Minutes of the Full Council held on Monday 1st June at 7 pm in the Corn Exchange Complex. 

Present:  Cllrs Peter Harries, Elizabeth Cardwell, William Acworth, Anthony Buckwell, David Liddiard, Margaret Wilson, Jenny Booth, Gwynneth Bullock, Dianne Wynell-Sutherland, Tanya Werrell, Denise Gaines

District Councillors’ reports:  Both District Councillors were occupied on election duties.  In their absence, Cllr Cardwell said that the Capital/Parish Bids are again up for deliberation:  ‘Grasscrete’ at Atherton Crescent; Footpath at Marsh Lane; Pavements which need attention; Help with JoG on their Travel Plan and 20 mph restriction.  If anyone has any other ideas, could they bring them to the next Highways meeting.  Action:  All Cllrs.

1. Apologies for absence:  Cllrs Desmeules, Parry and Hudson, and Dist Cllrs Holtby & Hewer

2. Declarations of interest:  none

3. Minutes from meeting held on 5th May 2009:  Cllr Harries asked that item 10, Committee Reports – Allotments, line 4 should state that David Small is writing up a contract.  With this amendment, the minutes were proposed by Cllr Gaines, seconded by Cllr Harries, 2 abstentions, rest in favour.

4. Finance. Authorisation of payments:  Total income for May = £18,428.70.  Total expenditure for May = £29,774.56 which includes £14,000 in S137 & 145 grants.  The Mayor will attend some AGMs to present the grant cheques.  She will also report back on progress of these groups during the year and how the money is spent.  In accordance with Recommendation No 8 of Auditor’s Action Plan (dated 23.5.09), that the financial value of the 2009-10 precept be formally approved by Council, Cllr Gaines proposed acceptance of the precept for 2009-10 at £184,194, Cllr Buckwell seconded, all in favour.

5. Year to date accounts (presented at every Council meeting):  Payment to the Leisure Centre (total £23,200) was queried.  Action:  Cllr Buckwell to check with RFO.

6. S.106 monies:  Monies under Section 106 were discussed:  HTC keeps a check on this money.

7. SEEDA Update:  Cllr Harries tabled a report which he has prepared covering the application for SEEDA funding for the Triangle Field Community Project, which he quickly ran through.  The shortfall of £5,000 will be found through grants.  There will then be a presentation to SEEDA.  The match funding (£80,000) is being held by WBC.  Actions:  Clerk to add to next agenda and Councillors to read the Triangle Field Community Project document and bring ideas/questions to next meeting.

8. Swimming Pool House Quotes:  The tenant has now left and quotes are being obtained for renovation of the new kitchen, bathroom and downstairs cloakroom.  RFO to meet Marc Allen to check the property.  Of the quotes, Full Flow Plumbing and Maintenance was proposed by Cllr Wilson, seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour.  Cllrs Cardwell, Harries and Buckwell given authority to approve RFO’s recommendations.

9. Annual Financial Return:  Proposed by Cllr Buckwell, seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour.  RFO to look at depreciation of assets.

Cllr Wynell-Sutherland left at 8 pm.

10. Standing Orders review:  Cllrs Cardwell and Buckwell have reviewed these and drafts of changes will be circulated to all for comments which should be directed at Elizabeth or Anthony.  Action:  Clerk to put on next agenda.

11. Mayor’s report:  Attended Mayor-making at Newbury and Thatcham.  The Mayor outlined the manner of each and suggested that the Council consider a mayor-making ceremony for Hungerford.  Action:  Clerk to put on next agenda.  Other functions include visits to AWE Aldermaston, SoS AGM, Mock Trials in Reading, Football Club dinner, Rugby Club opening, District parish conference, Hungerford Community Players, Stewart Souden re dog bins.

12. Committee reports

R&A – Cllr Cardwell:  The meeting planned for 26 May would not have been quorate and was postponed. Users of the Triangle Field who currently report to the R&A committee are to have a separate Users’ meeting and the first is planned for 10th June 2009.  The next R&A will be on 16th June.

E&P – Cllr Booth:  The application to build at Great Grooms drew the applicant and members of the public to the E&P meeting.  Councillors and District Councillors attended consultation meeting re Charnham Park development where supermarket and/or hotel were considered.  Testway are waiting for WBC to complete legalities on the exception Site, and 3 new complaints received regarding a new pathway.  Attended Parish Conference with DC Paul Hewer.  Attended the excellent Town Band concert.

H&T – Cllr Hudson:  Christmas Lights switch-on is to be on Saturday, 28th November 2009.  Jon Winstanley will be attending the next H&T meeting.

F&GP – Cllr Buckwell:  The committee under the new Chairman has not yet met.  Cllr Buckwell proposed to hold meetings every two months rather than quarterly, beginning in September.  Suggested that each spending committee puts ‘Finance’ on their agendas.  Action:  Clerk to note.

Allotments – Cllr Harries/Acworth:  Cllr Harries thanked those councillors who attended the meeting of allotment holders on 28th May.  The site at Marsh Lane is to be taken back by the developer in April 2010.  Another site has been identified and will be available from November 2009, an email confirming intent has been received. Funding sources need to be identified.  Action:  Cllr Cardwell and RFO to investigate.

JoG School report – Cllr Gaines:  The new head, Neil Spurdell, is in place and has come from a high performing school in Cheltenham.  Jim Nicholls is the Deputy Head.  Building work is proposed over the holidays, which Cllr Gaines outlined.

Newsletter – Cllr Parry:  Cllr Parry is away. 

LDF report – Cllr Gaines:  The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) dated March 2009 gives a report on all sites across Berkshire where development is ‘possible’.  Figures are on the WBC website (www.westberks.gov.uk).

HEAT – Cllr Acworth:  The monthly walk is planned for Sunday 7th June.  HEAT has an allotment and is running workshops on Thursday evenings at 7pm.

Hungerford in Bloom – Cllr Wilson:  Event is to take place on 4th July and advertised in the Hadcaf brochure, 18 responses received so far.  KickFM to be contacted and a notice will be put on the website.

12.       Risk Assessments:  These have been compiled by Cllr Harries and are being viewed by the committees.  

The meeting closed at 9.05 pm.