164/08

Public Question Time (1)

None. 

165/08

Action:

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr Drew Nevins.  The Chairman advised that he had received Cllr Nevins resignation and the Clerk was requested to post the relevant vacancy notices.

166/08

Acceptance and signing of the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 25 March 2008

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

167/08

Declaration of Interests

None.

168/08

To Discuss any Matters Arising from the above Minutes not included on the Agenda

None.

169/08

Finance:

169.1/08

Report from the Chairman

Given at the Annual Town Meeting that preceded this meeting.

169.2/08

Bank Reconciliation and Budget Status up to 31 March 2008

Unavailable as this is the first month of the current financial year.

169.3/08

To Consider Bills for Payment for April 2008

Proposed by Cllr Mrs P Rainey, Seconded by Cllr C Hancock and unanimously RESOLVED to pay.

169.3/08

Action:

To Consider Donation Request from Northleach Running Club

The application was approve in principle and the Clerk instructed to obtain a list of equipment required and to source.

170/08

Police Report

Report from Attending Police Officer

PSCO Mark Williams was unable to attend due to illness.  Members were advised, however, that the organisers of the Market had posted a notice advising that vehicles parked in the Market Place on Tuesday evenings would be clamped.  The Police were informed and the notice has since been removed.  The Chairman advised that he had met with Gloucestershire Highways and the market organisers in an attempt to resolve recent issues.  Members were also advised that there have been an attempted burglary in Crail View.

171/08

County and District Councillor’s Reports

171.1/08

Report from Councillor Mavis Lady Dunrossill (County)

·    Pleased that the Town Council is working well with Gloucestershire Highways.

·    County Council has achieved 4* status. 

·    Audit Commission report is very encouraging. First time in County’s history. 

·    Waste – GCC will have to make decisions to supplement landfill and will probably take the PFI route with government grants and combine with energy re-use.

·    The current planning regulations do not allow enough affordable housing.

·    Gloucestershire is in the top 25% for good school results.

·    The Fire Service has improved safety record but it is sad about the relocation.

171.2/08

Report from Councillor Mark Tufnell (District)

·      Few Parish and Towns have applied for a Resilience grant.

·      £10,000 available

·      Hyder Consultants have a meeting in Northleach tomorrow.

·      Developing joint waste strategy with County Council. 

·      District is responsible for collection and County for disposal of waste.

·      In the 5 weeks that the new re-cycling scheme has been in force, landfill waste has decreased by 9 tonnes.

·      Unfortunately have been unable to fully introduce the new system due to contractor problems.

·      Assurance given that there will be no prosecutions for unclosed bins.  Taking the softly, softly approach.

·      Unable to collect plastic bottles.

Cllr Tufnell answered questions on how the Town Council should make best use of County and District funding to address flooding and Council Tax payments at Post Offices.

172/08.

Planning and Tree Works

172.1/08

Schedule of Current Applications and Decisions

Noted

172.2/08

Report from the Chairman

Cllr Mrs Lawrence drew Members attention to the Committees response to the application from development to the rear of Union Cottage.

173/08

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

173.1/08

Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 14 April 2008

Noted

173.2/08

Report from the Chairman

Cllr Wellman advised that Tree Works on the playing field and in the Cemetery have been completed.  He added that the new fencing round playground is not in good condition and that the contractor would be instructed to repair it.

174/08

Westwoods Committee

174.1/08

Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 21 April 2008

Noted

174.2/08

Report from the Chairman

Cllr Blades advised that :

·         2 more quotations for decorating are to come.

·         Roof repair delayed until the weather is suitable and will be carried out soon.

·         Quotation has been accepted for curtain track.

·         The Centre closed the financial year on budget.

·         A marketing brochure is being developed.

175/08

Study Groups and Projects

175.1/08

Traffic Calming

The Chairman advised that he had attended a meeting with Gloucestershire Highways and that the proposed Build Out for High Street is being re-designed as there were safety concerns about the original.

175.2/08

Multi Use Games Area

The report for the Questionnaire has been received and circulated.  The Chairman commented that he was pleasantly surprised by the response of 197 forms representing 554 residents and thanked everyone who had completed it.  The next Working Group meeting is scheduled for 19 May. 

175.3/08

Town Council News

To be progressed.

175.4/08

Town Plan

A meeting of the Steering Group is scheduled for 30 April to be followed by an open meeting on 14 May.

175.5/08

Youth Forum / Council

Nothing to report.

175.6/08

Action:

Action:

Allotments

§  Update on Provision at Bassett Road

The Clerk advised that the County Council are not prepared to make a strip of land immediately adjacent to the Bassett Road wall available for allotments but has offered sites on the far side of the field.   If it is not possible to provide water to these sites it was agreed to pursue the other option offered by the Farmington Trust.

§  To Consider Taking Responsibility for the Management of the Allotments Adjacent to King George V Playing Field from National Playing Fields Association.

Members were advised that Mrs April Turnbull had willed the allotments to the National Playing Fields Association provided that they remained as allotments for the residents of Northleach.  The NPFA are offering a management lease to the Town Council.   It was RESOLVED to accept the Management Lease offered by the NPFA.

Proposed:  Cllr C Hancock    Seconded:  Cllr Mrs P Rainey

It was noted that these allotment gardens have no water and it was agreed that a Committee should be set up to administer them.

The Clerk was instructed to write to Mrs Turnbull’s Executors to thank them on behalf of the residents of Northleach.

175.7/08

Action:

Town Drainage and Flooding

A member of the public asked that the river be allowed to flood the field behind Dutton Leys and was advised that it is a natural flood plain and is already happening.  There is, however, a problem where bridges installed by residents prevent the flow of the river.

It was noted that the new houses built in Mustoes’ Yard have gates giving access on to the river and the Clerk was instructed to contact the agent to explain that the design of proposed bridges should be approved by the Town Council to ensure they will not impede flow.

175.8/08

Town Resilience Plan

The Clerk advised that an article will appear in the next Parish magazine requesting residents to help develop a Plan.

176/08

Correspondence:

RIAT Briefing – Cllr Blades and the Clerk would attend.

Deutsch School London, visit of History Students on 28 April - Cllr Sanders agreed to meet the group and the Council would meet any entertainment costs.

177/08

Chairman’s Report

Nothing further to report

178/08

Parochial Church Council News

Members were advised that Cllr Cotton has replaced Mr Chappin as a Church Warden.

179/08

Any Other Business

Members brought forward the following issues for attention:

Path by Jubilee Walk – an excessive amount of dog faeces.

Traffic Lights on A429 - Phasing does not allow pedestrians adequate time to cross. 

Fly tipping on spur of old road off A40 and also A429 end of All Alone.

180/08

Public Question Time (2)

None.