Minutes of the Highways and Transport meeting held at 7.00pm on Monday 14th January 2008 in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford.

 

Present:  Cllrs Hudson, Harries, Booth, Liddiard, Thompson, Cardwell, Desmeules (from 7.30pm)

1.                   Apologies
Cllrs Wilson, Buckwell, Werrell. 
S Latham (RFO)

2.                   Declarations of Interest
None

3.                   Minutes from 19th November 2007
Proposed:  Cllr Liddiard, Seconded:  Cllr Thompson, 5 in favour, 1 abstention

4.                   Update of Budget
£35,350 not including £5k income.  Committee happy to proceed to F & GP.

5.                   Street Lights
Atherton Road light opposite Prospect road doesn’t go off during the day.  Alley way from Prospect Road to Church Way – possible option solar light.  Cllr Hudson has obtained details, 26 watt £1700 inc VAT, 18 watt £1500 inc VAT.
Action:-  Cllr Hudson/Clerk - to investigate further and talk to WBC

6.                   Public Footpath
Cllr Buckwell has agreed to look after.  Letter sent to Mr Conn of Hungerford Club inviting comments.  Circulated to meeting.  Awaiting response from Mr Conn on how best to proceed.  Southview Road to Common – recently reviewed.  Paul Hewer has part cleared.

7.                   Street Cleaning
Chewing gum – Cllr Bulllock sent  e mail to Cllr Hudson.  She had spoken to A4 Hire – but do not have specialist equipment.  Cllr Harries suggests contact with Buckinghamshire Council who have equipment(Aylesbury). Cllr Booth was aware of Biffa having equipment in the past.                   Action: Cllr Booth to investigate further.

Pigeon Waste
Discussed and agreed that not a Town Council problem, but able to recommend companies to individuals.

Provision of Dog Poo Bin
Cllr Harries spoke to WBC re byelaws, need to make clear byelaw broken and prosecution will result.  Cllr Thompson – local council can create new byelaws.  Asked to take further by District Cllrs with WBC, not yet done, proposal via Town Council to request a byelaw from WBC to prosecute people who allow their dogs to defecate the public land.  Proposed:  Cllr Harries, Seconded:  Cllr Thompson, 7 in favour.
Action Cllr Harries to progress bylaw with West Berks

Current locations reviewed and new ones looked at.  List will be placed on notice board by new office and published in news letter.  Approach WBC to see if they would include in their current collections and install bins. 

Action: Cllr Thompson to write to WBC and post information and add to open door.

Gateways to the Town
Cllr Thompson has written to WBC and Cllrs Hewer and Holtby.  Advised response by Friday 18th January 2008.  Eddington Hill works carried out, which are a great improvement.

8.                   Christmas Lights (moved to later in agenda as Cllr Desmeules arrived later)
Cllrs Desmeules reported help from Round Table re tree clearance, £160 donation given.  Current spend £22765, income from retailers so far £3312 and donations £550.  £1503 over budget at present.  £1097 still to collect.  Overspend of approx £400 will occur.  Thanks expressed to Cllr Desmeules for his time and work given to this venture.  Cllr Harries looking into selling Christmas Cards next year to help with funds.

9.                   Hungerford Rail Station
Cllr Thompson has contacted Alison Stone, First Great Western, re adoption of a station scheme.  Alison has agreed to attend the next meeting.  Suggest approach for February Full Council.   Cllr Harries suggested contacting Ron Hayes.  Cllr Thompson to put article in next newsletter.  Cleaning carried out 3 times per week.  Cllr Thompson to photocopy and circulate information available.
Action: Cllr Thompson: invite AS to full council, article in Open Door and circ. information
Cllr Desmeules left meeting at 8.10pm

10.                Public Seats
Cllr Booth agreed to be Councillor who oversees benches. 

5 benches at Cllr Liddiards, 3 for the wharf, 1 to go to 2010 at the back of the library.  Cllr Harries proposed that one new seat offered to 2010 for new library garden, seconded Cllr Liddiard, 6 in favour.

11.                Transport Scheme for Section 106 Funding
Pedestrian Bridge Across Canal

Miles Roberts from WBC to attend meeting in office on Thursday 24th at 12.00 noon. To discuss way forward.  P Hewer also to attend.

 

Park Street Old Ambulance

Old Ambulance gone from Park Street, and may return.  Cllr Hudson reported that Ward Councillors would like to know our views on the matter as a difficult situation.  The choice was whether it could be allowed back with a parking permit or it should not be allowed back. Asked that not be allowed back: 5 in favour 1 against.

12.                Hungerford Area Wide Traffic Regulation
Croft area, still unresolved, nearing 6 month review, meeting will need arranging with District Councillors to review.

13.                Canal Walk Parking
Further letter received from H Philens, British Waterways, issued 2 winter moorings to canal boats.
Action RH to progress with WBC & Ward Members

 

14.                Atherton Crescent
WBC considering lengthening the lay by.  Letter sent to WBC, Andy Garrett, on 27/7/06, long standing problem.  Bollards low cost and work.  Alex Drysdale via e mail (WBC) will review current parking arrangements. 

 

Cllr Harries requests WBC pass a bye-law not to allow any parking on any grassed area in Hungerford, seconded Cllr Booth.  Cllr Thompson proposed that it be not all grassed areas, but designated ones, seconded Cllr Cardwell, 6 in favour.

Follow up bollards be placed on canal walk, meet with WBC to review parking arrangements in Atherton Crescent with a view to provide more parking and  introduce bollards.  Proposed:  Cllr Hudson, Seconded Cllr Harries, 6 in favour.
Action 1) RH to progress with WBC & Ward 2) Cllr Harries to progress bylaw for designated areas

 

15.                Flooding
Cllr Thompson attended meeting, no further information has been received.  Cllr Cardwell requests Cllr Hudson writes to WBC requesting a drain cleaning programme for 2008.  All in favour.

16.                Speed Limit on Common
Letter sent to WBC and Cllr Hudson confirmed the content and that we had to respect resolutions in Committee.

17.                Low Flying Night Aircraft
Cllr Hudson reported greater aircraft noise in recent weeks and Cllr Liddiard to investigate current altitude levels.
Action: Cllr Liddiard to investigate CAA flight restrictions.

 

18.                Risk Assessments
Cllr Harries received paperwork for risk assessment from 2010+ re library garden.


NB:  Change of date to February 12th for next meeting.  Cllr Cardwell gave apologies.

Meeting closed at 9.00 pm.