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Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 4th July 2005
Present: M. Morgan (Mayor), R. Desmeules, G. Bullock, M. Barletta, R. Hudson, D. Small, M. Meddings, P. Harries,
D. Liddiard, E. Cardwell, W. Acworth, J. Hutchings (Clerk)
5 electors
District Councillor’s Report
Apologies received from Cllr Gaines and her written report given to Cllr Morgan. (attached)
Cllr Meddings raised a point of order in regard to item 5b Cricket Club lease. The re-issued agenda was not
published with a clear seven days notice.
Cllr Meddings, therefore, proposed that standing order 7.2 was suspended and asked permission of the
Council to add item 5c to the agenda.
05/035 Proposed: Cllr Meddings, seconded: Cllr Bullock. Agreed.
1) Minutes of 9th May and 6th June 2005
05/036 Minutes of 6th June 2005. Proposed: Cllr Meddings, seconded: Cllr Bullock, with the following amendment: Mayors report: para 3 should read ‘ Cllr Scorey has not yet given the disc containing the first draft of her news letter to Cllr Meddings’. Agreed
05/037 Minutes of 9th May 2005. Proposed: Cllr Bullock, seconded: Cllr Cardwell. Agreed.
Both sets of minutes were signed by Cllr Morgan.
1a) Apologies for absence
Apologies were received on behalf of Cllrs Scorey, Ballard, Wilson and Ticehurst.
2) Declaration of Interests
Cllr Small declared a prejudicial interest in item 5b the Cricket Club lease.
05/038 Proposed: Cllr Liddiard, seconded: Cllr Meddings, that Cllr Small is representing the Cricket Club
in discussions in regard to its lease. Agreed.
Cllr Morgan declared a personal interest in item 5a) Hungerford Twinning Association.
Cllr Harries declared a personal interest in item 7) IT Centre
Cllrs Meddings & Cardwell declared personal interests in item 4) Downlands Area Forum
3) Mayor’s Report
Last month: The Mayor attended the Morley Lunch
Cllr Desmeules attended the CRUSE AGM on behalf of the Mayor.
This month: Youth Theatre Club production
Scouts AGM at Park House School
Watermill Theatre Appeal Launch
Hungerford Forum held at the British Legion
Twinning AGM - Three Swans
High Sheriff at Swallowfield
Opening of Hungerford Nursery
Meeting with the Principal, Newbury College to discuss IT Centre
Safety Strategy meeting at Donnington Valley
Volunteer Centre AGM at Newbury
Monthly meeting with the Police
Launch of HADCAF – Three Swans
Lord Lieutenant’s VE Day Commemoration
Camburn Educational Trust AGM
Community Wardens: WBC is part funding a Community Warden Scheme the rest of
the funding to be provided by the parishes who wish to take part in the scheme.
Clerk to get more information. JKH
Clerk to invite Sgt Buckingham to the October council meeting to discuss community
wardens. JKH
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Cllr Bullock suggested that the Alcohol–free zone scheme that is being introduced in
September may have an effect on anti-social behaviour in the Town.
Cllr Desmeules to let the clerk know tomorrow if he is able to accompany Cllr Gaines
for the District Councillor’s surgery on Saturday 9th July 2005.
Richard Benyon MP is to hold a coffee morning approximately every two months rather
than a surgery.
4) Downlands Area Forum
Cllr Hudson will attend. RH
5) Accounts for Authorisation
05/039 Proposed: Cllr Meddings, seconded: Cllr Harries, that the accounts in the sum if £30446.97
are authorised for payment. Agreed.
Clerk to inquire for how long the Council must make the contribution to the Swimming Pool.
5a) Twinning Grant Application
05/040 Proposed: Cllr Meddings, seconded: Cllr Bullock, that the Twinning Association should receive
a grant of £500 towards the visit of Ligueil Twinning Association in August. Agreed.
Cllr Cardwell left the meeting at 8.18pm
Cllr Liddiard left the meeting 8.19pm – withdrew from Twinning discussion.
5b) Cricket Club Lease
05/041 Proposed: Cllr Meddings, seconded: Cllr Bullock, that the cricket club lease is adopted
as presented by Cllr Small. Agreed.
Clerk to invoice for rent. JKH
Cllr Hudson withdrew at 8.43pm
6) Website
a) Posting of submissions
Cllr Meddings has concerns re the anonymity of the open forum.
Cllr Harries thinks that people should give their name if they intend to carry out a personal
attack on a Councillor.
Cllr Small believes that no anonymous entries should be admitted. Clrr Barletta believes that
a name, address and contact point should be supplied.
Cllr Hudson rejoined the meeting at 8.46pm
Cllrs Meddings and Hudson to discuss these concerns with Brian Davies, who maintains the
Council’s website.
6a) Amalgamation of Council website with Chamber of Commerce
05/042 Proposed: Cllr Meddings, seconded: Cllr Harries, that the website should be amalgamated.
7) Hungerford IT Centre
Unfortunately the contract between the IT centre and Newbury College had been withdrawn
before Cllr Morgan had the opportunity to speak with the Principal of Newbury College.
The reason for closure is being given as lack of disabled access.
Cllr Morgan has suggested that space may be made available at the new library and has spoken
to Christine Owen WBC who is dealing with the library development.
There will be a public consultation re the library development plans at the Library on Saturday
16th July 2005. Cllr Bullock will attend the consultation.
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8) CAWB
Cllr Morgan will represent the Council on the CAWB committee.
9) Parking – Canal Walk
All Councillors had received a copy of the letter from Dr Hugh Pihlens regarding the wharf being used
as an unofficial car park.
Cllr Harries suggested that the letter should be forwarded to British Waterways. Clerk to deal JKH
Cllr Hudson is meeting with David Brezenski of British Waterways next Wednesday and will
raise this matter with him.
10) Committee and Sub-committee matters
This item was not discussed as Cllr Ticehurst who had requested its inclusion on the agenda was not present.
Date of next meeting: 5th September 2005
Signed……………………………………
Mansil Morgan
Mayor, 5th September 2005