MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD

ON TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2009

154/09

Public Question Time (1) - Standing Order 22 refers

Mr S Chilton advised Members that he has brought various issues to the attention of Gloucestershire Highways including: a 30 mph sign that was obscured by overgrowth at East End (now cleared), overgrown footpaths and general road safety issues.  He felt that the attitude of Highways to Northleach is appalling and that the Town is considered to be a backwater.  He complained that as he pays his Council tax he expects the correct agency to take action but in view of budgetary constraints suggested that residents could also help and restore civic pride.

The Chairman confirmed that many areas of the Town need attention and that the Council has been trying for some considerable time to install a hand rail on Fallows Road footpath and a bridge and gate on the Water Meadows which are now to go ahead.  He confirmed that the Council would take up the comment that the Town is not a backwater used mostly by local residents, but an ancient market town with a number of attractions, especially the highly regarded Church described as the "cathedral of the Cotswolds", the Mechanical Music Museum and the Prison - the East end of the town and entrance from the A40 should be as welcoming as the West End now is.

Cllr Tufnell said that he welcomed Mr Chilton’s email’s and agreed that it is frustrating when there is no movement forward on issues raised.

155/09

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr Mrs J Moss - Personal, Cllr F McKenzie (County), Sgt M Jones (Gloucestershire Constabulary) and PCSO B Stagg (Gloucestershire Constabulary)

156/09

Acceptance and signing of Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 22 September 2009

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

157/09

Declaration of Interests

Cllr N Blades declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 162.1/09

158/09

Matters Arising from the above Minutes not included on the Agenda

New Member - The Chairman welcomed Cllr Mike Pezet who had been co-opted at the previous meeting and subsequently invited to join both Westwoods and PPM Committees.

School Hill Speed limit – The Chairman advised that the Primary School has requested a 20mph in the area around the School.  He acknowledged that parking is a serious problem at the School which has doubled in size in recent years.

159/09

District  and County Councillors’ Reports

Report from Councillor Fiona McKenzie (County) – Not available

Report from Councillor Mark Tufnell (District)

Fortey House – plans still in early stage but Fosseway HA has confirmed that residents will be re-housed in Northleach prior to the development being carried out. But it was agreed to o watch the situation closely

Climate Change – CDC plans to reduce its own carbon emissions by 25% BY 2015 and is looking at how that can be done including replacing all light bulbs at Leisure Centres with low energy bulbs and offered a computer power plug which automatically powers down peripherals when the computer is shut down.

160/09

Police Report

No Police Officer was available due to the forthcoming Stow Fair.

161/09

Finance

161.1/09

Draft Minutes from the Finance Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, 14 October 2009

Noted.

161.2/09

Report from the Chairman of the Finance Committee

Cllr Mrs Lawrence advised that the Committee has begun planning the budget for the next financial year and has considered a general reserve fund to cover variety of items.  Although this would have Implications for Westwoods with a reduced sinking fund it met with approval from Members.  Cllr Mrs Lawrence also advised that the Committee is considering recommending a small increase in the Precept to reflect cost of living and that a draft budget wou8ld be presented to next TC meeting for approval.

161.3/09

Budget Status up to 30 September 2009

Cllr Mrs Lawrence advised that although finances are fairly tight there has been no overspend and that the Council is on budget. 

161.4/09

Bills for Payment for September 2009 (attached)

Proposed:  Cllr M Gaut              Seconded:  Cllr Mrs J Pullin

and RESOLVED to pay.

162/09.

Planning and Tree Works

162.1/09

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

Noted.

162.2/09

Action:

Report from the Chairman of the Planning Committee

Cllr Mrs Lawrence confirmed that there was only one new application and Cllr Tufnell advised that this application for a sign at Blades at the Old Prison will need to be approved by English Heritage and CDC’s Planning Committee as it is a CDC owned building.

Cllr Tufnell also advised that works on the suspended ceiling in the building may offer an opportunity for the clock to be repaired.

163/09

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

163.1/09

Draft Minutes from the PPM Committee Meeting held on Monday, 12 October 2009

Noted

163.2/09

Report from the Chairman of the P&PM Committee

Members were informed that Mr I Slatter has offered to provide a Christmas Tree for the Market Place and pupils from the Primary School has been invited to choose one and switch lights on.

163.3/09

Installation of Electrical Sockets in the Market Place for additional Christmas Lights

Due to present financial constraints it was RESOLVED to put this on hold for another year.

164/09

Westwoods Committee

164.1/09

Draft Minutes from the Westwoods Committee Meeting held on Monday, 12 October 2009

Noted

164.2/09

Report from the Chairman of the Westwoods Committee

Cllr Blades reported that:

·       A large waste wheelie bin is now in use at the Centre.

·       Quotes are being sought for outside lighting. 

·       A skip is being ordered to enable the upstairs store to be cleared.

·       An adjustment is being made to the Alarm system to enable the Supervisor to make changes to the call out arrangements.

·       LAN Gamers were very pleased with their recent event and had not received one single negative comment and 3 further dates have been booked for next year.

·       Finance Committee has agreed to cover cost of decorating the Midwinter room and carpet in entrance hall.

·       Chairs need to be replaced or recovered.

165/09

Working Groups and Projects

165.1/09

Verbal Update on Emergency Planning

Cllr Mrs Lawrence advised that equipment must be sourced by the end of November.  She also reported that the Plan document has been revamped by Marilyn Cox of GRCC.

165.2/09

Updates on any Other Current Projects

Playbuilder – Cllr Mrs Lawrence and Cllr Sanders will meet for preliminary discussions to revise the bid.

MUGA – Cllr Hancock advised that Quadrabec will carry out a survey of the Westwoods site and also look at Playing Field site in order to determine suitability.

166/09

Highways Issues

166.1/09

Letter from Gloucestershire Highways relating to Proposed Waiting Restrictions

The areas highlighted were discussed and the following were unanimously agreed:

·       White line - disabled parking bay opposite Wheatsheaf Hotel needs to be removed as it is no longer required.

·       Remove no waiting line at the top of the Market Place.

·       Mill End Junction – No Entry markings replaced to reinforce one way system.

·       Parking restrictions between the Market Place and The Green at Fruitcakes / Londis needs to be pursued with Highways.

·       Remove No Waiting and allow parking between the Wheatsheaf Hotel and the Market Place or on opposite side of the road outside Bank Villas.

·       War Memorial – there is an urgent need to reduce the gap between the Memorial and the footway to prevent drivers trying to pass parked cars.  Members were advised that wooden posts have been rejected by Highways but a solution needs to be found.

Voting:

Proposal for No Waiting outside Cotswold Hall, West End

Any restriction of parking in West End should be minimal and, therefore, there should be no change to the parking arrangements outside Cotswold Hall.  Gloucestershire Highways should be asked what that minimum could or should be.

For:    8                      Against:    0                     Abstentions:    2

166.2/09

Letter from Gloucestershire Highways to Mrs Nicholas relating to a VAS at West End

Noted.  Members agreed that to continue to put pressure on Gloucestershire Highways for a VAS at West End.

167/09

Correspondence

167.1/09

SLCC Regional Conference – 3 December 2009

Noted

167.2/09

GCC – Potential Waste Sites in Gloucestershire

Noted

167.3/09

GCC – Annual Highways & Transport Seminar – 17 November 2009

Noted

167.4/09

Action:

Email from Mrs R Osborne requesting that her Grandfather’s name is added to the War Memorial

Members were informed that the British Legion had been consulted and had advised that only the names of Northleach people should be included on the Town’s Memorial.  It had, therefore, been recommended that Mrs Osborne should contact Preston PCC and request that a plaque be installed in the Church.  Members unanimously RESOLVED to support this.

168/09

Action:

Chairman’s Report

The Chairman advised Members that a cheque for £220 had been received from Mr R P Jenkins of the Fosse Bridge Inn towards maintenance of the War Memorial.  The funds had been raised at a BBQ event.  Members expressed their thanks to Mr Jenkins and Cllr Wellman suggested that the funds could be used for capping the wall around the memorial and enhancements to prevent further damage.

Representatives on Other Bodies

169/09

An Opportunity for Members representing the Council on Other Bodies to Give Brief Verbal Reports.

Church – Cllr Cotton advised that the clock has been re gilded and work will soon start on the lower windows.  The gates are being removed prior to being sandblasted in preparation for repainting.

Youth – Cllr Mrs Pullin reported that the Thursday trips continue to be successful and that all is going well.

170/09

Any Other Business

Coalyard Farm – Cllr Mrs Pullin advised that cars are being parking on pavement forcing pedestrians into the road.

Youth Club Building / Dentist – The Youth Club Trustees are now taking offers on the building and is it understood that the Dentist practise is committed to providing a service somewhere in Northleach. 

Doctors Surgeries – Members reported that patients are often confused between the Northleach and Bourton practices.

171/09

Public Question Time (2) - Standing Order 22 refers

None