182.1/08

Election of Mayor

RESOLVED that Cllr C Hancock to hold the office of Chairman and Mayor until the Annual Meeting 2009

182.2/08

To Receive the Mayor’s Acceptance of Office

The Mayor completed the Acceptance of Office.

183/08

Election of Deputy Mayor

RESOLVED that Cllr Mrs J Lawrence to hold the office of Vice Chairman and Deputy Mayor until the Annual Meeting 2009

184/08.

To Appoint Standing Committees and Groups

184.1/08

Northleach Burial Authority

RESOLVED that all Members of the Council to hold Office for the forthcoming year.

184.2/08

Northleach Kings George V Playing Field Trustees

RESOLVED that all Members of the Council to hold Office for the forthcoming year.

184.3/08

Finance Committee

RESOLVED that the following 6 Members to hold Office for the forthcoming year :

• Patsi Rainey

• John Mustoe

• Nick Blades (Westwoods Committee Chairman)

• Chris Hancock (Chairman of Council)

• Jenny Lawrence (Vice Chairman of Council)

• Chairman of PPMC to be elected at the next Committee Meeting

184.4/08

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

RESOLVED that the following 3 Members to hold Office for the forthcoming year :

·         Alan Wellman

·         Sue Burgess

·         Patrick Sanders

184.5/08

Westwoods Committee

RESOLVED that the following 3 Members to hold Office for the forthcoming year :

• Nick Blades

• Jen Pullin

• Alan Wellman

184.6/08

Planning Committee

RESOLVED that the following 3 Members to hold Office for the forthcoming year :

·         Jenny Lawrence

·         David Cotton

·         Nick Blades

184.7/08

Allotments Committee

RESOLVED that the following 4 Members to hold Office for the forthcoming year :

·         Chris Hancock

·         John Mustoe

·         Alan Wellman

·         Patsi Rainey

184.8/08

Resilience Planning Group

RESOLVED that the following 3 Members to hold Office for the forthcoming year :

·         Patsi Rainey

·         Jen Pullin

·         John Mustoe

·         Jenny Lawrence

184.9/08

MUGA Working Group

RESOLVED to appoint the following 3 Members as representatives :

• Chris Hancock

• Jen Pullin

• Alan Wellman

184.10/08

Community Plan Steering Group

It was noted that the following Members represent the Council on the Community Plan Steering Group:

·         Chris Hancock

·         Jenny Lawrence

184.11/08

Representatives on Other Bodies

It was noted that the following Members represent the Council on other Bodies :

Youth Club - Jen Pullin

Safer Cotswolds - Jen Pullin

Parochial Church Council - Chris Hancock and David Cotton

Northleach Primary School - Chris Hancock and John Mustoe

185/08

To Co-opt to Fill the Vacancy left by the Resignation of Drew Nevins

As there were no potential candidates this item was deferred to the next meeting.

186/08

Public Question Time (1)

Drainage – All Alone

Members were asked when work would be carried out to improve drainage on School Hill.  Cllr Tufnell explained that £8,500 had been allocated by CDC to Northleach drainage work this year and that the Hyder report was awaited before the work could be planned.  He confirmed that national government will not fund road maintenance from flood grants and that EU funding has been withdrawn.

It was acknowledged that the surface of School Hill is dangerous and that resurfacing work is scheduled for 2009.  The condition of Eastington Hill should also be brought to Gloucestershire Highways attention.

Land Adjacent to Westwoods

Several members of the public wanted to know what is happening on the site adjacent to the Centre in view of circulating rumours.  The Chairman advised that nothing has been finalised and that there are currently no plans to install a youth shelter.  He went on to clarify that the site was identified for sports use when the Community Centre was build in 1999 but not progressed at that time due to lack of funds.  The Town has recently been consulted on the possibility of installing a MUGA on the site and this consultation would be progressed with an open evening in July.  An alternative site on KGV Playing Field was also under consideration but presented problems having no services.  Floodlighting for the MUGA would need to be within Sports England recommendations and comply with planning permission.  It is intended to extend parking to accommodate Westwoods users on the old tennis courts with a route taken off the existing car park to give vehicular access.  Cllr Hancock confirmed that no one wanted vandalism anywhere.

187/08

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr Mavis Lady Dunrossill (County), Cllr Mrs J Lawrence (Holiday) and Cllr P Sanders (Holiday).

188/08

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

It was RESOLVED to confirm the Minutes as a true and accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.

189/08

Declaration of Interests

None

190/08

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

None

191/08

Police Report – PCSO Mark Williams

PCSO Williams advised that crime had been reduced by 65% last year but it had increased by 20% this year.  Burglaries were down 7% but the main problem is criminal damage.  13 burglaries in 2007 and 14 in 2008.  No Cold Calling has reduced bogus callers.  Vandalism in Fallows Road is under investigation but residents are not reporting all incidents.  The Police are working with CDC and Youth Service to cut anti social behaviour.  Crime Panel meetings are taking place every 3 months where residents set priorities – Speed checks, Anti Social Behaviour.  Verbal warnings have been given to skate boarders in the Market Place and if it continues ASBW Orders will follow.  The Youth need somewhere to use their skate boards.  The youth Service mobile ramp will be coming to Northleach during school summer holidays.   PCSO Williams advised that the VAS at East End is not working and a member of the public stated that the Police should do more to prevent speeding and that a speed camera should be used with the Police checking speeds.

192/08

District Councillors’ Report – Cllr Mark Tufnell (District)

·      Thanked the public for their patience in waiting for the new Waste collection service which will commence sometime in June. Green waste is being collected weekly although some residents are reluctant to pay £30 and many have been cross about licences not arriving although temporary licences are available.  Please call CDC offices to arrange disposal of unwanted bins once the new scheme is up and running.

·      The merger with Tewksbury Borough Council is not being pursued.  May continue with some joint services with TBS and also Stroud to save costs but no merger of management is planned.

·      Council Tax Payments can be made at the Post Office although a £2.20 charge is made by the PO.

·      Failed to retain many Post Offices in the District but pleased that Northleach remains open.

193/08

Finance:

193.1/08

Report from the Chairman

The Chairman advised that the Committee will meet in the next week to review Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.

193.2/08

Bank Reconciliation and Budget Status up to 30 April 2008

Noted

193.3/08

To Consider Bills for Payment for May 2008

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

193.4/08

Grant Application from Northleach Youth Club

Not available.

193.5/08

Application for Support from Vitalise

It was RESOLVED not to support as it is not a local charity.

193.6/08

Application for Support from North Cotswold Voluntary Help Centre

It was RESOLVED not to support financially but to offer the use of the Westwoods Centre as in past years.

193.7/08

To Consider Application for Support from Sue Ryder Care

It was RESOLVED not to support financially but to offer the use of the Westwoods Centre as in past years.

193.8/08

Audit of Accounts for Year Ending 31 March 2008

The Internal Auditors comments were noted (attached) and the Audit Return signed by the Chairman and Clerk.

194/08

Planning and Tree Works (Schedule Attached)

Noted.

195/08

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

195.1/08

Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 14 April 2008

Noted.

195.2/08

Report from the Chairman

Cllr Wellman advised that current Cemetery fees will be reviewed at next meeting.

196/08

Westwoods Committee

196.1/08

Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 21 April 2008

Noted

196.2/08

Action:

Report from the Chairman

Cllr Blades advised that the tracks for the Hall curtains had been damaged in transit but have been replaced and will be fitted tomorrow.  Curtains will be progressed once the decorating has been completed.

197/08

Study Groups and Projects - Update

197.1/08

Action:

Highways Issues

Build Out It was RESOLVED to pass the proposal to PPMC to look at more closely and respond to Gloucestershire Highways.  It was also RESOLVED to request a temporary build out before finalising.

Market Set Up

Setting up on the evening prior to the Market is not currently regulated and needs to be formalised.   Gloucestershire Highways is looking at the legislation.  Everyone needs to be clear about who is responsible if cars are damaged if left in the Marker Place overnight when the Market is being set up and local B & B’s need to advise visitors accordingly.

197.2/08

MUGA Working Group

The draft Minutes from the Meeting held on Monday, 19 May 2008 were not available.  However, Members were advised of an Open evening to take place on 23 July.

197.3/08

Action:

Allotments

Bassett Road

Members were advised that the County Council has offered a site adjacent to Westwoods Centre and bordering the river.  It is likely that one row of trees will need to be removed.

Mill End

The Clerk advised that Mrs April Turnbull has left the Mill End site to Fields in Trust (previously National Playing Fields Association) in her Will and that FIT wish to pass the responsibility for management to the Town Council.  It was RESOLVED to accept the Allotments site under a Management Agreement.

Arrangements for both sites are to be pursued.

198/08

Correspondence:

198.1/08

CDC Temporary Road Closure for Charter Fair 27-28 June 2008

It was RESOLVED to raise no objections.

198.2/08

The Cotswold School Request for Support for a Sports Hall

It was RESOLVED to support the venue and ask how the Council could assist but is unable to offer financial help. 

198.3/08

GCC – Charter Questionnaire

Response was delegated to the Clerk

199/08

Chairman’s Report

Cllr Hancock advised that he had been pleased to attend the Lions Charter Dinner,

CDC’s Community Event at Stowell Park and 29^th Regiment Annual Dinner.

200/08

Parochial Church Council News

The Music in Country Churches events had raised £200,000 in total and had been attended by HRH The Prince of Wales on the Saturday evening.  Cllr Hancock confirmed that many residents had done a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes and that he wished to arrange a Thank You event to be partially funded from Chairman’s expenses.  He advised that the event raised in the region of £10,000 for Northleach Church although an enormous amount of funding is still needed to carry of repair works. 

Cllr Cotton gave Members the sad news that Mr L Sly had died the previous night and Mr J Norman had also died, both from established Northleach families and prominent business men in the Town.

201/08

201.1/08

201.2/08

Any Other Business

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

Afford Able Housing

Cllr Mrs Rainey enquired if there is likely to be any provision in the near future.  Cllr Hancock advised that the Sly Trust is in its early stages but the Barn may be converted for housing in the future together with providing a Museum.  As yet it is difficult to estimate if it will fulfil the Town’s needs. 

Cllr Blades advised that Bob Houghton is still looking for an alternative site on which his business can develop and is interested in swapping his current site for affordable house.  Cllr Hancock confirmed that the Local Plan has no provision for commercial development in the Town and, therefore, it is important to use the Town Plan to add weight to the argument. 

Jubilee Walk

Members were advised that there is a considerable amount of dog excreta also Jubilee Walk and the Clerk was asked to contact the relevant Officer of CDC.

202/08

Council Meetings

202.1/08

Meeting Schedule for the Forthcoming Year

Noted.

202.2/08

Record of Attendances 2007/8

Noted.

203/08

Public Question Time (2)

None.