DRAFT

Minutes of the Highways and Transport committee meeting held on 15^th October 2007 in the Magistrates Room Corn Exchange complex, Hungerford

Present:                 R Hudson (Chairman), E Cardwell, D Liddiard, A Buckwell,

                                T Werrell, R Desmeules (7.20)

1.             Apologies

                Apologies were received on behalf of Cllrs Harries (Mayoral engagement), Thompson, Scorey and Wilson

2.             Declaration of Interests

                There were no declarations of interest.

3.             Minutes of 17^th September 2007

                Proposed: Cllr Liddiard; seconded: Cllr Cardwell.  Vote: 3 in favour. Cllr Werrell abstained.

4.             Budget

                Proposed: Cllr Liddiard; seconded: Cllr Buckwell.  All in favour.  Standing orders – suspend.  Reinstated Proposed:  Cllr Liddiard; seconded: Cllr Buckwell.  All in favour.

                Cllr Hudson presented a detailed breakdown of expenditure to date, what was budgeted last year and a suggested budget for 2008/09. These were debated and considered and an overall budget of £35,350 proposed.

Proposed: Cllr Hudson; seconded: Cllr Liddiard.  All in favour.

                Budget requirement £35,350, an increase of 8%.  To be submitted to F & GP.

5.             Christmas Lights

                Cllr Desmeules checked 200 sets of lights, another 40 sets still to check. £15,700 of £17,400 already accounted for.  Low quotes, energy costs, trees for retailers TH.  This does not include new lights.  Approximately £1,000 needed to fix lights.  Cllr Cardwell will organise 20 children to help with switch on. 

                Proposed Cllr Desmeules; seconded Cllr Cardwell.  Estimate of £10,530 accepted unanimously.

                Invitations to quote went to 3 but AMELEC only tendered as the other 2 declined.

6.             Street Lights

                Cllr Hudson to write to Mrs Richardson regards the suggested street light along the alley between Prospect road and Church Way.

7.             Public Footpaths

                Cllr Buckwell volunteered to keep an eye on footpaths.  Cllr Cardwell to ask the Ramblers group to clear footpaths as they have done previously.

8.             Street Cleaning

                Has been progressed.  Awaiting response from West Berkshire Council.

                Dog Bins – deferred until Cllr Thompson present.

9.             Public Seats

                Councillor still needed to be responsible for benches.  YOT still progressing oiling programme. 

The 5 new benches available were stored with Cllr Liddiard who will arrange for brackets to be supplied.  Cllrs Liddiard, Harries and Hudson to identify locations for 5 new benches, of which 3 would be located by for canalside.  Proposed Cllr Hudson; seconded Cllr Buckwell.

10.          Hungerford in Bloom

                Donation to Air Ambulance – November cheque run.

11.          Transport Schemes for Section 106 Funding

                Cllr Hudson has submitted the capital bids and was had discussed with Jon Winstanley of WBC, the officer working on this.  The capital programme should be identified by mid November.

12.          Hungerford Area Wide Traffic Regulation Order

                Cllr Hudson to discuss urgently with Ward Councillors and West Berkshire Council.  Issue of the Health Centre area in the Croft.  Coach stop, taxi ranks, disabled in High Street and others.  There would also be a longer term 6 month review.

13.          Canal Walk; Parking on Grass by Canal

                Cllr Hudson to write to WBC requesting that bollards are put in place to limit parking on the grass by the canal, off canal walk.

14.          Pedestrian Sign to Croft from High Street

                RH suggested that there were a number of options regards the funding of a sign.  We could approach Downlands re funding for signage and a standard sign would cost about £250.  There was some discussion that a more imaginative wall plaque would be a better solution. Action for all.  Clerk to contact John Carr.

15.          Risk Assessments

                No progress.

Meeting Closed: 9pm

Signed………………………………………..

Chairman, Highways & Transport

19^th November 2007