MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2007

PRESENT:     Councillors, C Hancock (Chairman and Mayor), K Blundell (Vice Chairman and Deputy Mayor), N Blades, Mrs S Burgess, Mrs J Lawrence, Mrs J Pullin, Mrs Rainey and A Wellman, Mrs Caroline Braidwood (Clerk), Cllr M Tufnell (District), PC Gary Brewer, 1 member of the public and 2 members of the Press.

55/08             APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE

Cllr D Cotton (prior commitment), Cllr Mrs C Nevins (family commitment), Cllr A Nevis (ill health), Cllr Mavis Lady Dunrossill (County), and PCSO Mark Williams.

56/08             MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 31 JULY 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

57/08             DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Cllrs Blundell and Wellman indicated an interest in the Cricket Club grant application.

58/08             TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA

None.

59/08             FINANCE

59.1/08         Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 3 September 2007

Noted.

59.2 and 59.3/08     Report from the Chairman

Cllr Mrs Rainey advised that no reports were available but that funds are currently in a healthy state.

59.4/08         Bills for Payment for August and September 2007

It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the Bills for Payment.

59.5/08         Grant Requests from Local Organisations

Three requests had been received for the Charter Fair funding:

Northleach Junior Football

It was RESOLVED to approve the application for £150 subject to a satisfactory summary of finances and the approval of the Charter Fair Committee.

Northleach Swimming Pool

It was RESOLVED to defer the decision regarding the application for £250 until the next meeting when confirmation of other funding might be available.

Northleach Cricket Club

It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve this application for £540 subject to the approval of the Charter Fair Committee.

59.6/08         Donation Request from Gloucestershire Chest Fund

It was RESOLVED not to approve this application.

60/08             POLICE REPORT

PC Brewer reported that crime remains low despite 2 people having been arrested 2 weeks ago for possessing offensive weapons.

He asked for Town Council representatives to join the Community Panel to meet with representatives of the youth and businesses to highlight any problems to be addressed.

Action:  Clerk to liaise and advise names of representatives.

61/08             DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS

Cllr Tufnell advised:

Museum Clock - Repair is in hand.

Plastics Re-cycling Site – need quote for hard standing.

CPE

• CDC to take over on 5 November.
• Public meetings in Moreton in Marsh and Cirencester.
• Possibly 7 new traffic wardens in addition to CDC’s current parking attendants to enforce regulations.
• Comments included in the Market Towns letter have been taken on board.
• Sign to be installed indicating parking restriction outside Post Office.

Bob Houghton Planning

• Planner referred decision to Cllr Tufnell in view of objections received but application has been passed.
• No highway restriction was included on the decision to the original application, therefore, unable to impose on recent application.
• Town Council is keen to retain businesses in the Town.

Flooding

• 3 properties in Hampnett were flooded and asked if the Town Council could assist with sandbags.
• CDC has received £60,000 from national government which will be spent on community facilities.

62/08             PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Footway on Cirencester Road

Mr G Green asked that pressure be put on Gloucestershire Highways to extend the pathway to Copse View as it serves no useful purpose at the moment.

School Extension

Mr Green advised that many residents are unhappy at the design of the extension.

63/08             PLANNING AND TREE WORKS

63.1/08       The schedule was noted and responses delegated to the Planning Committee.

63.2/08         Tree Warden

The Clerk advised that Mrs Sheila Reeves has resigned as Tree Warden having now moved out of the area

Action:  Letter of thanks should be sent to Mrs Reeves and Ms Kerry Hughes asked if she would be prepared to take on the role.

63.3/08         Trees in the Market Place

Action:  Clerk to contact Gloucestershire Highways to determine ownership and request that the trees are pruned.

64/08             PROPERTY AND PREMISES MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE

64.1/08         Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 13 August 2007

Noted.

64.2/08         Report from the Chairman and verbal report from Committee Meeting held on 17 September 2007

Cllr Wellman advised:

• The fence on the KGV Playground has been replaced.
• Re-painting of Play Equipment on KGV is nearing completion.
• Wall between the Churchyard and Glebe House is not thought to be in imminent danger of collapse and, therefore, there are no plans to re-build at present.
• Two seats made of recycled plastic are being purchased for KGV Playing Field.
• £500 will be spent on additional Christmas lights this year.
• A new Town Handyman has been employed and is currently working on re-painting Town benches.  Members were asked to advise Cllr Wellman or the Clerk if there are any other jobs that need to be done.

65/08             WESTWOODS COMMITTEE

65.1/08         Report from the Chairman

Cllr Blades reported:

• August has been a quite month for bookings but increasing in September and October.
• Maintenance work on blinds in the Fortey Hall has been carried out.
• Wireless broadband will soon be available throughout the Centre.
• Looking to purchase tower scaffolding which is required for safety reasons and could be hired out when not in use.

Cllr Blades also advised that the lining for the Fortey Hall has been offered for sale and it was RESOLVED to purchase and Cllr Blades was delegated power to negotiate the price.

66/08             TOWN DRAINAGE AND RECENT FLOODING

GCC – Highways and Transport Issues – Post Flooding Assessments

GCC – Flooding Protection

Letter from Mr & Mrs P Wilkes and the Clerk’s reply

All noted.

The Chairman advised:

• That a supply of sandbags has been purchased but require filling.  Various sites around the Town are being considered as storage points.
• Gloucestershire Highways are contacting the owners of properties where the kerb has been dropped with a view to raising the level.
• Our MP has put pressure on the County Council to facilitate a meeting of all agencies to form an infrastructure committee led by Paul Galland.
• Work on clearing out the culvert has resumed.

Cllr Wellman asked if a meeting could be arranged with local landowners to see how simple and inexpensive measures could be used to help alleviate future problems.

67/08             STUDY GROUPS AND PROJECTS

67.1/08         Traffic Calming

Cllr Blundell advised that a meeting with Gloucestershire Highways is scheduled for 2 October to primarily discuss the crossing build out.  It was noted that adequate drainage needs to be included to prevent storm water building up behind it and adding to the flooding problems.

67.2/08         MULTI-FUNCTION SPORTS COURT

At the Working Group meeting on 10 September it had been agreed that youth representatives would form a sub-group under the leadership of Claire Dowan, CDC’s Youth Development Officer.  The remainder of the Working Group will develop the Questionnaire to be finalised at a meeting of the whole Group on 7 November.

Cllr Mrs Pullin will arrange to see a similar court that has been installed at Charlton Kings, Cheltenham.

67.3/08         Town Council News

To be progressed.

67.4/08         Town Plan

Launch Event to be held in November.

67.5/08         Youth Forum / Council      

Cllr Mrs Pullin is attending the Youth Club Management meeting next week and will report back to the next Council meeting.

67.6/08         Allotments

Enquiries are being pursued with Gloucestershire County Council and a local landowner.

68/08             CORRESPONDENCE

68.1/08         Letter from Mr E Bartlett dated 15 August 2007

Noted.

68.2/08         CDC – Revised Model Code of Conduct

INSERT CORRECT PHRASE

69/08             CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Countryside Day – Sunday, 30 September 2007

Cllr Hancock encouraged Members and residents to help fill sandbags and clear weed from the river as some measure of self-help.

70/08             PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS

Members were advised that 38 people took part in a sponsored abseil down the Church tower.  It was expected that funds raised would be in excess of £3,000.

A further £5,000 has been received in grant aid from the Historic Churches Fund raising the total to approx. £330,000.

71/08             ANY OTHER BUSINESS

71.1/08         Northleach Post Office

Cllr Mrs Rainey explained how residents are concerned that the Post Office could close completely now that the shop side has closed and if so it would have a huge impact on the Town.  It was generally agreed that Northleach Post Office is unlikely to be one of those under threat of closure.  It was also noted that CDC Conservation Officer’s have ordered that the Old Lock Up, attached to the Post Office building, is repaired as it is in an extremely dangerous condition.

71.2/08         Northleach Charter Market

The Chairman advised that a letter has been received from the Market Committee requesting assistance in purchasing stalls.

Action:  Clerk to supply grant application form and request financial information.

The next meeting of

NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON TOWN COUNCIL

will be held on Tuesday, 23 October 2007 at 7.30 p.m.

at the Westwoods Centre

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.