Minutes of the Full Council
Meeting held on Monday, 7th July
2008, in the Town Hall, Hungerford
Present: Cllrs Peter Harries, Elizabeth Cardwell, Anthony Buckwell, David Liddiard, Margaret Wilson, Jenny Booth, Richard Hudson, Tanya Werrell, Dianne Pope, Denise Gaines, William Acworth, Matthew Nesbitt, District Councillor David Holtby. Jeff (The Adviser) and 1 member of the public.
Presentation on the defibrillator
Neil Marney is a response team ambulance officer with many years’ experience. There are already several defibrillator machines placed around the town but he suggests that three more are needed. The cost of a machine is £1,260 (+ VAT £220.50), total £1,480.50. They use a battery which last around 3 years and costs £80, the machine itself lasts indefinitely. There are funds held by others which would go towards the purchase of two defibrillators. Insurance which covers the user is provided by the Ambulance Service, provided the user has undergone the necessary training which takes around two hours. Neil then demonstrated the machine.
At 7.40 Neil Marney and the member of the public left the meeting.
District Councillor’s report
Cllr Holtby spoke on Cllr Buckwell’s policing paper; the problems with the re-employment of constables; the problems at the John O’Gaunt school; and the ‘teething troubles’ with the new recycling service. Regarding the collapse of the roof of 6 Bridge Street, he is attending a meeting on 9th July with the local environmental health people and will report back on this. He is aware of the continuing problems of parking in the town, especially near the surgery. He mentioned that the surgery was to include a new pharmacy and wondered whether Boots in the High Street would suffer as a result. He mentioned that the Co-op has made a bid for Somerfield Supermarket. And Network Rail wishes to erect a mast on their premises. The surgeries held by Cllrs Holtby and Hewer are going well and Cllr Holtby asked whether HTC would like to contribute. It was mentioned that WBC’s grass cutting strategy is letting the town down. The LDF response is still being calculated. It was mentioned that the phone lines to both Planning and Street Care are poor: councillors are urged to report instances to Cllr Holtby (through the Clerk).
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs Gwynneth Bullock, Roger Thompson, Rod Desmeules and District
Councillor Paul Hewer
2.
Declarations of interest: None
3. Minutes from meeting held on 2nd June 2008 were proposed as a true record by Cllr Gaines,
seconded by Cllr Wilson, all in favour.
Minutes from meeting held on 10th June 2008 were proposed as a true record by Cllr Gaines, seconded by Cllr Cardwell, 2 abstentions, 10 in favour.
4. Finance. Authorisation of payments
Payments amounting to £9,845.26 (excl VAT) were agreed and proposed by Cllr Booth, seconded by Cllr Cardwell, all in favour.
5. Year to date accounts (presented at every council meeting): copies can be seen in the office.
6. Acceptance of Internal Audit Report by Council
The chairman ran through the actions. Acceptance was then proposed by Cllr Liddiard, seconded by Cllr Nesbitt, all in favour.
7. Defibrillator – discussion
After general discussion, Cllr Buckwell proposed the purchase of one defibrillator, seconded by Cllr Liddiard, 3 abstentions, 9 in favour.
8. Personal safety and security
Previous to the meeting, Cllr Buckwell had circulated his paper, ‘Hungerford: Personal Safety and Security Issues’. He said that a wide range of people in Hungerford have been consulted and it appears that the situation is getting worse. He mentioned the reward system which is run in the New Forest whereby an informant is rewarded if information given leads to an arrest. He then suggested three actions:
(a) the Town Clerk to log all instances of vandalism, etc, notified to the Council: proposed by Cllr Buckwell, seconded by Cllr Liddiard, all in favour;
(b) through F&GP, to investigate and circulate information of a reward system, for recommendation if it is in budget and for resolution at the Council meeting; proposed by Cllr Buckwell, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour.
(c) Cllr Gaines proposed that we encourage the school to work with the police and also the Trading Standards and community schemes to maintain close connection with schools; seconded by Cllr Buckwell, all in favour.
Action: Cllr Buckwell to circulate information about the reward system in the New Forest.
9. Car-parking charging policy in Hungerford
The Chamber of Commerce has approached West Berkshire Council and has informed them that they would like a review of the parking in the High Street in an attempt to increase footfall in the town. HTC to be kept informed.
Action: Cllr Hudson to add this subject to the agenda of the H&T Committee and to invite the Chamber of Commerce to the meeting.
10. Triangle Field Fire
Cllr Cardwell outlined the fire damage to the Triangle Field buildings. The fire was an act of arson and Cllr Cardwell said we were extremely lucky that the fireman from Hungerford knew how to deal with this particular building. She also said a debt of gratitude was owed to the unknown lady to reported the fire. Three estimates for the repair are to be supplied, and it is expected that it will take 6 months to repair. The £20,000 earmarked for the new storage area could also be used at this time. Cllr Harries said that he had written a letter of thanks to the Fire Brigade in Reading. Cllr Cardwell’s husband was thanked for his help on this occasion.
Action: Article in Open Door.
11. Cllr Hudson’s letter to West Berkshire Council re re-zoning: this has now been sent.
12. Mayor's report
The Mayor outlined some of the events he has been involved with and said that the Deputy Mayor has also undertaken some mayoral functions. He will be opening the carnival on Saturday.
13. Committee reports
R&A – Cllr Cardwell
One picture is to be removed from the Skatepark, since it is inappropriate. There are new goals on the Recreation Ground. Bulpit/Smitham Bridge – an order has been made for the repairs. Primulas have been planted at Bridge Street War Memorial. The gates at St Saviours are to be repaired. There is an increase in the rent for the Swimming Pool.
E&P – Cllr Booth
Hungerford Park planning application arrived without plans so no comment was made. Benson’s Garage: no decision made but the details have gone back to West Berkshire Council and a site visit is expected. The noise problem with CPI: we are awaiting the outcome from WBC. A meeting with Testway and an architect is to take place at the Swimming Pool House site with respect to affordable housing.
H&T – Cllr Hudson
A letter has been sent to West Berks Council concerning re-zoning of the Oaks Bros site. Hungerford-in-Bloom went well. Pedestrian bridge across the canal: a meeting has been arranged with BWB for Monday 14th July. Street cleaning and lighting: an article is to go in Open door together with the Streetcare telephone number. Coach park location is still under discussion.
Action: Article re ‘Streetcare’ in Open Door
F&GP – Cllr Bullock
Cllr Bullock is away on holiday.
Triangle Field – Cllr Harries
Wickham Wanderers, the Juniors and Rugby Club lost their kit in the fire. Temporary water and electricity are being connected with separate meters.
Allotments – Cllr Harries
Cllrs Harries and Acworth looked at potential allotment sites: Eddington, Strongrove, Smitham Bridge and Marsh Lane, and Marsh Lane was by far the best site. Mr Clothier has expressed an interest in coming to an agreement, and D Small has said he would draw up an agreement.
Action: F&GP to be approached re funding.
[Cllrs Wilson and Liddiard left the meeting at 9.25 pm.]
Newsletter – Cllr Thompson
Cllr Thompson is away. Articles for inclusion in the next newsletter should be handed to the Clerk in the TC office. Cllr Nesbit agreed to edit the newsletter.
Action: All councillors to consider an article for the newsletter
LDF/2010 report – Cllr Gaines
Discussion took place on the poor response to the LDF questionnaire. 260 forms were received by WBC, and a report is now being produced. The final analysis will be available by the end of July and on the website in August.
Action: Feedback to be on the agenda of the next meeting
HEAT – Cllr Acworth
CCB administer Seeda funding - £14-15,000 available for use in the town, and a project for it needs to be found
The meeting closed at 9.45 pm.
Amendments……………………………………………………………………………………………
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Signature…………………………………….
Chairman of Full Council
Date…………………………………………..