Minutes of the Full Council held on Monday 12th January 2009 at 7 pm in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford.
Present: Cllrs Peter Harries, Elizabeth Cardwell, William Acworth, Anthony Buckwell, David Liddiard, Jenny Booth, Gwynneth Bullock, Rod Desmeules, Richard Hudson, Denise Gaines, Shelagh Parry, David Holtby
There were no members of the general public present. Mr Chris Scorey arrived for the discussion of item 11.
District Councillor’s Report:
District Cllr Holtby began by saying that, in these difficult times, it is important that value for money is provided.
6 Bridge Street: The S.25 notice date of 22nd December 2008 has passed with no action from the owner(s) so now there is 3 months in which to carry out the work required, after which WBC will take the matter to the Magistrates’ Court and thereafter a fine will be imposed on a daily basis.
DC Holtby tabled Cllr Hudson’s spreadsheet which he has updated with progress made. Parking enforcement is to become a civil offence (rather than criminal) from 1st April this year and wardens will be allocated to Hungerford. Insurance for people falling over A-boards was discussed and it was suggested that perhaps the Chamber of Commerce could take out a block policy for shopkeepers in Hungerford. Cllr Cardwell asked if special permits could be given to parents who leave their cars in the High Street while walking their children to school.
1. Apologies for absence were received from Margaret Wilson, Matthew Nesbitt, Dianne Pope, Tanya Werrell, Paul Hewer
2. Declarations of interest: none
3. Minutes from meeting held on 1st December 2008: Under item 18, F&GP committee report, the date of 12th January should read 31st January. With this change, the minutes were proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Harries, 1 abstention, rest in favour.
4. Finance. Authorisation of payments: Cllr Cardwell proposed the accounts, seconded by Cllr Gaines, all in favour.
5. Year to date accounts (presented at every Council meeting): nothing further to report
6. F&GP Precept for 2009-10: Cllr Bullock thanked Cllr Buckwell for his assistance with the precept, and proposed the Council accept a 3% increase over last year, seconded by Cllr Booth, all in favour.
7. Chamber of Commerce – support for Victorian Extravaganza: Cllr Buckwell will report back after the Chamber of Commerce meeting to discuss the subject. An analysis shows that the shops did well at the event.
8. External audit report: Cllr Bullock congratulated the RFO and tabled the external audit report. This will be
9. Allotment costs: Five possible sites have been identified: the Triangle Field, field at Marsh Lane, back of the football field, gardens behind Fairfield owned by Sovereign Housing, and T&M land behind the skateboard park. Cllr Harries said that between £5,000 and £8,000 would be required to get the allotments up and running: the income from allotments will be small. Cllr Bullock proposed thanks to Cllrs Harries and Acworth.
10. Triangle Field – change of use: As soon as a Completion Certificate is prov66ided by WBC's building inspector, the change of use can be applied for.
11. LDF terms of reference: Cllr Buckwell said that the document, which had been agreed in principle at the E&P meeting, had to be brought before Full Council to be ratified. Cllr Gaines said she objected to the process which had been followed. She proposed taking out the word 'primarily' and adding 'through a series of open forums'. Cllr Bullock proposed the amendment, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour.
12. Developers/LDF: Cllr Booth said that Chilton Estates had visited the office to talk about their proposed Open Day on 20th/21st February 2009. There is to be no input from the Council. It was suggested that the E&P meeting planned for Monday 23rd be brought forward to the Friday 20th to coincide
13. Funding and role of 2010 sub-committee: Cllr Hudson has passed the 2010 accounts to the RFO – still some money available and hoping to organise a team of volunteers to maintain the library garden. If no volunteers are forthcoming, the Library will bear the cost of the maintenance. Discussion took place on the necessity of having a housing review done for Hungerford. Cllr Harries wrote requesting this in response to advice from Mr Bryan Little. He pointed out that professional advice would be provided which the town could accept or dismiss. It was not know what the cost to the Council would be. Cllr Harries proposed suspension of Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr Liddiard, all in favour. Mr Chris Scorey expressed concern that inviting WBC to do a planning review of Hungerford, without full understanding of what it entails, will be at odds with the people – the Town Council and 2010 have pursued a careful campaign and thought the request precipitative. He recommended that we are not bound by everything the survey will say. Cllr Bullock proposed reinstatement of standing orders, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour.
14. HEAT – thermal imager and project co-ordinator: £5,000 is available through Parish Plan Grant and Cllr Acworth proposed that HEAT uses this money to purchase a thermal imaging camera which be able to show where energy losses occur in the town's buildings. No Town Council funds will be required. Cllr Hudson proposed that Hungerford Town Council support the grant application to WBC for a thermal imaging camera for HEAT and that Hungerford Town Council administer the account: seconded by Cllr Buckwell, 1 abstention, rest in favour. Cllr Acworth said that someone is needed to continue this environmental work and HEAT is to apply to North West Downs AONB Leader project to fund this. Cllr Bullock proposed support for HEAT, seconded by Cllr Booth, all in favour.
15. Mayor's report: Sir Roger Norrington said he was thrilled to be invited to turn on Hungerford's switching-on ceremony and Cllr Harries attended Newbury and Thatcham ceremonies also. The Mayor's Carol service went well with donations raised going to Help for Heroes. The coach load of Cardiff City supporters which caused havoc in Hungerford were travelling in a coach not sanctioned by the Supporters of Cardiff City. The Mayor reminded Chairman of Committees that the Town Meeting is to be held on 19th March 2009, and to decide if they will need overhead projectors, etc.
16. Committee reports
R&A – Cllr Cardwell: The Maintenance Man, Dan, is doing extremely well assisting both R&A and H&T. She is looking into funding sources to support youth in the town, and is looking into a youth shelter. Work at St Saviour's is coming on well, and is a year ahead of schedule. Next year the major project is to be the trees along the Memorial Avenue which need attention.
E&P – Cllr Booth: A contentious planning application was the Old Vicarage which the committee proposed support of the application.
H&T – Cllr Hudson: Christmas Lights have been superb this year. Cllr Holtby has gone through the list of 17 actions, and he is to be invited to the next H&T meeting when it will be discussed. Action: Clerk to invite Cllr Holtby to meeting.
F&GP – Cllr Bullock: previously covered
Allotments – Cllr Harries/Acworth: previously covered
Newsletter – there will be 3 newsletters in the year 2009-10. The next one is due in April.
LDF/2010 report – Cllr Gaines: previously covered
HEAT – Cllr Acworth: The guided walks are a great success, and a series of walks is arranged for the first Sunday of each month, starting at 10 am from the Town Hall. The farmers' market is also doing well.
The meeting closed at 9.30 pm.