Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 7th April 2009, in the Town Hall, Hungerford
Present: Cllrs Peter Harries, Elizabeth Cardwell, Margaret Wilson, Jenny Booth, Dianne Pope, Denise Gaines, William Acworth, District Councillor David Holtby. Jeff (The Adviser)
District Councillor’s report
Cllr Holtby spoke about ‘Clear Street into Operation’. Three parking penalties have been issued in Hungerford on the 1st day of operation. He can not support the diversion of the A4 in the 2010 plan due to the huge cost and predicted loss of trade. This is to be discussed at next H&T meeting. He produced a summary of unallocated S106 money for Hungerford and is willing to chase payments on our behalf. The Corn Exchange is to be booked for 21st May to discuss the pedestrian bridge. Jeff will put this in the Adviser and it needs to be advertised in Open Door also.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs G Bullock, A Buckwell, D Liddiard, R Desmeules, R Hudson, T Werrell, S Parry and District Councillor Paul Hewer
2.
Declarations of
interest: None
3. Minutes from meeting held on 2nd March 2009 It was noted that D Gaines did give her apologies. Proposed by Cllr Cardwell, seconded by Cllr Booth, all in favour
4. Finance. Authorisation of payments
Payments amounting to £16,341.39 including VAT were agreed and proposed by Cllr Gaines, seconded by Cllr Pope, all in favour. As at 31/3/09 Bank Balance £161,513.21. March Income £6,160.85. In future the Rugby Club standing order will be shown under income.
5. Year to date accounts (presented at every council meeting):
H&T - Dog Bins and Speed Reactivated sign to be purchased from funds left in budget
6. Monthly payments: salaries
Salary cheques for J Collins, C Barnes, D Clemson, D Taylor, S McNaughton and R Ballard are to be signed one week before the month end. Any other cheques need to be held until next FCM unless there are exceptional circumstances.
7. Adding budget figures to future minutes under item 4
The monthly Expenditure and Income totals and bank balance needs to be minuted along with budget figures for each committee.
8. Allotments
Over 100 people came to the meeting and a further meeting will be held on Tuesday 21st April 7.30pm at the British Legion for those interested in being involved in an allotment holder’s association responsible for the daily running of the allotments.WBC are still looking into a site at the back of Fairfields. NWN incorrectly printed that HTC had purchased the Marsh Lane land. A lease is in the process of being finalised which will run until 2014. One suggested name ‘Jethro Tull Allotments’.
9. Section 106 money – refer to District Councillor’s report
10. Co-Option
As no candidates came forward for election we can either co-opt or continue to run as we are. HTC are not looking to co-opt anyone at present however one person has since expressed an interest in joining the council. We will invite him to attend regular meetings with a view to being co-opted at a future date. The importance of encouraging some younger people to become involved was discussed.
11. Pedestrian Bridge
A meeting is planned for 21st May. Drawings and plans for the bridge will be displayed on notice boards prior to the meeting.
12. Hungerford in Bloom
This will take place on Saturday 4th July. 2 judges from Kintbury will award 1st, 2nd and 3rd places on several categories. There will be certificates for all and prizes include bottles of wine and vouchers. Colour printing will take place in the office due to the cost and the judges will be awarded £25 each for their chosen charity.
13. Mayor’s Report
P Harries attended coffee mornings in Newbury for Mencap and Alzheimer’s. The Mayor’s Reception was well attended and thanks were expressed to all those who helped. Next month will see the election of a new Mayor.
14. Committee reports
R&A – Cllr Cardwell
The British Legion Football team wish to start using the Triangle Field. The pitches will have to be rearranged to suit all. The Skate Park Youth Shelter has been installed and new bins have been purchased. Railings at the War memorial are being painted. The tenant at Swimming Pool House has given notice. Money left in budget can be spent on the kitchen and bathroom improvements required. It was pointed out that R&A are not responsible for this as rent goes into the F&GP budget. Thanks to Cllr Cardwell for all her hard work.
E&P – Cllr Booth
Tesco’s car park is only partly open which has been causing some problems however the store is due to open in a couple of weeks. There has been some confusion over the signing off of planning applications. Careful consideration required when ticking appropriate box.
H&T – Cllr Gaines (Cllr Hudson absent)
Xmas lights currently show £23 overspend. Items on the H&T agendas include S106, Pedestrian Bridge, Footpath Consultation, Access Issues, Travel Tokens, M4 access, Purchase of more benches, Special Project and funding available.
F&GP – (Cllr Bullock on holiday)
Cllr Bullock’s report states first half of Precept £92,000 will be due in our bank at the end of April. We are earning very little interest at present. Projects in line are Swimming Pool House, Triangle Field and the Allotments. She predicts the budget statement will show a cut in Government spending in all but essential services.
ACTION – put Swimming Pool House on Agenda for next F&GP
.
Allotments – Cllr Harries
Consider moving some of the money left in budget in to allotment funds.
Newsletter – (S Parry absent)
The deadline for items in the newsletter is the 16th April. J Booth to take photos.
LDF/2010 report – Cllr Gaines
Initially looking at preferred sites in urban areas and then will move on to Rural areas in May. Public consultation to take place.
HEAT – Cllr Acworth
Farmer’s market is going well. ‘Walk to market project’ organised. Walks continue to be advertised for the 1st Sunday of each month.
Part 1 of the meeting closed at 8.36 pm.