MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, 27 MARCH 2007
PRESENT: Councillors Loveday (Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Meeting), Blundell, Cotton, Hancock, Mustoe, Pezet, Mrs Rainey and Wellman, Mrs Caroline Braidwood (Clerk), Mrs Jill Thomas (RFO), Mr R Austin (CEO of CDC), Cllr Mark Tufnell (District), PCSO Mark Williams, 5 members of the public and 1 member of the Press.
Cllr Loveday welcomed Mr R Austin to the Meeting.
1.MR R AUSTIN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL
Mr Austin thanked Members for their invitation to attend the Council meeting and explained that he wished to develop contacts with Parish and Town Councils in the 44 Wards within the Cotswold District. He then answered questions from Members (attached).
2. APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Councillors Phillips (Business), Vincent (Illness) and Cllr Mavis, Lady Dunrossill (County).
3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2007
The Minutes were confirmed as a true and accurate record and signed by the Chairman.
Proposed: Cllr K Blundell Seconded: Cllr D Cotton
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None
5. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA
Cllr Mustoe advised that he wished to discuss a confidential matter and it was agreed to consider this in closed session at the end of the meeting.
Cllr Loveday thanked everyone who had attended the ‘Councillor Event’ at the Sherborne Arms on 21 March.
6. FINANCE
6.1 Bank Reconciliation and Budget Status up to 28 February 2007
Noted. Mrs Thomas advised that the Council’s budget status is better than expected despite expenditure in March. Westwoods budget is £1,100 short over the whole year.
6.2 Bills for Payment for March 2007
It was RESOLVED to approve the Bills for payment.
Proposed: Cllr A Wellman Seconded: Cllr C Hancock
6.3 Support for Northleach Junior Football
It was agreed that this should be considered at the next Finance meeting.
7. POLICE
7.1 Report from PCSO Mark Williams
Minor car break-ins during February and March. Culprits probably from out of Town.
Increased skateboarding in the Market Place has been reported and would be dealt with later in the week.
Renewed complaints regarding behaviour of children in Ward Road Playground. Complainants would be visited this evening. Cllr Loveday acknowledged that the PCSO’s presence is preventing problems but that the problems had unfortunately returned while PCSO Williams was on leave.
8.DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – COUNCILLOR MARK TUFNELL
Cllr Tufnell reported as follows:
RTA Car Parking Strategy – No plans for change to current arrangements in Lechlade and Northleach.
An Information Board funded by the Lottery is to be installed at the Old Prison.
Cllr Mustoe complained that the facilities at the Old Prison have not been well advertised and Cllr Tufnell replied that this is the responsibility of the tenants and not CDC.
9.PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
All Weather Multifunction Sports Facility
Residents raised concern over the proposal for an all weather multifunction sports facility on the Westwoods site and its possible impact on nearby housing i.e. nuisance from lighting, noise and increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Cllrs Pezet and Blundell explained that whilst a feasibility study is being carried out to provide such a facility, it is the Council’s intention to be fair to residents and the young people of the Town. Cllr Pezet confirmed that once the initial exploratory work has been done, residents would be consulted and he invited those residents present to join the Working Party for this project.
Mr G Green asked Members to press the Farmington Trust to re-build the wall and suggested that grants are available. Cllr Tufnell confirmed that the Heritage Lottery Fund is now available to AONB.
Action: Clerk to contact the Farmington Trust.
Members were asked if a seat could be provided between the centre of the Town and Westwoods Surgery. It was agreed that it would be particularly useful for elderly patients.
Action: Clerk to include on the next PPMC agenda.
10. PLANNING AND TREE WORKS
10.1 The items discussed are detailed on the attached schedule.
11. WESTWOODS CENTRE COMMITTEE
11.1 Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 6 March 2007
Noted.
11.2 Report from the Chairman - Support for a Feasibility Study and Working Group to Investigate Provision of an All Weather Multi Function Sports Facility
Cllr Pezet advised Members of the request from the youth of the Town and the Police for an all weather sports facility and asked the Council for approval to conduct a feasibility study. At this stage it is anticipated that such a facility would be sited adjacent to the Westwoods Centre, would be fenced, and would provide a hard all weather surface for multi-sports with lighting facing toward the field to prevent glare on nearby housing. He acknowledged that the cost would be substantial and grant funding would be needed.
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Pezet should lead a Working Group to gather facts and include Cllrs Blundell and Hancock together with interested residents in addition to anyone with specific skills or knowledge who may be helpful.
Cllr Pezet emphasised that the Working Group would investigate the project, consult residents and bring its finding to the Council for decision. He added that the press had misrepresented the stage at which the project has reached resulting in the concerns expressed by residents.
Cllr Mustoe stated that all options for use of the land adjoining the Centre should be put to public consultation. Cllr Pezet confirmed that other uses have been investigated in the past but received no public support. Cllr Mustoe also stated that the decision to pursue the project should be left to the new Council in May. The Chairman asked for a second for this proposal but none was forthcoming.
12. PROPERTY AND PREMISES MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE
12.1 Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 12 March 2007
Noted.
12.2 Report from the Chairman
Cllr Loveday advised that the Committee have been looking at lighting in the Town and have supported replacement of all the light mechanisms in the Market Place for softer lighting together with other lighting projects.
Cllr Loveday thanked his Committee for their work and support as he is standing down from the Council in May. Cllr Wellman thanked Cllr Loveday for his service to the Committee and the Council.
12.3 Reduction in Night-time Lighting
Members were advised that the County Council are keen to reduce lighting times as a means of curbing electricity costs and that the Council could select which lights would be turned off after midnight and relit in the early morning when necessary.
Members RESOLVED to support this proposal. Cllrs Cotton and Wellman would consider which street lights could be switched off during the night and present a proposal to the new Council.
Action: Clerk to obtain plan of all street lights in the Town.
13. UPDATE AND REPORTS FROM STUDY GROUPS
13.1 Traffic Calming
Cllr Blundell advised that initial proposals are awaited from Gloucestershire Highways regarding a shared space scheme for the Market Place.
He also advised Members that Stow on the Wold Town Council is leading a group of representatives from the Market Towns and larger villages to develop a proposal for parking to be presented to CDC. The group has concerns that once on-street parking is under the control of CDC.
13.2 Affordable Housing
CDC Planners comments on possible sites had been circulated and the Council had been asked for its preferred option. It was RESOLVED that the redundant Doctors’ Surgery is the first choice but may not be large enough in which case the site off Fallows Road adjacent to the Westwoods Centre would be the preferred option.
13.3 Town Council Newsletter
The Clerk advised that the Newsletter and Road Safety Sticker had been delivered to households by Northleach Scouts. A 3rd Issue will be compiled when the new Council is in place after May. One member of the public present stated that she had not received them.
Action: Clerk to provide resident with Newsletter.
13.4Town Drainage
A letter from the County Council Drainage Engineer was noted. It stated that funding for the next phase of work would be discussed at a meeting on 6 April.
The Clerk reported that a complaint had been received from a resident whose property bordered the Playing Field regarding the untidy state of the river bank and incidents of antisocial behaviour.
Action: The Clerk would pass complaints to the County Council Drainage Engineer and PCSO.
14. CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
a) Request for Site for Circus Show
Members RESOLVED to approve hire of land adjacent to the Westwoods Centre for the Human Circus Show.
b) Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises – Royal International Air Tattoo Briefing – 15 May 2007
As this clashes with the May Town Council meeting, no one is available to attend.
c) CDC Proposed Refurbishment of Tennis Club and Extension of Fence
Noted. It was RESOLVED to approve the refurbishment work.
15. CLERK’S INFORMATION UPDATE
Noted.
16. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
None.
17. PROCEDURES
Standing Orders
It was agreed to defer this item to the next meeting.
18. PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS
Members were advised that appeal funds have reached £300,000.
19. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Northleach in Bloom
Cllr Blundell advised that a small group of residents are meeting on Thursday evening to develop a proposal that would be brought to the next Council meeting.
Cllr Tufnell was asked if charges will apply to the Northleach facility. He replied that 8 sites have been refurbished and now carry a 20p charge. The remainder of the District’s public toilets will be refurbished in due course and once the work has been carried out will also be charged. A decision on when work will be carried out on the Northleach toilets will be made in the autumn.
20. CONFIDENTIAL ITEM
Cllr Mustoe advised Members that he no longer wished to discuss the confidential matter referred to earlier in the meeting and that he would take it up with the Police.
Tuesday, 24 April 2007 at 7.30 p.m.
Preceded by the ANNUAL TOWN MEETING at 7.15 pm at the Westwoods Centre
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.25 p.m.