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MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 9TH MAY 2005
IN THE TOWN HALL, HUNGERFORD
Present: D. Small M. Morgan, W. Acworth, E. Cardwell, R. Scorey, M. Wilson, D. Liddiard, R. Hudson,
M. Meddings, R. Desmeules, D. Gaines (District Councillor), J. Hutchings (Clerk) and
11 electors. D. Gaines left the meeting at 8.12p.m.
Prior to the commencement of the agenda.
05/019 Proposed: Cllr Scorey, seconded: Cllr Morgan, that in the absence of the Mayor, Cllr Small should chair
the first part of the meeting. Agreed.
1) Election of Officers
Before calling for nominations Cllr Small read out the advice that the Clerk had received from
Andrew Day (WBC Legal Dept.) regarding the necessity of a vote by show of hands and not
by paper ballot. Council agreed that the ballot would be by show of hands.
05/020 Election of Mayor:
Nominated: Cllr Morgan - Proposed: Cllr Meddings, seconded: Cllr Desmeules
05/021 Nominated: Cllr Ballard - Proposed: Cllr Scorey, seconded: Cllr Liddiard.
A lengthy discussion ensued as to the suitability of the nomination for Cllr Ballard, given
that he may not be able to carry out the office of Mayor if re-elected, owing to the expected
recovery time from the injuries received during his car accident in March.
05/022 Proposed: Cllr Meddings, seconded: Cllr Liddiard, that as the nominations had been correctly
proposed and seconded the vote should be taken.
On a show of hands Cllr Morgan received 5 votes in favour and Cllr Ballard received five
votes in favour. There were no abstentions. The Chairman’s casting vote was in favour of
Cllr Morgan. Cllr Morgan was elected Mayor by six votes to five.
Election of Deputy Mayor:
05/023 Nominated: Cllr Ballard - Proposed: Cllr Acworth, seconded: Cllr Meddings
The vote in favour of Cllr Ballard was carried unanimously.
05/024 Proposed: Cllr Acworth, seconded: Cllr Liddiard, that Cllr Desmeules take the position
of acting Deputy, until such time as Cllr Ballard can take up the post. Carried unanimously.
Cllr. Morgan took the chair and called for nominations for Chairman of the Finance
and General Purposes committee.
05/025 Nominated: Cllr Small - Proposed: Cllr Liddiard, seconded: Cllr Cardwell
Carried unanimously.
Mayor’s Report
Cllr Morgan announced the following as part of his aims during his year in office:
i) Town Guide – preparation of the second edition
ii) Town Plan – Council to consider the draft plan before its publication
and submission to West Berkshire Council
iii) Christmas Lights – to maintain the standard as set by Cllr Desmeules
in 2004.
iv) A regular Town Council Newsletter
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v) Organise a function inviting the Town and Manor of Hungerford, the Chamber
of Commerce, our new MP Richard Benyon and former MP David Rendel
to work with the Town Council for the benefit and improvement of Hungerford.
2) Confirmation of Committee Membership
New list attached JKH
The Chairman read out the district councillor’s report (attached), as Cllr Gaines had to leave
to attend another meeting.
3) Minutes of 11th April 2005
Amendment to Item 4, Resolution 05/014 was seconded by D. Small and not M. Morgan as
recorded. Subject to this amendment it was:
05/026 Proposed: Cllr Wilson, seconded Cllr Small, that the minutes of 11th April 2005 be signed as
an accurate record. Agreed. The minutes were signed by Cllr Morgan.
3a) Apologies
Apologies offered on behalf of Cllr Ballard.
4) Declaration of Interests
Cllr Morgan declared a non-prejudicial interest in matters concerning Hungerford Town Band
Cllrs. Meddings, Cardwell and Wilson declared non-prejudicial interest in matters concerning
Hungerford Primary School.
5) Matters Arising/for information
Letter re Fairview Road to be passed to the Highways and Transport committee for action.
Local transport plan: the 2010+ group are working with WBC on the development of
the WBC plan.
6) Authorisation of Accounts
05/027 Proposed Cllr Cardwell, seconded: Cllr Desmeules that accounts in the sum of £7879.04 are
authorised for payment. Agreed.
NB Cheque no 100858 is withheld until the Clerk has written to M. Frysol to resolve certain JKH
maintenance issues.
7) Co-option a) to set date for discussion and appointment of applicants. Item superseded as
follows:
Non-agenda item- correct procedure not followed.
Co-option
Cllr Scorey expressed the opinion that as three of the electors who had applied for co-option
were present their co-option should not be delayed.
05/028 Proposed: Cllr Meddings, seconded: Cllr Wilson, that Mrs Gwynneth Bullock, Mr Peter Harries
and Mr Chris Ticehurst are co-opted immediately. Agreed.
The fourth person applying for co-option will be invited to attend the 6th June 2005 Council
meeting.
Clerk: to answer the query on the website Forum regarding the listing of those applying for
co-option so that the public can express its opinion before the applicants are co-opted.
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8) Mr R. Broomhead’s e.mail
Passed to the Environment & Planning committee for discussion and recommendations.
Cllr Cardwell left the meeting at 9.20
9) Taxi Rank
The queries regarding the placement of the taxi rank and funding were satisfactorily answered
it was therefore:
05/029 Proposed: Cllr Hudson, seconded: Cllr Meddings, that the sum of £1250 should be paid to WBC
as the Council’s contribution to the placement of the taxi rank. Agreed.
10) Clerk’s request for support in organising an event to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of
the end of World War II was agreed in principle but referred to the F&GP committee for further
discussion.
At the close of the meeting the three newly o-opted Councillors signed their Declarations of Acceptance of Office.
Signed………………………………
Mayor, 6th June 2005