MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD

ON TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2010

PRESENT:          Cllr C Hancock (Chairman), Cllr Mrs J Lawrence (Vice Chairman), Cllr N Blades (from 8 pm), Cllr D Cotton, Cllr M Pezet, Cllr M Tufnell (District), Mrs C Braidwood (Clerk) and 1 member of the public.

16/10

Action:

Public Question Time (1) - Standing Order 22 refers

Northleach Market

Mr Green advised that the Market is now down to 2 regular stalls and is being run by one of the traders who comes from Milton Keynes and is charging other stall holders to be able to set up.   He explained that the Charter states that the Market should be for benefit of the town’s people but it would appear that the money from the stall holders is going out of the Town.  It was agreed to consult Gloucestershire Highways regarding the legality of the charges.

17/10

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr N Fletcher (Personal), Cllr M Gaut (Personal), Cllr A Wellman (Health), Cllr Mrs J Pullin (Personal), Sgt Martin Jones (Police) and Cllr Fiona McKenzie (County)

18/10

Acceptance and signing of Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 18 January 2010

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

19/10

Declaration of Interests

None

20/10

Matters Arising from the above Minutes not included on the Agenda

Churchyard Lights

Cllr Cotton confirmed that these are now all working, underground cable joins have been replaced and bonded and the lamp at the end of the Churchyard has been rewired.  He added that there is now have clearer picture of the cabling which will be useful for the future.

River Leach - Clearing

The Clerk confirmed that John Mustoe has been instructed to carry out the work.

Farmington Trust

The Clerk confirmed that George Hudson has advised that a planning application will soon be submitted to CDC.

21/10

District  and County Councillors’ Reports

Councillor Mark Tufnell (District) reported:

·        The very regrettable death of an experienced Sita employee in Fairford was due to his hand being caught in mechanism.  He confirmed that all H & S policies in place were adequate but the H & S Executive are investigating. 

·        CDC is to finalise the medium term financial plan on Wednesday when it is hoped to keep the Council Tax increase down to 2%.

·        Parking charges will be increased.

·        Cllr Tufnell added that he will look at Farmington Trust planning application when it is submitted and will make enquiries about the light in the public toilet that is left on overnight.

Councillor Fiona McKenzie (County)

Not available.

22/10

Police Report

Report from attending Police Officer

Not available

23/10

Finance

23.1/10

Report from the Chairman of the Finance Committee

Cllr Mrs Lawrence advised that no meeting has taken place since the last Council meeting.

23.2/10

Budget Status up to 31 January 2010 (Attached)

Cllr Mrs Lawrence confirmed that the budget is on track. 

23.3/10

Bills for Payment for January 2010 (Attached)

Proposed:  Cllr C Hancock      Seconded:  Cllr Mrs J Lawrence

And unanimously RESOLVED to pay.

23.4/10

Action:

External Auditors Report for the Year Ending 31 March 2009 (Attached)

Members noted the External Auditors Report as attached and Cllr Mrs Lawrence confirmed that it will be included on the agenda for the next Finance, Funding & Grants Committee meeting.

24/10

Planning and Tree Works

24.1/10

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

Noted

24.2/10

Report from the Chairman of the Planning Committee

Cllr Mrs Lawrence agreed that all Members should be notified when the Farmington Trust planning application is available.

24.3/10

Action:

Cotswold District Council’s Economic Evidence Notes Relating to Northleach

It was agreed that the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the Clerk would amend the Notes.  It was noted that none of the previous comments have been incorporated and that it is totally incorrect.  The Clerk was requested to send a strong message to the Officer responsible and to copy Cllr Tufnell in.

25/10

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

Action:

Report from the Chairman of the P&PM Committee

Cllr Wellman was unavailable but Members noted that:

·       The new grit / salt bins were welcomed during the recent bad weather although a resident has requested the one in Dutton Leys to be moved.

·       Adam Loving would be prepared to clear snow from pavements and to provide necessary equipment.  The Clerk was instructed to follow this up with GCC.  Pavements used to be gritted in the past but are no longer.

·       The Market place, in particular, can be very dangerous and Members were advised that the Snow Warden, John Mustoe, has arranged with GCC to take the necessary action and recover costs.  It was agreed that the Market Place is icy when water flows from top.

26/10

Westwoods Committee

26.1/10

Report from the Chairman of the Westwoods Committee

Cllr Blades advised that Mr Stock has recommended a contractor to repair the front doors and this work will be carried out imminently.

27/10

Working Groups and Projects

27.1/10

Updates on any Other Current Projects

Verges Plan

The Clerk advised that she is working with Officers from Gloucestershire Highways, CDC and Fosseway Housing to plot each authority’s ownership on to a plan.  This will enable easy identification in the future.

28/10

Correspondence

28.1/10

Gloucestershire Highways Traffic Order Relating to Waiting Restrictions in the Market Place and College Row

Noted.

28.2/10

Cotswold District Council’s Email Relating to Flood Mitigation in Northleach

Noted.  Cllr Hancock had suggested that the drain cover in Wes End needs to be bolted down to prevent it being pushed up by the volume of water from Hampnett Brook.

Cllr Tufnell advised that CDC have a grant from DEFRA to carry out flood alleviation work.

29/10

Chairman’s Report

Eastington Road Bridge

The Chairman advised that Mr Stock is overlaying the design of the proposed bridge onto a plan which will enable pre-planning advice to be sought from CDC.

Town Crier

Cllr Hancock drew Members’ attention to an email from Chloe in which she explained that she wished to raise her profile as Town Crier and source funding for an appropriate costume.  The Clerk was requested to send a grant application form.

Representatives on Other Bodies

30/10

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

Cllr Cotton advised that work on the Church is nearly completed.

31/10

Any Other Business

Street Cleaning

Cllr Cotton complained that work is being carried out at 6 am and asked if the contractor could be request to start work later.

Playing Field Pavilion

The Chairman advised that he visited the Pavilion on Saturday afternoon.  There were 10 – 15 people there, no Sky TV and no one has heard any complaints or had cause for concern.  He added that the Trustees need to look at running costs and that the gents’ loo is leaking again.

Dog Mess

Cllr Mrs Pullin complained about the amount of dog mess around the Town and said that the situation has not improved since she complained at the last meeting.

32/10

Public Question Time (2) - Standing Order 22 refers

None