Minutes of the Highways and Transport committee meeting held on Monday, 21st September 2009 at 7 pm in the Corn Exchange complex, Hungerford.
Present: Cllrs Hudson, Gaines, Cardwell, Booth, Bullock, Liddiard, Desmeules, Buckwell and Harries. Also in attendance Mr Martin Crane, Mr David Ravenhill, and Mr Bob Evans of Kaleidoscope
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs Parry and Wilson
2. Declarations of interest: none
3. Minutes of meeting held 20th July 2009: proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Cardwell, 6 in favour, 1 abstention. The chairman welcomed Cllr Harries who has asked to join the H&T committee.
4. Christmas Lights – update, tenders, planning & support: (taken after item 5). Cllr Desmeules reported that he continues to test the lights and water the flower containers in the town – Roger Ballard is helping with the watering, and Roger and Cllr Harries helping with the testing. He explained that the installing of the lights was to be done in several sections this year, and invitations to tender are to be sent out this week. He is trying to use more LED lights, which cost more but last longer. The Switch-On is to done this year by Bear Grylls. Cllr Cardwell said that the band is booked and she is organising the choir. Christmas cards – there are still some of last year’s cards available and Cllr Gaines proposed a photographic competition to choose new pictures for this year’s Christmas cards; seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour.
7.05 pm Cllrs Desmeules and Liddiard arrived.
5. WBC Highways Issues & Progress Programme (see table) :
Church wall and parking: Jon Winstanley has not yet look at the verge stones which Cllr Liddiard has. (Clerk to add to next agenda.)
A338/Priory Road roundabout markings have been improved. To be reviewed after 4 months.
Road safety around JoG – a travel plan is being written by JoG.
Speed signs required on the roads from Marlborough and from Salisbury. A letter to go to A Garratt (copied to Dist Cllrs Holtby and Hewer).
Bus lay-over area and Everland Road, Tesco – Cllr Bullock proposed suspension of Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr Booth, all in favour. Mr Bob Evans (of Kaleidoscope) asked for clarification on whether Everland Road was a public right of way. Cllr Harries said that it was not a public road. Cllr Bullock proposed reinstatement of Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr Gaines, all in favour.
6. Parking Proposals in Hungerford and update of Traffic Regulation Order: The consultation period ends on 1st October. (Clerk to add to next agenda.) Dist Cllrs Holtby and Hewer to ensure copy of updated traffic regulation plans are in the library.
7. Parking refund scheme – review and update of Chamber of Commerce scheme: The refund scheme is to continue. The present signs will stay until they get shabby, after which HTC will be asked to replace them. Discussion was held on the high cost of parking – designed to encourage the use of public transport. A letter to WBC Parking Dept requesting a parking charge freeze, and also free parking on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the four weeks up to Christmas was proposed by Cllr Cardwell seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour.
8. Extravaganza: request for toilet extended opening hours & clean up the following day: It was agreed to request WBC to extend the hours and to carry out cleaning of the town on the following day – Action: clerk.
9. Premises licence applications for Thames Valley Farmers Market: Cllr Gaines proposed no objection to the application, seconded by Cllr Booth, 8 in favour and 1 objection.
10. Public Seats – update on benches – damage and maintenance: benches at the Memorial garden have suffered vandalism. The benches in St Savours are to be painted by the Community Pay-Back Team.
11. Dog bins – review after introduction: 3 have been supplied.
Cllr Cardwell left the meeting at 8 pm.
12. Canal Pedestrian Bridge – review following public meeting: Discussion on the good attendance at the meeting but insufficient variety of bridge plans. Cllr Gaines reiterated that this capital budget is earmarked for Hungerford.
13. Hungerford in Bloom – review: Cllr Wilson was absent. Cllr Desmeules said that the flower displays at Bridge Street are excellent this year. Hungerford Town Council does not have suitable equipment for watering. Cllr Gaines said that Seeda funding or Tourism budget should be investigated for providing money for a watering device. Cllrs Buckwell and Gaines to research watering systems.
14. Rail station: concern was expressed on the state of the rail station, especially as the Gateway to Hungerford. It was suggested that councillors might be able to ask the question of Richard Benyon when he comes to the Chamber of Commerce evening on 8th October. Cllr Buckwell to ask him about progress. (Clerk to add to next agenda.)
15. Tourist Signs – progress update: Cllr Buckwell to report to next meeting (clerk to add to next agenda).
16. Coach Parking - Chamber of Commerce meeting 24th Sept: Under a recent Traffic Regulation Order, two spaces are to be reserved for coaches only at Charnham Park. Discussion was held on coach parking in the town. Cllr Bullock proposed suspension of Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour: Mr Bob Evans said that, unless coach drivers can drop-off and park their coaches near to the town, they would drive on to the next town. He said if we want to attract coaches, we must attract the drivers, and suggested 2 coach places in Church Street car park. Cllr Bullock proposed reinstatement of Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour. Parking in the street and also at Cobbs was discussed
17. Risk Assessments: nothing to report.
18. Finance: nothing to report.
The meeting closed at 8.38 pm.