HUNGERFORD TOWN COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Highways and Transport meeting held at 7.00pm on Tuesday 12th February 2008 in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford.

 

Present:  Cllrs Harries, Buckwell, Nesbitt, Wilson, Liddiard, Booth, Hudson, Desmeules

 

1.                   Apologies
Cllr Thompson, Werrell, Cardwell

2.                   Declarations of Interest
None

3.                   Minutes of January 14th 2008
Proposed Cllr Buckwell, seconded Cllr Harries, 5 in favour, 2 abstentions

4.                   Christmas Lights Update
Documents circulated to all showing current status, expenditure and income.  Approximately £4,000 received to date.  Nationwide not able to donate, letter on file for the future, Cllr Harries to write to Nationwide.
All expressed congratulations to Cllr Demeules.

5.                   Street Lights
- Lighting between Prospect Road and Church Way
Jointly looking into the use of solar powered street lights with WBC.  Cllrs Hudson and Liddiard to progress.

HTC does not have a street light monitor, need someone to monitor the lights once a month, Cllr Nesbitt has volunteered to take on this role.  Suggested that we put up signs, put an article in the newsletter/Adviser asking people to notify the StreetCare or HTC if they see any lights out.  There are lights out in Charnham Street.
Action: Cllr Nesbitt to carry out monthly audit, familiarise with issues and consider best ways to get people to report light failures such as article in Open Door.

 

6.                   Public Footpath
- Pedestrian sign to Croft area
Cllr Buckwell has met with John Conn (Croft Amenity Groups), sign was on the southern wall, suggested that a new sign is put above the level that it could be vandalised at, those services on the sign have been asked to contribute, waiting to hear back.  The footpath is poorly lit, but there may be an issue that if the lighting is improved it may shine in to the bedrooms of the properties in the area.  Foliage is growing through the fences in to the footpath.  Agreed that the next stage is to write to WBC (Highways and Traffic Management), copy to the Downlands Committee, asking to be considered for funding of the sign, also to check if any permission is needed to put the sign up.  Cllr Buckwell to check nursery name to add to the sign, also add surgery.  Cllr Holtby to report back to John Conn.  We need to find out who owns the property on the corner, Cllr Buckwell to do this.
Action: Cllr Buckwell to progress with ward Cllrs and possibly a letter to Downlands with a petition for funding.

7.                   -Footpath on The Marsh
The ramblers have taken WBC to court over the footpath across the Marsh, it is the middle path where the bridge has disintegrated, ramblers are insisting that the bridge is replaced. WBC are being asked that the path/bridge is reinstated for the disabled which would mean a concrete path across the Marsh.  Robin James (Town & Manor) Cllr Harries and Cllr Hudson to attend the meeting. 

Actions:

Cllr Nesbitt to write to CLA for footpath guidance information.
Site meeting by WBC, Town & Manor and HTC planned for 26/02/2008, time to be emailed to all.  Cllr Harries to visit in the next few days.

8.                   Street Cleaning

- Chewing gum on High Street
Cllr Booth has spoken to Stephen Beech at Biffa, has never heard of a machine that removes chewing gum.  Will update on progress at the next meeting.
Action: Cllr Booth to progress and report to next meeting


- Pigeon waste problem
Responsibility of the traders in the town

- Provision of dog toilet bins
Cllr Thompson is taking a lead on this.  Suggested that HTC enforce the local byelaws.  Item in the last Open Door, waiting for feedback from the public for suggested locations for siting of the bins.  Cllr Harries has spoken to WBC who are currently not enforcing the byelaws.  Agree that we should report dog owners who let their dogs foul  in public areas to WBC or to the local PCSO so prosecution can follow.
Action: Cllr Thompson to identify preferred locations and report to next meeting


- Gateways to the town
One gateway has been painted.  Railings over the Kennet are in a poor state, Cllr Harries or Cllr Thompson to write to WBC asking for them to be painted.
Action: Cllr Thompson to write to WBC and report to next meeting

 

9.                   Hungerford Rail Station
- Update on adopt a station
Cllr Holtby was less than impressed with First Great Western’s approach.  The station needs to be cleaned and tidied up, it also needs a new building.  Tidying up has been done before, but there is still more that needs to be done, First Great Western have a statutory responsibility to keep the station clean and tidy.  Concerns re the state of the station have also been raised at the Chamber of Commerce.  Group advised that last time a date was set to tidy the station no-one from First Great Western turned up to give volunteers access to some of the area.
Cllr Desmueles suggested that the best way forward would be for funds to be made available for a retired person to be based at the station, to assist and help people.  There are concerns regarding the rubbish that collects at the station, Cllr Harries has spoken to WBC, expressed concerns re vermin in the area, rubbish has now been cleared, this should be the responsibility of First Great western not HTC. 
Cllr Hudson reported that there were potential funding sources available.  HTC submitted a Parish Section 106 bid last year and there may also be funding available for a new building via the South East Development Agency, (SEEDA) HTC may have to match/contribute to the costs, may be eligible.
Actions: Cllr Hudson to discuss SEEDA funding with 2010+.  Meanwhile HTC H & T to support the Adopt a Station Group.

 

10.                 Public Seats
Cllr Booth believed that the adopt a bench scheme was good idea and needed to be pursued.    Suggested we encourage local businesses to purchase a bench with a placard etc. 

 

Action: Cllr Booth to identify detailed way forward for adopt a bench scheme: to include sponsors, costs, ways to advertise, maintenance and feed back to next meeting

11.                Pedestrian Bridge crossing of Canal
Cllr Hudson has had a meeting with members who support the resolution from Full Council.  Project will be funded by WBC
Action: Cllr Hudson to progress a full council resolution and submit to Miles Roberts at WBC.

 

12.                Hungerford area wide Traffic Regulation Order
- Update on issues and discussions with West Berks
Meeting has been held with Cllrs.  Comments to be made again after 6 months.  Meeting has also been held with Alex Drysedale.
Action: Cllr Hudson to compile comments and start to arrange meeting with ward Cllrs and WBC officer Alex Drysdale.

 

13.                Canal Walk
- Parking on grass by the canal
Ongoing issue – 6 monthly review of traffic regulations as referred above should be able to address this.

Action: Cllr Hudson to Input to 6 monthly

 

14.                Atherton Crescent
- Parking on grass
Ongoing issue – 6 monthly review of traffic regulations as referred above should be able to address this.
Action: Cllr Hudson to Input to 6 monthly review and Cllr Booth to find out more information about specific vehicles

 

15.                Flooding
- Update and Flood Action Plan
Cllr Hudson sent letter to WBC on 7/2/2008 waiting for a reply.  It was  understood that WBC and Sovereign have called in a consultancy company to investigate flooding issues/concerns and a company to clear drains. 

16.                Low Flying Night Aircraft
Cllr Liddiard to check the regulations and the flight path, contact Peter Bishop.

17.                Risk Assessments
Cllr Harries has forms for risk assessments.  Will need to be done for the gardens next to the library/council offices.

18.                Street Trading Consents
- Application from Mei Loung
Concerns expressed re the levels of hygiene.  Cllr Hudson to draft letter to be sent to WBC

- Application from Lord Robert Blandford
Operates in the A4 lay-by, this application is supported.  Proposed Cllr Harries, seconded Cllr Booth, all in favour.