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.

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE GODMANCHESTER TOWN HALL ON THURSDAY 17 APRIL 2008

PRESENT: M COHEN Town Mayor,
Councillors: D BROWN, H R BUTCHER, W D BUTTERWORTH, A GOFF, Mrs H HULL, C R HYAMS Deputy Town Mayor, E KYNOCH, Mrs A M LOOKER, S PRINCE, Mrs E TREHARNE-JONES, C VANE PERCY, G WILSON

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

Mace Bearer: Mr M Williams

APOLOGIES: Cllr: B HENNESSY

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

On behalf of the current Town Council, THE MAYOR thanked CLLR BUTTERWORTH, CLLR HENESSEY, CLLR KYNOCH, CLLR PRINCE and CLLR MRS TREHARNE-JONES who have not stood for re-election and will leave the Town Council following this meeting, for all the time and effort they had dedicated to the town. Thanks are also recorded once again, to the late CLLR MRS GODLEY.

7.35pm Cllr Mrs Hull and Cllr Vane Percy arrived.

THE MAYOR reported the Fair Trade event, in aid of his chosen charity, had been a great success and £700 had been raised. He thanked those who had attended.

THE MAYOR advised that 16 candidates had stood for election for the 17 seats on Godmanchester Town Council and they were duly elected with effect from 5th May 2008. The Town Council can co-opt to the remaining vacancy and CLLR BROWN had formally written asking to be considered for the vacancy. The present Town Council APPROVED this appointment. It had been suggested that details of all Town Councillors be included in the next Town Council newsletter, dates for production and distribution to be decided.

THE MAYOR confirmed a list of areas of responsibility would be provided to all members of the new Town Council on 8th May, for discussion and allocation at the May Town Council meeting. He also hoped to have the first draft of Standing Orders ready for presentation to all Cllrs at the meeting to be held on 8th May 2008. THE MAYOR also advised we would need to start preparations for 2012 and this would also be discussed at the May Town Council meeting.

THE MAYOR reported he had represented the Town on 12 occasions and the DEPUTY MAYOR had represented the Town on 1 occasion. CLLR KYNOCH had also represented the Town on 1 occasion.

08/27 PRESENTATION FROM HIGHWAYS AGENCY/COSTAIN SKANSKA

Mr Geoff Chatfield from the Highways Agency and Mr John Clark from Costain Skanska attended to brief the Town Council on the current position regarding the A14. Mr Chatfield confirmed Costain Skansa had been appointed as the contractor, with Atkins taking responsibility for design. It was hoped that Draft Orders and an Environmental Statement could be submitted towards the end of 2008 and public exhibitions would then take place around March/April 2009. Following the period of public enquiry, it was hoped work would start towards the end of 2010 and be completed early in 2015. Mr Chatfield confirmed that, as sections of the development were finished, they would be opened.

Cllr Mrs Looker arrived at 8.12pm

Mr Clark from Costain Skansa confirmed that, although the route options may be discussed again during the public enquiry, Highways believe the Orange route is the preferred and selected option. He also confirmed that traffic modelling is considering the options for the junction at the A1198. Both Mr Chatfield and Mr Clark were thanked for attending the meeting.

08/28 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2008 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

08/29 MATTERS ARISING

All Cllrs were reminded the Annual Litter Pick would take place on Saturday 19th April, meeting at 10am at the Town Hall. Cllrs were also reminded that the French Market would be visiting Godmanchester on Sunday 20th April.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH and CLLR BUTCHER had AGREED to draw up a draft specification for preparing a tender document for the cleaning and minor repairs of the Town Hall. CLLR VANE PERCY felt it imperative that we have a qualified Project Manager who would assist us with this project, and he AGREED to submit names of suitable Architects with relevant experience of listed building works. Town Clerk would obtain an idea of the Architects fees for consideration by the Town Council.

The hedgerow had been planted at the entrance to Buttermel Meadow and a notice will be erected advising cars not to park in front of the gates to the Meadow, but cars continue to park on the grass verge in Betts Close. Highways are aware.

The Godmanchester in Bloom Committee have met with the RSPB to discuss improvement of the Osier Beds adjacent to the Recreation Ground. A list itemising the works they would like the Town Council to consider will be presented at the Town Council meeting in May.

Following written agreement from the PCC for St Mary the Virgin Church, the path to the West Door has been re-surfaced. Town Clerk would write to thank Highways for their assistance. The PCC have further advised there is a dead elm tree in the churchyard which needs to be removed. The Town Council APPROVED the quotation in the sum of £610 from F R Kidman. Town Clerk would liaise with PCC and F R Kidman regarding this work.

The Freemen of Godmanchester have undertaken the repairs to the railings along The Avenue. They now require painting and CLLR BROWN has AGREED to contact the Probation Service to ask them to undertake the work. Town Clerk would write to Freemen to thank them for their actions.

The meeting was adjourned at 9.00pm for questions from members of the public. There being none, the meeting was reconvened at 9.01pm

CLLR BUTTERWORTH confirmed work was now complete in respect of the electrification of the Godmanchester lock and installation of the CCTV system. Town Clerk would write requesting details of location of all cables laid.

CLLR GOFF reported that letters of support for the proposed new skate ramps had been requested from all areas of the local community and many had already responded. Our application would be re-submitted to Rural Action East for consideration by Biffaward sometime in June. Meanwhile, CLLR GOFF was investigating other sources of possible funding. E-mails from a resident concerned about the estimated costs of the proposed new ramps had been received. Town Clerk would respond.

08/30 CORRESPONDENCE see Appendix A

CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised that HDC have invited the Town Council to take part in a compost giveaway event. The Town Council AGREED it would like to take part and Judith’s Field was suggested as a venue for delivery of the bags of compost to be given away, however, it was felt the suggested dates of 2nd – 8th of June were a little late. Town Clerk to write to confirm our interest and to ask for an earlier delivery date.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH reported CCC had written regarding the legal status of a footpath between Cambridge Road and Almond Close. The Town Council AGREED to support this proposal in principle but were not able to provide evidence regarding use of this route.

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Biological Records Centre are conducting a survey of ponds. Their aim is to map all ponds in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough including garden ponds. Reply cards will be available from the Town Office for any residents interested in taking part.

08/31 ACCOUNTS

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED. A petty cash account for the period ending 17th April 2008 was presented to the Council. A quarterly bank reconciliation for the period ending 31 March 2008 was also presented to the Council.

08/32 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The applications and correspondence set out in Appendix C were considered. The Town Clerk would advise HDC of the Council’s recommendations.

Concern was expressed that letters from residents in respect of planning applications that are sent to HDC are not automatically shared with the Town Council. It was believed HDC are not obliged to do so, but the Town Council consider correspondence and reports relating to a planning matter should be shared with the Town Council to assist them in their determination. Town Clerk would write to Planning to seek their co-operation.

10.12pm Cllr Vane Percy left

08/33 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS

Nothing to report.

08/34 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS: not covered by correspondence

Cemetery: There are currently two large and one small seat in the cemetery in need of renovation. All three were donated in the past, and have dedications attached. However, the families have been out of contact for some considerable time. It was AGREED that Ashley & Foster be approached to carry out the renovations.

MISCELLANEOUS

It was confirmed that the Highways Division are working along London Road to extend the cycle path from Crowhill to the Cemetery. CLLR HYAMS had also seen plans to improve the junction with London Road with the A1198 which would also include the addition of street lights at the junction.

CLLR MRS HULL was pleased to report that PC Matthew Webb has been appointed as PC covering Godmanchester.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 15TH MAY 2008, WITH AN ADDITIONAL MEETING BEING HELD ON 8TH MAY FOR NEWLY ELECTED TOWN COUNCILLORS TO FORMALLY DECLARE ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE.

The meeting ended at 10.15pm Mayor

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