DRAFT Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on Tuesday 5th January, 2012 at 7 pm in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford.

 

Present:  Cllrs Martin Crane, Margaret Wilson, Jean Hutchings, Roger Thompson, Charlotte Podger, Martyn Hopkins, David Liddiard, Stephen Colloff, Amy Pearson, Rupert Thompson, Colin Bumbieris.

Also present: Mr Geoff Adams (the Adviser), PC Claire Drewitt & PC Sowden.

Police Report by Claire Drewitt: Very quiet over Xmas with no shoplifting in December and just one domestic and one noise incident. They will continue to concentrate on drugs and speeding issues. Shop-safe is being used correctly and well. They will be considering positioning the CCTV cameras better. The number-plate recognition camera has now been released to the Police from WBC ownership.

Item 12 brought forward: Report by Paul Southern (Royal Berkshire F & RS); See attached Power point presentation: Additional points raised: A request for high risk properties to be identified, emphasis that Berkshire F&RS is 2nd lowest in cost to public, daytime cover is difficult for a retained Station, wish to reduce 40 days without cover, Fire Engines do not respond to alarms until presence of a fire is identified, cost of fire alarms not subsidised by government, call centre is based in Reading with system to track properties on map from phone number, clear display of house numbers preferred, promotion of domestic sprinklers, enhanced resources now provided on Hungerford Engines, Young Fire Fighters meet Wednesdays.     

 

1.      Apologies for absence: Cllr Benneyworth. Also District      Councillors P Hewer & D Holtby

2.      Declarations of interest: None

3.      Approval of Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 5th December 2011 Proposed by Cllr Hutchings, seconded by Cllr Hopkins, all in favour.

4.      Councillor vacancy and co-option – it was agreed to suspend standing orders so Terry Harding could speak. He is interested in being co-opted. He has 2 businesses and has lived in Hungerford for 11 years. He has 4 children and is a coach at the Rugby Club. We have also recently received an application from Doris Colloff.

5.      Mayors Report: A written report was provided.

6.      Finance  - Cllr Rupert Thompson

            (a) Propose authorisation of cheque run payments Cllr J Hutchings proposed         acceptance       of the cheque run of £22,510.20, seconded by Cllr Crane, all in favour.

            (b) Propose year to date accounts – presented at every Council meeting Cllr         Crane   proposed acceptance of the Accounts to date, seconded by Cllr Hutchings, all in favour.

            (c) Propose ratify Precept of £186,036 and Budget of £191,586 for 2012 as          recommended at F&GP: The overspend of £5550 is to come from Reserves. Cllr       Crane proposed agreement of precept and budget, seconded by Cllr Hopkins, all in          favour. 

            (d) Septic Tank Costs: Cllr Liddiard proposed proceeding with clearance of the        Triangle           Field tank at £100 per 1000 gallons

 

7.      Committee reports (no more than 3 minutes per report)

            R&A – Vandalism repairs to Smitham Bridge Play Park are now complete and bank has       been cut back. Bulpit Lane Park railings have been replaced.

 

            F&GP – Standing Orders will be considered at the F&GP next week.

 

            E&P – Cllr Hutchings is now the new chair of the LDF Working Party. We have received     more plans for the Lamb which needs to be considered in advance of Monday’s meeting. The   last Western Area Planning meeting considered the JOG application and Cllr R Thompson            attended to show HTC support and WBC financial support was requested.

 

            H&T – Cllr Roger Thompson: Footbridge is due to be brought in on 6th February and           Contractors have been liaising well. Footpaths in High St still not reinstated from Gas   Works. Action – Clerk to chase. Christmas Lights will start to be taken down tomorrow. Help is needed.

           

8.         Communications Committee report - Cllr Hopkins: Although there is no Open        Door budget     left for the rest of this Financial year it was agreed that one more issue is             required to advertise    the Town meeting and this should be printed by the end of February. Copies could be sent         electronically.   

 

9.         Marketing report– Cllr Rupert Thompson: Cllr Hopkins has created a survey for   visitors of Hungerford and data will be compiled for comparison. The Town plan data is             being inputted and help is required to do this. Cllr Crane proposed Cllr Hopkins invites   Claire Towlson to help, seconded by Cllr Roger Thompson, all in favour.

 

10.       Queens Diamond Jubilee WP report: Meeting has been deferred

 

11.       Council Strategy – Support for the strategy and WBC was expressed and no further             comments to be noted.

 

12.       Response to Fire Authority Integrated Risk Management plan – item brought       forward; see beginning of meeting

 

13.       Network Rail replacement of Croft Railway Bridge –update – ‘Community           relations’ at      Network Rail have contacted all premises in the Croft by letter. Parking           issues are being            looked at and an outcome is expected tomorrow.

 

14.       Community Centre – next steps: Action: Clerk to circulate a copy of correspondence sent to West berks to all Councillors. Irene Neil (Lead member on Youth Service) will try and             resolve issues ahead of Friday’s meeting. How will transfer of asset take place? A full   repair lease with peppercorn rent is required. WBC strongly supports this in their             Council            Strategy.

 

15.       Triangle Field Access -Agreement of Draft Licence – The Town Council should    negotiate with Leadbitters not Carter Jonas. Advice on fees required ahead of the           F&GP when decision should be made to finalise licence. Action: speak to all parties involved.

 

            Meeting closed 8.10pm