Minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on Tuesday 5th May 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, Richard Hudson, Dianne Pope, Denise Gaines and Shelagh Parry; District Cllr David Holtby. Also in attendance were two members of the public, Clare Hardy (NWN) and Geoff Adams (Adviser)
District Councillor’s report: Cllr Holtby said that a report on S106 payments has been sent to the Clerk. Re 6 Bridge Street, the deadline of 1st May for the owner to be invited by WBC for interview has passed without anyone turning up so legal action is being taken to have the work on the site put in hand. Hungerford Parking Strategy – a timescale is being sent to Hungerford Town Council. Canal Footbridge – a presentation is to take place on 21st May at 7 pm, with HTC doing the advertising. It was stressed that this meeting must be a WBC-led initiative. The Corn Exchange is booked (WBC has already agreed to pay for the hire of the hall). District Parish Conference is on 27th May at 6pm at the Holiday Inn, Bath Road, Reading. The subject of the Marina is being raised again – planning permission requires the marina to be dug before any building takes place, but Cllr Holtby said that this is being questioned. Footpath 36 has been moved to allow for the marina. Finally, Cllr Holtby said thanks on behalf of Cllr Paul Hewer and himself to the mayor and the outgoing team.
1. Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Acworth and Werrell and Dist Cllr Hewer
2. Declarations of interest: none
3. Minutes from meeting held on 7th April 2009 were proposed by Cllr Gaines, seconded by Cllr Wilson, 3 abstentions, 9 in favour and the minutes were signed as a true record.
4. Mayor’s report: Cllr Harries said thanks to all for all the help given him over the last two years and in particular Cllrs Bullock, Hudson, Cardwell, Liddiard, Wilson and Desmeules. Thanks also to Shirley and to Jennie and Claire in the office. Cllr Bullock said, on behalf of fellow councillors, how diligent and outstanding a mayor Peter has been. Cllr Desmeules added that, rather than being OddJob, he has done a GreatJob, and proposed three cheers. Cllr Buckwell also added, ‘cometh the hour, cometh the man’ ….
5. Election of Officers:
i) Mayor – acceptance of office: Cllr Harries proposed Cllr Cardwell as mayor, seconded by Cllr Bullock, the vote was unanimous. Cllr Cardwell accepted and said it gave her enormous pride. She signed a Declaration of Office.
ii) Deputy Mayor– acceptance of office: Cllr Cardwell proposed Cllr Booth, seconded by Cllr Harries and the vote was unanimous. Cllr Booth accepted and said she looks forward to providing a support role to the Mayor. She signed a Declaration of Office.
iii) Chairman of Finance & General Purposes Committee – acceptance of office: Cllr Bullock said that she stepped into the role of Chairman F&GP at a time when she also had to take on the role of RFO since there wasn’t one, and feels that she now leaves the role in a strong position. Cllr Cardwell then proposed Cllr Buckwell, seconded by Cllr Wilson, and the vote was unanimous. Cllr Buckwell accepted and said that Cllr Bullock’s was a difficult act to follow.
Cllr Desmeules left at 7.43 pm.
6. Finance. Authorisation of payments: proposed by Cllr Gaines, seconded by Cllr Booth, all in favour.
7. Year to date accounts (presented at every Council meeting): balances for April: income £100,924.99; expenditure £45,779.07; balance at bank £245,964.83 which includes the first half precept.
8. Sale of gilts ratification: the sale of these was discussed and voted on at the last meeting of the F&GP. Full Council ratification was proposed by Cllr Buckwell, seconded by Cllr Booth, all in favour. It was agreed to retain the certificates for the archives. Action: Claire Barnes.
9. Grants ratification: all grants were made to Hungerford organisations and it was agreed that they should let us know how they spend their money. Action: Cllr Cardwell to contact all organisations. The grants were proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Cardwell, all in favour.
10. Standing Orders review: A new clause is necessary which is to stipulate that, ‘no Councillor shall act alone on behalf of the Council; when on Council business, a Councillor must be accompanied, either by another Councillor, or by the Clerk, or by the RFO’. A note to this effect was tabled. Acceptance was proposed by Cllr Cardwell, seconded by Cllr Wilson, all in favour. Cllr Cardwell asked for volunteers to look at the present Standing Orders as it is felt that they need to be reviewed. Cllr Hudson suggested that it go on to the next F&GP agenda.
11. Committee reports
R&A – Cllr Cardwell: Cllr Cardwell said she will stand down as chairman at the next meeting. At the last meeting it was agreed that the committee was not the correct place for all users of the Triangle Field to air their views and therefore a separate meeting with the users is to be held every two months. St Saviour's cemetery has been the big venture this year and has been supported by work from the Community Pay-back Team, who have also painted the railings by the War Memorial and the play equipment at Smitham Bridge play park. The trees on the War Memorial Avenue are to be the next big project and the work will be going out to tender in the autumn.
E&P – Cllr Booth: Cllr Booth congratulated the new mayor. The planning application to build two dwellings at Upper Eddington brought a representation of neighbours to a recent E&P meeting. The loss of amenity land at 99 Chilton Way was objected to and the clerk is to check with WBC re the ownership of the land. It is proposed to preserve, preferably in situ, the 'pound gate' which is buried in the hedge on land at Park Street for which planning approval is sought. A plaque was suggested. The Marina: Cllrs Booth and Buckwell attended the footpath meeting where a small change to the route was not seen as a problem. Cllr Buckwell said that planning permission has been granted but the Council and District Councillors need to remain alert. Cllr Harries suggested that the DC writes to the developer, St Modwen, to ask that the marina itself is the first construction on site. Tesco opened ahead of schedule and seems to be attracting a lot more footfall in the town.
H&T – Cllr Hudson: Cllr Hudson congratulated the new mayor. There is to be a public meeting at 7 pm on 21st May, when WBC will put forward ideas for a pedestrian bridge over the canal. The diversion of the A4 via Charnham Park is to be reviewed again in 2011. WBC's footpath consultation has been responded to. The H&T/WBC list has been clarified. Speed signs are coming off the list as is the chewing gum issue and parking charges on the High Street.
F&GP – Cllr Bullock said that the council is duty-bound to be careful with its precept. £6,000 was earned in interest last year but the figure will be less this year.
Allotments – Cllr Harries/Acworth: Cllr Harries congratulated the new mayor. The allotment site at Marsh Lane is now being worked and Peter Moorcroft is expected to be the treasurer of the new Hungerford Allotment Holders Association. We are trying to get the water connected but this is providing difficult since the supply in Marsh Lane is private. David Small is writing up a contract. There is to be a meeting on 12th May. Thanks were offered to Cllr Harries who has worked hard on this project.
Newsletter – Cllr Parry: Cllr Parry congratulated the new mayor. Open Door is printed and being delivered to the Adviser today.
LDF report – Cllr Gaines: Figures for Hungerford are expected this month.
HEAT – Cllr Acworth: Cllr Hudson said that the food group is making progress on Sunday markets, and has taken an allotment where they are going to do demonstrations and workshops. The energy group has use of the thermal imaging camera.
Hungerford in Bloom – Cllr Wilson: Posters are ready and if anyone would like to display one please contact Cllr Wilson. Names of participants need to be known by 26th June and judging is on 4th July.
12. Committees and Groups membership forms: Councillors have completed their choices and are letting the clerk have the forms.
13. Risk Assessments: Cllr Harries has completed these and each committee needs to read through their specific section.
Cllr Cardwell is looking forward to the year ahead, which begins with two functions tomorrow. She said thanks to the members of the public, and to Shirley for the support throughout the past year.
The meeting closed at 8.50 pm.