72/08

APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE

Cllr C Hancock – Mayor (Holiday), Cllr Mrs C Nevins (work commitment), Cllr Mrs Rainey (prior engagement), Cllr D Cotton (work commitment), Cllr M Tufnell (District), PC Gary Brewer and PCSO Mark Williams.

73/08

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2007

Present – Cllr A Nevins not present – amended.

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

Proposed:      Cllr Mrs J Lawrence             Seconded:     Cllr Mrs J Pullin

74/08

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

75/08

75.1/08

Action:

75.2/08

TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA

Trees in the Market Place

The Clerk reported that Gloucestershire Highways have acknowledged ownership but questioned the need for attention.

Clerk to contact GH and confirm that debris is dropping from the tree nearest to the public toilets and request remedial work.

Museum Clock

Cllr Blades advised that Keith Harding had been unable to access the clock due to the suspended ceiling and that a solution is being sought.

76/08

FINANCE

76.1/08

Report from the Chairman

The Chairman was unavailable.

76.2/08

Bank Reconciliation and Budget Status up to 30 September 2007

The Bank Reconciliation was approved but the budget status was not available.

76.3/08

Bills for Payment for October 2007

It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the Bills for Payment.

76.4/08

Grant Application from Northleach Swimming Pool Committee

Cllr Nevins confirmed that £600 is to be donated to this Committee from the Countryside Fair funds.  It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the grant application of £250.

76.5/08

Action:

Grant Application from Northleach Charter Market Committee

The requested supporting financial information had not been received and it was, therefore, unanimously agreed that this application could not be progressed.  It was also noted that, given the Council’s duty of care for public funds, it would not be possible to support a commercial enterprise.

Members advised that the stalls are being set up during the evening before the market and that the street cleansing is not adequate after the event.

Clerk to check arrangements for setting up and street cleaning with the Committee and Gloucestershire Highways.

77/08

POLICE REPORT

No representative was available due to Stow Fair.

78/08

COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – CLLR MAVIS LADY DUNROSSIL

Cllr Dunrossil advised that:

·          The County Council is in middle of CPA and Equalities week. 

·          A CPA Trial Assessment earlier in the year had been successful.

·          Budget time is approaching.

·          National Government funding is only likely to increase by 2% and with all service costs rising savings will need to be made.

·          Main funding problems caused by waste and flooding.

·          National Government grants have gone to Districts not to County Councils.

·          The Belwin Scheme only applies to public buildings and not private ones.

·          County Council has secured a £10 million grant towards the flood remedial work.

·          Cllr Dunrossill congratulated everyone who had worked so hard during the emergency and afterwards and referred to the Gloucestershire Highways meeting that had recently taken place to inform local Councils about the recovery programme.

79/08

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

None

80/08

PLANNING AND TREE WORKS

The Planning Schedule (attached) was noted.

Cllr Blundell advised that Ms Kerry Hughes has volunteered to fill the vacant Tree Warden post.  He said that she is very keen and wants to be proactive with planting.  It was agreed to include this in the Town Council article for the Parish magazine and to invite her to a future meeting to advise her plans.

The Clerk advised that Mr C Coghlan has also volunteered for the post and it was agreed to contact him.

81/08

PROPERTY AND PREMISES MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE

81.1/08

Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 17 September 2007  and 22 October 2007

Noted.

81.2/08

Report from the Chairman

Cllr Wellman advised:

KGV Play equipment has been re-painted.

Work on culvert has now been completed up to under the war memorial where joins the stream from Hampnett.  During the work it had been confirmed that the gulleys drain down hill to near the Musical Museum and then feed into the main culvert.

The Town Council’s contractor, Mustoes Haulage has completed work on the river banks and re-seeding would be carried out in the Spring. 

2 dead hawthorns have been removed and will be burnt in situ.

The Town Handyman has painted benches on playing field. 

Sandbags in Ward Road have been used as sandpit and bins will be sourced for Ward Road and Sports & Social Club stock of bags.

Nature Trail through the woods behind Fortey Road needs to be cleared of rubbish and CDC has been advised.

Wooded area behind Ward Road needs attention and the owner identified.

Cllr Blundell requested that the seats in Market Place are re-painted and suggested that work on the wood and nature trail could be carried out during the Spring Community Day.

82/08

WESTWOODS COMMITTEE

82.1/08

Report from the Chairman

Cllr Blades reported that the Centre Supervisor is currently on holiday and that a rota is in place for opening and locking the Centre.  He also advised that a price has been agreed for the lining which includes cleaning, repair and instruction on erection.  It is already being offered to 2 wedding bookings in 2008.  The Maintenance Survey was very disappointing and inadequate.   A revised report is now awaited.

83/08

TOWN DRAINAGE AND RECENT FLOODING

Members were advised that a book has been published describing the Gloucestershire floods but there is no mention of Moreton in Marsh, Bourton on the Water or Northleach.  Sale of the book is intended to raise funds for flood victims.

83.1/08

GCC Drop in Inquiry – Cirencester on 17 October 2007

Noted.

83.2/08

CDC Flooding Forum – 30 October 2007

Noted.  Members were advised that Cllr Hancock will attend.

83.3/08

CDC Flooding Events Across Cotswold District, July 2007

Noted.

83.4/08

Community Day – 30 September 2007

Approx. 25 members of the public turned out to help and it had been an extremely good day, both fun and productive.  The river had been cleared out from the culvert to new buildings on Mustoes’ Yard.  Cllr Blundell thanked Cllr Nevins for providing the BBQ lunch.  It is hoped to arrange similar events in Spring and Autumn next year.

84/08

STUDY GROUPS AND PROJECTS

84.1/08

Traffic Calming

The Clerk advised that Highways Officers were in the Town today and planning to install a temporary build out to determine how effective it might be.  Further details will follow.

Members were advised that in view of the projected cost, circa £20,000, alternative contractors will be investigated.

84.2/08

Multi-Function Sports Court

Draft Questionnaire and covering letter was circulated with the agenda.  Cllr Mrs Pullin requested comments and advised that the questionnaire would be finalised at the next Working Group meeting on 7 November.  She confirmed that the Youth Club members are keen to be involved and to help deliver / collect questionnaires.  These would be circulated to households in Northleach and surrounding villages and the responses analysed by GRCC.

84.3/08

Town Council News

To be progressed.

84.4/08

Town Plan

Members were advised that the Town Plan will be launched at a ‘Mayor’s Evening’ on 21 November.  Chairmen and Secretaries of all Community groups, Councillors and the Town Plan Strategy group would be invited.  The event would include a brief talk by Cllr Hancock on various projects and he would introduce the concept of the Town Plan.  Cllr Blundell advised that he has applied for £2,500 grant from GMTF to fund the initial work of the Plan.

84.5/08

Youth Forum / Council

Cllr Mrs J Pullin advised that she had attended the recent Youth Club Management meeting when the following was discussed:

• The Youth Club has 4 new computers hat security may not be adequate.

• The Club is applying for grant funding and needs to raise money. 

• The Club hopes to have a stall at the Town’s Christmas market.

• Mondays are now project evenings covering topics such as bullying, healthy eating, drugs and sex.

• The Club was visited by Ofsted on Monday and is waiting for the result. 

• The Club need decorating.

• The organisers want to offer Duke of Edinburgh’s awards.

Council Members noted that the Club currently has approx 10 – 15 members. 

84.6/08

Allotments

The Clerk advised that discussions are taking place with Gloucestershire County Council and the Farmington Trust who have possible sites available.  Both will require planning permission for change of use.  It is also understood that the Allotments Committee have been offered another site.

85/08

CORRESPONDENCE

CDC Review of Polling Districts and Polling Stations

It was agreed to support the polling station remaining at Cotswold Hall.

86/08

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Attached

87/08

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS

No one available

88/08

88.1/08

Action:  

88.2/08

88.3/08

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Mr Bartlett’s letter

Cllr Mrs Lawrence asked if Mr Barlett’s letter had been replied to in view of the recent meeting with the Farmington Trust.

Clerk to reply to this letter.

Public Toilets

Cllr Blades advised that Australians visitors had recently commented that the Town’s Public Toilets are the cleanest and best kept in the UK.  Cllr Blades had passed this on to the cleaner and it transpires that awards are pending.

Waste Collection

The changes to CDC’s arrangements were noted.  Some Members expressed concern about the new charging system for green waste and others expressed concern about the classification of ‘green waste’ currently collected.