Minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on Monday 5th November 2007 in the Town Hall, Hungerford
Present: P. Harries (Mayor), R Thompson, R Hudson, J Booth, A Buckwell,
G Bullock, E Cardwell, Desmeules, D Liddiard, D Pope, R Scorey,
T Werrell, M Wilson
D Holtby, P Hewer – WBC
District Councillor’s Report made by D Holtby
1. Hungerford parking - a meeting attended by R Hudson, Alex Drysdale (WBC), P Harries was held on 2nd November regarding signage and correction elements to be acted on now. Croft area, Parsonage Lane, Church Street, Church Lane. Overall it was viewed well by the public. The main problem is displacement. Standard exemption – hearses and wedding cars may park on double yellow lines outside the church.
2. Library – due to open on 4th January 2008. The official opening will be on 19th January 2008. From 17th December 2007 until 4th January 2008 Hungerford will be without any library service.
3. Primary School – a meeting will be held at 3pm on Friday 9th November to discuss new provision.
4. Briefing 12 November 2007 with Town Council.
5. Remembrance Sunday – Meet at 10.30. Parade at 10.45.
6. Speed limit on common has been discussed with West Berks Council.
7. Taxi Rank is imminent and is in the hands of the contractors. It will be positioned under the railway bridge.
7.15pm?? Town Council Meeting commenced
1) Apologies for absence
Apologies received from Cllr Acworth
2) Declaration of interests
There were no declarations of interest.
3) Minutes of 1st October 2007
Matters arising – NAG to accept one Town Councillor in future.
Proposed: Cllr Liddiard, Seconded: Cllr Wilson. All in favour
Part 2 Minutes of 24th October
No Cllrs Cardwell, Scorey (7.20)
Apologies: Cllr Cardwell
Proposed: Cllr Thompson, Seconded: Cllr J Booth 10 in favour, 2 abstentions
Minutes were signed as a true and accurate record by Cllr Harries.
4) Mayor’s Report
The Mayor reported the suspension of the Clerk and that there would be an investigation by 3 councillors.
Cllr Small had resigned. His letter had been made public so the resignation had to be taken with immediate effect and not at the date suggested in his letter.
It was suggested that an extraordinary meeting should be held to sign off Part 2 Minutes + meeting chaired by Cllr Small 30/10/07 as he was deemed to have resigned by that date. The meeting Is to be held at 6.30 on 13th November before F&GP @ 7pm. Agreed by all Councillors present. Agendas to be issued 6/11/07.
The Mayor’s report was circulated. Special thanks were given to all volunteers in the Town.
5) Committee Reports
i) F & GP
Cllr Scorey requested a statement on the current 2010+ balance.
£600 credit with MK Illuminations advised by Cllr Desmeules.
No authorisation of accounts on agenda, therefore accounts could not be passed at this meeting. Action: include on agenda for F&GP meeting on 13th November 2007
G Bullock thanked Councillors for the flowers sent to wish her a speedy recovery from her operation. She also advised of awareness on no receipt of invoices from S Maidment and A S Slater £314,299 advised in accounts on deposit £40,000 requested 5/11/07 to be transferred to business reserve account to pay towards refurbishment at Bulpit Lane and Smitham Bridge.
ii) R & A
Triangle Field -
Skate Park – Police report. Lock gates – to be put on next agendas.
Bulpit Lane – progressing well, but not yet open. People are using it, but insurance is not in place, only the contractors’ insurance. the opening date the proposed at 17th November at 10.30.
Smitham Bridge – thanks to the Round Table the work is progressing well.
St Lawrence – pollarding completed.
St Saviour’s – phase 1 complete. Quotation received for phase 2.
iii) E & P
In September 2006 a document was produced for Code of Conduct. WBC have written to advise HTC of the need to supply Code of Conduct. Action: next full council meeting (13/11/07) put on agenda for adopting.
Affordable Housing – meeting 26/11/07 – 12 potential sites identified.
34aHigh Street (laundrette) – won on appeal to demolish and build new building with flat above.
New application received for change of use to Thai Restaurant. Passed on Chairman’s casting vote at West Berks Council.
iv) H & T
Precept discussed for next year.
Christmas lights – Cllr Desmeules expressed concern at the budget.
Parking study – working with District Councillors.
v) Triangle Field
Building coming on well up to roof level.
RFU want facility to be used as a full sports facility. D Small has suggested a less restrictive lease. Change from Rugby facility to general sports facility.
Action: to put on agenda for meeting on 13/11/07
In interim, Councillors agreed Cllr Harries to report to Cllr Small and Rugby Club to take action.
Thanks to Cllr Liddiard for various items retrieved.
vi) Newsletter
No issues with distribution.
Thanks given for contributions, especially from new Councillors. Feedback so far has been positive.
6. Precepts
H & T, R & A has discussed. F & GP to be discussed on 13/11/07. Cllr Scorey has requested £500 to continue in budget for E & P for next financial year.
7. Auditor and quotes
Defer to F & GP on 13/11/07. Action: to include on agenda.
8. Library
Small items, cleaning, etc. to be discussed. Lease signed and additions to be ratified by WBC. HTC now committed to moving to new library. It will be furnished for 2 staff + users. Hope to have access in December.
9. Computer
£2K allocated to purchase new computers. To be discussed at F & GP on 13/11/07.
Meeting closed at 8.30pm.
Date of next meeting: 3rd December 2007
Signed …………………….