Minutes of the Highways and Transport committee meeting held on Monday, 19th October 2009 at 7 pm in the Corn Exchange complex, Hungerford.

 

Present:  Cllrs Hudson, Gaines, Booth, Bullock, Desmeules, Parry, Buckwell, Harries, Crane, Ravenhill

 

1.            Apologies for absence:  Cllrs Cardwell (family), Wilson (ill), Liddiard

 

2.            Declarations of interest:  none

 

3.            Minutes of meeting held 21st September 2009:  proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Booth, 1 abstention, rest in favour.

 

4.             Christmas Lights – update, tenders, planning & support:  (taken after item 5).  Cllr Desmeules has finished testing the lights. The tender has been awarded to A M Electrics however HTC will be putting the lights on the trees for above the shops and will put the trees in place. A M Electrics will then connect the lights. RFO to check insurance for ladders. R Ballard to help R Desmeules along with other councillors from 14th November to 28th November. R Desmeules to send out a timetable. He is buying about 70 sets of LEDS. Using these instead which will reduce energy costs.

 

         7.10 pm Cllrs Desmeules arrived.

 

5.            WBC Highways Issues & Progress Programme (see table) : 

Church wall and parking: The residents need to be approached.

Footway on Marsh Lane/Smitham Bridge Road by playground: Clerk to write to district councillors requesting capital funding for footpath.

Cllr Booth mentioned Tarrant’s Hill Road intersection to Priory Place. The footpath needs a barrier as it is dangerous. Cllr Booth to speak to district councillors.

North Standen Road/Entrance to Shalbourne Close There is no drainage. Action for January 2010 

Newbury Council use a stencil to spray a Dog Fouling Notice. Cllr Hudson proposes HTC investigate in more detail and identify places of need. Seconded by Cllr Parry. One abstention, rest in favour.

 

6.            Parking Proposals in Hungerford and Traffic Regulation Order: Views of HTC required.

   Cllr Gaines commented that residents are concerned with proposed parking along Church Street particularly that it will be dangerous pulling out of Croft Road and will cause additional noise. Parking however will mitigate speeding. Cllr Gaines proposed an email be sent in response to the 11 points on ‘Traffic Regulation Order’ as comments are required by 21st November. Cllr Booth seconded. One abstention, rest in favour. Urgent Action for Cllr Hudson to draft a response by the end of the week for all to look at before sending formal comments by email 

 

 

 

7.            Precept

Committee will go away and consider the budget. Watering machinery and Hungerford in Bloom budget needs to increase. Cllr Gaines proposed income from Christmas Cards is taken off Christmas lights costs. Seconded by Cllr Harries. One abstention, rest in favour. Deadline for Christmas Cards is 31/10/09. Cllr Hudson suggested Christmas lights budget stays the same next year. Hungerford in Bloom printing costs need to be considered. Look at contract for maintaining Public toilets. Can HTC do maintenance in the future? Cllr Hudson considering a budget reduction.

Cllr Harries left meeting at 7.45pm.

 

8.            Public Seats – update of benches – damage and maintenance

         Volunteers are needed to check benches, log repairs and update database. Cllr Crane to consider taking on this project. Clerk to pass info to him.

 

9.            Hungerford in Bloom – watering machine Cllr Buckwell to arrange site visit of tanker/trailer. Put on next agenda.

 

10.        Rail Station - R Benyon trying to help. First Great Western are not operating the Car Park. Cllr Buckwell proposed we have an exploratory meeting with Network Rail to find out update on Precinct.

 

11.        Tourist Signs – progress update

         This is under discussion with WBC and Highways Agency. Mr Oliver from North Wessex Leader Funding would like to come and speak to HTC. Cllr Bullock to look into.

 

12.        Coach Parking – progress update

         Bus parks and coach parks are one and the same. To make one coach parking space in the Church Street Car Park would mean losing 15 car parking spaces. The Station Car Park was considered a more favourable option. Votes are taken on the Chamber of Commerce web site.

 

13.        Speed Reactive Signs – Cllr Hudson suggested that HTC write to WBC and request they provide evidence to support their view that the signs are not effective and clarify why they don’t wish us to have 3 reactor signs. Cllr Hudson requested Cllr Parry contacts Thames Valley Police about laser speed checks. Cllr Crane signs prior to the 30MPH be put in place warning about speed checks and also suggested repeater signs are used.

 

14.        Risk Assessments:  Insurance on ladders RFO to check.

 

15.        Finance:  nothing to report.

 

The meeting closed at 8.45 pm.