Minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on Monday 2nd November 2009 at 7 pm in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford.

Present: Cllrs Elizabeth Cardwell, Jenny Booth, Peter Harries, William Acworth, Anthony Buckwell, David Liddiard, Gwynneth Bullock, Rod Desmeules, Dianne Wynell Sutherland, Denise Gaines, Shelagh Parry, Martin Crane and David Ravenhill; and District Cllrs David Holtby and Paul Hewer

The mayor welcomed the two new councillors, Martin Crane and David Ravenhill.

Presentation by Sue Edgar, Area Youth Worker

Sue explained that the SoS (Save our Skatepark) committee has raised £60,000 (from Playbuilder and Youth Opportunities Funds) to rebuild the condemned Skatepark; the old one has been demolished and the new one is to be erected in the next few days. A public consultation was held. Some of the young people were permitted to view the damaged timberwork and were amazed to see how rotten it was. The new one is to be metal.

Presentation by Sgt Andy Bone

Sgt Bone apologised for not attending when previously invited. NAG: Previously, was not working as it should; there has been a review and a solution is expected by Christmas. Crime: figures remain static, with one crime per day in Hungerford. CID is dealing with some burglaries in the town. A crime prevention officer is available to give advice. ASB: Incidents ‘spiked’ in July, but are generally down by a fifth. Police station: is open from 9 am to 1 pm Monday to Friday. Traders’ use of A-boards is being looked into.

Councillors’ reports

Dist Cllr Holtby said, with regard to the rural exception site, that he said he was in two minds as to whether an existing footpath between the new site and an existing housing estate is kept open (the topic was debated). The planners are trying to advise the developer to reduce the number of houses from 16 to 14. The speed restriction on Portdown can have approval at 40 mph but signing on the road itself has been ruled out and here will have to be five repeater signs. 30 mph might also be approved, but will require six repeater signs. Cllr Holtby would welcome Hungerford Town Council’s views. Parking strategy: is on-going. There are no plans for free parking this Christmas. Parking by the Downgate needs reviewing. Brown tourist signs: WBC to review the matter. A-boards: also under review. The charge of £77.05 for the opening of the toilets for the Extravaganza was felt excessive and Cllr Holtby to look into it. Graham Pask (WBC) to be contacted regarding the library lights remaining on.

1. Apologies for absence: Margaret Wilson (ill), Richard Hudson (away)

2. Declarations of interest: none

3. Minutes from meeting held on 5th October 2009: Proposed by Cllr Gaines, seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour. Matters arising: Leisure Centre meeting clarified the Parkwood Leisure cost, and the Theatre Group must find an extra £50 for this year following a grant of £250 from WBC.

4. Year to date accounts (presented at every Council meeting): tabled.

5. Finance:

(a) Authorisation of payments: October income: £908.57. Expenditure: £26,761.95 (excl VAT). Balance at bank £234,822.96. Proposed by Cllr Gaines, seconded by Cllr Booth, all in favour. Cllr Buckwell outlined his investigations into a higher interest account, and proposed the Council add Investec, the British arm of an African bank, to the list of Council’s approved banks. Seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour.

(b) Annual audit report: The Clerk and RFO were commended by Cllr Cardwell on a good Internal Audit Report. The few recommendations are being or have been implemented. Cllr Gaines proposed acceptance, seconded Cllr Parry, all in favour.

6. Employment hours: The Clerk has said that the job of clerk needs fewer hours, as she is getting less interruptions, and the RFO wishes to have more. Therefore, after discussion, Cllr Cardwell proposed that the Clerk’s hours be reduced from 30 per week to 27, and the RFO increased from 15 per week to 18: to take immediate effect on a three month trial with a review at Full Council meeting in February 2010, seconded by Cllr Gaines, all in favour.

7. Emergency measures and procedures (AB): to be discussed at next meeting.

8. Environmental issues, HEAT and the 10:10 campaign (RH): Agreed to adopt.

9. Allotments: Cllr Harries outlined the situation. The Fairfield allotments are allocated and there will be an official opening on Saturday 7th. Cllr Harries asked for a decision on the Standen Road site. However, it is important that costs be determined first, as well as the situation regarding the charge, and any restrictions there are over the land. Cllr Buckwell, as Chair of F&GP, needs to know specifically what the Council is being asked to fund, also required are permissions from the owner to lay pipe-work together with an easement over the land. Seconded by Cllr Gaines, 3 abstentions, 10 in favour.

10. Mayor’s report: The mayor tabled a list of her activities, mentioning in particular a very interesting visit to Denison Barracks, Hermitage.

11. Committee reports

R&A – Cllr Bullock: At the last RAWM committee meeting, Cllr Bullock was elected Chair and Cllr Parry was elected Deputy Chair. Cllr Bullock showed Cllr Crane Hungerford Town Council's holdings round the town. Community Pay-Back team worked at Triangle Field last Sunday. The SoS group was able to see how rotten the wood was on the old Skatepark as it was demolished.

E&P – Cllr Booth: Exception site – E&P committee had no objection to the plans and it is now in the hands of WBC. Cllr Booth was surprised to hear that the number of houses may be reduced from 16 to14. She was also surprised to hear that Cllr Holtby spoke of wanting to keep open the footpath between the new site and Shalbourne Close, after the planning officers had agreed to close it. Retrospective permission has been refused for Ben’s Garage to carry out repairs.

H&T – Cllr Hudson: WBC will not offer free parking over the coming Christmas season, and has also denied HTC's request for more speed reactive cameras. Cllr Hudson attended the Transport for the Future event in Newbury. The Christmas card competition was judged today with six views of Hungerford selected. Cllr Desmeules reported that the Christmas lights installation will begin next week. He will send email to all councillors asking for their help.

F&GP – Cllr Buckwell: Cllr Buckwell reported on developments since last Council: precept programme commenced, committees are preparing respective 2010-11 forecasts during November. F&GP committee will hold extra meeting in December (Action: TC/RFO) to aggregate forecasts and make recommendations to Full Council on 4th January 2010. Training budget used for new Councillors’ course. Committee also met and agreed HR-related expenditure commitment.

Newsletter – Cllr Parry: Our current printer has gone bankrupt and quotations from four prospective printers have been received. Cllr Cardwell asked Geoff of the Adviser to look into areas not receiving Open Door.

HEAT – Cllr Acworth: Cllr Acworth will look into providing a hedge-laying session.