Minutes of a Meeting of the Hungerford Town Council held on the 8^th May 2007 at 7.00pm in the Town Hall Hungerford and for a Meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held during the Council Meeting.

Present Cllrs :- Acworth, Ballard, Buckle, Bullock, Desmeules, Cardwell, Harries, Hudson, Liddiard, Scorey, Small, Thompson and Wilson and Locum Clerk in attendance .

The following papers were laid on the table:- Code of Conduct and a report on the availability of the Locum Clerk

07/36	Apologies and Declarations of Office and Interest     -   it was noted that all Members had signed their declaration of office – with one signing at the Meeting.   Apologies for lateness were received and accepted  from Cllr Desmueles. It was noted that the new District Councilors would attend this Meeting but they were at a  course until later this evening. The out going  Mayor, Cllr Bullock, thanked Members for their support in last Municipal Year and welcomed Clr Buckle into the “team”.  At this point  Members gave the Mayor a vote  of thanks for her leadership.
07/37	Appointment of Chairman of Council/Mayor and Deputy Two candidates for Mayor were put forward .  Cllr Ballard was proposed by Cllr Cardwell and Seconded by Cllr Small and Cllr Harries proposed by Cllr Liddiard    and Cllr Wilson. Cllr Ballard said that he would like to  promote  more community awareness and set up a twenty four help line for townspeople. Clr Harries said that he wanted  to  promote Quality status of the Council; working together with all members of committees  taking a responsibility for Council issues. It was the  proposed  by Cllr Scorey and Seconded by Cllr Thompson that the vote on the candidates should not be recorded but by a show of hands.   On a show of hands; eight to four; Cllr Harries was elected as Town Mayor for the ensuing Municipal Year     Cllr Harries made his Declaration   of  Office at this point in time and thanked Cllr Ballard for his help over the last year and they shook hands . Cllr Harries also thanked the outgoing District Councillor  ie Cllr Gaines for her work on the Town’s behalf. Following a brief discussion it was decided to appoint two Deputy Mayors.  It was Resolved that Cllr Hudson and Cllr Thompson be appointed as Deputy Mayors for the ensuing Municipal Year.  It was noted that   Cllr Thompson made his Declaration of Office only, at this point in time,   as there were no more declaration forms. Minutes - At this point in time Members confirmed that the  previously circulated Minutes of a Meeting of Town Council and General Purposes Committee held on the  2^nd April 2007 were a true and accurate record and they were duly signed
07/038	To note Meeting Dates of the Town Council to December 2007 ; previously circulated. Members noted the Meeting dates without further comment and noted the tabled list of dates when the Locum Clerk could be available.  It was hoped that the Clerk would soon be able to return.   Following this it was re affirmed  that Chairs of Committees  would takes minutes and prepare and send out agendas [at this point in time Clr Desmeules arrived] this would leave the Clerk available to service Council.  The Locum Clerk was thanked for his  worked over the last few days
07/39	To Appoint Members to Committees and outside Bodies for the ensuing Municipal Year Minute 7/34 it was agreed that there should be a discussion as to how this Council will deal with environmental issues There was a recommendation from the Locum Clerk to Appoint Chairs of Committees.   A list of Committee and local  Appointments  had been previously circulated minus the names.  Following a brief discussion Members agreed :- a] the attached list of [to these minutes] Committee Membership and the Chair for the Finance and General Purposes Committee be Clr Mrs Bullock  b ] that no other Chairs be appointed this evening and it be done  at the next programmed meeting of committees Further there had been a request from Eliza Jane Trust to this Council to concur with the appointment of Mr Allen as a Trustee.  This was approved without dissent. Members discussed the issue of dealing with global warming impacts and how they would be processed by the Council.  It was noted that the new environmental group; arsing from the proceedings of the Annual Meeting  had called themselves HEAT standing for Hungerford Environmental Action Team.
07/39	It was Resolved that :- c]  that the Environmental and Planning Committee would not change its title d] that Hungerford Town Council would support HEAT and its Minutes should be circulated to Council and be noted in Reports from Committees and that matter be reviewed
07/36a	Reports from District Councilors It was agreed :-   to alter the order of business and suspend Standing Orders in order to allow the District Councilors to present themselves to the Council  [for the record they are Cllr  Holtby  & Cllr Hewer
07/ 40	Finance and General Purposes  Committee It was agreed to place this as the last time tonight [under agenda item 07/45
07/41	Viewing of the Councils Property –  It was agreed that would be an Agenda item for the next meeting.
07/42	Town Office   - further to Minute  GP&F 7/004 this was requested as standing agenda item – Chair of Finance and General Purposes Committee  to Report  -  It was noted that the Cllr Small would contact the property owners on the matter of terminating the lease for Town Office
07/43	Co-Option – Council has requirement to co-opt    Members have the option of dealing with matter this day; adjourning or calling a separate meeting    It was Resolved :-  that this Council would co-opt two councilors and the manner in which it was to be done would discussed at the July Meeting It was felt that Open Door could be used to advertise the fact that this Council would be co-opting in the future.
	2015 Clr Hudson left
07/43a	Report from Last Years Committee Chairs [ this item had been doubled numbered and is now number 43a]  - further two additional items to that on the Agenda were taken a] Triangle Field Sub Committee & b] News Letter Group a] Finance and General Purposes Committee – Cllr Small thanked other Councilors for their input and acknowledged  the contribution of Mr Hutchings and the Internal Auditor in keeping the account in order  b] Recreation and  Amenities – Cllr Cardwell advised Members that there had been significant work in clearing nettles and over grown trees at St Saviors’.   She also advised Members on the progress of the new play area at Bulpit Lane – The Clerk then advised Members that further to the Minutes he had received the correct agreement between WBC and HTC and had duly signed this and would send this off.   He drew Members attention to the clauses to insure the play ground.   It was asked if the contractor would insure the site works.   The Locum Clerk was asked not to send the Agreement off but to go back to the RAW Committee. c]Highways and Transport Committee – Clr Harries reported on the following matters :- illuminated signs – not working – the District Councils Members were asked if they could follow up this matter – Zebra crossing at Charnham St.   He advised that the library was being serviced by the Mobile and the Web team were asked to put the opening times on the Web site and for it to go on the Notice board .  The Mobile was being used as the temporary WBC staff toilet burnt down and and spread to the rest of the temporary library and the Portaloos provided by the Town Council [further to Agenda item 07/44] and advised that a report would be made to next Highways and Transport Committee Environment and Planning Committee   Clr Scorey advised Members that they in conjunction with other bodies were investigating possible Rural Exception Sites for affordable housing.  It was noted that planning issues were being monitored at each Meeting.   Triangle Field Sub Committee-  It was reported that Cllr Small had met with the WBC Solicitor to clarify lease matters and that this had be amicably done.   It was noted that the Sub Committee were trying to find an efficient and economical  solution  to dealing with the cesspit contents . News  Letter Group  - following a brief report from Cllr Thompson  the following Members agreed to assist Cllr Thompson in Editorial work as an editorial working party  :- Clrs :- Wilson, Desmueles , Small, Scorey, Town Mayor as Ex officio
07/44	Fire problems – this was dealt with under 7/43
07/45	Environment Group Meeting – it was noted that this had been dealt with under Min 07/39
07/40	Finance & General Purposes Committee following this item being moved to the end of business’ Members dealt with Cheque signing at this point in time
	a] It was Resolved that :- the previously circulated and amended cheque list be approved. In respect of the following issues need for a fireproof box  it was Resolved :-  b] fire proof box  -  to delegate this to the Finance and General Purposes Committee to deal with c] cheque signatories -  that cheque signatories would be dealt with once Committee Chairs had been appointed d] Internal Audit - A Ross be confirmed as the Appointed Internal Auditor for ensuing Municipal year and  it be noted the input of Mr Ross and Mrs Hutchings for getting the accounts upto date No decision was made to review insurance as no chairs were appointed. No decision was made in respect of acknowledging the work of the person under taking the pay roll.
	The meeting was concluded at 2045 Signed………………………………. The next meeting is 4^th June 2007