MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD

ON TUESDAY, 23 MARCH 2010

PRESENT:          Cllr Mrs J Lawrence (Vice Chairman), Cllr N Blades (from 8 pm), Cllr D Cotton, Cllr N Fletcher, Cllr M Gaut, Cllr M Pezet, Cllr Mrs J Pullin, Cllr P Sanders, Cllr A Wellman, Cllr Fiona McKenzie (County), Mrs C Braidwood (Clerk) and 1 member of the public.

Cllr Mrs J Lawrence chaired the meeting.

33/10

Action:

Public Question Time (1) - Standing Order 22 refers

Northleach Market

Mr Green suggested that the Council should take over the running of the Market rather than it being managed by a stall holder from outside of the Town.  It was agreed that Members would give it consideration and discuss the matter at the next meeting.

34/10

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr Hancock (Personal) and Cllr Mark Tufnell (District)

35/10

Acceptance and signing of Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 23 March 2010

Cllr Blades was removed from the apologies list (Item 17/10) as he was in attendance and it was then unanimously RESOLVED to confirm the Minutes as a true and accurate record and they were signed by the Chairman.        

36/10

Declaration of Interests

None

37/10

Matters Arising from the above Minutes not included on the Agenda

None

38/10

Action:

Co-option to fill the Vacancy for Councillor

It was agreed to defer this item to the next meeting.

39/10

District  and County Councillors’ Reports

Councillor Fiona McKenzie (County) reported that:

·       The County Council’s initiative ‘Building our Future’ has not been as successful as hoped.

·       Deer Reflectors have not been installed as expected but it is hoped that the work will be carried out during the week commencing 19 April.

·       A considerable amount of work is being done to fill in potholes.

·       Concerned by the £169,000 budget for Teenage Pregnancies

·       Concerned also by the unnecessary spending and the lack of action.

 Councillor Mark Tufnell (District)

Not available

40/10

Police Report

Report by PCSO Brian Stagg

·       1 Jan – 22 March 2010 – total of 13 crimes

·       Burglaries are a big issue at the moment and he advised everyone to call in anything suspicious however minor.

·       Priorities identified at the Panel meeting included speeding on A429 at Farmington junction.

41/10

Finance

41.1/10

Report from the Chairman of the Finance Committee

Nothing to report pending a meeting of the Committee on 6 April.  Cllr Mrs Lawrence also advised that she had a meeting with the internal auditor.

41.2/10

Action:

Bills for Payment for February 2010

Not available.  To be circulated after the meeting.

42/10

Planning and Tree Works

42.1/10

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

Noted

42.2/10

Report from the Chairman of the Planning Committee

Cllr Mrs Lawrence advised that a meeting had taken place with Farmington Trust to discuss the proposed development of Church Farm yard.  Several concerns were raised including: drainage, junction with highways, refuse collection and street lighting.  Copies of the plans were being made available for display at the Westwoods Centre.

The Trust also agreed to close the gap in the wall near to traffic lights; clear the debris left in the field and confirmed that there are currently no plans for any other developments.

43/10

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

43.1/10

Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on Monday, 22 March 2010

Not yet available.

43.2/10

Report from the Chairman of the P&PM Committee

Cllr Wellman advised that the Committee has agreed to source another 6 grit bins and that CDC’s Tree Officer has determined that no work is needed on the Wellingtonia in the Cemetery.

44/10

Westwoods Committee

44.1/10

Draft Minutes from the Committee Meeting held on Monday, 22 March 2010

Not yet available

44.2/10

Report from the Chairman of the Westwoods Committee

Cllr Blades reported that:

·       LAN Gamers weekend is coming up although the organisers have not been able to attract previous numbers of attendees.

·       Front doors have been re-hung and a stop put on the inside pair.

·       Outside lighting has been agreed - some of which will be LED’s

·       Lower part of the car park surface has dropped and quotes are being sought.

·       Midwinter Room carpet is being cleaned this week.

44.3/10

Working Groups and Projects

44.1/10

Report from the Chairman of the Development Group regarding progress of the MUGA project and any hard copy reports that are available in time for the meeting

Cllr Pezet advised that a progress report on the MUGA was received today and will be circulated to the Development Group shortly.  Issues raised:

·         MUGA will need to be sited at least 4m from the river

·         One tree will have to be removed.

44.2/10

Lease / Easement of Land to Gloucestershire County Council to Provide Access for Northleach Primary School

This item was deferred to the next meeting.

44.3/10

Plans for a Pedestrian Bridge over the River adjacent to Eastington Road (Attached)

The plans for the proposed bridge had been circulated and Members were advised that Cllr Hancock had progressed this with the assistance of Mr G Stock who had produced site plans.  It was unanimously RESOLVED to support the installation of this bridge.

44.4/10

Updates on any Other Current Projects

Report from Jenny Watkins, Gloucestershire Highways

Noted.  Members were also advised that the Clerk was seeking quotations for the installation of bus shelters, bins and a handrail by Highways approved contractors.

45/10

Chairman’s Report

Not available.

46/10

Correspondence

Letter from Mr & Mrs M Thomas re Grit/Salt in Eastington

Members discussed the lack of grit/ salt at Eastington and the money that Mr & Mrs Thomas has spent to supply the hamlet.  Cllr Wellman recommended that the PPMC should consider a site at Eastington when further bins are sourced.

Proposed:  Cllr M Pezet          Seconded:  Cllr M Gaut and it was unanimously RESOLVED to refund Mr & Mrs Thomas from Council funds. 

47/10

Representatives on Other Bodies

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

Church

Cllr Cotton advised that restoration work is continuing and that it is hoped to remove the scaffolding in the Lady Chapel by Easter.

Allotments

Cllr Gaut advised that there will be a meeting in April.

48/10

Any Other Business

None

49/10

Public Question Time (2) - Standing Order 22 refers

None