Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on Monday 1st September 2008 in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford

Present: Cllrs Peter Harries, Elizabeth Cardwell, William Acworth, Anthony Buckwell, Richard Hudson, Rod Desmeules, Jenny Booth, Gwynneth Bullock, Denise Gaines, Dianne Pope; Mr David Holtby, Mr Paul Hewer, Claire Hardy (NWN), Jeff Adams (The Adviser). Two members of the public.

Public Forum

Mark Ryjeski asked, on behalf of the residents of Ramsbury Drive/Shalbourne Way, if there was any progress to report on housing development at the Ramsbury Drive area. He was assured that no plans have been handed to West Berkshire Council, and no developer has looked at the land. He was informed of the public meeting planned for 16th October in the Corn Exchange Hungerford, from 3 pm to 8 pm where the subject of Rural Exception Sites is to be considered.

District Councillors’ Reports

District Councillor Holtby reported that John O’Gaunt school’s performance is now positive, and there is discussion on having an Open Day to promote the school. The acting head is to come to the October Council meeting. Action: Clerk. Regarding the parking strategy in Hungerford, ‘keep clear’ markings are being done outside the Surgery. Efforts to resolve the unsightly No 6 Bridge Street are progressing. Re the town bridge, Cllr Holtby has spoken to Miles Roberts of WBC – discussion then took place on the type of bridge preferred. It was agreed that a meeting needs to take place between Hungerford Town Council, WBC, British Waterways Board and the two district councillors. Action: Cllr Harries. Other issues outlined were the ragwort problem and grass cutting. Cllr Holtby stressed the need for a protocol when dealing with WBC, with issues being handled through the district councillors.

1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs Werrell (work commitment), Liddiard (holiday), Wilson (holiday) Nesbitt (work commitment)

2. Declarations of interest: None

3. Minutes from meeting held on 7th July 2008: Proposed by Cllr Hudson as a true record, seconded by Cllr Buckwell, 2 abstentions, 8 in favour.

Minutes of Part 2 meeting held on 7th July 2008: Proposed as a true record by Cllr Caldwell, seconded by Cllr Gaines, 1 abstention, 9 in favour.

4. Finance. Authorisation of payments: Two cheques were held over for discussion at the next F&GP (Nos 101945 and 101955). Authorisation of remainder proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Cardwell, all in favour.

5. Year to date accounts (presented at every council meeting): In the absence of the RFO (on holiday) these were not presented.

6. Personal safety and security: Two replies to Cllr Buckwell’s enquiries regarding a reward system (mentioned in both Open Door and Chain Mail) – have been received from the New Forest Verderers and from Tandridge Council and we are awaiting another.

7. Car-parking charging policy in Hungerford (Chamber of Commerce correspondence): Following agreement that Hungerford Town Council would support the Chamber of Commerce, a letter has gone to WBC suggesting a meeting with them and HTC, the Chamber of Commerce and the two district councillors. Item to go on H&T agenda for 15th September: DCs and CoC to be invited. Action: Cllr Hudson/clerk.

8. Triangle Field Repairs – award of contract: The contracted was awarded by the Insurance Assessor to Stokes Hanks and Dennis, and they are ready to proceed immediately. The area is fenced, and there is still some vandalism going on. After the rebuilding, security measures will need to be addressed. The police are still investigating the arson attack..

9. Storage Area: The invitation to tender went out and four responses have been received. They are due to be opened on 2nd September, and Cllr Gaines proposed that Cllrs Harries, Bullock and Cardwell and the clerk be present at the opening; this was seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour. There is £20,000 in the budget for this, but the cost is expected to be more than double this figure which was earmarked in 2005. Cllr Bullock said that the budget could stand the cost. Cllr Buckwell proposed that £50,000 (which includes VAT) be budgeted, this was seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour. Stephen Smyth has contacted HTC to explore the availability of funds through the Seeda Market Towns Project, and is to meet Cllrs Cardwell and Harries this week.

10. Election of Chairman, Open Door newsletter: Cllr Nesbitt was absent but has offered his services as Chairman of the Open Door sub-committee. He was therefore proposed by Cllr Gaines, seconded by Cllr Booth, all in favour.

11. Parking Wardens: Cllr Holtby to get back to WBC on Hungerford Town Council’s letter to WBC re parking wardens. He suggested that issues with WBC which involve expenditure would benefit from being passed through the district councillors so that they can do relevant research into the situation.

12. Pay phones (BT): Of the two payphones which BT has put forward for removal, they say that the one at Coldharbour Road has been used 460 times, whereas the one in Newtown just twice. These exclude emergency (999) calls. Hungerford Newtown has a poor mobile phone signal and most residents want the phone box to remain. It was agreed that this matter be explored via the Highways & Transport Committee in conjunction with WBC. Action: Cllr Hudson

13. Maintenance-man: Cllr Harries circulated a list of jobs which need attention around the town and suggested that a dedicated maintenance person would be a good idea. He proposed £10/hr for 20 hours per week for a trial period of 6 months (total around £5,000). The matter was discussed and the members were in general agreement although Cllr Bullock was apprehensive about the expenditure. Chairmen of committees are asked to take the list to their committees for discussion and then refer back to the R&A committee. Action: All chairmen

14. Christmas cards: Photographs of previous Christmas lights were circulated as contenders for a possible Hungerford Town Council Christmas card. Esprint can print 1,000 cards for around £500 and they could be marketed through local shops and the Victorian Extravaganza. Cllr Gains proposed that HTC produces these Christmas card via a sub-committee chaired by Cllr Booth, seconded by Cllr Buckwell, all in favour. Action: Cllr Booth

15. Mayor's report:

The 3 Mayors' Walk, initiated by the Newbury Mayor, was a success with around 80 walkers.

A letter of thanks had been received from the Mayor of Ligueil who suggested that the youth of Hungerford be involved: the Mayor will speak to the schools.

He opened the new bar for the Football Club on Saturday past.

Over 50s' club: Going to Henley

Roger Thompson has resigned in order to enjoy more retirement and sailing. This causes a vacancy and, because ten people have requested it, there is to be an election (23rd October).

16. Committee reports

R&A – Cllr Cardwell: an extra meeting was held in July and it was decided that a regular July meeting be convened. The Triangle Field fire has taken up much time. The wall at St Saviours cemetery was lacking drainage holes which caused the brickwork to breakdown so it has been repaired. It has been arranged (through Thames Valley Probationary Team) for a team of probationers to work on the cemetery at the weekend. The footpath at St Lawrence's has been tarmaced.

E&P – Cllr Booth: There have been no controversial plans. The Angel's air conditioning unit retrospective application has been refused, but the unit is still in situ. There is to be a public meeting on 16th October in the Corn Exchange where rural exception sites will be explained to the residents of Hungerford.

H&T – Cllr Hudson: Nothing to report.

F&GP – Cllr Bullock: The next part of the precept of £90,000 is due. The election will cost in the region of £3,000 (as opposed to £100 to co-opt). The £70,000 claim for the fire damage is likely to impact on our insurance premium, and security lighting is likely to be a condition of renewal.

Triangle Field – Cllr Harries: already covered.

Allotments – Cllr Harries: Quotes from solicitors for the preparation of leases have been received and a decision will be made at the next R&A committee meeting.

Newsletter – Cllr Nesbitt was not present, however Open Door 10 has been printed and is ready for distribution via The Adviser, which is to go out in the next two weeks.

LDF/2010 report – Cllr Gaines: there is to be a meeting at Smitham Bridge industrial site on 3rd September with the tenants, WBC and HTC to look at re-zoning as residential. Concern was expressed that HTC had not been consulted before setting up this meeting.

HEAT – Cllr Acworth: there is now a link from Hungerford Town's website to HEAT – and input would be appreciated. The Energy Group has been busy. Forum through the National Association of Sustainable Energy. It was thought a seminar be formed to discuss energy problems.