MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD

ON TUESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2009

PRESENT:          Cllr C Hancock (Chairman and Mayor), Cllr N Blades, Cllr D Cotton, Cllr M Gaut, Cllr Mrs J Pullin, Cllr P Sanders, Cllr A Wellman, Sgt M Jones, PCSO B Stagg, 1 member of the public, Cllr Mavis Lady Dunrossill (County), Cllr Mark Tufnell (District) and also Mrs R Duarte-Nicholls (Admin) and Mrs C Braidwood (Clerk)
 

19/09.

Public Question Time (1) - Standing Order 22 refers

None.

20/09.

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr Mrs J Lawrence (Personal) and Cllr Mrs J Moss (Personal)

21/09.

Acceptance and signing of Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 20 January 2009

Cllr Mrs J Moss was added to the names of those present. 

Acceptance Proposed:  Cllr Hancock      Seconded:  Cllr Gaut       

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

22/09

Declaration of Interests

None.

23/09

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

 None.

24/09

District Councillors’ Report

Councillor Mark Tufnell (District)

·       The District Council met today to confirm 2.9% increase in Council tax for the coming year.

·       Letters for renewal of garden waste have gone out requesting payment by 9 March to enable Licences to be sent out for the beginning of April.

·       Cllr Wellman said that refuse collectors did very well in the snow despite complaints and unfair criticism.

·       Bob Austin, past CEO was remembered at today’s District Council and Members of this Council expressed their condolences. 

Councillor Mavis Lady Dunrossill (County)

·       County Council has fixed Council tax at 2.9% 

·       Reduced budgets for elderly and learning disabilities.

·       Cotswold School has been awarded the best value added School in the entire county. 

·       The County Council has gained 4 star status for the first time and received awards for equalities work – only one in SW.

·       Tight spending on capital and can no longer borrow from government at good rates.

·       Waste and the possibility of landfill fines if targets are not hit are a major problem.

·       Cotswold does more than any other District to recycle.

·       Lots of complaints were received during the snow and ice but Highways did well.  Suppliers were unable to fulfil regular orders for salt.

25/09

To Co-Opt to Fill the Vacancies for Councillor

Neil Fletcher was Proposed by Cllr M Gaut and Seconded by Cllr P Sanders and it was unanimously RESOLVED to co-opt Neil Fletcher as a Member of the Council.

26/09

Police Report

Action:

Action:

Action:

Sgt Martin Jones and PCSO Brian Stagg

·       Crime figures over last 3 months are down by 33 % - no violence and only 1 burglary.

·       Overall figures for the year have dropped with only criminal damage a problem area.

·       During the cold weather have been inundated with calls about young people throwing snowballs and hitting cars and windows.  This has resulted in an increase in antisocial behaviour incidents.

·       An Increase in crime is anticipated during the worsening economic climate

·       Think 30 think 3^rd Campaign in the Spring. 

·       Cllr Hancock enquired about the ‘20 is plenty’ campaign and was advised that although this in unenforceable the Council can obtain signs from GCC Road Safety.

·       Rural watch notices – ‘No Cold Callers’ have been funded by the Crime & Disorder partnership following an increase in the theft of metals from farms.

·       Concern about the lack of management at the Sports & Social Club.  Problems had arisen in Moreton & Bourton in similar situations and recommended that the sooner there is control, the better. 

·       VAS for West End –– Northleach doesn’t meet the criteria for a fully funded device but Bourton Parish Council may be willing to share cost and use.

·       Parked cars along Jubilee Row can be dangerous particular after dark.

27/09

Multi Use Games Area

Members considered the Working Group’s Report together with residents’ comments.  It was RESOLVED to adopt the Working Group’s recommendations to proceed with the provision of a facility on the Westwoods site and to initially take third sector match advice on the suitability of the site and how to develop the project. 

It was also RESOLVED to develop a Project Group to take this forward.  The Group will include – Cllrs P Sanders, A Wellman and C Hancock with other skills being brought in as required.  The Project Group will report and be responsible directly to the Council.

28/09

Finance

28.1/09

Budget Status up to 31 January 2009

Noted.

28.2/09

Bills for Payment for February 2009 (Attached)

Proposed:  Cllr A Wellman and Seconded:  Cllr D Cotton and unanimously RESOLVED to pay

29/09

Planning and Tree Works

29.1/09

Schedule of New Planning Applications, Applications Responded to and Decision Notices Received

Noted

Cllr Tufnell drew Members attention to the application for Church cottage which did not require permission as it is not in a conservation area and Providence Cottage where a TPO has been placed on a Sycamore tree and new details are to be submitted.

Members enquired why no application has been seen for Church Farm House and were informed that permission is not required for the work being carried out.

30/09

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

30.1/09

Draft Minutes of the PPM Committee Meeting held on 23 February 2009

Noted.

30.1/09

Action:

Report from the Chairman of the P&PM Committee

Cllr Wellman advised Members that:

·          2 grit bins have been purchased for Westwoods Centre car park and Bassett Road.

·          Yew trees in the Memorial Garden are being replaced with hornbeam and holly.

·          Additional Grit, litter and dog bins and being purchased.

It was unanimously RESOLVED to delegate responsibility to Cllr Wellman to appoint a Town Handyman.

31/09

Westwoods Committee

31.1/09

Report from the Chairman of the Westwoods Committee

Cllr Blades advised that a Meeting will be held on 16 March.

32/09

To Receive and Note Updates from Other Working Groups and Projects

32.1/09

Clerk’s Report on Current Projects

Nothing further to report.

33/09

Action:

Revised Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

It was RESOLVED to defer this to next meeting.

34/09

Correspondence

34.1/09

Letter from CDC Cllr Mark Tufnell Regarding Christmas and New Year Waste Collections

Noted

35/09

Chairman’s Report

Cllr Hancock reported that the County Council has funding for play areas for 8 – 13 year olds and that the Council was invited to put in bid at short notice.  We were successfully through stage 1 but didn’t get through Stage 2 this year although our bid is a highly placed possibility for next year.  Development of the area behind tennis courts would seem to be most appropriate and groundwork engineers and landscape architects would be consulted.

36/09

Representatives on Other Bodies

36.1/09

Youth Club

Cllr Mrs J Pullin advised Members that:

·     Good meeting had taken place last night with Youth Leaders and Youth Community Groups.

·     If the Youth Club remains closed the Youth still want somewhere to go but to open the Club for 6 hrs per week is prohibitive.

·     The Trustees need to look at the documentation relating to the set up of the Club building but are considering selling it.  They are also looking at alternative uses for the building.

·     The Youth Service is hoping that the Town Council will provide funding.

·     If the building is sold the funds could be used to provide other youth facilities. 

·     Youth workers are still very pleased about the work on the streets.   

·     The Group will continue to meet to ensure everyone is fully informed and Marilyn Cox (GRCC) is providing advice.  Police also involved.

·     Next meeting will be held on 23 March 2009

36.2/09

Parochial Church Council

Nothing to report.

36.3/09

Safer Cotswold and Community Crime Panel

The next meeting with the Safer Communities Team will take place on 19 March 2009.

36.4/09

Northleach Primary School

Cllr Hancock explained that a 7^th classroom is desperately needed but unlikely to be possible in foreseeable future.  Pupil numbers have now risen to 175 and there is considerable demand from outside of the Town boundary.  The County Council is not encouraging any further increase so as not to put smaller schools in the surrounding area at risk but there is concern that the School may not be able to accommodate newcomers to the Town.

36.5/09

Neighbourhood Watch

Nothing to report.

37/09

Action:

Action:

Any Other Business

·     Dog bins are overflowing on Walton Estate and there is a considerable amount of dog mess in the Webb’s Court area.  Cllr Tufnell confirmed that CDC has powers to deal with offenders and help to raise awareness.

·     The railing on bridge to Playing Fields, near to the Tennis Courts, is very loose and needs attention.

·     Complaints have been received regarding the condition of the Ladies Toilets in the Market Place.  However, other Members have been congratulated on their condition and the facility has won awards.  Cllr Tufnell agreed to investigate why the lights have been left on overnight.

·     Concern was expressed that the large gap in the new wall into the field near the traffic lights could attract travellers but Members were reassured that the Farmington Trust will be taking steps to close it.

38/09

Public Question Time (2) - Standing Order 22 refers       None.