92/09

Public Question Time (1) - Standing Order 22 refers

Mr G Green advised that:

·       A seat has been installed in the Churchyard in memory of Rose Miles.  Many representatives of the Town were present.

·       Albert Collins had recently been the victim of a road accident on A40 when a deer ran out in front of this motorcycle.  Mr Collins had suffered several broken ribs but had waited over an hour for ambulance to arrive.  He cited 2 other similar incidents involving deer on the road and requested the help of the new County Councillor to install signs on the road and to put pressure on the Ambulance Service to improve performance.

Mr J Astic stated that the grass needs to be cut more regularly on the verges so that the deer are easier to see on the side of the road.  He also thanked the Council for its donation to the Cotswold Hall.

93/09

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

None

94/09

Acceptance and signing of Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 26 May 2009

Cllr Tufnell requested that item 78.2/09 in the Minutes from the last meeting be amended as the figure of £100K was incorrect.

Cllr Mrs Pullin requested that her name be replaced by Cllr D Cotton in relation to Item 90/09 Church Break In.

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

95/09

Declaration of Interests

None

96/09

Matters Arising from the above Minutes not included on the Agenda

The Clerk confirmed that flowers have not yet been sent to the retiring County Councillor, Lady Dunrossill and that a letter has been sent to National Express.

97/09

District  and County Councillors’ Reports

To Receive Reports from Councillor Fiona McKenzie (County)

The Chairman welcomed Cllr McKenzie to the meeting.  She said that she is very new to local government and hopes to bring a refreshing change.  The County Council is due to meet tomorrow and that she appreciates the support of the Town. 

Councillor Mark Tufnell (District)

Advised that:

·       Figures are to be released tomorrow confirming that CDC is 2^nd nationally for recycling saving a significant amount of money for County but at greater cost to the District.

·       A site has been purchased in Stroud for land fill but it will still be necessary to look at alternative ways of disposal.

·       It is estimated that Eon’s power down plug will save CDC £6K per year.

·       Cllr McKenzie suggested that national government should put a deposit on plastic bottles.

98/09

Police Report

Report from attending Police Officer

There was no Police Officer available.

99/09

Finance

99.1/09

Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 June 2009

Noted

99.2/09

Report from the Chairman of the Finance Committee

Cllr Mrs Lawrence advised that the financial reports were always a month behind so as to include all items.

99.3/09

Revised Committee Structure (Attached)

Noted.  The new structure showed the King George V Playing Field Trust separately from the Council.

99.4/09

To Note the Auditor’s Report and Audit Return for Year Ending 31 March 2009

The Internal Auditors comments were noted (attached).

 Proposed:  Cllr A Wellman            Seconded:  Cllr Mrs J Pullin

and unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the Audit Return (copy attached) and it was signed by the Chairman and Clerk.

99.5/09

Budget Status up to 31 May 2009

Noted.

99.6/009

To Approve Bills for Payment for May 2009

Proposed:  Cllr C Hancock      Seconded:  Cllr J Lawrence

and unanimously RESOLVED to approve payment.

99.7/09

Grant Application from Northleach Girl Guides

Members were advised that Northleach Guides have received funding from another source.  It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the application in principle and to enquire about their current status before making payment.  The Guides should also be advised that there is provision for a trophy from the Rose Miles Memorial fund.

100/09

Planning and Tree Works

100.1/09

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

Noted.

100.2/09

Report from the Chairman of the Planning Committee

Cllr Mrs Lawrence noted that there are not many applications due to fewer people moving or developing their properties but there had been some tree works.

101/09

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

101.1/09

Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 June 2009

Noted.

101.2/09

Report from the Chairman of the P&PM Committee

Cllr Wellman explained that there had been complaints about the Council’s grass cutting contract and that he and the Clerk had met with the contractor to discuss the issues.  There has now been a noticeable improvement.  The contractor also agreed to replace the hedge around the garden of remembrance free of charge in the autumn.

102/09

Westwoods Committee

102.1/09

Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 June 2009

Noted.

102.2/09

To Receive Report from the Chairman of the Westwoods Committee

Cllr Blades expressed his thanks to Cllr Mrs J Pullin for making an additional set of curtains which hang over the doors between Midwinter Room and Fortey Hall.

·       The order has been made for next stage of painting and the maintenance work on the Hall floor will be carried out in August.

·       A new electricity contract has been negotiate with a reduction from 11.95 to 8.83p per Kw without changing supplier.

·       Some bookings have recently been lost but new ones have been acquired.

·       Showers are being serviced in readiness for the next LAN booking.

·       Brochure nearing completion. 

103/09

Working Groups and Projects

103.1/09

Notes from the Resilience Meetings held on 27 May and 22 June 2009

Noted.  Cllr Mrs Lawrence explained that the Emergency Plan document and Householders leaflet have now been agreed and the Council unanimously RESOLVED to adopt them.

Cllr Mrs Lawrence advised that the Council would have a stand at the Charter Fair this coming Saturday and that copies of both documents would be shown to residents.  She also confirmed that the grant must be claimed by the end of August.

103.2/09

Current Projects

·       Town Council stand at the Charter Fair to provide information on the work of the Council and raise its profile.  Volunteers were requested to help between 12 noon and 4pm in Cotswold Hall. 

·       Community Day on 5 July would clear out the river, litter pick and carry out essential work at and around the Pavilion.  Some community and sports groups have volunteered to help but others would be needed.  Cllr Blades offered to donate bread rolls for the BBQ.

104/09

Correspondence

None.

105/09

Chairman’s Report

Cllr Hancock advised Members that the local press had reported vandalism in the Cemetery.  It was believed that some wreaths had been destroyed and flowers strewn around the other graves.  The Chairman said that he hoped that respect would be shown for the newly installed Memorial bench.

106/09

Representatives on Other Bodies

106.1/09

Youth Service

Cllr Mrs Pullin advised that the Youth Workers who had been working on the streets have not been see in the Town for about 1 month and none of the youth had been informed of the reason.  Cllr McKenzie was asked to help in finding out the reason and to enquire about funding for youth projects.

Police

Members felt that a reduction in Police cover for the Town is very noticeable. 

107/09

Any Other Business

·    Weeds in Antelope Lane – has been added to the grounds maintenance contractor’s list to spray

·    Noise pollution from clay pigeon shoot– It transpires that following complaints the direction of the guns has been changed which now creates a noise problem in the Town on Sundays.  The organiser had been asked to change the day to Saturday but had declined.  The Clerk was asked to investigate the terms of the planning permission and Cllr Tufnell suggested that the Council should write to the shoot organiser.

108/09

Public Question Time (2) - Standing Order 22 refers

None.