MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL
MEETING OF NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY, 15 MAY 2007
PRESENT: Councillors S Loveday, N Blades, K Blundell, Mrs S Burgess, D Cotton, C Hancock, Mrs J Lawrence, A Nevins, Mrs C Nevins, Mrs J Pullin, Mrs Rainey and A Wellman, Mrs Caroline Braidwood (Clerk), Cllr Mark Tufnell (District), PCSO Mark Williams, 4 members of the public and 1 member of the Press.
All Members signed and delivered their Acceptance of Office and Undertaking to Observe the Code of Conduct as Adopted by the Council.
1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL AND TO RECEIVE THE CHAIRMAN’S ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
1.1 ELECTION OF MAYOR AND CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL
Cllr Loveday invited the candidates for Mayor and Chairman of Council, Cllr Blundell and Cllr Hancock, to address the meeting prior to a vote taking place.
Cllr Hancock was then elected Mayor and Chairman of the Council by a majority vote and approved unanimously. Cllr Hancock signed and delivered his Chairman’s Acceptance of Office.
1.2 ELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL
Cllr Wellman withdrew his nomination for Vice Chairman and Cllr Blundell was elected unopposed and approved unanimously.
Mr S Loveday then left the meeting.
2. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES
Members were elected to Committees as follows:
2.1 PROPERTY AND PREMISES MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE
Cllr A Nevins, Cllr Mrs S Burgess and Cllr A Wellman. Cllr Wellman was unanimously elected Chairman of the Committee. It was RESOLVED to invite Mr S Loveday and Mr D Vincent to join to Committee as non-elected members.
2.2 WESTWOODS CENTRE COMMITTEE
Cllr Mrs Jenny Pullin, Cllr A Wellman and Cllr N Blades. Cllr N Blades was unanimously elected Chairman of the Committee
2.3 PLANNING COMMITTEE
Cllr Mrs C Nevins, Cllr D Cotton, Cllr Mrs J Lawrence and Cllr N Blades. Cllr Mrs J Lawrence was unanimously elected Chairman of the Committee
2.4 FINANCE FUNDING AND GRANTS COMMITTEE
Cllr Mrs Jenny Lawrence, Cllr Mrs P Rainey, Cllr N Blades (Chairman of Westwoods Centre Committee), Cllr A Wellman (Chairman of Property and Premises Maintenance Committee), Cllr C Hancock (Chairman of Council) and Cllr K Blundell (Vice Chairman of Council). The Chairman of the Committee would be elected at the first meeting on 23 May 2007.
3. APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
None.
4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 24 APRIL 2007
The Minutes were confirmed as a true and accurate record and signed by the Chairman.
Proposed: Cllr K Blundell Seconded: Cllr Mrs P Rainey
5. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Planning Application CD.2472/1/B The Old Prison, Northleach
Cllr N Blades declared a prejudicial interest and Cllr Mrs J Pullin declared a personal interest.
Planning Application CD.0390/C Lyndale, Cirencester Road, Northleach
Cllr A Wellman declared a personal interest.
6. TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA
Cotswold Hall
The Clerk confirmed that a Town Council Grant application has been supplied.
Sherborne Arms – Fortnightly Market
The Clerk confirmed that Licensing information has been supplied.
7. FINANCE
7.1 Bank Reconciliation and Budget Status
Noted.
7.2 Bills for Payment for May 2007
It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the Bills for payment.
7.3 Membership of the Gloucestershire Market Towns Forum
Cllr Blundell explained the work of the Forum and the benefits of membership. It was RESOLVED to apply for membership
Proposed: Cllr Mrs P Rainey Seconded: Cllr A Nevins
8. POLICE
PCSO Williams congratulated Members on their election to the Council and gave the following overview:
Cllr Wellman asked if the PCSO had dealt with the problem of children playing near to Fortey House and he confirmed that he had.
9. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS
Cllr Tufnell said how exciting it is to come to a new Council and reported as follows:
A discussion on Waste followed raising the following points:
Plastic bottles are very expensive to collect at kerbside and more collection points are needed and green commercial waste goes into landfill. Green Waste Bins don’t encourage people to compost locally and the Town Council will be looking into a future project for community composting.
10. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Planning
Mr Green observed that there is an anomaly in the Planning system when Officers deal with amended plans. He cited a previous application for Coalyard Farm and a recent application for 1 & 2 Tannery Court. The Decision Notice for Tannery Court had been issued before the final consultation date. Cllr Tufnell acknowledged that a mistake had been made and it was RESOLVED to write to the Planning Authority expressing concern in the strongest terms.
All Weather Multifunction Sports Facility
Mrs Clayton suggested that the Council should consider environmental issues rather than increasing light pollution by installing an all weather court and also the needs of the wider community besides those of the young.
Cllr Hancock confirmed that no progress has been made with the feasibility study while the Council has been in a state of limbo due to the elections. However, the new Council will consider all aspects including environmental and confirmed that the land between the Westwoods Centre and Surgery was identified for sports use when the Community Centre was built.
All Weather Multifunction Sports Facility and Affordable Housing
Mrs H Allcock represented Mr Hemmings who had written to the Council regarding these issues but received no reply. The Chairman confirmed that a response has been drafted and that Mr Hemmings would received a reply shortly.
11. PLANNING AND TREE WORKS
11.1 The schedule was noted and responses delegated to the Planning Committee.
Cllr Tufnell advised that Ward Councillors are consulted on all planning application prior to an Officer decision being made. He requested that the Clerk informs him of the Town Council’s responses so that he may represent the Town’s views.
12. UPDATE AND REPORTS FROM STUDY GROUPS
12.1 Traffic Calming - Proposal for Pedestrian Crossing in High Street
A meeting of the Working Group is to be arranged and the crossing progressed with Gloucestershire Highways.
Action: Clerk to circulate artist’s impression of the crossing to all new Members.
12.2 Affordable Housing
Nothing to report.
12.3 Town Council Newsletter
Cllr Blundell and the Clerk will work together on Issue 3.
12.4 Town Drainage
Nothing further to report.
Action: Clerk to chase County Council Drainage Engineer for update.
12.5 Multi-Function Sports Court
Quotations are being sought.
13. CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION
a) Revised Model Code of Conduct
It was noted that the Revised Code will come into force in October this year and it was agreed that the Finance Committee would look at the implications of the Code as the same time as strategic issues.
b) Notes of the Northleach in Bloom Group meeting on 26 April 2007
Noted. Cllr Blundell advised Members of the Master class taking place this coming Saturday to encourage residents to install hanging baskets and window boxes. He also advised that Garden Competitions would be held with the prizes given at Northleach Countryside Fair.
c) Christian Aid House to House Collection – Noted.
d) Northleach Swimming Pool Public Meeting, 16 May – Noted.
e) CDC Road Closure for Charter Fair, 30 June 2007 - No Objections.
14. CLERK’S INFORMATION UPDATE
Noted.
15. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
None.
16. PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS
Cllr Cotton advised that the interior of the Church is now free of scaffolding and that the external scaffolding will be removed in 2 – 3 weeks time. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on 3 June.
Cllr Hancock advised that it is hoped to organise a sponsored abseil down the Tower to raise funds for the Restoration Appeal.
Youth Forum / Council
Cllr Blundell advised that CDC’s Youth Development Officer is keen to assist the Council in establishing a Youth Forum or Council and that some prospective members have been identified. Members were asked to circulate this information to likely members.
Action: Cllrs Blundell and Mrs Nevins to meet with the Development Officer and young people who have indicated an interest to develop a proposal for consideration at a future meeting.
Market Towns Health Check
Cllr Blundell suggested that Marilyn Cox of GRCC might be invited to meet with Members to explore the possibilities of carrying out a Health Check and how GRCC might assist with questionnaires and analysis.
Action: Clerk to arrange meeting separate from a scheduled Town Council meeting.
Run For Life
Members congratulated the 50 ladies of the Town who had competed in the event at Kemble Airfield. 6 Northleach competitors had finished in the first 20.
Honorary Freemen
Cllr Wellman suggested that the creation of Honorary Freemen could be a commendable way of acknowledging contributions made to the local community.
Action: Cllr Wellman and the Clerk to investigate and put proposal to the next Council meeting.
The next meeting of NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL will be the held on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 at 7.30 p.m.
at the Westwoods Centre
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.05 p.m.