Minutes of the Full Council held on Monday 9th February 2009 at 7 pm in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford.

Present:  Cllrs Peter Harries, Elizabeth Cardwell, Anthony Buckwell, David Liddiard, Margaret Wilson, Jenny Booth, Gwynneth Bullock, Rod Desmeules, Dianne Pope, Denise Gaines and Shelagh Parry.

There were no members of the general public present. 

The District Councillors were not present.  Cllr Harries said that Veolia/WBC were to be congratulated on gritting the major roads in Hungerford.  Cllr Gaines pointed out that Somerfield had not cleared their car park of snow.  Action:  Cllr Harries to write to Somerfield Stores.  Two members of the local police force were to be congratulated on clearing snow from the pavements along Park Street.  WBC’s grit bins were now empty, and it was noted that householders were taking bucketsful for their own driveways, which is tantamount to stealing. The bins are for road safety only.  More locations are needed for salt bins.

1. Apologies for absence were received from William Acworth, Richard Hudson, Tanya Werrell and District Cllrs David Holtby and Paul Hewer

2. Declarations of interest:  none

3. Minutes from meeting held on 12th January 2009 were proposed as a true record by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Gaines, 2 abstentions, 9 in favour.

4. Finance. Authorisation of payments and added signatory Cllr Buckwell:  The list was tabled and was proposed by Cllr Cardwell, seconded by Cllr Liddiard, all in favour.  Cllr Buckwell was proposed as signatory by Cllr Gaines, seconded by Cllr Pope, all in favour.  It was pointed out that the Chair of E&P (Cllr Booth) should be added to the list of signatories. 

Figures for February:  income £6,149.47;  expenditure £8,648.10;  balance at bank £164,911.31.

5. Year to date accounts (presented at every Council meeting):  List was tabled.

6. Quality Council:  A paper was tabled by Cllr Bullock.  Hungerford Town Council exceeds most of the requirements for acquiring Quality status with the qualification of the clerks remaining.  The accreditation process will bear a cost.  The newsletter is a requirement for quality status, and discussion took place on its frequency.

7. Council solicitor (allotments):  A solicitor is needed to assist with the legal aspects of acquiring and managing allotments.  Cllr Harries proposed that we engage Mr David Small, seconded by Cllr Cardwell, all in favour.  Cllr Buckwell pointed out that it was important to have a solicitor to ring for advice but it was noted that, although the clerk was able to authorise spend up to £250, fees which amount to more than £1,000 require three quotes.

8. Town meeting on 19th March 2009:  The Mayor reminded councillors to prepare           their reports for the town meeting.  Cllr Cardwell suggested that chairmen provide the clerk with their statements to aid minute taking.  Action:  Clerk to ensure R Benyon MP and two DCs are invited.  Cllr Buckwell said that last year, the police made a presentation:  were they to be invited to do the same this year?  It was agreed they would.  Action:  Clerk to send them an agenda and invite them to the Town meeting.

9. LDF update:  Cllr Gaines said that the first meeting had been held:  Cllr Acworth was elected Deputy Chairman.  Cllr Gaines reported that the person who enquired about the meeting from the Clerk (who did not declare her interest at the time) was in fact from Green Issues.  Chris Scorey is arranging to have a map produced which will show relevant details.  Cllr Gaines is working on how to publicise progress using email and Council website.  A draft letter to WBC is to be discussed at the next E&P meeting.  District Cllrs Hewer and Holtby are to be invited to attend the committee.  Minutes are to go via E&P.

10. Triangle Field – users, planning, completion dates:  A meeting was held between Hungerford Town Council and users at the Triangle Field.  Hungerford Hares, Wickham Wanderers, Hungerford Juniors and the Fire Brigade are to be invited to future meetings.  Action: Clerk.  The gas is to be re-connected within the next few weeks.  The small storage area has been racked out.  A meeting is to take place on Tuesday with Tim Palmer (CCB) and Lee McQuaid (WBC) to discuss the SEEDA funding.  The application has gone in and the result of this will be known after six weeks.  In connection with funding issues, discussion took place on the merits of one of the Councillors taking on the responsibility for funding research.  Action:  Clerk to add this item to the next agenda.

11. Vacancy for Councillor:  Matthew Nesbitt has resigned, and we are waiting to see whether or not ten people have requested an election.  Action:  Clerk to inform Councillors when known (close of business on Friday 13th).

12. Canal Bridge:  Cllr Harries reported that a meeting had been held between HTC, WBC and British Waterways Board, with advice from English Heritage.  He tabled a response from Miles Roberts of WBC, and we are yet to hear from BWB and EH.  It was noted that, after these responses are to hand, a public forum should be held.

13. Freedom of Information Act – up to date:  This had been emailed to members and Cllr Bullock proposed that we adopt it, seconded by Cllr Buckwell, and all in favour.  It was signed by the Chairman.

14. Mayor's report:  This is a quiet time for mayoral functions.

15. Committee reports

R&A – Cllr Cardwell:  The TAG event was successful at Triangle Field.  The Community Pay-Back team is finished at St Saviour’s for the time being and is now working on the gates and railings at the Memorial, Bulpit Lane; this is likely to save the Council money since the labour is free of charge (refreshments provided).  Action:  If any other Committee can see a use for this team, please let the Clerk know.  Dan is working on repairing the picnic benches, and the path is being done at Smitham Bridge playpark.  Cllrs Harries and Cardwell met the Save our Skatepark group  at the JoG Youth Centre.  The team did fund-raising to buy a youth shelter and the Council agreed to support them with a third of the funding.  In fact they have now raised the full amount. Both Cllrs Cardwell and Nesbitt worked very hard on this youth project.

E&P – Cllr Booth:  The exception sites is progressing.

         H&T – Cllr Hudson:  In the absence of Cllr Hudson, Cllr Harries provided a resume:  the speed limit at Eddington has been extended beyond the housing towards Leverton.  The speed  limit across the Common is being reviewed as a special case.  The problem of flooding from Church Way towards the Croft is being addressed by WBC, as is the issue of bollards at Canal Walk.  St Lawrence’s church wall is to have kerb stones.  WBC were asked why the area around JoG school was not gritted and the response was that it was not on their plan.  The Primary school was also omitted.  A letter is to go to WBC asking why the areas around our schools have not been gritted, although they need to be congratulated on gritting the High Street and pavement – the subject is to be taken to H&T committee.   Action:  Clerk to add to agenda.  Cllr Desmeules reported that the 2.37% overspend on Christmas lights is likely to be recouped since there is still money to be collected.  Action:  Cllr Desmeules to send list of donors to Councillors.

F&GP – Cllr Bullock:  The precept is to increase by 3%.  Phil Hobbs of Barclays is to be asked to come to the Council offices for general discussion.  Cllr Bullock was thanked for her prudent accounting.  An article is to be put into Open Door on Council spending and precept.

         Allotments – Cllr Harries/Acworth:  Five sites still being processed.  As soon as information is available, a meeting with holders/prospective holders will to be arranged.

         Newsletter – Cllr Parry:  Cllr Parry has taken over the newsletter from Matthew Nesbitt and will arrange a meeting of the sub-committee.  The next newsletter is due in May.  Councillors are asked to send any items to either Cllr Parry or the Clerk.

         LDF/2010 report – Cllr Gaines:  A bird-bath has been purchased for the Library garden.  There is to be a garden tidy-up on Saturday 21st February in readiness for the official opening of the garden on 28th February.  Action:  Clerk to email the date to Councillors.

HEAT – Cllr Acworth: The purchase of the thermal imaging camera has been authorised and will discussed further at the next Council meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.47 pm.