Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on Wednesday, 7th May 2008 in the Town Hall Hungerford.

Present:  Cllrs Harries, Werrell, Booth, Gaines, Nesbitt, Wilson, Liddiard, Cardwell, Desmeules, Thompson, Hudson and Bullock

Jeff  (The Adviser) and Claire (The Newbury Weekly News)

6.30 pm Finance & General Purposes

Open Forum

Over 40 members of the public were present, all of whom were concerned about what they understood to be a proposal for housing development at Ramsbury Close, Hungerford.  After a request by the Chairman that a spokesman be chosen to speak for those present, Mark Ryjeski agreed to speak, and said that the residents present wished to object the basis of:

            loss of amenity

            possible loss of six bungalows (five of which are occupied by the elderly)

            compromised access

            loss of safe walking to school for children

            concerns about the ability of the infrastructure to cope with more households

            changes to the well-established nature of a well-developed area.

A member of the public said that she felt 'threatened' by the prospect.  The question was also posed as to whether the site was covenanted.

In order to allay the fears expressed by the group, it was stressed that neither recommendations nor decisions were in any way being made, and all that has happened so far is that a group of Councillors visited three sites around the town to identify one that might be suitable for low-cost housing of which there is a need in Hungerford.  Cllr Thompson explained that it was very difficult for local young people to get onto the housing ladder and, if we are to keep our young people in the town, affordable housing needs to be available

Six sites were initially identified and the three short listed were Ramsbury Close, Shalbourne Close (near Smitham Bridge) and an allotments site at Eddington.  The group wanted to know where the other sites were and Cllr Thompson agreed to let the residents know the names of the other three sites.

Testway (housing association) is looking at sites to see if they are viable for low-cost housing, and the Chairman suggested that the concerned residents form a representative group including a spokesperson and that they keep a close eye on planning notices produced by the West Berks Council Planning Department, a list of which is displayed in the library.  The chosen spokesperson can also keep in touch with the Town Council and we can pass the views of the group on to Testway and West Berkshire Council.  They are, of course, also free to make their own investigations.

If a site is identified, it will be subject to the full consultation process, and it is not possible to take the matter any further without it.  District Cllr Holtby advised that the best weapon is fact – not emotion.

District Councillor's Report

Cllr Holtby said that new recycling containers for plastic (bottles) and cardboard were to be available from end of May with collections starting on 23rd June.  The collection of green waste is likely to be later in the summer.

Regarding the Hungerford parking strategy, Highways Department has been tasked with completing the original work and make the agreed minor changes as soon as possible. 

Britannia Architectural Metalwork, of Alton, has been given the job of producing a plan (within a month) for the Canal Bridge based on an idea provided by the engineer Miles Roberts.  There is also to be additional site survey work done by Jacobs.  Cllr Liddiard asked to be present at any survey, and Cllr Holtby confirmed that the Town Council will see the report.

6 Bridge Street:  a constructive meeting was held on 21st April, chaired by Corporate Director John Ashworth, with Legal, Environment, Planning and Building Control to reconvene within a month to discuss progress and find a way forward.  The owner has been written to.

'Surgeries' are to be held by both Cllr Holtby and Cllr Hewer between 10 am and 12 noon on the first Saturday of each month, beginning on 7th June.  An article is to appear in Open Door. 

1.         Apologies for absence

            Cllrs Hewer, Buckwell, Acworth and Pope.

2.         Declarations of interest

            None.

3.         Minutes from meeting held on 7th April

            District Councillors Report:  sixth line should say that Cllr Holtby suggested the one-way circuit.

            Item 8 E&P report:  second line should say 24 houses (not 25).

            Item 8 H&T report:  delete last sentence of first paragraph, from 'proposed that a plaque is put on a bench'  to  'all in favour'.

            With these changes, the minutes were agreed as correct.  Proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Wilson, 1 abstention.

Minutes of Part II meeting held 7th April

Agreed as a correct record, proposed by Cllr Thompson, seconded by Cllr Liddiard, 8 in favour, 1 abstention.

4.         Finance

            Authorisation of March payments

            Cllr Bullock reported on the meeting between herself accompanied by Cllr Buckwell and Claire Barnes, to both Barclays where our account is at present held and the NatWest Bank, and was pleased to say that with the accounts in a healthy situation, Barclays offered an increased rate of interest. Cllr Bullock therefore recommended that we keep our account with Barclays:  it was then proposed by Cllr Hudson, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour.

            Authorisation of 137/145 payments

Cllr Bullock went through the list of grants recommended, noting that a large proportion was to go to the local charities.  The list was then proposed by Cllr Liddiard, seconded by Cllr Caldwell, all in favour.

5.         Election of Mayor

            Cllr Bullock said the Cllr Harries had experienced a tough year as Mayor, having spent a great deal of time working in the Town Council office.  She emphasised his boundless enthusiasm and dedication, highlighting the Rugby Club success, and his search for allotment sites, and adding that he was owed a debt of gratitude.  All agreed, and Cllr Bullock said that several citizens had suggested to her that Cllr Harries should stand again.  She therefore proposed that he serve a second year.  This was seconded by Cllr Thompson, all in favour.  After a round of applause, the Mayor accepted the position.

6.         Election of Deputy Mayor

            Joint Deputy Mayors Cllrs Hudson and Thompson were thanked for their services of the past year.  Cllr Liddiard then proposed Cllr Cardwell as the new Deputy Mayor, seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour.  The Mayor then passed on the deputy chain of office to Cllr Cardwell.

7.         Election of Chairman/Vice Chairman for F&GP

            Cllr Harries said that Cllr Bullock has done a superb job during the past year, and proposed her for a second year as Chairman of F&GP;  seconded by Cllr Hudson, all in favour.  Regarding the position of Vice Chairman, Cllr Bullock felt that it was important to have a vice chairman, and pointed out that this person should be appointed from amongst the new committee members.

8.         Committee membership

9.         Membership of associated groups

            Lists of the current committees and sub-committees were circulated and councillors spent a few minutes selecting the committees they wanted to sit on.

10.      Staffing Committee

                Cllr Thompson said that they were looking for two chairman and two non-F&GP members.  The item is to be left until the June meeting.

11.      Airspace of North West Downs AONB/CAA

The area is in the flight path of flights from Bournemouth and Southampton.  We were told that this was going to happen, although no-one was consulted, and there is an action group fighting this requirement for air space.  Other Councils are also getting anxious about this.  Cllr Hudson said that the key issue is night flying. The action group is taking legal advice and has asked for a donation of £200.  Chair of F&GP agreed that funds were available.   Cllr Hudson proposed the donation of £200, Cllr Harries seconded, all agreed, 1 abstention.

12.      Committee Reports

E&P – Cllr Thompson:  The West Berkshire Council presentation on development in rural West Berkshire has been an important issue for the Council.  Cllr Thompson outlined the presentation and circulated two West Berkshire Council documents, covering Options for Development in Rural Berkshire and an Overview.  He suggested that the next step is to 'digest' the two booklets, publicise the issue via Open Door and website, and then to produce a response, which is due by 13th June.  This is not just a West Berkshire issue, but comes from central government, although it was felt that West Berkshire Council should be encouraged to fight the issue.

R&A – Cllr Cardwell:  The Skatepark has benefited from £2,000 of repairs, plus £200 spent as a result of vandalism.  A group of skatepark users has formed a committee and is keen to look after the facilities.  Cllr Cardwell agreed that it has look good for the past six weeks.  The Cemetery at St Lawrence's Church will have the whole drive re-tarmaced.  Rabbit issues are being addressed.  St Saviour's gates are to be repaired and painted. Cllr Liddiard agreed to find out who owns the adjacent field since this is where the rabbits at St Saviour's are probably coming from.  A quote has been received for painting the outside of the building at The Triangle.  Smitham Bridge Play Area is to have tarmac laid on the slopes.

H&T – Cllr Hudson:  £285,000 has been allocated for the Canal Foot Bridge over the next two years

Triangle Field – Cllr Harries:  The Rugby Club has widened the gate to allow access by coaches, and they are installing a new telephone for their alarm system.

Newsletter – Cllr Thompson:  Cllr Thompson thanked everyone for getting in their copy, also to Cllr Booth for taking such good pictures.

The meeting closed at 9.05 pm.

Amendments……………………………………………………………………………………………

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

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