Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on Monday 4th February 2008 in the Town Hall Hungerford.

 

Present:  Cllrs Thompson (Chair), Bullock, Werrell, Cardwell, Hudson, Desmeules, Liddiard, Acworth, Nesbitt, Pope, Booth.

6.30 pm Finance & General Purposes

Open Forum

 

Public present to raise concerns raised regarding the allotments, tenants have been given a years notice subject to planning permission being gained for development of the site.  Although the allotment holders have been assured an alternative site will be found nothing has happened to date.  The Town and Manor have been approached to see if they have any site that could be used for allotments, but nothing is available.  It has been suggested that part of the common could be used, but to do this it would mean going to the Secretary of State.  Members support retaining allotments in the town, 2010 plan mentions keeping allotments.  There is not a full uptake of allotments in Marsh Lane.

District Councillors Report

Cllrs David Holtby and Paul Hewer were present, expressed that they were sorry to see the departure of Cllrs Scorey and Small.  Congratulated the Councillors on their work for the Christmas lights, play park, the new offices in the library and the work to date on the footbridge.  The District Council will be contributing to the traffic calming measures at Sanham Green.  There was a discussing about the plan to erect fencing around the John O’Gaunt School, the aim being to protect the children, the fence will be camouflaged by shrubs.  Discussion re who is responsible for footpaths and dog bins.  Update/discussion on the future of John O’Gaunt Technology College and how it is used during the day and the evening.  The plan is to slow traffic a 20 mph speed limit will apply to all schools, statutory requirement from Central Government in the future.  WBC are not in favour of signs.  The fence is to keep vandals out, discussion about how much vandalism there is and are there any figures available, Cllr Holtby to find out.  Statutory requirement from Central Government.  Update on the speed limit on the common, Town and Manor want a 40 mph speed limit.  Diversion of the A4 through the industrial estate, no planning or funding available.  Farm shop at Highclose has changed hand, planning on expanding the range and introducing a wider range of local goods.  Cllr Hewer and Cllr Holtby are hoping to be available in the library for the public and hope to start a Saturday morning surgery with the Town Council.



 

1.       Mathew Nesbitt Co-option

Paperwork etc completed for the co-option of Mathew Nesbitt.  Committee welcomed Cllr Nesbitt to the Town Council.

2.       Apologies for absence

Cllr Harries, Wilson

3.       Declarations of interest

None

4.       Minutes 4th January – Matters Arising

Minutes approved.  Proposed Cllr Bullock, seconded Cllr Liddiard, all in favour.

5.       Finance – Authorisation of Payments

Total paid out this month £16,035.27.  Three amounts added to list circulated Triangle Field, Tony Lavers and AM Electrics.

Income this month was £3,603.50 plus £42 for burials, plus a rate refund, plus a refund from Crown Court and a VAT refund £27,000.

Proposed Cllr Liddiard, seconded Cllr Cardwell, all in favour.

6.       Adopt a Station Scheme – Mrs Alison Stone from First Great Western

Presentation from First Great Western encouraging the town residents to help maintain the station.  First Great Western are short of staff to keep the area clean and tidy.  Need help to clear rubbish, plant flowers, paint the area, general surveillance as the station is not manned all the time.  Somerfield side is locked can only be accessed by First Great Western staff.  There is a maintenance team, but the resources are limited.  Funding is available for plants etc just need the people to look after the station.  Currently the conditions for commuters are poor.  Felt a new station building like the one in Thatcham would be good, nothing planned at the moment.  Cllr Buckwell raised concerns with the ticket machine and the reflection from the sun, machine may be re-sited.  It was raised that there is not a helpline number to contact if trains are late etc.  There are plans to install help points and CCTV at stations.  Need to plan what would be wanted advert boards, community notice boards, flowers etc.  Town to provide labour, First Great Western to provide equipment.

7.       Hungerford Town Guide

Cllr Buckwell taking the lead regarding the Town Guide, has circulated 300/400 in the last few weeks.  Committed to one more addition in September and one in 2010.  Future expenditure should only be for 3,000 or 5,000 copies in 2008 and 2010.  Delivery is free, done by Members

8.       Update on Church Lane Footpath

Item on Highways and Transport agenda for 12th February

9.       Review of Financial Regulations and Standing Orders

Standing orders and Financial Regulations to be reviewed now and on a regular basis.  Last issue by NALC was in 2004, they review in line with Government Regulations.  Agreed to form a Working Party, Cllrs Booth, Nesbitt, Hudson, their role would be to report with draft documentation.
Proposed Cllr Bullock, seconded Cllr Liddiard.

10.    Representative for NAG

Aim of group to keep close contact between council, police, public, CSO and District Councillors.  Group includes Inkpen and Hungerford.  Proposed that Cllr Nesbitt fills this role with Cllr Werrell as backup.  Proposed Cllr Acworth, seconded Cllr Bullock, all in favour.  NAG representative have ‘role calls’ to go out into the community 3 to 4 times a year.

Cllr Cardwell to arrange for Cllrs Nesbitt and Werrell to go out with the police.

11.    HEAT

Cllr Acworth is in the Steering Group for HEAT.  Next meeting on 4th March.  Approximately 60 people are signed up.  Sub-groups are to be set up.  A presentation will be done at the Parish meeting on 20th March.  £500 in the precept for HEAT.

12.    Pedestrian Bridge across the canal

West Berkshire Council’s consultant engineers have done a study/report for a pedestrian bridge over the canal.  Cllr Hudson has met with Miles Roberts (WBC) and Cllrs Hewer and Holtby to agree that we need to look at alternatives.  Proposal that HTC support in principle the construction of a pedestrian crossing over the canal.  HTC would encourage WBC to progress alternative bridge crossing options to bring forward for considerations.  Proposed Cllr Bullock, seconded Cllr Liddiard, 8 in favour, 2 abstentions, 1 against

13.    Triangle Field Lease – Supplemental Agreement with Hungerford Rugby Club and West Berkshire Council for approval and signature

Proposed that standing orders are suspended Proposed Cllr Bullock, seconded Cllr Buckwell, all in favour
Representative fro the club requires funding, agreed to sign lease so that the funding can be available to complete building.  WBC have drafted an agreement.  Proposed that standing orders are reinstated Cllr Booth, Seconded Cllr Pope, all in favour Proposed that Cllr Liddiard and Cllr Thompson sign the agreement.  Proposed Cllr Bullock, seconded Cllr Buckwell, all in favour.


14.    Mayors report

Mayors report for January will be brought to the March meeting.

15.    Committee Reports

In view of the time constraints the Chairman proposed that committee reports should be submitted in writing.


Meeting closed at 8.50pm


Signature ………………………………..    Chairman of Full Council

 

Amendments………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

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Appendix – Committee Reports

R & A

Cllr Cardwell not at meeting

E & P
The situation re Jog railings was discussed last night and the response to the West Berks Planning strategy outlined in OD8.  Affordable Housing project has reached the stage of selection of the best provider.  One of three will be selected from presentations at a special planning meeting on Tuesday 19th February at 7.00pm.  Planning routines are being maintained.

H & T

Refer to minutes from Highways and Transport Meeting on 12th January 2008

F & GP

Current financial status  - Treasury Account £157,088.49, Business Reserve £51,341.87, Current Account £5993.62

Triangle Field

Adjourned to next meeting.

Newsletter
OD8 hit the streets last Friday.  No feedback to date and would welcome any constructive feedback/suggestions for the next issue.  The Mayor has suggested that we devote some of OD9 to issues relating to the Youth and children of the Town, and the June issue will also carry a summary of the Parish Meeting and the Annual TC meeting.  I will be calling an editorial meeting in March.  Your contributions are vital for keeping Open Door topical and relevant (and dare I say amusing?), and making the editorial role much easier.

Finally distribution gratefully continues via the Adviser.  Copies have gone to all leisure centres, doctors and dental surgeries, some of the pubs and clubs, Jog College and the library.  It is also posted on the Council website.  There are copies spare in the council offices so if you are aware of any areas missed, please feel free to arrange to collect and distribute.  Thanks to the Adviser for continuing distribution support.