Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 3rd September 2007 in the Town Hall, Hungerford

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Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 3^rd September 2007 in the Town Hall, Hungerford.

Present: P. Harries (Mayor), R. Thompson, G. Bullock, D. Liddiard, R. Scorey, D. Small, M. Wilson.

6.30pm Finance and General Purposes

Present: G. Bullock, R. Thompson, P. Harries

Cheques in the sum of £8736.17 were signed by Cllrs Thompson and Harries. Cllr Harries also audited.

7.04pm District Councillor’s Report – made by Cllr David Holtby

- Congratulations to the Mayor on the presentation of the Tragedy Memorial Service to commemorate

the 20^th Anniversary of the Tragedy.

- Cllr Holtby has ensured that in future there will be a Polling Station in HD2 (Hungerford Newtown).

- Flooding: several houses in the Town were flooded with sewage. Cllr Holtby is unsure if the

householders will receive compensation.

- Several objections have been made in regard to the proposed changes in flight path which will

directly affect Hungerford.

- The next HEAT meeting is scheduled for the 18^th September 2007.

- Dates have been set for the next NAG meeting (13^th September 2007) and Roll Call.

- Planning – Costa Coffee – planning application turned down through delegated powers.

- The next Downlands Area Forum will be held in Hungerford on 3^rd October 2007.

- Library: completion is expected mid/late November 2007.

- Hungerford Parking Strategy: work has begun on this. The Traffice Order will be in place on the

13^th September 2007 and in force on the 14^th September 2007. There is a potential problem with

enforcement of the traffic order. The scheme will be reviewed in 6^th months.

- Capital spends – Cllr Holtby suggested that Councillors and District Councillors should liaise

over needs.

Cllr Bullock asked that the Arts Centre (Croft Field) plan be revived.

7.15pm Town Council Meeting commenced

Present: P. Harries (Mayor), R. Thompson, G. Bullock, W. Acworth, R. Scorey, Liddiard, D. Small,

M. Wilson and J. Hutchings (Clerk).

1) Apologies for absence

Apologies were received on behalf of:

Cllr Desmeules – delayed at work. Cllr Hudson – away on holiday. Cllr Cardwell – unwell.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Acworth and Small for their late arrival at the meeting.

2) Declaration of Interests

Cllr Scorey declared a prejudicial interest re Agenda item 5 (iii).

3) Minutes of 2nd July 2007

07/045 Proposed: Cllr Wilson, second: Cllr Liddiard. Vote: Unanimous. Minutes signed as a true and

accurate record by Cllr Harries.

4) Co-option

Cllr Harries explained the selection process. All candidates were present.

i) Jenny Booth.

07/046 Proposed: Cllr Harries, second: Cllr Thompson. Vote: All in favour

ii) Anthony Buckwell

07/047 Proposed: Cllr Bullock, second: Cllr Acworth. Vote: All in favour

iii) Dianne Pope

07/048 Proposed: Cllr Liddiard, second: Cllr Thompson. Vote: All in favour

iv) Tanya Werrell

07/048 Proposed: Cllr Thompson, second: Cllr Harries. Vote: All in favour

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The newly co-opted councillors signed the acceptance of office.

Cllr Bullock thanked all four candidates for standing for co-option.

Cllr Thompson commented on the very high standard of applicants.

5) Authorisation of Accounts – Year End

07/049 Proposed: Cllr Harries, second: Cllr Liddiard, that authorisation should be deferred until the

assets register is updated. Vote: All in favour.

07/050 Proposed: Cllr Thompson, second: Cllr Harries that £20,000 should be earmarked to reduce the

precept requirement for the financial year 2008-2009.

Amendment: Proposed: Cllr Bullock, second: Cllr Small that the decision to earmark funds should

be deferred until later in this financial year. Vote: All in favour.

07/051 Proposed: Cllr Thompson, second: Cllr Small, that the Clerk’s retirement reserve of £12,689.40

should be removed from the earmarked reserve and placed in the general reserve. Vote: 8 in favour

1 abstention.

i) Authorisation of Accounts for Payment

07/052 Proposed: Cllr Liddiard, second: Cllr Wilson, that accounts in the sum of £8,736.17 be authorised

for payment. Vote: All in favour.

Income - £5,947.99 (two months)

ii) Holdings and assets: not discussed.

iii) Awarding of Contract for the refurbishment of Smitham Bridge Playground

NB: Cllr Scorey left the room.

07/053 Proposed Cllr Wilson, second: Cllr Bullock that the contract for the refurbishment of Smitham Bridge

Playground should be awarded to Lappset.

Vote: Agreed unanimously.

Cllr Harries has asked the police to look at playgrounds and advise the Council re security issues.

Cllr Scorey returned to the meeting.

6) Mayor’s Report

The Mayor’s written report was distributed to all Councillors.

The Mayor thanked Cllrs Desmeules and Wilson for their work on the Hungerford in Bloom event.

Councillors thanked the Mayor and his helpers for organising the Tragedy Memorial Service.

Cllr Harries explained to the Council the closing of the MIU at Savernake Hospital.

Cllr Bullock urged all councillors to sign the letter that had been prepared to send to the Prime

Minister.

Cllr Liddiard reported on the pedestrian bridge and a picture of the proposed structure was displayed.

7) RBS Systems

Cllrs Bullock, Thompson and the Clerk have received a day’s training on the Omega system.

The Clerk has inputted the April, May and almost all of the June accounts onto the system.

Cllr Thompson is currently looking into the possibility of automated production of cheques.

8) North Wessex Downs AONB – Appointment of Advisory Member to the Council of Partners.

Cllrs were asked to consider whether anyone wished to be put forward for election. Anyone interested

must let the clerk know before 14^th September.

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9) Changing Locality Information in Postal Addresses

07/054 Proposed: Cllr Scorey, second: Cllr Thompson that a letter of support be sent to Mr Dash to aid his

efforts in trying to get Royal Mail’s locality information changed for Hungerford Newtown.

Vote: All in favour.

10) CAWB

Clerk to investigate organisations function and then place on the agenda for October.