MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD

ON TUESDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2008

PRESENT:     Cllr C Hancock (Chairman and Mayor), Cllr Mrs S Burgess, Cllr D Cotton, Cllr J Mustoe,

Cllr R Sanders, Cllr A Wellman, Mark Williams, Cllr Mark Tufnell (District) and also Mrs Caroline Braidwood (Clerk),

1 members of the public and 1 member of the Press.
 

259/08

Public Question Time (1)

None

260/08

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr Mrs S Burgess (Illness), Cllr Mavis Lady Dunrossil (County)

The Chairman read a letter from Cllr J Mustoe advising his resignation from the Council.

261/08

Acceptance and signing of Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 15 July 2008  

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

262/08

Declaration of Interests

None

263/08

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

264/08

To Co-Opt to Fill the Vacancy for Councillor

It was unanimously RESOLVED to co-opt Michael Gaut to fill the vacancy.  

265/08

Police Report

PCSO Williams advised that there have been incidents of antisocial behaviour in Fallows Road where cars have been damaged.  There have also been incidents at the Westwoods Centre where young people have been using the facilities and causing damage.  Police patrols have been stepped up and notices posted at the Centre prohibiting under 18’s who are unaccompanied by an appropriate adult.  PCSO Williams recommended that a key pad is installed on inner door and that consideration is given to CCTV especially if MUGA is constructed on the site.  The alternative is to lock the building when not in use.  3 youngsters were caught this evening hanging around the building and the PCSO would be contacting the parents.

There is a heavy Police presence in the area and on major links into Stow while Stow Fair is being held.

PCSO Williams advised that this was his last report to the Council as he is beginning Police training at the beginning of November.  His replacement will be Brian Stagg. He also advised that it is necessary for him to resign as a Councillor due to possible conflict of interest and he thanked everyone for their help. 

The Chairman thanked PCSO Williams for the invaluable contribution he has made to the community during his tour of duty in Northleach and wished him well in his new career.  PCSO Williams then left the meeting.

266/08

District Councillors’ Report

Councillor Mavis Lady Dunrossill (County) was unavailable.

Councillor Mark Tufnell (District)

Disposal of waste

County takes residual waste to Hempstead and garden waste to Newent.  Other recycling goes to Freeths in Swindon.

The volume of waste now recycled has risen from 40% to just over 70%.

Cotswolds continue to be top in Gloucestershire and possibly in the country.

Landfill waste has more than halved and the District Council will continue to work with Sita to reduce the cost of collection and to increase efficiency.

CEO

Has been replaced and is shared with West Oxfordshire.  It is hoped to increase joint working as there are many similarities despite being in difference Counties. 

Already working with Stroud on car parking and others on elections but does not support unitary. 

The CEO arrangement will be reviewed formally after 6 months.  10 other authorities have found joint working very successful

Planning

There have been some changes from central government withdrawing the necessity for approval for many home extensions.

Cllr Tufnell referred to Anne Brinkhoff’s recent reply to Chipping Campden Town Council (attached).  Members felt that there was little feedback from Planners and that Parish and Town Councillors needed to understand the rationale behind many Decisions.  Cllr Tufnell assured Members that the Town Council’s comments were taken on board.

MUGA

Cllr Tufnell advised that he had received a complaint regarding the possible MUGA and was pleased to see that the Town Council is seeking to address residents’ concerns.

Deer Management Group meeting would prevent him attending the next Council meeting.

267/08

Finance

267.1/08

Budget Status up to 30 September 2008

This was unavailable but would be discussed at the forthcoming Finance Committee Meeting.  The Chairman request budget estimates from Committees.

267.2/08

Bills for Payment for September and October 2008 (Attached)

Proposed:  Cllr C Hancock            Seconded:  Cllr A Wellman

It was unanimously RESOLVED to pay.

267.3/08

Grant Application from Northleach Town Football Club (New Team)

Not available

267.4/08

Contribution to Memorial Fund for Rose Miles

Members were advised that £450 has been donated from various sources.  At a meeting of the benefactors in early October it was agreed to source a bench for the Churchyard and Mr G Green offered to source a plaque.

It was RESOLVED to contribute £50 from Council funds and to pay for fitting.

267.5/08

Appoint a Member to the Finance Committee

It was RESOLVED to appoint Cllr M Gaut to the Committee.

268/08

Planning and Tree Works

268.1/08

New Planning Applications, Applications Responded to and Decision Notices Received

The Schedule (attached) was noted.

08/01301/FUL Retention of poly tunnel (in revised location on site) The Old Allotment Off The Old A40, Northleach

Members noted that the poly tunnel can be seen from Eastington Road and that the conditions placed to reduce its visibility must be enforced.

08/02503/FUL The Old Bakery, The Green, Northleach - Change of use from office to A1 undertakers 

Members were advised that the Decision Notice to Permit does not include advertising.

268.2/08

Cotswold District Council’s Response to Chipping Campden Town Council’s Letter Regarding Planning

Noted.

269/08

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

269.1/08

Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 13 October 2008

Noted.

269.2/08

Report from the Chairman

Cllr Wellman advised that the contractor has been requested to make good the play area fence.  He also advised that the Committee is not entirely happy with the standard of grass cutting and that the contactor is being contacted.

270/08

Westwoods Committee

270.1/08

Report from the Chairman

The Chairman advised:

·          There had been some unfortunate incidents of minor vandalism and it would be necessary to review security arrangements.  It is suspected that the same people are responsible for each incident.

·          The curtain material has arrived and it is hoped that the completed curtains will be hung next weekend.

·          Discussions have taken place with larger clients who have now agreed dates for next year.

·          The Fortey Hall has been repainted.  The contractor has done an excellent job including up into the apex of the roof and would be considered for decorating the remainder of the building. 

·          Quotations to repair the damage to Hall floor are being sought. 

271.1/08

Updates from Working Groups and Projects

271.2/08

Action:

Proposed Access for Northleach Primary School.

The District Valuer’s Report had been received regarding the strip of land between the Sports & Social Club and the School.  The report suggested that an easement could be allowed which would satisfy Fields in Trust and the Charities Act.  If no easement is allowed then access cannot be granted to the School without the risk of a right of way eventually being created.  The alternative is to close the access with a locked gate and allow access only occasionally.  It was agreed that the area would need to be fenced off from the Club and surfaced and that some agreement with the School should be pursued.

271.2/08

Action:

MUGA –Draft Report and Recommendations from the Working Group

The Draft report was noted and Members were requested to feed back comments to the Working Group in time for the Group’s next meeting on 10 November 2008.

271.2/08

Update from the Town Plan Group

The Questionnaires were in the process of being prepared for posting.  These were being numbered in order to keep track of the number of forms sent out.  There were 2 forms – one for adults and another for children together with 2 separate Prize Drawer tickets.

271.4/08

Action:

Action:

Highways – Update including Response to request for VAS at West End

Following discussion at the last meeting Gloucestershire Highways had confirmed that the request had been rejected as so many requests had resulted in a new policy being developed.  It was agreed that 30mph is probably too fast in any case for West End and that a shared VAS with other local Parishes should be investigated.

Cllr Wellman advised that a grant of £2,000 has now been secured from Gloucestershire County Council towards bush shelters and that a quotation from a local contactor would be considered at the next PPMC meeting.

271.4/08

Clerk’s Update Report on Other Current Projects.

Noted.

272/08

Correspondence

272.1/08

Communities & Local Government – Consultation on the Making and Enforcement of Bylaws

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/bylaws

Noted

272.2/08

GAPTC – Local Government and Public Involvement Health Act

Noted

273/08

Action:

Action:

Chairman’s Report

War Memorial

The Chairman advised that donations amounting to £800 have been received by the British Legion and that following the repair of the Memorial it is intended to use any remaining funds to repair the wall around the raised beds in the Market Place.

Community Day

Approx. 20 residents had turned out plus Scouts and Venture Scouts to help remove dams and debris from river and litter pick through the Town and on Playing Field.  The overgrowth around the Sports & Social Club had been cleared so that the Fire Escape is now accessible.  It was agreed to include a message of thanks to those who had helped in the Parish magazine and to arrange another Community Day in the Spring.

Northleach Oil Group

Cllr Hancock advised that following an article in the Standard he had been contacted by CNN today.

274/08

Representatives on Other Bodies

274.1/08

Youth Club

Cllr Mrs Pullin advised that she had missed the last Council meeting as she had attended a Youth Club Meeting.  She said that residents are very concerned that the Club is boarded up but reassured Members that there are plans to re-open it with more Police involvement and Behaviour contracts to be signed by youths and their parents.  The Management team now includes Police, Trustees and CDC’s Anti Social Behaviour Coordinator.  In the meantime, 2 of the Youth Workers are working ‘On the Streets’ on Thursday evenings.

274.2/08

Action:

Parochial Church Council and Church Restoration Fund 

Cllr D Cotton and Cllr C Hancock advised that the Churchyard lights are still not working properly.  It was RESOLVED to instruct an electrical to investigate and report on the problem.

274.3/08

Safer Cotswold and Community Crime Panel

Cllr Mrs Pullin advised that the Youth Club closure had been brought up at the last Safer Cotswolds meeting and it transpired that the Police had not been advised of the closure. 

274.4/08

Northleach Primary School

Nothing to report.

274.5/08

Neighbourhood Watch

Nothing to report.

275/08

Action:

Action:

Action:

Action:

Action:

Action:

Any Other Business

·    Cllr Blades advised that there is a considerable amount of dog faeces around the Town and the Clerk was requested to contact CDC’s Dog Warden.

·    Cllr Cotton advised that the Road markings at Mill End have not been replaced and that a car parked on pavement opposite the Mill is causing a hazard.

·    The Clerk was asked to contact Gloucestershire Highways to request double yellow lines between Londis and Fruitcakes to prevent parking and for the lines to be re-painted near to the end of Doctors Lane.

·    Christmas Tree it was agreed to make enquiries to buy one.

·    Primary School Deliveries - The Clerk was requested to ask that deliveries are not made at time when children are arriving and leaving school.

Allotments

The Clerk advised that there was nothing further to report regarding the Mill End Allotments.  With regard to the proposed Bassett Road Allotments site, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust had advised that it was most likely that an 8m buffer zone between the river and the allotments would be required.  If this was the case there would be no room for the allotments.  The Clerk was asked to have this information confirmed and Members would make enquiries about other possible sites.

276/08

Public Question Time (2)

None.