Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on Monday 3rd March 2008 in the Town Hall Hungerford.
Present:
Cllrs Harries, Nesbitt, Buckwell,
Pope, Werrell, Liddiard, Booth, Bullock, Cardwell, Hudson,
Ackworth, Thompson
Jeff (The Adviser)
Clare Hardy (Newbury Weekly News)
6.30 pm Finance & General Purposes
Open Forum
Representatives were present from the allotment holders, they have now all
received a solicitors letter , delivered by hand and signed for, giving notice
to quit at the end of February 2009. Allotment holders are now asking where
allotments will be available in the future. There has not been any public
consultation for development on the site at the moment. HTC is looking in to
where land may be available for use as allotments, this could be in the Borough
or outside. Suggest that the allotment holders and HTC form a group together.
Currently there is no planning application for development of the allotment
site. Humberts have a list of allotment holders and a waiting list. Allotment
holders currently pay rent and are happy to continue to do so.
District Councillors Report
No District Councillors present
1.
Apologies for absence
Cllr Wilson
2.
Declarations of interest
None
3.
Minutes from meeting held
on 4th February Matters Arising
Minutes will no longer be in draft
any amendments will be entered at the end.
Minutes from 4th February were signed as correct, Proposed Cllr
Bullock, seconded Cllr Liddiard, 11 in favour, 1 abstention.
4.
Finance Authorisation of
Payments
Figures correct on 3/03/2008:-
Treasury account - £171,713.75
Business Reserve - £25,321.87
Current account - £3,445.89
Error on sheet relating to WBC payroll figures, Cllr Bullock to update and
circulate to all, total should read as £22,484 not £21.974.07
Income this month is £1275.81 from rent, xmas lights and burials.
Accounts accepted as amended. Proposed Cllr Thompson, seconded Cllr Cardwell,
all in favour.
Thanks were expressed to Cllr Bullock for undertaking the role/work of the RFO
while the post is vacant.
5.
Sign Completion Lease
The Rugby Club and The Triangle Field
under lease needs to be signed so the funding is available to complete the
building program. David Small is not able to attend the meeting, has sent a
letter, Cllr Harries read the letter. There are 2 documents to be signed so
the club can be completed. Proposed that this is done. Proposed Cllr Cardwell,
seconded Cllr Liddiard, all in favour. Proposed that Cllr Harries signs the
document and L Blackwell signs as a witness, proposed Cllr Acworth, seconded
Cllr Booth, all in favour.
Club House is due to open on Good Friday.
6.
Insurance for Councillors (Cllr
Bullock)
Discussion re personal indemnity for
councillors, cover for action taken against councillors by the public. Marlborough
Town Council have taken out an insurance policy for councillors. Agreed that
Cllr Harries would approach Zurich to investigate what the policy HTC have covers
regarding libel/slander or malicious threats. Agreed it would be investigated
and brought to a future meeting. Cllr Harries has looked at policy, officials indemnity
and Part D liable and slander were not in place Cllr Harries had added,
fidelity guarantee is now in place. Cllr Harries read policy details to all
from insurance brochure. Cllrs now covered apart from personal
liability/indemnity. Cllr Harries to carry on investigating as proper office,
need to clarify what is covered and costs, all to e mail comments to Cllr
Harries, proposals will be made at next meeting.
7.
RFU & Hungerford Rugby
Club Underlease (Cllr Harries)
Covered under item 5
8.
CCTV Cameras (Three Swans)
(Cllr Pope)
Mr Hodges from The Three Swans
Hotel has contacted HTC regarding the use of CCTV cameras. The Hotel has four
cameras and is only using one, has offered the use of one to HTC to be directed
at the front of the Town Hall, the Town and Manor would have to be approached
as they are responsible for this building. Town and Manor do have a camera on
the front of the Town Hall but this is only on during the day. Cllr Pope to
talk to The Three Swans to find out if there are any financial implications if
HTC use camera, also to speak to Town and Manor, feedback to Full Council in
April.
9.
Allotments To acquire
Cllr Harries has purchased a book on
allotments, the law states that the Council has to provide allotments, but they
do not have to be in the Town. Cllr Harries and Cllr Thompson are going to the
Land Registry to check for ownership of land in the town and to identify land
that could be used for allotments and to check land ownership. It may be
necessary to use compulsory purchase to obtain land for use as allotments as we
are bound by legislation to provide allotments. Cllr Cardwell pointed out that
allotments are part of the towns heritage and that there is a waiting list,
Cllr Bullock pointed out the health benefits of maintaining an allotment. Cllr
Thompson noted that the public needed to write and advise the Council if they
wanted an allotment so an up to date list could be maintained. The 2010 plan
mentions retention of allotments, HEAT encourages the use of allotments.
Suggested that we approach the Catholic Church about help with purchase of land
for use as allotments and work together to find a solution. C Scorey has a
list of landowners in the area. Expressed that the allotment area would also
need parking. Catholic Church allotments area is private property. Cllr
Thompson to get a list of landowners from 2010. Plans should be available
after Friday. Allotment sites to be added to next RA & WM agenda.
10.
Parish Meeting -20th
March
Cllr Harries asked for agenda items
and thoughts on layout of room. The meeting would involve the public. Thames
Valley Police have been invited. Asked all for thoughts on what should be put
in to the meeting to give the public the maximum benefit, all suggestions to be
e mailed to Cllr Harries. Attended by approximately 150 people last year.
District Cllrs to attend. Cllr Harries and Cllr Thompson to plan delivery to
the public, identify specific topics that the public have strong views about,
responses to be led by the Chair of the relevant committee. Need to let the
public know what has been done by the Council - New Offices, Playgrounds,
Parking Strategy etc
11.
Mayors Report
Attended Junior Court in Newbury
where the children hear a court case, this was a case relating to leylandi
trees, the finals are in Reading. Also attended The Mayors Ball in Marlborough,
this was very good.
Committee
Reports
R & A Cllr Cardwell
The meeting on 26/2 was poorly
attended, there is a lot going on. Lot of work being done in St Lawrences and St Saviours
Churchyard. A new contractor has been given the contract. Cllr Bullock to
contact the mole man. Cllrs Harries and Cardwell to attend St Lawrence PCC
meeting to discuss work that may be done.
Skate
Park
problem with litter, equipment now showing signs of age, Rhino Equipment have
been contacted for a quote for repairs to equipment.
Smitham Bridge Play area has had some vandalism
Triangle Field is coming on well
Cllr Harries to find out what the Explorers have done this year
Cllr Booth has been approached by 3 young mothers re Bulpit Lane Play Area, it
is designed for 4 14 year olds, would like something for younger children. Ramsbury Drive
park has equipment for younger age group.
Member of the public questioned whether the equipment was safe, site has been
inspected and a letter has been received to say it meets all the necessary
requirements. Lottery Grant plaque was stolen 2 days after it was put up, a
replacement has been ordered.
Some of the slats on the equipment in Smitham Bridge are broken.
Suggested that an article is put in the Town Guide re play areas.
Town and Manor have taken down St Lawrences Church gates, the wall then fell
down, HTC is assisting with the cost of rebuilding. Footpath from St Lawrence
to the canal is down the side and not through the main gates.
E & P Cllr Thompson
Variation report received for the bus shelter at Hungerford Newtown for the
sides of the bus shelter to be moved.
John OGaunt Technology College railings variation to plan, railings
moved back, letter sent to school re security, felt the money could be better
spent on the school, letter to WBC Education and Planning Services.
LDF Seminar Future plan for WBC area unfolded, number of new houses planned
for the area by 2026 is approximately 10,000. Time was spent in groups to
consider areas, advertising via developers and interested parties. Suggested
that properties in Hungerford would be on the south of the town, this was put
forward by Linden Homes, felt this was not the best place for future
development. Need to establish ownership of land.
Affordable Housing once sites are considered we can apply for rural
exception, partners will be Testway. Plan will be for 25 houses.
HEAT Steering Group on 4/3 will be preparing a presentation for the Town
Meeting on 20/3. Cllr Harries to contact the School Council re the Youth
Council
H & T Cllr Hudson
Currently looking in to footpath signs
for The Croft, The Marsh. Liaising with WBC and the Town and Manor re the new
path.
Street cleaning need to identify sites for dog bins
Railway station adoption , a group is being set up, not known if they have met
yet, Highways and Transport to support, may assist with funding, S106 parish
grant. Discussion re new buildings and the need for cosmetic improvement.
Parking traffic regulation letter in NWN on 28/2, planning to meet with WBC.
Street Trading Consent Applications currently compiling comments, survey not
yet complete.
Station group being formed, Cllr Hudson to check group members, Cllr Bullock
raised the issue of litter in the station car park
Cllr Harries advised the group that he is working with Cllr Buckwell and the
Town and Manor regarding reinstatement of the bridge on the Marsh, cost to
replace bridge is estimated at £10,000, there are two other bridges, this is
ongoing. The ramblers have taken WBC to court because the Pegasus Bridge has
fallen away.
F & GP Cllr Bullock
Figures correct on 3/03/2008:-
Treasury account - £171,713.75
Business Reserve - £25,321.87
Current account - £3,445.89
Next month HTC will receive the first half of the precept, approximately £89.000.
Last month £14,500 was transferred into the treasury reserve account.
The internal auditors came on 10/3. The next phase of RBS will be to introduce
the cheques being written by computer.
Triangle Field Cllr Harries
Nothing to update this month
Newsletter Cllr Thompson
Next open Door is due out in May. New councillors and committee chairs
will be introduced in this edition, there will be a summary of the Parish
meeting, comments from all would be appreciated.
Town Guide Cllr Buckwell
This item can be moved from future agendas.
Meeting closed at 20.50 pm.
Signature
. Chairman of Full Council
Date
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Amendments
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