DRAFT MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING HELD ON

TUESDAY, 27 APRIL 2010

1.

Apologies

Cllr Chris Hancock, Cllr Nick Blades and Cllr Fiona McKenzie (County)

2.

Minutes of the previous Annual Town Meeting

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

3.

Matters Arising

None. 

However, Cllr Mrs Lawrence reported that the following progress had been made:

·        as a result of the Town Plan a VAS for West End is actively being looked at

·        more dog bins and waste bins are in the process of being installed together with the bridge over river, the MUGA, Bus Shelters and a hand rail.

4.

District Councillor’s Reports

Cllr Mark Tufnell advised:

·       A consultation on parking is currently being carried out and it is hoped to receive a response from all affected Market Towns.  Arrangements in Northleach are unlikely to change.

·       Flooding – CDC is pushing for another study and also aware of the flooding implications of planning issues and the Church Farm Yard development. 

·       Waste collection is expensive in rural areas.  A review will probably result in changes to collection days and it is hoped to add plastic bottles to collections.  A letter will go out to residents during the week of 14 June.  Whilst collection costs are high the County Council’s landfill costs are reduced.

·       Council tax increase has been kept down to 2.3%

Cllr Tufnell urged residents to contact him if they have any queries.

5.

Police Report

PCSO Mel Cheesbrough reported:

·        Speed checks have been carried out in West End following speed being identified as a panel meeting priority.

·        PC Gary Brewer is attending schools to explain internet safety.

·        Crime figures in 2010 are down on 2009 levels.  Feedback and information from residents helps.

·        The new Chief Constable is looking at all levels of policing in the County and has been out on foot patrol.

·        The force priority is to keep people safe from harm and inspire confidence in Police teams.

·        The next Panel Meeting will be held on 6 July in Andoversford.

Cllr Mrs Lawrence said it was nice to see  a new face and was confident that the Town is kept very well informed by the Police.

6.

Chairman’s Report

Cllr Mrs Lawrence advised that Cllr Hancock had prepared a report but in view of his absence he will give it at the next Council meeting.  She also added that the funding for Emergency Planning has been received and the sheds are on order.  She added that the allotments are now up and running.  She also advised that Gloucestershire Highways have plans to resurface the road through the Town and asked for residents’ cooperation.

7.

Financial Statement

Cllr Mrs Lawrence advised that the Council had ended the year in balance with no surprises.  Money has been put aside to kick start the MUGA project but this year finance will be very tight as with other Councils.

8.

Public questions

Mr D Turner stated that he could not access the Town’s website and complained that the time of the meeting had been changed.  He then launched into a tirade of abuse which included:

·       Demanding to be co-opted to the Council to replace Cllr Hancock who he believed was standing down.

·       Demanding to know which Members had visited the Pavilion and was disgusted that so few had done so and then complained that he had seen none of them there.

·       Complained that Members were not supporting NCL who was providing income for the Council.

·       Stated that Cllr Hancock and PCSO Stagg must be together somewhere as they were not at the meeting.

·       Stated that he wished to sell rolls at the Pavilion in order to raise funds for Help for Heroes.

·       He wanted to play Boules and what were Members going to do about it ?

He continued in the same threatening manner for several minutes and then stormed out of the meeting.

Mrs M Given expressed concern at Mr Turner’s attitude and intimidating manner. 

She commented on the high level of expenditure on the Pavilion during the past year and reminded Members that she had requested, at the previous Annual Town Meeting, that the building was not allowed to be a drain on the local tax payer.  She asked that steps be taken to ensure it did not continue to be so.

Mrs Given also brought up the proposed development of Church Farm Yard and the flooding implications and drew Members attention to possible damage to trees in the Farm Yard during the development work.   She confirmed that the Trust had advised her that it was its intention to let the properties to retired clergymen.  She asked that the Council follow up tree planting conditions imposed on Farmington Trust when trees on the Farmhouse garden were felled.

Mrs Morley-Blackwell asked if the capacity at the Primary School is taken into account when planning developments are considered.  Cllr Mrs Lawrence assured her that the Council had brought this to Planners attention during Local Development Framework consultations.

9.

Close of Meeting

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 7.45 pm