125/08

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr A Nevins (Family Commitment) and Cllr M Tufnell (District)

126/08

Acceptance and signing of the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 22 January 2008

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

127/08

Declaration of Interests

Cllr Hancock declared an interest in the Confidential Item relating to the King George V Playing Field.

128/08

Action:

Action:

Action:

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

Single Yellow Parking Line in the Market Place

This needs to be taken up with the Council’s Stakeholder Contact, Jenny Watkins.

Traffic Lights at Cross Roads with A429

The Clerk confirmed that Gloucestershire Highways has been advised that the timing needs to be changed.

Street Lighting

The Clerk confirmed that GCC has been alerted and Members advised that it has now been repaired.

Riparian Ownership

The Clerk confirmed that she has not yet written to the owners of properties bordering the river.

Allotments

Thames Water has advised that the nearest water point is opposite no 8 Bassett Road and the Clerk confirmed that she is checking the proposed available site with the County Council.

129/08

Finance:

129.1/08

Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 19 February 2008

Not available

129.2/08

Report from the Chairman

The Chairman advised that the External Auditors report has been received and that it criticises the Council for not maintaining separate Trustee Accounts.  This will be rectified once the Clerk has attended a relevant course.  The Chairman also advised that Iain Selkirk has been appointed the Council’s Auditor for the year 2007/8.

129.3/08

Bank Reconciliation and Budget Status up to 31 January 2008

Noted.  Cllr Mrs Rainey confirmed that the Council is on budget.

129.4/08

Bills for Payment for February 2008

It was RESOLVED to approve the Bills for Payment.

Proposed:  Cllr Mrs P Rainey                    Seconded:  Cllr Mrs J Pullin

129.5/08

Donation Request from 1^st Northleach Scout Group

At the request of Mr Tom Stevens this item was deferred to next meeting.

129.6/08

Donation Request from Northleach Junior Football

The requested copy of accounts was circulated.  Approval had been give at a previous meeting and the Club was asked to advise if they required cash or if the Council could purchase the equipment for them.

129.7/08

Support for Northleach School Association for Bag Scheme

Mrs Jill Shatz advised Members that Northleach Primary School is endeavouring to achieve Echo status and in support the School Association were considering buying a supply of Jute Bags to sell to residents and visitors.  Mrs Shatz asked for financial in setting up the scheme and underwriting the venture until all the bags could be sold.  It was RESOLVED to delegate the investigation and decision to the Finance Committee.

129.8/08

Consider Support for Re-Printing the Town Leaflet

The Clerk advised that Fosse Lions are co-ordinating a reprint of the Town leaflet.  It is hoped that it will be self-financing but some funding may be required.  It was confirmed that £200 remains in the current year’s budget.  The decision was delegated to finance committee.

129.9/08

Action:

Contribution to a Memorial for Rose Miles

Mr G Green spoke about Rose Miles as valuable benefactor to the town for over 45 years.  4 organisations have agreed to give towards a memorial and he asked for the Council to consider making a contribution and suggested that a suitable memorial might be a seat located near to the Church.

It was RESOLVED to contribute £100 and for the Clerk to co-ordinate the project.

Proposed:   Cllr C Hancock                 Seconded:  Cllr A Wellman

129.10/08

Audit of Accounts for the Year Ending 31 March 2007

Members were advised that the Audit has been completed and noted the Auditor’s Opinion.

130/08

Police Report

Action:

No Police Officer was available to attend and Cllr Mrs J Pullin gave the report.

3 burglaries have recently taken place in the Town:  Corinium Museum store (safe), Sherborne Arms and the Red Lion (money).   It is believed that the culprits are not local people and residents must be aware of the dangers of open windows and doors.  It was agreed to include in the Parish magazine.

131/08

County and District Councillor’s Reports

Cllr Mark Tufnell (District) was unavailable.

Councillor Mavis Lady Dunrossill (County) reported on the following:

Council tax

Following consultation the decision had been made to add 1.1% for highways recovery.  A further £10m would come from national government although the estimated cost of repair is in the region of £25-30m.

Flooding

Towns and Parishes Councils are being encouraged to submit bids for remedial work and a list of work required should be sent to Cllr Mrs Julie Girling as soon as possible.

Cllr Hancock explained that the Town Council is liaising with agencies to ensure work is carried out in Northleach but other work requires technical knowledge to design schemes and funding may be withdrawn before this can be achieved.

Budget

Now have 3 year budget.  Schools Forum is cracking down on School bank balances.  Funding for the elderly very tough and more costly in rural areas where there is well over national average of 80 year olds.  Transport fuel is also increasing.

GCC is now a 4* Council.

132/08

Action:

Public Question Time

Mr G Green advised Members that the speed of traffic in West End exceeds the limit and reminded that Gloucestershire Highways had promised a VAS for West End as well as East End. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Gloucestershire Highways.

133/08

Planning and Tree Works (schedule attached)

As per attached schedule.

134/08

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

134.1/08

Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 18 February 2008

Noted

134.2/08

Action:

Action:

Report from the Chairman

Reduction In Nightime Lighting. 

It was unanimously agreed to support the County Council proposal and request that half of the light in the Market Place are also switched off.

Dilapidated Listed Tombs

CDC’s Conservation Officer has confirmed that a faculty is not needed and, therefore, quotations for the work are being sought.

Light on Doctors Lane.

The light at the bottom of the lane is a great improvement.

Market Place Bus Shelter

At a recent meeting with Swanbook it had been confirmed that buses are able to access the Market Place provided that parked cars are not blocking the road.  It was agreed that the bus sign and timetable need to be moved to the correct side of the shelter and possibly install wooden bollards to prevent cars parking by the side of the toilets.  Pulhams have also agreed in principle.

Clerk to contact Derek Lucas, GCC Integrated Services Manager. 

Additional Bus Shelters

It was agreed to ask PPMC to consider additional sites for Bus Shelters.

Rats

Rats have been sighted in Crail View(backing onto river) and around S & S and School where the Pest Control Officer has put down bait and checking for signs but can find no evidence.  It was agreed that the rats have probably been forced away from the river by high water levels.  It is a national problem and likely to be due to rain and warmer weather.

135/08

Westwoods Committee

135.1/08

Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 18 February 2008

Noted

135.2/08

Action:

Report from the Chairman

A quotation has been received for work on the overflow car park and access and a further 2 are being sought.

Cllr Mrs Pullin will soon be starting work on the curtains for the Fortey Hall.

A scaffolding tower is being purchased.

The Centre is on line to meet the budget for this year.

Cllr Blades was informed that there have been complains regarding the increase in charges.  Users had received no warning and, therefore, had not budgeted.  Cllr Blades felt that the hire fees compared well to similar facilities in the area.  There has been a large increase this year as charges have not increase for 2 years and there would be a smaller increase in subsequent years.  Community based groups already have substantial discounts.

Members expressed concern that no teenage parties are allowed at the Centre and the Committee was asked to formulate a hiring policy for young peoples’ events incorporating a means of control.  This could involve hiring a security company with the parents bearing the cost.  To be included on the agenda for the next Committee meeting and non-Westwoods members to advise possible solutions.

136/08

Study Groups and Projects - To Receive Updates

136.1/08

Traffic Calming

The Clerk confirmed that the design of the proposed build out is still awaited from GCC.

136.2/08

Multi-Function Sports Court

The Clerk Advised that the Questionnaire will be available for delivery in the next few days.

136.3/08

Town Council News

Nothing to report.

136.4/08

Town Plan

A meeting of the Strategy Group is being arranged.

136.5/08

Youth Forum / Council

Nothing to report.

136.6/08

Allotments

Confirmation of the position of the proposed site is awaited from GCC.  Thames Water has confirmed that the nearest mains water point is in Bassett Road.

136.7/08

Town Drainage and Recent Flooding

Cllr Hancock advised that permission is awaited from Farmington Trust before arrangements could be made for a second Community Day when the river would be cleared up to Wellings possibly in the Spring.  He also suggested that Litter picking could be arranged for May.

137/08

Correspondence:

Stow on the Wold Town Council – Residential Parking

It was agreed that the Westwoods Centre would be offered for the first meeting and that Cllr Wellman will attend.

138/08

Chairman’s Report

Sports & Social Club

The Chairman advised that he believes that the Sports & Social Club Lease has been signed and AGM is being re-arranged.

139/08

Parochial Church Council News

Cllr Cotton advised that there is a problem with the Churchyard Lights and that the PCC is waiting for electrician to isolate the problem so the remainder of the lights can be switched back on.

140/08

Any Other Business

The Clerk advised Members that a student had offer to clear litter on an informal basis on the Playing Field as part of his community service.  It was agreed that litter pickers should be supplied.