MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2007
PRESENT: Councillors Phillips (Chairman and Mayor), Loveday (Vice-Chairman), Blundell, Cotton, Mustoe, Pezet and Wellman, Mrs Caroline Braidwood (Clerk), PCSO Mark Williams, 2 members of the public and 1 member of the Press.
The Chairman advised that a letter of resignation has been received from Cllr Asquith. Members expressed their thanks for the work he had carried out for the Council and wished him well for the future. Cllr Loveday suggested that a letter of thanks should be sent.
1. MR R AUSTIN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL
Mr Austin was unable to attend due to ill health.
2. APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Councillors Hancock (Prior Engagement), Mrs Rainey (Illness), Vincent (Illness), Mrs Jill Thomas (RFO), Cllr Mark Tufnell (District) and Cllr Mavis, Lady Dunrossill (County).
3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 30 JANUARY 2007
The following was added to Item 5.3 “Cllr Mustoe suggested that the County Council should be asked if the field adjacent to the Westwoods Centre could by used by the Junior Football Club”.
The Minutes were then confirmed as a true and accurate record and signed by the Chairman.
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None
5. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA
Layton Lane Lighting
It was reported that all of the lights are now operational.
Street Cleansing – Mays Crescent
Cllr Mustoe advised that he had received an apology from CDC Officers regarding the low standard of street cleansing in Mays Crescent. The Clerk reported that CDC Officers have requested assistance with clearing the Crescent of parked cars before the next scheduled cleaning to ensure that the work is done thoroughly. However, Members felt that parked cars always created an obstruction when street cleansing is carried out.
Walton Estate and Future of Fortey House
The Clerk confirmed that arrangements are in hand to establish which authorities are responsible for the Estate.
Action: Clerk to pursue
Suitable Area for Skate Boarding
Cllr Blundell and the Clerk reported that since the last Council meeting they had attended a meeting of the Youth Club Management Committee. It had come to light that the Westwoods Car Park is unsuitable for skate boarding due to the gravelled areas and that the Sports and Social Club Car Park would be more useful. Members agreed to allow the mobile skate ramp to use the car park once the extension work at the School is completed. In the meantime, it was agreed to investigate use of the parking area to the rear of the Fire Station.
Action: Clerk to pursue.
Proposed Extinguishment of Public Footpath KNE8
Following the last Council meeting the Chairman had contacted the Farmington Trust to obtain further information. It was understood that KNE8 had been created by mistake and the Farmington Trust agreed to assist with improvements to KNE9. Therefore, a statement had been released advising that no objection to the extinguishment of KNE8 would be made. It was acknowledged that despite the extinguishment it is quite likely that KNE8 will still be used by local residents.
Bungalows in Fortey Road
PCSO Mark Williams had been alerted.
5. FINANCE
5.1 Bank Reconciliation and Budget Status up to 31 December 2006
This information was not available and would be circulated after the meeting.
5.2 Bills for Payment for February 2007
It was RESOLVED to approve the Bills for payment.
Proposed: Cllr M Pezet Seconded: Cllr J Phillips
5.3 Support for Northleach Junior Football
It was reported that the Club are struggling for enough members to be accepted in the League. It was, therefore, agreed to check the situation and defer further discussion to the next meeting.
5.4 Grant Funding Request from Home-Start Cotswolds Ltd
It was agreed to request further information and a speaker for a future meeting whilst making the organisation aware of the Council’s limitations.
5.5 Donation Request from Citizen Advice Bureau
It was RESOLVED to make a donation of £100.
6. POLICE
6.1 Notes from Meeting on Friday, 16 February 2007
Notes from the meeting had been circulated.
6.2 Report from PCSO Mark Williams
Cllr Mustoe stated that, in his opinion, with existing facilities in the Town there is no necessity for additional provision and that parents should take greater responsibility. During discussion it was agreed that outdoor facilities such as the Playing Field are not always suitable for use during bad weather and after dark. It was, therefore, agreed that lighting for the Playing Field should be investigated and the indoor facilities at Westwoods better publicised.
Cllr Blundell confirmed that provision of an all-weather facility adjacent to the Westwoods Centre is only at the feasibility stage. Cllr Loveday recognised the improvement that the PCSO’s presence in the Town has made and recommended that Members take his advice on board.
Action: Cllr Blundell to investigate lighting for the Playing Field, Cllr Blundell and the Clerk to progress the feasibility study for the all-weather sports facility
PCSO Williams raised other issues:
It was noted that cars parked between Fruitcakes and The Sherborne Arms overlap the footway and together with the new fruit and vegetable display shelves, pedestrian access is reduced. It was agreed to investigate the possibility of installing bollards to prevent parking over the footway.
Ward Road Playground
Following complaints from residents that children were playing football in the road and causing damage to gardens and vehicles, Ward Road Playground had been made available for ball games provided that young children were not compromised and that no damage or nuisance was caused to fences, walls and neighbouring properties. This was intended as a temporary situation until a better solution could be found. PCSO Williams had reinforced these conditions with the children and spoken to residents. Members expressed concern as the Ward Road Playground is dedicated for the use of young children and were advised that the situation would be closely monitored.
7. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – COUNCILLOR MARK TUFNELL
Cllr Tufnell was unavailable.
8. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
There were no public questions.
9. PLANNING AND TREE WORKS
9.1 The items discussed are detailed on the attached schedule.
10. WESTWOODS CENTRE COMMITTEE
There was nothing to report.
11.1 Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 29 January 2007
Noted.
11.2 Report from the Chairman
Cllr Loveday advised that the residents of The Glebe have been contacted regarding the boundary wall with the Churchyard and they are to hold a meeting to discuss it and that the tree works have been carried out on King George V Playing Field.
12. UPDATE AND REPORTS FROM STUDY GROUPS
12.1 Traffic Calming
Amended Notes from the Meetings with Gloucestershire Highways on 15 December 2006 (amended) and Notes from the meeting on 22 January 2007 were noted.
Cllr Blundell advised that it would not be possible to install a footway on Eastington Road and that Gloucestershire Highways are investigating the possibility of installing a crossing in High Street. Cllr Blundell also explained that Alex Luck, Gloucestershire Highways’ Road Safety Engineer, is considering The Market Place for a shared space scheme. She is conducting a feasibility study to be presented to the Council at a later date and this could affect the development of a crossing.
12.2 Affordable Housing
Members were advised that surveyors had been seen on the site of the Old Doctors’ Surgery in Fortey Road and asked if Fosseway Housing Association has plans to develop the site.
Action: Clerk to make enquiries.
12.3 Town Council Newsletter
The Clerk advised that a draft would be circulated in the next few days and that the final version would be distributed by Northleach Scouts during early March.
12.4 Town Drainage
No further information was available.
13. CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
a) CDC – Conservation Area Appraisals - Noted.
b) CDC – Cotswold Tree Warden Scheme - Noted.
c) NALC – Review of the Quality Town and Parish Council Scheme - Noted.
d) GCC – First Seminar for Parish & Town Councils, Tues, 6 March 2007 - Noted. The Clerk would attend.
e) NPFA – King George V Playing Field - Noted. It was agreed to pass this to the Finance Committee for recommendation.
f) Audit Commission – Appointment of External Auditor - Noted
g) Northleach Youth Club – Request for Support - Not received.
14. Clerk’s Information Update
Noted.
15. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
None.
16. PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS
Cllr Pezet advised that the work at the Church has been completed but the scaffolding will remain until after Easter to allow cleaning to be carried out.
Prospective Councillor Information Event
In order to encourage nominations to the Council in the forthcoming elections, it was agreed to invite interested parties to an informal meeting at The Sherborne Arms on Wednesday, 21 March between 6 – 7 pm.
Action: Clerk to publicise.
Cotswold Hall
Members were advised that the Trustees of the Hall are replacing the Ladies Toilet and installing a Disabled Accessible Toilet.
It was agreed to ask the Trustees if they wished to include an advertisement in the next issue of Town Council News.
Market Towns Parking
The Clerk advised that CDC is currently negotiating with GCC to take over responsibility for on and off road parking with decriminalisation. Consequently, the Market Towns in the District are concerned how new arrangements might affect them and wish to develop a common policy for presentation to CDC. The group are keen to involve Northleach although the Town currently has no parking restrictions. It was agreed that Cllrs Blundell, Loveday, Mustoe and Wellman will attend the next meeting of the group on 20 March at The Westwoods Centre.
Standing Orders
Copies of the draft document were circulated for discussion at the next meeting.
The next meeting of Northleach with Eastington Town Council will be held on
Tuesday, 27 March 2007 at 7.30 p.m.
at the Westwoods Centre
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.00 p.m.