr K Blundell(Vice Chairman and Deputy Mayor), (Illness), Cllr A Nevis (Family Commitment) and Cllr Mrs C Nevins(Family Commitment) and Cllr Mavis Lady Dunrossill (County)

90/08

Acceptance and signing of Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Town Council held on Tuesday, 23 October 2007

The Minutes were confirmed as a true and accurate record and signed by the Chairman.      

91/08

Declaration of Interests

None

92/08

To Discuss any Matters Arising from the above Minutes not included on the Agenda

Trees in Market Place

The Clerk confirmed that Gloucestershire Highways had been requested to carry out the necessary work.

Street Cleaning after Charter Market

Members were advised that CDC has changed the schedule to Tuesdays.

93/08

Finance

93.1/09

Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 19 November 2007

Noted

93.2/08

Report from the Chairman

·          Concern was expressed that the Sports & Social Club Lease is still not signed despite it having been verbally agreed some considerable time ago.  It was, therefore, agreed that a letter should be written to the Chairman.

·          Cllr Mrs Rainey advised that following 2008/9 budgetary discussions, that the Committee would be recommending the employment of a part time Administrative Assistant for a trial period of 1 year to assess the impact on the budget.

·          Westwoods and PPMC final budget proposals are to be fed in and discussed at the January Committee meeting.

·          The current proposal is for 5% Precept increase in view of national situation.

·          A capital allocation for a Youth Shelter will also be proposed.  Cllr Mrs Jen Pullin has discussed this possibility with the Youth Club who will suggest a site.

93.3/08

Bank Reconciliation and Budget Status up to 30 November 2007

Noted

93.4/08

Bills for Payment for November 2007

Proposed:  Cllr C Hancock            Seconded:  Cllr Mrs P Rainey

Unanimously RESOLVED to approve the Bills for Payment.

93.5/08

Donation Request from Citizens Advice Bureau

Proposed:  Cllr A Wellman     Seconded:  Cllr Mrs P Rainey   

Unanimously RESOLVED to done £75 to the Citizens Advice Bureau

93.6/08

Action:

Grant Application from Northleach Mothers and Toddlers Group

The Group was represented by the Treasurer, Mrs Janet Messenger, who explained that there are 46 pregnant mothers in the Town and that the numbers attending the Group will grow substantially.  They wish to purchase brightly coloured and safe matting on which young children can play, special chairs for young babies and others for toddlers for which funding was needed.  Members were advices that the Group provide support and friendships for new Mothers.

Proposed:  Cllr C Hancock            Seconded – Cllr Mrs S Burgess

Unanimously RESOLVED to approve the grant request of £300.

Cllr N Blades advised that a Babies Changing mat is to be installed in Disabled Toilet.

93.7/08

Contribution to Cost of Drainage Works

Chairman explained that he had had a meeting with the Wills Estate Manager regarding land drainage work in Eastington.   It was proposed that the Council should contribute £250 towards the cost of JCB hire for the work to be carried out and that spoil from the Water Meadows could be used to build a bund.

It was RESOLVED that the Council in accordance with its powers under sections 137 and 139 of the Local Government Act 1972, should incur this expenditure which, in the opinion of the Council, is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure:  Proposed by Cllr A Wellman       Seconded by Cllr Mrs J Pullin and unanimously agreed by the Council.

94/08

Police Report

Action:

Action:

Report from PCSO Williams

·          Crime level very low with a total of 44 incidents this year.

·          Criminal damage and anti social behaviour is negligible.

·          Police are now concentrating on the drink drive campaign over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

·          There are concerns about underage drinkers at the Sports & Social Club particularly in view of uncertainty of licence holder.  There have been problems in the past the have gone unreported.

·          It was agreed that Cllr Mrs P Rainey and the Clerk would attend the Club’s AGM the following evening.

·          Police are unable to enforce Disabled Parking in the Market Place without the necessary signs.  It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Gloucestershire Highways. 

·          Highways are still trying to find the owner of the house on The Green to request that overhanging trees are cut back.  Members advised that the property is owned by Farmington Trust.

95/08

County and District Councillor’s Reports

95.1/08

Councillor Mavis Lady Dunrossill (County)      Not available.

95.2/08

Action:

Councillor Mark Tufnell (District)

Civil Parking Enforcement. 

CDC will act as agents for GCC to enforce parking following an audit of all regulations.  As this is a new system, CDC has asked Parish and Town Councils to advise any problems that come to light.  Northleach is not a high priority area.  There are 8 attendants to cover the whole district but they will not have targets.  Parking charges are likely to be increased.

Members suggested that the charging structure should be changed to enable payment for the duration of time parked rather than set amounts.  It was also stated that Witney has a rural catchment area with no charging. 

Waste Redesign

CDC has tried to fully publicise the new arrangements.  £3.5m is spent on collecting waste annually and landfill needs to be reduced.  Smelly waste will be collected once per week unlike other authorities who collect fortnightly.  Kerbside collection of plastic bottles would be very expensive (in the region of £400K annually).  Concern was expressed that people are uncertain of which plastics can be re-cycled.

The new arrangements will start in the north of District in Feb 2008.  Green waste wheelie bins will cost householders £30 per year with tamper proof stickers to go on bins.  Kitchen and garden waste will be processed together.

Kerbside collection of cardboard will start in Cirencester and be rolled out across the District.  Cardboard is re-saleable and reduces costs.  Members asked why businesses pay for cardboard to go into landfill and Cllr Tufnell suggested that they contact Why Waste in Stroud who are able to recycle 90%. 

Members asked who would be liable if someone tripped over a bin on the road side and Cllr Tufnell agreed to find out.  He also confirmed that there has been no evidence of increased fly tipping in other areas but he acknowledged that there has been criticism of reduced quality of service that he felt were unfounded.

Planning

The new on line system would be introduced before the end of January 2008 to save money on postage and printing.  Comments should be fed back to Kevin Field.

Public Toilets

First phase of refurbishment has been completed introducing 20p charges and unisex facilities.  The second phase is about to be carried out.  Cllr Tufnell asked if the Council wished Northleach toilets to be included but it was agreed that in view of their good condition they should remain as they are.

Flood prevention

£600K is to be allocated.  £200K is for applications from Parish and Town Councils with a max. of £10K each.  £5K is already allocated to Northleach.  It is unclear if it can be used as matched funding for large scale projects.

96/08

Action:

Public Question Time

Charter Market

Complaints were received regarding the setting up of stalls the evening before the Market.  It was suggested that this is not within the spirit of the Charter and should not be preventing residents from parking in the Market Place overnight.  The Clerk advised that Gloucestershire Highways is of the opinion that setting up arrangements should have been agreed with Town Council.

It was agreed that the Clerk should contact the organisers in order to resolve the problem.

97/08

Planning and Tree Works

97.1/08

Attached Schedule

Noted.   

97.2/08

Letter from CDC re Changes to Planning Procedure

Noted

98/08

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

98.1/08

Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 26 November 2007

Noted.

98.2/08

Report from the Chairman

Cllr Wellman advised that estimates are being obtained for various work on Playing Field.  He also reported that the Committee had discussed the plastic bag free scheme in Modbury.  Cllr N Blades advised that he is introducing a charge of 10p per bag at his shop Fruitcakes in January and that this money would be donated to charity.  Cllr Mrs Burgess advised that the plastic bags used at the Pharmacy are bio-degradable.

It was agreed, however, that the Council has no control over local businesses.

99/08

Westwoods Committee

99.1/08

Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 26 November 2007

Noted

99.2/08

Report from the Chairman

Cllr Blades reported that:

·      A maintenance plan is being developed for next year.

·      Hall lining is now paid for.

·      He and Cllr Wellman are arranging a survey of the land adjacent to the Centre for additional parking.

·      Footpath lighting need replacing and quotes are expected shortly.

·      Cllr Mrs Pullin was thanked for offering to make curtains for the Fortey Hall.

100/08

Study Groups and Projects - To Receive Updates

100.1/08

Action:

Traffic Calming

Temp build out is still awaited.  It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Gloucestershire Highways.

100.2/08

Multi-Function Sports Court – To Approve Letter and Questionnaire

Final draft letter and questionnaire had been circulated.  Distribution is being planned for mid January.

100.3/08

Town Council News

On hold.

100.4/08

Town Plan

The launch event had been very successful and good feedback had been obtained.  A GMTF grant of £1500 has also been secured.

100.5/08

Youth Issues

Cllr Mrs Pullin expressed concern that the Youth Club building is not adequately secure for 5 new computers.  There was additional concern that it is currently closed with no explanation.  Attendance has risen to 24 and Cllr Mrs Pullin has recently been a judge for the Ready Steady Cook event.

100.6/08

Allotments

The Clerk advised that a quote for water installation on GCC field has been applied for.  This is the Allotment Group’s preferred location as the other options not so practical.

100.7/08

Town Drainage and Recent Flooding

The Mayor advised that he had attended a CDC meeting in October where problem areas were being identified for prioritisation.   Minutes had been circulated to Members. 

101/08

Correspondence:

101.1/08

Copy of Letter from G H Courtier to CDC Chairman and reply

Noted

101.2/08

GCC – Temporary Road Closure of Farmington Road, 5 – 11 December 2007

Noted

101.3/08

Letter from Mr R Ashton to GCC re Flooding and Drainage

Noted

102/08

Chairman’s Report

Nothing further to report.

103/08

Parochial Church Council News

·          Church yard lights are not working but are being attended to.

·          Funds raised total £350K with and additional £60K offered with matched funding.  It is expect that the appeal will close in mid 2008 and then the development of a sinking fund will be considered to provide long term support for the church.

·          Nothing is currently being done to prevent lead being stolen and this would be discussed at the next PCC meeting.

104/08

Any Other Business

Any other matters that any Councillor wishes to bring to the attention of the Council or agenda items for future meetings

Dog Fouling

Cllr Mrs Burgess advised that dog faeces are fouling Doctors Lane, Layton Lane and Mays Crescent.  These form part of a major route used by children on their way to School and it was agreed that the Clerk should include this in the next Parish magazine article.

Farmington Rise Street Light

Members were advised that a street light is not working and the GCC should be advised.

105/08

Date of Future Meetings

Tuesday, 22 January 2008

Tuesday, 26 February 2008

Tuesday, 18 March 2008

all starting at 7.30 pm at The Westwoods Centre. 

The Annual Town Meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, 22 April 2008 and it was suggested that Henry Elwes could be invited to talk about his role as Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire