Minutes of the Full Council held on Monday 1st February 2010 at 7 pm in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford.

Present: Cllrs Elizabeth Cardwell, Jenny Booth, Peter Harries, William Acworth, Anthony Buckwell, David Liddiard, Margaret Wilson, Gwynneth Bullock, Rod Desmeules, Richard Hudson, Dianne Wynell-Sutherland, Denise Gaines, Shelagh Parry, Martin Crane and David Ravenhill; and District Cllrs David Holtby and Paul Hewer, Clare Hardy (NWN), Helen Armstrong (Newbury Sound), and Mr Anthony Stansfeld (Councillor for Kintbury)

District Councillors’ reports:

Dist Cllr Hewer said that the West Berks Core Strategy (the central part of the LDF) was supported unanimously at last Thursday’s WBC meeting. Lambourn, Burghfield and Mortimer have now joined Hungerford and Theale as Rural Service Centres. Dist Cllr Holtby reported that the public meeting last week (2010+) was useful, with Chris Scorey in the Chair. He pointed out that the LDF is government-imposed and district councils have no choice. Structural engineers met today to discuss the footbridge over the canal. There will be a month-long exhibition in March and another public meeting during the last week of March (Dist Cllr Holtby to discuss with Mayor and Clerk). Cllr Hudson requested a copy of the design brief. Action: Dist Cllr Holtby to provide this. Jacobs are the structural engineers, Turney Associates the designer. The Mayor asked if there could be a display at JoG school and Cllr Holtby agreed. Cllr Hewer said that improvements to the Church Way track is due to start at the end of this month and the drainage in Parsonage Lane will be done after another month or so (trying to get money from Sovereign Housing). The Winter Weather Strategy is being looked into with the HTC's H&T committee. The Station Road level crossing incident involving lorries slipping on the ice was reported to WBC and is receiving urgent attention: the road will be salted in bad weather pro tem, and will be added to the future service programme. Hungerford Town Council and Dist Cllrs are to get together to discuss best places for grit bins. Action: Sub-committee to include Cllrs Gaines, Cardwell and Hudson, and a meeting is to be held in the last week of February, followed by a site meeting. Cllr Holtby said that there had been discussion in local government to decide if anyone should be responsible for salting outside their premises – some councils are taking out an indemnity.

Mr Anthony Stansfeld is a Kintbury Councillor, and was here to represent the Thames Valley Police Authority BCU (basic command unit). His is tasked to try to make sure there are enough police in this part of the county. Major issue with Police is that Thames Valley Police gets the lowest amounts in the country; the premise is that we all have the same amount of crime, ie Reading same as Hungerford. Farmers and contractors are suffering serious crime recently, but it is not local and is part of organised crime where stealing is done to order. Farmers and contractors are encouraged to be vigilant and note the registrations of any suspicious vehicles. Complaints to go through Mr Stansfeld. PCSOs were imposed by the Home Office. They have been a success because they are local but were funded for a limited amount of time which may change after the next general election. NAGs were not so successful, perhaps a sub-committee with town council?

Mr Stansfeld left at 7.35 pm

1. Apologies for absence: none

2. Declarations of interest: none

3. Minutes from meeting held on 4th January 2010: proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Crane, 2 abstentions, rest in favour.

4. Matters arising

5. Finance:

(a) Authorisation of payments: Proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Booth, all in favour.

(b) Year to date accounts (presented at every Council meeting): Circulated

(c) Allotments: Thanks go to Rupert Thomas for his input, and Cllr Acworth said especially in assisting with preparing the grant applications, and has worked close with setting up HaHa. A Constitution has been made and a bank account opened. After discussion on amounts payable, Cllr Acworth proposed the payment of legal fees up to £1,000 for landlord’s and his solicitors costs, and £1,000 for Hungerford Town Council costs; seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour. Cllr Acworth then proposed £1,000 per year for a lease on the new allotment site, seconded by Cllr Cardwell, all in favour. Action: The container held by Cllr Liddiard is to be discussed by himself and Cllr Acworth.

6. Business recycling: Cllr Gaines suggested that local retailers, through the Chamber of Commerce, and Heat could try to organise recycling; retailers would pay to have everything taken away; one or two people to speak to the Chamber of Commerce and Heat to get something organised, also speak to JoG. Figures of £6.68 per bin per week to dispose and recycle waste (£350 per bin per year). Cllr Cardwell said that a new bin has been left in the foyer of the Library to collect batteries for recycling. Action: Cllrs Gaines and Ravenhill to pursue.

7. Rural crime: Cllr Buckwell had circulated notes – Volunteers Cllrs Ravenhill and Booth.

8. Mayor’s report: list circulated. Bad weather caused some cancellations and postponements.

9. Committee reports (no more than 5 minutes per report)

R&A – Cllr Bullock: St Saviour’s: there will be a short ceremony (with Rev Sawyer) when the Sarsen stones and plaque are in situ. St Lawrence’s: a plaque has been made to go with James Dean’s gravestone and again where will be a short ceremony. Triangle Field: seeding at the end of May; some of the activity trail may be able to be moved. Community Pay Back team to help with shrub control around perimeter. The Skatepark is being well used. Some trees are to be replaced at the War Memorial Avenue (John Handy); they will require watering and Tony Lavers is to be asked. Dr Christina Hill-Williams, in her role with the Berkshire Gardens Trust, has looked at the Tragedy Memorial gardens with a view to re-vitalising the garden. The Trust will carry out the work free of charge, and HTC will do the maintenance.

E&P – Cllr Booth: Re Chilton Estate’s applications to build, the land by Wyevale’s was voted No Objection; the one at Eddington was Objected, both have subsequently been withdrawn. There was no objection to the flood lights at the Triangle Field for the Rugby Club (paying for electricity and timing of lights needs to be considered); needs to be discussed at Users Committee. Gel bags have arrived and will be stored in the container which is due to arrive on Tuesday: a policy needs to be formed.

H&T – Cllr Hudson: Christmas lights were taken down in January and Cllr Desmeules is still collecting donations. The lights in the trees at Bridge Street are to be taken down (after five years). Footbridge over the Canal: meeting to be held (reported by D Holtby earlier). The Winter Service Plan is to be discussed via sub-committee. Tourist signs are progressing. An initial meeting has been held regarding the railway station area.

F&GP – Cllr Buckwell: The precept has been agreed and Cllr Buckwell has written a piece for Open Door. Risk Assessments: Cllr Buckwell together with Clerk and RFO have done preliminary work and Chairmen of committees are now asked to review their appropriate sections. Programme for looking at Grants and S.137 payments: F&GP on 9th March and to Council in April.

Newsletter – Cllr Parry: Thanked those who contributed; is going to the printer this week.

HEAT – Cllr Acworth: Now formally constituted. Walks and markets are progressing – there is a walk this Sunday. The Food Group – informal meeting on Thursday, 7.30pm , the Plume. Eco Group at the school – liaising with them for a small vegetable garden.