106/08

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

None

107/08

Acceptance and signing of Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Town Council held on Tuesday, 4 December 2007      

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

Proposed :  Cllr C Hancock and Cllr Mrs P Rainey  

108/08

Declaration of Interests

Cllr K Blundell and Cllr A Wellman declared an interest in Item 110.5/08 to Consider the Grounds Maintenance Contract as members and Vice Presidents of the Cricket Club and Cllr Blundell’s relationship (father) to the Chairman of the Club.

109/08

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

109.1/08

Dog Fouling

It was reported that dog fouling is occurring in different areas of the Town and that dogs have been seen chasing sheep in the hillside field beyond the Water Meadow on 2 separate occasions.

It was agreed to advise Richard Wills, Kate Bishop at CDC and to include in the Parish magazine article and on notice boards. 

109.2/08

Sports & Social Club AGM & Lease

The Lease remains unsigned and the Club’s AGM was cancelled. 

109.3/08

Wednesday Market

The Clerk confirmed that she had discussed the problem of stalls being set up in evening with the organisers who had advised that complaints had been received from residents when setting up in the morning.  Members were advised that that stalls are in fact being set up partially on a Tuesday evening and completed approx. 04.30 am the following morning and that a large lorry is parked blocking the access to the Post Office corner of the Market Place. 

In reply to criticism from one of the Market organisers, the Chairman stated that the Council had facilitated a meeting with the organisers and Gloucestershire Highways at the outset to further the market and suggested that a further meeting with organisers and representatives of the Town Council should be arrange in order to come to mutual agreement.

110/08

Finance:

110.1/08

Report from the Chairman

110.2/08

Consider Bank Reconciliation and Budget Status up to 31 December 2007

Not available

110.3/08

Bills for Payment for January 2008

Proposed:  Cllr C Hancock and Cllr K Blundell and unanimously RESOLVED to pay.

110.4/08

To Consider Donation Request from 1^st Northleach Scout Group

Not available.

110.5/08

Grounds Maintenance Contract 2008 – 2010

It was RESOLVED to consider this Item in closed Confidential session at the end of the meeting.

110.6/08

Budget for 2008 – 2009

In view of the impact that Item 110.5/08 would have on this Item, it was RESOLVED to consider this at the end of the meeting.

110.7/08

Appointment of Auditor for the Year Ending 31 March 2008

It was RESOLVED to delegate this to the Finance Committee.

111/08

Police Report from Sgt Martin Jones and PCSO Mark Williams

111.1/08

Action:

Parking

Cllr Tufnell and the Police confirmed that the single yellow line between the Post Office and the Chemist is not enforceable as there is no sign.  The one fixed penalty notice issued by CDC’s Parking Attendant has now been cancelled.

Clerk to investigate with GCC how the traffic regulation order can be cancelled.

111.2/08

Youth

Members were advised that there is the possibility of a room being made available at the Sports & Social Club for the youth of the Town with games and other activities.  The Youth Club only opens 2 nights per week and they need somewhere to go.  Concerns were expressed about underage drinking and the licensing arrangements at the Club.

111.3/08

Crime

·          58 crimes in all in the previous year.

·          51 have been detected. 

·          Criminal Damage has been reduced by 50%. 

·          Neighbourhood Watch and No Cold Calling Schemes have helped to reduce crime.

Sgt Jones advised that he was in attendance to support PCSO Williams and answer general questions on local policing.  He confirmed that the data reflects the impact that the PCSO is having and Members congratulated PCSO Williams for the excellent work he is doing.

112/08

County and District Councillor’s Reports

112.1/08

Councillor Mavis Lady Dunrossill (County) – not available 

112.2/08

Councillor Mark Tufnell (District)

Joint Agencies Operation

·          Operation targeting Fly tipping involving all agencies. 

·          Stopped about 80 vehicles and found 6 without appropriate licence, 1 over weight, 1 over hours (46 hours), chipper stolen 7 years ago from another County. 

Keen to encourage Spring Clean - litter

Brown signs for Blades now installed.

Post Office Closures

·          Demonstration taken place outside Stratton PO. 

·          National Government doesn’t seem to listening to people.

·          GRCC organising pressure group.

·          Must reply to consultation by 5 February.

·          Many residents of Chedworth use Northleach PO. 

·          Many smaller sub PO’s have already gone. 

Waste

10lt containers will be provided for kitchen waste that will be collected weekly.

50 green sacks will be available where Green wheelie bins are not suitable

Rubbish left lying in Macarthur Road after weekly collection – suggest contacting CDC who will instruct contractor.

113/08

Public Question Time

113.1/08

Action:

Traffic Lights at Cross Roads with A429

Change too quickly to turn right and could be dangerous.

Clerk to advise Gloucestershire Highways.

113.2/08

Action:

Street Lighting

Farmington Rise light still not working.

Clerk to advise County Council

113.3/08

Wednesday Market

Brian Hosgood, from Carterton and Market Trader, encouraged the Council to help save the Market and the Post Office in an amalgamated campaign.  He and Caroline Hall, a resident of Northleach and another Market Trader, advised that competition from supermarkets is impacting on street markets and that both Cirencester and Moreton in Marsh markets are also suffering from reduced trade.

113.4/08

MP’s Surgery

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown’s is holding a Surgery at The Westwoods Centre on Saturday.

113.5/08

Post Office Closures

If Northleach Post Officer is to close it would affect other business in the Town.

114/08

Planning and Tree Works (schedule attached) – Noted.

Plus any other urgent items received since publication of the agenda

115/08

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

115.1/08

Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 14 January 2008

Not available.

115.2/08

Action:

Report from the Chairman

·          Quotations are being sought to carry out tree works on KGV Playing Field.

·          An increasing number of bridges are being installed across the river on to the Water Meadows that are in danger of causing obstruction.

It was agreed to write to all properties bordering the river advising the responsibilities of Riparian ownership.

·          Cemetery charges are under review.

116/08

Westwoods Committee

116.1/08

Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on 14 January 2008

Not available

116.2/08

Report from the Chairman

·          The Budget for 2008/9 has been agreed with the suggestion or £500 for marketing.  Hire Fees have been received and this will be repeated every 12 months.

·          Cllr Mrs Pullin has measured for curtains and is waiting for the colour scheme.  Current finances are on budget and bookings are doing well.

·          Proposed route to hard standing for overflow parking has been pegged out with 2 passing places and quotations are now awaited to include replacement lighting on the path with a single high level lamp.

117/08

Study Groups and Projects - To Receive Updates

117.1/08

Traffic Calming

Gloucestershire Highways are reviewing the design and a proposal will be submitted for Members consideration shortly.

117.2/08

Multi-Function Sports Court

There is a meeting tomorrow to progress youth issues.

117.3/08

Town Council News

Nothing to report

117.4/08

Town Plan

Cllr Blundell reported that invitees to the Mayor’s evening have been emailed to encourage them to respond and that he has a meeting with the PCC on Monday.  Public consultation will follow.

117.5/08

Youth Forum / Council

Cllr Mrs Pullin advised that recent meetings of the Youth Club Management Committee have been cancelled.

117.6/08

Action:

Allotments

Clerk to chase Thames Water for response to request for water supply.

117.7/08

Town Drainage and Recent Flooding

·          Despite heavy rain last week the drainage system is working well although Ward Road is still experiencing problems.  Residents have lowered a storm drain to make it more effective and have made use of sandbags. CDC and local landowners co-operation is needed to address Ward Road problems

·          The Chairman is meeting with Gloucestershire Highways on Thursday to discuss the remaining flooding issues and the bridge from Eastington Road.

·          Funding of £10,000 could be available for Northleach. 

·          Other areas that require attention are behind the Old Prison (culvert put in 1950’s) and School Hill.

·          Other problems that remain:- Camber of road in High Street

·          Drainage on the School site appears to be working.

117.8/08

Update on the Vacancy for Councillor

Vacancy Notice has been posted and if no requests for an election are received, Members will be able to co-opt at the next meeting.

117.9/08

Scheme for Recognition of the Work of Retired Councillors

There was no support for such a scheme.

118/08

Correspondence:

CDC – Dog Control Orders Consultation

Response was delegated to the Clerk

119/08.

119.1/08

119.2/08

Chairman’s Report

Post Office Closures

Those Post Offices designated for closure will be announced on 5 February. 

The following resolution has been passed by Chedworth Parish Council:

Chedworth Parish Council has asked me to convey its whole-hearted support for the continuation of your Post Office, whose facilities are highly valued by member of this Parish.”
It was unanimously agreed to collect other such resolutions from neighbouring Parishes. 

Bus Shelter

The Chairman confirmed that the bus companies are being invited to a meeting to determine the reason why their vehicles are unable to use the correct side of the Shelter.  The County Council will be asked to move their sign and timetable to the correct side.

120/08.

Parochial Church Council News

Nothing to report

The meeting was then closed to the public to allow Members to consider the Confidential Item

121/08

CONFIDENTIAL ITEM

The Chairman briefly left the meeting to look for Cllrs Blundell and Wellman to invite them to return to the meeting but was unable to find them. The meeting was then re-opened to the public and resumed.

122/08

Budget for 2008 – 2009

It was RESOLVED to approve the Budget proposals as attached and increase the Precept by 5% to £47,865

Proposed:  Cllr Mrs P Rainey                Seconded:  Cllr C Hancock

123/08.

Any Other Business

Any other matters that any Councillor wishes to bring to the attention of the Council or agenda items for future meetings

Nothing to report

124/08

Date and time of Next Meeting

Tuesday, 26 February 2008 at 7.30 pm at The Westwoods Centre