Minutes of the Highways and Transport committee meeting held on Monday 14th May 2007
in the Corn Exchange complex, Hungerford.
Present: R. Hudson (Chairman), R. Desmeules (Deputy Chairman), E. Cardwell, R Thompson, M. Wilson (G. Bullock also present)
Minutes taken by Cllr Cardwell in the Clerk’s absence
1) Election of Chairman and deputy Chairman.
07/H0026 Chairman: Proposed R. Hudson by E. Cardwell, seconded by M. Wilson. All 5 in favour
07/H0027 Deputy Chairman: Proposed R. Desmeules by G. Bullock, seconded by M. Wilson. All 5 in favour
2) Apologies for absence
Apologies were received on behalf of R. Scorey, D. Liddiard, P. Harries, J. Buckle
3) Declaration of Interests
None
4) Minutes of 19th February 2007
07/H0028 EC Proposed, MW seconded. All voted (3) in favour (2) abstention (as not attended).
RH referred to new filing system being set up as current system only based on months and showed a draft listing. RH to produce update and forward to all. ACTION RH
5) Christmas Lights (this item deferred to end of meeting after RD arrived)
RD reported on issues. Testing soon to commence. Clearout of storage garage needed and RT offered to assist. MW offered to assist with light testing.
Switch on date confirmed as 1st December at 5pm. EC confirmed that Primary School and Town Band had been approached.
Power bill awaited for last year’s lights.
6) Canal Pedestrian Bridge
Agreed that RH would request that it be put on the next Downlands Area Agenda in July ACTION RH
7) Vehicle Actuated Sign
RH reported no further action and should be installed soon on A338 Eddington Hill.
8) Street Lights
Work in HEAT group on this matter to try and reduce energy consumption.
Post number 18 which was replaced at Somerfield has no Christmas light connection. RD to write to WBC on this matter. ACTION RD
9) Street Cleaning/Footpaths
GB reported that the Youth Offending Team (YOT) had a 14 year old cleaning up around railway. Other areas that GB would recommend to YOT would be: Skate Park, near JOG school, Triangle Field and Priory.
ACTION GB
RD expressed concern about cardboard being left outside containers at car park. RD suggested a Town Council letter to shame those who fly tip.
Issue of litter discussed. Agreed to write to JOG to ask that litter be addressed and also involve Youth Council and HTC working together. Suggest a competition slogan. Draft letter to be produced by RT.
ACTION RT
Chewing Gum issue: EC to write to WBC about a machine ACTION EC
Litter at station and that swept through fence. RH to contact / write to Network Rail. ACTION RH
Dog Dirt Issue. RT had worked hard on this and keen that something is done. Agreed that RT progress with contact to British Waterways, providers of bins and Town & Manor. Locations of potential sites to be specified and requested in Open Door. ACTION RT
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10) Railings on Bridges.
RT concerned about image of town. Rusty railings by Bridge Street war memorial, the canal bridge and by 2 petrol stations. Letter to be sent to WBC Highways with photos. RH to do letter RT the photos.
ACTION RT RH
11) Entrance Gates to Town
As above. Dirty, mouldy and poorly maintained and add into letter as above. ACTION RH RT
12) Public Seats
JB had volunteered to take on this issue.
RH said there was much information to pass on including lists of benches. Regarding maintenance of the benches YOT and Lushglen had been in contact. Ex councillor Barletta had offered to advise as he had se up the system. ACTION JB
RD had asked what criteria existed to allow outside seating on the High Street. Azuru and Plume had requested seats. Agreed to add café seating to next agenda.
13) Public Conveniences
RH reported on the damage done to the temporary Portaloo toilets and that a new toilet had been in place since May 4th. Portaloo had attended the day of the fire and in their report they confirmed the damage had been done by the fire from the chemical temporary toilet for use by library staff. Portaloo expected it to be a right off which would be £11,000 plus VAT, but confirmation of this was awaited from the company after they had evaluated it in detail. Our insurance company had been contacted and that further action would be necessary to discuss with WBC regarding consequential damage/ proximate cause.
There was concern about a lack of information from the police and RH to write to the police (Inspector Emily Roberts) to request progress and CCTV coverage information. ACTION RH
14) Hungerford in Bloom
Door Knockers: MW to judge
Gardens, hanging baskets: RD to judge. Pat Tranter, Peter Moreton, also to judge gardens.
The theme was to be Countries of the world
Flyers, certificates and wine as prizes to be organised. RH also offered help on flyers.
ACTION MW/RD
RD reported on the flower baskets. The canal railings troughs were attached and 2 ones for rail bridge.
RD said that we need to decide by 31/05/07 if to join the Thames & Chiltern in Bloom Association.
ACTION MW/RD
In terms of the budget for competitions and baskets RD and MW to decide how best to allocate the £500 available. ACTION MW/RD
15) Letter re Charnham Park A4 Diversion
RH explained about a letter received by a resident off Charnham Park who was concerned about the diversion of the A4 via Charnham Park. Agreed that this was agreed policy of the Council and RH to write a response. ACTION RH
16) HTC Response to Hungerford Area-Wide Traffic Regulation Order
No progress
17) Risk Assessments
Nothing to update at present
Meeting closed at 9.02pm.
Signed…………………………..R H C Hudson…………
Chairman, Highways and Transport
18th June 2007