MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD

ON TUESDAY, 20 JANUARY 2009

PRESENT:     Cllr C Hancock (Chairman and Mayor), Cllr Mrs J Lawrence (Vice Chairman and Deputy Mayor), Cllr N Blades, Cllr D Cotton, Cllr M Gaut, Cllr Mrs J Pullin, Cllr P Sanders, Cllr A Wellman and also Mrs Caroline Braidwood (Clerk), 3 members of the public, Cllr Mark Tufnell (District) and Mrs Marilyn Cox (GRCC)
 

1/09

Public Question Time (1) - Standing Order 22 refers

District Councillors Report – Cllr Mark Tufnell

·     CDC will be meeting next Tuesday and Council tax is likely to be set at 2.9% for 2009/10.  Car parking charges are also likely to be increased by 10p for the hourly rate and 20p for the 2 hourly rate.  Half hourly charges will remain the same.

·     National Government support is decreasing.  2009/10 support will be increased by only 0.9%.   GCC support will increase to £400,000 next year from £200,000 in the current year.

·     External consultants are currently investigating the merits of weekly collections of green/kitchen waste during the winter. 

·     Travellers at Fosse Hollow on A429 are on County Council land and unlikely to be moved unless there is somewhere to move them to.

2/09

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr Mavis Lady Dunrossill (County).

The Chairman advised Members of Mrs Sue Burgess’ resignation from the Council and Members expressed their regret.

3/09

Acceptance and signing of Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 2 December 2008

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

4/09

Declaration of Interests

None

5/09

Matters Arising from the above Minutes not included on the Agenda

Parking at Mill End – It was agreed to alert PCSO Brian Stagg.

Road Markings at Mill End – waiting for Gloucestershire Highways to carry out.

Table top tombs – Cllr Hancock and Cllr Sanders advised that they are developing this project to enable a grant application to be made and reported that the Primary School Head is very keen for Year 5 pupils to be involved.

Public Consultation of MUGA report – 3 letters have been received.

6/09

To Co-Opt to Fill the Vacancies for Councillor

With 2 current vacancies Members were asked to identify potential candidates.

7/09

Police Report

Not available

8/09

Report from the Northleach Youth Club Trustees

Mr A Davies-Brown and Mr B Hulcup had prepared a background report that had been circulated (attached)and went on to highlight the following points:

·     The Club has been closed due to some internal behavioural problems and lack of funds. 

·     The Club Building, brought with lottery funding, is owned by the Trustees but is underused with Gloucestershire Youth Service providing activities on only 2 nights per week. 

·     The Trustees are now faced with decisions for the future and are gauging public opinion to assess the community’s demands and views.

·     The cost of running the building, including maintenance is probably in region of £1,000 per month which is difficult to raise from users. 

·     Have relied upon benefactors in the past as fundraising is difficult - Catch 22 scenario.

·     Whilst the Town Plan has identified activities e.g. amateur dramatics that require a site and may be able to attract more grant funding it could conflict with other premises in the Town.  The building also needs to be brought up to standard before being able to rent it out.

·     The Trustees have received no feedback from the Youth Service regarding street working since September.

·     Youth Service now has many restrictions and targets and work only with the 11 – 19 age group leaving many young people in the Town who do not use the facility.

·     Would prefer dedicated building for the Club but will only part fund salaries in the region of £3,000 pa = approx one third of cost although it fully funds premises in other parts of the County.

·     Approach has changed from leisure based to target driven with educational projects.

·     There is to be a meeting with Service on 23 February.

Members noted that:

·     Youth Service is not fulfilling its Charter and Pledge

·     It is not reaching out to the wider community to find what is wanted.

·     Northleach Youth Club is listed as a facility on the Service website and Gloucestershire County Council has a statutory obligation to provide it.

·     Could consider offering the building to the Service on a long term lease.

Marilyn Cox (GRCC) raised the following points:

·     There are 2 issues – provision of services and the building.

·     Charity Trustees have responsibilities -  Deeds and Liabilities

·     Youth Service Manager is concerned about the provision of service.

·     Street working is going well.

·     Forest of Dean had similar problem but GCC taking over building would not necessarily solve the problem.

·     Advised that an independent outsider could facilitate a 3 Sector match survey of the building and a feasibility study to determine options for the building but the Trustees would be required to act on the outcome.  Commitment would also be required to carry out study.

It was agreed:

·     To seek the support of County Cllr Mavis Lady Dunrossill.

·     Members and Trustees would view the building.

·     Cllr Mrs Moss would identify areas of possible support at Shire Hall

·     Await the outcome of the meeting on 23 February.

9/09

Finance

9.1/09

To Receive a Report from the Chairman of the Finance Committee

Cllr Mrs Lawrence advised that the budget is on track.

9.2/09

To Note the Budget Status up to 31 December 2008

Noted. 

9.3/09

To Approve Bills for Payment for December 2008 and January 2009

December’s list only was available and January’s would be circulated shortly.  Finance Committee is meeting tomorrow a will approve January Bills.

9.4/09

To Consider a Donation Request from Citizens Advice Bureau

Unanimously RESOLVED to delegate responsibility to the Finance Committee to consider a small donation.

9.5/09

To Consider Financial Support for the Cotswold Tree Warden Group

Members were advised that CDC had set up the Tree Warden Scheme; that costs are not high and Wardens are volunteers.  It was suggested that this request needs to be considered in conjunction with CDC’s letter regarding the new procedure for Tree works in a Conservation Area. 

Members agreed that they were happy to support local Tree Wardens and fund their training.

Unanimously RESOLVED to delegate responsibility to the Finance Committee to consider a small donation.

10/09

Planning and Tree Works

10.1/09

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

Noted.

10.2/09

Report from the Chairman of the Planning Committee

Cllr Mrs Lawrence was not aware of any applications to be brought to Members’ attention.

10.3/09

CDC’s New Discretionary Consultation Process relating to Tree Works carried out in Conservation Areas

It was acknowledged that Tree Officers are unable to prevent tree works unless the tree carries a Tree Preservation Order.

10.4/09

Cotswolds Conservation Board’s Affordable Housing Position Statement

Noted.

11/09

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

11.1/09

Report from the Chairman of the P&PM Committee

Cllr Wellman advised that the first bus shelter has been ordered

11.2/09

Repair Work to the Walls of the Raised Beds in the Market Place

Unanimously RESOLVED to delegate responsibility to the Chairman of the P&PM Committee to consider the costs and appoint the contractor to carry out this work.

12/09

Westwoods Committee

12.1/09

Report from the Chairman of the Westwoods Committee

Cllr Blades advised:

·     The next meeting is to take place in February.

·     Bookings have been steady with the Conservation Board making a further 6 bookings and a successful bar at the Burns Night event.

·     Upgraded broadband connection for LAN gamers is being investigated but is unlikely to incur significant costs.

·     Work in hand:  reinstatement of outside lights and installation of Salt bin for car park area and paths.

·     A maintenance list for 2009/10 is being developed.

13/09

Updates from Other Working Groups and Projects

13.1/09

Clerk’s Report on Current Projects (attached)

Noted

14/09

Correspondence

14.1/09

Communities & Local Government – Communities in Control: Real people, real power. Code of recommended practice on local authority publicity.  A Consultation.

Cllr Mrs Moss advised that she is responding on behalf of Cheltenham Borough Council and will advise the Clerk of her response.

14.2/09

NALC  Legal Briefing – Power of the Promotion of Economic, Social or Environmental Well Being

Noted.

14.3/09

CDC’s Street Naming and Numbering Policy with particular regard to Bridle Close

·     It was noted that the old document has a right of appeal whereas the new document does not.

·     Neither document deals with the naming of private roads.

·     It is believed that neighbouring properties were not consulted despite stated in the policy.

It was agreed that the name Bridle is out of context and Cllr Tufnell agreed to clarify the procedure with CDC Officers.

14.4/09

Mid Cotswold Tracks and Trails Group Letter dated 8 December 2008

It was agreed that this organisation could be contacted if required and that this information should be passed to the Town Plan Steering Group.

14.5/09

Email from Rural Services Network dated 12 January 2009

Noted.

15/09

Chairman’s Report

School Access – GCC is considering taking a lease for one premium payment.

Invitation to CDC Civic Dinner – Rendcomb on 20 February, 2008 

16/09

Representatives on Other Bodies

16.1/09

Youth Club – Cllr Mrs J Pullin

Nothing further to Item 8/09 to report.

16.2/09

Parochial Church Council and Church Restoration Fund – Cllr D Cotton and Cllr C Hancock

Nothing to report

16.3/09

Safer Cotswold and Community Crime Panel – Cllr Mrs J Pullin

Nothing to report

16.4/09

Northleach Primary School – Cllr C Hancock

Nothing to report

16.5/09

Neighbourhood Watch – Cllr D Cotton

Nothing to report

17/09

Any Other Business

Cllr Cotton advised that the road sweeper creates more ice on frosty mornings. 

Cllr Blades asked if the gritting lorry could go round Market Place, School Hill and All Alone.

Cllr Hancock advised that Northleach was referred to as a village instead of Town in the Wilts and Glos Standard article.

Cllr Mrs Moss and Cllr Mrs Lawrence gave their apologies for the next meeting.

18/09

Public Question Time (2) - Standing Order 22 refers

None.