2376

Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on the 7^th November 2005 in the Town Hall, Hungerford

Present:  M. Morgan, R. Ballard, R. Desmeules, P. Harries, G. Bullock, M. Wilson, M. Barletta, E. Cardwell,

                C. Ticehurst, R. Hudson, D. Liddiard, R. Scorey, W. Acworth, D. Small.

                2 electors

District Councillor’s Report

                                Cllr Gaines reported that Nick Carter has been appointed the Chief Executive of West Berkshire Council.

                                Cllr Gaines has entered three capital bids for Hungerford:

                                i)              Bulpit Lane Playground

                                ii)             Renovations at the John O’Gaunt School

                                iii)            Footpath between the Leisure Centre and the new all weather pitch

                                The bids were considered last Friday, but as yet the results have not been released.

                                The placement of the pedestrian crossing for Charnham Street has not yet been decided.

Speed Activated Signs at Hungerford Newtown:   The sign that was installed on the A338 in

the north to south direction stopped working shortly after installation.   The pole has been placed

for the south to north direction but owing to protests by Newtown residents the sign has not yet

been installed.   The first sign is to be fixed and the second sign installed soon.

The tree debris has still not been removed from Station Road – Cllr Gaines will again speak to

Streetcare.

Cllr Cardwell asked Cllr Gaines to chase again the matter of the tree clearing at Smitham Bridge

Play Area, as required in the ROSPA report.

Cllr Bullock asked that Cllr Gaines to get the ownership of the land to the rear of the library put

in writing.

Cllr Gaines to enquire if funding is available for recycled benches.

Network Rail will be putting more netting under the railway bridge in an effort to combat the

pigeon problem.

Following the District Councillors report Mr Roger Thompson was invited to the table to sign the

Declaration of Acceptance of office.   The Mayor welcomed Cllr Thompson to the Council.

1)             Apologies for absence

                                There were no apologies as all Councillors were present.

2)             Declarations of Interests

Cllr Scorey declared a prejudicial interest in the settlement of the invoice for Playground Services as she is employed by that company and a personal interest in the 2010+ plan as her Father is the chairman of that

committee.

                3)             Minutes of 3^rd October 2005

05/061                   Proposed: Cllr Small, seconded: Cllr Ballard.   Agreed.   The minutes were signed by Cllr Morgan as a true and accurate record.

                4)             Mayor’s Report

                                The Mayor raised the issue of councillors attending/not attending civic events.   He requested that

                                all councillors attend the Remembrance Sunday service.   Cllr Scorey gave her apologies, as she will

                                be away.   Cllr Cardwell asked for notification of events that councillors should attend.

                5)             Reports from Chairmen of committees

                                The chairmen of Finance, Recreation, Highways and Planning gave reports on their committees’

                                most recent actions.

2377

Cllr Cardwell left the meeting after giving her report.

6)             Matters Arising

05/062                   1) CPRE – Proposed: Cllr Ticehurst, seconded: Cllr Liddiard, that the Council should take a subscription

                                    to CPRE at a cost of £25.00.   Agreed.   Clerk to deal.

                                2) CCB letter: Affordable Housing in Hungerford. 

05/063                       Proposed: Cllr Scorey, seconded: Cllr Ticehurst, that Arlene Kersley be invited to an E&P meeting

                                    to discuss this issue.   Agreed.   NB: Cllrs Gaines and Mole also wish to be invited.

                                3) A Plan for Community Action Workshop – Cllr Hudson will try to attend

                                4) Temporary Prohibition of Driving – no comments

                                5) Defra Rural Social and Community (RSC) Programme – for information only

                7)             Accounts for Authorization

05/064                   Proposed: Cllr Small, seconded: Cllr Ballard, that the accounts in the sum of £5855.65 be authorized

                                for payment.   Agreed.   Cllr Ballard audited the accounts;  the cheques were signed by

                                Cllrs Small and Bullock.

8)             Campaign for Sustainable Communities Bill

05/065                   Proposed: Cllr Bullock, seconded: Cllr Wilson, that the Council ask Richard Benyon MP to

                                support the Early Day Motion 641.   Vote: 9 in favour, 4 against, 2 abstentions.

                                The motion was carried and the clerk is to forward the letter of support to Richard Benyon.

                9)             2010+ Plan

05/066                   Proposed: Cllr Harries, seconded: Cllr Ticehurst, that this Council accepts in its entirety the final

                                report of Hungerford 2010+ Town Plan.   Agreed.

05/067                   Proposed: Cllr Ticehurst, seconded: Cllr Bullock, that this Council extends its thanks and appreciation

                                for the good work of the 2010+ team and congratulates the team for the high rate of 36% of public

                                response.

                10)           Who is to man the office in the Clerk’s absence?

05/068                   Proposed: Cllr Scorey, seconded: Cllr Ticehurst, that the office is closed during the clerk’s absence

                                and the public informed via email, website and recorded telephone message.   Vote: 11 in favour,

                                2 against, 1 abstention.

PART TWO  followed the withdrawal of the press.

The clerk withdrew after the first agenda item.

Part Two minutes taken by Cllr Small attached.

Signed…………………………….

Mayor, 5^th December 2005