Godmanchester Town Council Minutes.

The Minutes of the Godmanchester Town Council are provided simply to increase ease of access for fellow residents here in GMC. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of the webmaster (Stuart Bond) or Godmanchester Community Association. The Minutes are released to the public once they are approved.

Please note that the financial details are not held on this website and that only the entire Minutes as recorded in the Minutes Book have legal standing. Hard copies are posted around the town on the noticeboards and also sent to Huntingdon Library. If you have any queries please contact the Town Clerk by e-mail or telephone / fax 388 870.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE GODMANCHESTER TOWN HALL ON THURSDAY 19 APRIL 2007

PRESENT: H R BUTCHER Town Mayor, M COHEN Deputy Town Mayor
Councillors: D BROWN, W D BUTTERWORTH, Mrs C A GODLEY, C R HYAMS, E KYNOCH,
Mrs B MOORE, Mrs E TREHARNE-JONES, C VANE PERCY, G WILSON

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD
Mace Bearer: Mr M Williams

APOLOGIES: Cllr A GOFF, B HENNESSY, Mrs H HULL, Mrs A M LOOKER

8 members of the public were present

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE MAYOR advised he had represented the Town on 8 occasions since the last meeting.

Cllrs were advised that new tables and chairs were now in place at Judith’s Field. Wood Green Animal Shelter had been most grateful for our donation of the old tables and chairs.

THE MAYOR reported a successful Annual Town Meeting. Since Godmanchester Town Council became independent from Huntingdon Town Council in 1982 there have been 13 Mayors and with two deceased, only one had not been traced to attend the Annual Town Meeting. The 10 Mayors who were able to attend received a badge denoting their position as Former Mayor. However, it was disappointing that despite the distribution of the first Town Council newsletter there were not more members of the public in attendance. Thanks had been sent to Reverend Busk for his attendance and for his prayers.

THE MAYOR reported the Civic Ball had been a success and he offered his thanks to all who had attended or donated. He would have £1000 to present to his nominated charity, the Huntingdon Volunteer Bureau.

THE MAYOR thanked all Cllrs who had distributed the first Town Council Newsletter and took the opportunity to remind everyone the Annual Litter Pick would take place on 21st April starting at 10am from the Town Hall.

Cllrs were advised the Town Clerk would not be in the office on 30th April/1st May.

THE MAYOR confirmed this would be his last formal meeting as Mayor and he confirmed his resignation from the role of Mayor and Chairman of Godmanchester Town Council with effect from 17th May 2007.

CLLR MRS MOORE arrived at 7.39pm

07/022 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2007 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

07/023 MATTERS ARISING

Curtains for the QES are due to be installed on Saturday 12th May.

Work to improve the footway around the entrance to St Mary’s in Chadley Lane is due to begin during week commencing 23rd April. A further meeting will take place with the Senior Lighting Engineer regarding connection of the lantern above the gates on 24th April.

Unfortunately the installation of the play equipment has been delayed and will now take place during the week commencing 14th May. CLLR MRS TREHARNE-JONES has negotiated a further reduction of £600 in the price to compensate for the delay.

It is understood HDC and Barratts are happy to review use of S106 monies in relation to the proposed development at London Road. CLLR WILSON will contact the developer and liaise with the Town Clerk regarding a formal letter to both parties.

Parish Plan

Cllrs discussed whether or not the Town Council should commit to production of a Parish Plan. It would involve a lot of work and would not be driven by the Town Council but by the residents. With current feedback and involvement from the residents, it was felt the task of forming a working party to take the issue forward would be difficult. It was felt that even if a Parish Plan could be produced it was envisaged that requests brought forward would be beyond the Town Council’s capabilities and would lie with District or County Council. It was proposed that Godmanchester Town Council WOULD NOT opt to produce a Parish Plan. This proposal was supported by 9 votes for, 2 against. Town Clerk would confirm our decision to Cambs ACRE.

It was AGREED that the Town Council would continue to seek views from the residents and would encourage feedback through the next edition of the Town Council newsletter.

07/024 ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR AND DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR

There had been no nominations for Town Mayor. After discussion CLLR COHEN was nominated as Town Mayor. This proposal was seconded and carried unanimously. CLLR HYAMS was nominated as Deputy Town Mayor. This proposal was also seconded and carried unanimously.

07/025 REVIEW OF FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

Cllrs had been presented with a current copy of the Financial Regulations. CLLR MRS MOORE also presented suggested amendments to be incorporated into the Financial Regulations and it was AGREED a discussion and decision on the amendments would be carried forward to the next meeting. The Town Clerk would also present up to date details of the Asset Register to all Cllrs for information before the next meeting.

07/26 CORRESPONDENCE (see appendix A)

A resident has approached the Town Council for support in his dispute regarding access to his property. He had been advised that the Town Council have no responsibility in upholding decisions regarding Rights of Way and he should seek legal advice.

The Mayor of Miechow (Poland) had approached the Town Council asking whether the Town Council would consider twinning with them. As we are already twinned with 3 towns, the Town Council did not support this application and Town Clerk would write to decline.

All Cllrs had been presented with a revised Model Code of Conduct which would come into effect on 3rd May 2007. This would be considered at the next Town Council meeting.

The ongoing insurance claim relating to Judith’s Field would be discussed later during the meeting.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised we have asked Highways to supply a further No Entry sign at the junction of Old Court Hall and West Street. Highways have replied that they will consider whether one can be placed there. Town Clerk will follow this matter up.

The Wildlife Trust have asked for information about County Wildlife sites. The Town Clerk would respond.

In relation to the electrification of the lock and easement over the Recreation Ground, Copleys have requested details of our Registration of Title. HDC have not been able to provide any information and the Town Clerk will pursue this through the Land Registry.

Ashley & Foster have now painted all bollards around the Town Hall car park and it was noticed that the 3 benches outside the QES are in need of repair as several slats are bowed or cracked. Ashley & Foster have provided a quotation in the sum of £661 to replace slats on all benches and paint the metal work. This was APPROVED. Town Clerk would place an order for the work to be carried out.

Concern was expressed regarding the build up of silt around the Town Bridge. Town Clerk to advise the Environment Agency. At the same time Town Clerk would determine progress on repairs to the Town Bridge.

THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 9.00PM

A resident commented on the litter in Godmanchester and asked whether there was anything more the Town Council could do to prevent it in the first place. She was advised we do have areas covered by HDC for regular litter picks, have provided additional litter bins where a need has been identified but unfortunately we do not have the resources for a “litter warden”. The resident would write an article for inclusion in the next Town Council newsletter and she was thanked for her involvement.

CLLR MRS GODLEY LEFT AT 9.10PM

A resident made a statement regarding the planning application in respect of demolition of two dwellings in Corpus Christi Lane. He raised concerns regarding parking access and congestion, the demolition of the ancient wall, sight lines, levels of land, problems for surrounding properties, ambience of the area and the fact that only demolition was being proposed without any indication of future plans for the site. One resident provided further information about previous applications for the south side of Corpus Christi Lane and information she had obtained from the Planning Department file.

THE MEETING WAS RECONVENED AT 9.25PM

CLLR COHEN would respond to a letter from CCC regarding emergency planning for pandemic flu: burials.

CLLR MRS MOORE reported we had received a request from St Mary the Virgin’s PCC for assistance with the cost of insurance. As previously AGREED the sum of £1200 was APPROVED. Town Clerk would advise.

It was AGREED that the Town Council should be represented at the next Development Control Panel to speak about the planning application for “change of use at ground floor of depot to offices and yard area to be used for car parking” Depot: Bridge Place. Town Clerk’s note: CLLR BROWN had agreed to attend but was subsequently unable to attend. CLLR HYAMS spoke on behalf of the Town Council on 23rd April.

07/027 ACCOUNTS

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED. The Town Clerk presented all Cllrs with an end of year bank reconciliation. A petty cash account for the financial year to 5 April 2007 was presented to the Council and it was AGREED the Town Clerk would present the petty cash account to Cllrs at each Town Council meeting. An account for April was also provided.

Annual Audit CLLR MRS MOORE advised that Moore Stephens have been appointed as Auditors. The Town Clerk advised the Annual Audit had been called for 1st June. A notice is being displayed advising residents the period of inspection is from 1st – 31st May.

Payments to GMC Senior Citizens for share of utilities: Following recent increases in prices for gas and electricity, the Senior Citizens Club have presented their bills for the past year. It was AGREED to increase the amount paid to the Senior Citizens Club in respect of the Town Council’s share of the utility costs from £100 to £150 with effect from the next quarter. The Town Clerk would advise the Senior Citizens Club.

07/028 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

CLLR HYAMS declared an interest in all planning applications. The applications and correspondence set out in Appendix C were considered. The Town Clerk would advise HDC of the Council’s recommendations.

Town Clerk would query the list of Enforcement Cases with HDC as matters previously listed had been removed from the list.

CLLR VANE PERCY LEFT AT 10.10PM

07/029 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS

CLLR HYAMS reported that District Council were presenting a motion to CCC to support the Buckden Household Recycling facility be kept open.

CLLR HYAMS reported that HDC are looking at areas in Godmanchester to improve off road parking. It was noted that the Town Council had previously applied to have the grassed area at Betts Close made into a parking area with no success. The Town Council had approved Muir Housing’s application to use redundant play areas for parking although this had not yet been achieved.

07/030 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS: not covered by correspondence

Twinning CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised the Twinning Association was organising a “gliding day”. A flight would cost £20. If anyone was interested, please contact CLLR BUTTERWORTH for further information.

MISCELLANEOUS

CLLR BROWN reported the lower rail of the fence at Judith’s Field had been broken again. The Town Clerk has been asked to obtain a quote from a fencing contractor to replace the broken post on the junction of A1198 and London Road and will ask that the quote includes this repair as well.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC LEFT AT 10.19PM
CLLR MRS TREHARNE-JONES LEFT AT 10.20PM

Quotations for the redecoration of the two halls at QES and Judith’s Field were considered. In line with our Financial Regulations, the Town Clerk would obtain 2 further comparative quotes.

Further correspondence regarding the claim from Nokia was discussed. The details would be passed to CLLR MRS LOOKER and CLLR BUTTERWORTH would liaise with Town Clerk to send a response to our Insurers.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 17 MAY 2007

The meeting ended at 10.50 pm Mayor