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GODMANCHESTER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE GODMANCHESTER TOWN
HALL ON THURSDAY 15 AUGUST 2002
PRESENT: Councillor Mrs A LOOKER
Town Mayor
Councillors D BROWN, A GOFF, Mrs H HULL, E KYNOCH, R NORRIS,
S SPENCER, A SURSHAM, D COMBEN and C VANE PERCY
Town Clerk: A J WELTON
APOLOGIES: Councillors: D T ASHWORTH,
M COHEN, Mrs B MOORE, G WILSON
ABSENT: Councillor Mrs P TYLER
PRESENT: There were 6 members of
the public present.
TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Town Mayor reported that she had represented
the Town on 2 occasions since the last meeting, one of
which had been attendance at the Huntingdon Carnival.
Cllr Mrs Hull arrived at 7.32pm
The Deputy Mayor reported that he had not
represented the Town since the last meeting.
Cllr Vane Percy arrived at 7.33pm
The MAYOR reminded all councillors that
this years Civic Service would be held on Sunday 15 September
2002.
02/054 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 July
2002 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate
record.
02/055 MATTERS ARISING
The Outstanding Actions List dated 15 August
2002 was reviewed. The following matters arising from
the last meeting were incomplete or required further action:
(actions assigned to WPs are dealt with in the appropriate
report).
00/074 Cemetery. The removal of inappropriate
objects from grave spaces was due to be complete before
re-turfing took place in September. A team of Town Council
members was to form to carry out this task. The Town Clerk
was to liaise with Fergusons to ensure that re-turfing
took place as soon as possible after the removal of the
objects. The Cemetery WP was to meet to agree a date for
these actions.
02/053 Environment. A response was still
awaited from HDC on costing details related to Small Scale
Environmental Improvements involving Church Place. This
matter was discussed under WP reports.
Cllr KYNOCH expressed his concern that
in the Inspector’s Report on the Huntingdon Local
Plan Alteration, Godmanchester had been referred to as
a Market Town. He wished to object to that and the Town
Clerk was asked to acquire the relevant form for completion
by Cllr KYNOCH. Cllr BROWN volunteered to assist in compilation
of the objection. APPROVED. The Town Clerk reminded both
councillors that the deadline for such submissions was
22 August 2002.
The MAYOR wished to record her thanks to
Cllrs WILSON and COMBEN for their sterling efforts in
producing a comprehensive and well thought out formal
objection to the Local Plan Alteration which had been
submitted that day to HDC.
02/056 CORRESPONDENCE
The correspondence listed at Appendix
A not covered by the WP reports was addressed.
CCC had referred the matter of the wooden
barrier outside the Town cemetery to HDC. The Town Clerk
was to hasten HDC for the repair to be carried out.
The DEPUTY MAYOR wondered whether the Huntingdon
Housing Partnership Street Warden scheme could be extended
to include such areas as Judith’s Field and volunteered
to investigate further, especially in the light of the
recent spate of vandalism at Judith’s Field.
Following the e-mail from SITA concerning
the installation of a commemorative plaque on the rebuilt
church walls, there was much discussion which resulted
in the RECOMMENDATION that any plaque should be affixed
to the metalwork, once that was completed. Further discussion
resulted in the suggestion that the words “Refurbished
2002” be engraved in the stonework. The matter was
deferred to the next Property WP meeting.
Referring to the correspondence from HDC
concerning the future development of air transport in
the UK, it was noted that a response was required by 30
October 2002. As this was potentially an emotive subject
it was deferred until the next Environment WP meeting.
In their reply to the letter from the Town
Clerk concerning the loose headstones in the cemetery,
HDC had averred that inspection work had not been part
of their remit. The Town Council was of the opinion that
that could not have been the case and instructed the Town
Clerk to write to the Health & Safety Executive to
determine liability. Additionally the Town Clerk was to
pass any reply to HDC who were the successors in title
in regard to the administration of the cemetery. The Cemetery
WP was to investigate, with other cemeteries to determine
whether there were published specifications for the erection
of headstones and to ascertain their understanding of
their liability under Health & Safety regulations.
Referring to the letter from the Godmanchester
Community Association requesting funding for Picnic in
the Park 2003, the MAYOR suggested that this be discussed
at the next Finance WP meeting.
02/057 ACCOUNTS
The accounts set out in Appendix B were
APPROVED. The Town Clerk pointed out that the sum of £9.75
payable to Mr Gadenne was a refund brought about by a
double booking in QES.
During discussion of the accounts, it was
suggested that the Town Clerk ensured that the lifebuoys
being purchased to replace those that were missing were
permanently marked to identify them as belonging to Godmanchester
Town Council.
Whilst not strictly an accounting matter,
the Town Clerk reported that Cllr NORRIS had approached
the Huntingdon Tourist Information Centre (TIC) to ascertain
whether they would be willing to sell copies of the Godmanchester
Town Trail on behalf of the Town council. The TIC had
indicated a willingness but asked for some recompense
for so doing. The Town Trail sells for £0.50. The
Town Clerk suggested that a 10% discount could be offered
to the TIC, i.e. £0.05 per copy. The Town Clerk
was to send an initial supply of 100 copies. APPROVED.
02/058 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
The applications and correspondence set
out in Appendix C were
considered. The Town Clerk was to advise HDC of the Council’s
recommendations.
02/059 DISCUSSION OF BEARSCROFT LANE FOOTBALL
FACILITIES
Following the receipt of a letter from
the Godmanchester Football & Sports Association Trust,
the trustees, Mr M Westcott Rudd and Mr K Gabb had been
invited to attend this meeting. The Mayor declared a personal
and prejudicial interest in this agenda item; the Deputy
Mayor declared a personal interest. For this item only,
Cllr NORRIS took the chair and the Mayor left the meeting.
Cllr NORRIS explained the reasons for this
discussion. Notwithstanding previous allegations referred
to in a letter received from the Godmanchester Football
& Sports Association Trust, there were no derogatory
comments about the Trust recorded anywhere in the minutes.
There was no ill feeling nor meaning to harm the image
of the Trust. As far as he understood matters, there were
still 2 conditions to be fulfilled by the Trust, namely,
landscaping and lighting. Cllr NORRIS asked the Trustees
what their intentions were.
Mr Westcott Rudd confirmed that the Trust
had signed a 99-year lease for a peppercorn rent; therefore
the Trust was responsible for fulfilling all outstanding
planning conditions. Landscaping would take place to preserve
the privacy of the neighbouring farmer. This would include
maintenance of the boundary hedge. The Trust had undertaken
to complete this work in October. Mr Westcott Rudd informed
the meeting that the height of the hedge was not sufficient
to stop balls or people crossing and it was the intention
to incorporate an environmentally friendly fence to provide
greater security to both properties. He went on to say
that the lighting had been modified and tested. The lux
spillage condition still had to be fulfilled. The Trust
was conscious of its responsibility. In response to Mr
Westcott Rudd, the neighbouring farmer, Mr Whitehill said
that when the lights had been tested they had tripped
all his switches and that there was a possibility that
the wrong type of meters had been installed. Mr Whitehill
went on to say that there had been a bund in the original
plan and that hedges had been a condition included in
the 1997/98 agreement. The DEPUTY MAYOR intimated that
the bunding arrangements had been made by HDC with the
developers (Westbury). Mr Westcott Rudd advised that HDC
had not replied to the Trust on this matter but that the
Trust would action this requirement in October.
Cllr NORRIS then invited questions from
members of the Town Council. Cllr BROWN asked whether
road access to the site was still an issue. Mr Westcott
Rudd advised that the Trust was not satisfied with the
scheme but was pursuing the Highways Authority for a timetable.
Cllr BROWN asked about the height of the proposed fence
and was advised by Mr Gabb that initially it would be
1 metre but the Trust was awaiting a decision on extending
it by an additional 2 metres.
Cllr NORRIS thanked all parties for attending
the meeting and the MAYOR resumed the chair.
02/060 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS
Finance. The Finance WP had not
met since the last Town Council meeting.
Environment. The WP had met on 5
August 2002. Referring to the outstanding matter, 02/053,
Cllr NORRIS reported that he had hastened HDC and had
been informed that the matter was being attended to. A
reply would be forthcoming shortly and in any event before
the next Town Council meeting.
Reporting on the Parish Planting scheme,
Cllr NORRIS stated that many feasible locations were already
“wooded”. In the churchyard, the poplars had
been removed. It was suggested that they should be replaced
by a type of flowering cherry and the advice of Cllr SURSHAM
would be sought. Another possible site was the vicarage
garden. The Town Council gave APPROVAL in principle for
these locations.
HDC had advised of a contract for Advertising
Bus Shelters; the shelters to be constructed in Cambridge
Road. The Town Council was asked to consider other possible
locations and Old Court Hall and Post Street outside Mill
Yard car park were suggested. It was DECIDED that a decision
on the location of other shelters would be deferred until
the full impact of those to be constructed in Cambridge
Road had been evaluated.
Refurbishment of the town signs had been
pursued; following the estimate last month from Mr Bernasconi,
Smith of Derby and Malcolm Lane & Co had been invited
to quote for the work. The Town Clerk also notified the
Town Council that he had had a verbal proposal from Dr
Middlemiss, who had offered to carry out the work on the
West Street sign for only the cost of the paint, provided
the Town Council could assist in its removal and re-installation.
The Town Council ACCEPTED this offer. In the meantime,
the Town Clerk was to approach HDC seeking advice on the
removal of the sign attached to Riverside Mill.
In his submission to the Parish Paths Partnership
annual report, Cllr NORRIS had announced that the footpath
at Monks Pit was now open. However, events had overtaken
that announcement; the path was not open and there was
to be a further Public Enquiry.
Cllr COMBEN suggested that the Town Clerk
should write to HDC to hasten action on the survey produced
by Cllr GOFF on the street furniture in Godmanchester.
This was submitted to HDC in January 2002.
Cllr COMBEN informed the meeting that there
had been a number of complaints about the close board
fencing erected along the Ouse Valley Way, close to Monks
Pit. The Town Council instructed the Town Clerk to approach
the HDC Enforcement Officer to ascertain the legitimacy
of this fencing.
Property. The WP had not met. Item
02/062 was discussed at this juncture. Following the failure
of the heating and the gas supply to Queen Elisabeth School,
invitations had been invited for the various works. The
Town Clerk had prepared a spreadsheet summarising the
tenders and after much discussion, it was AGREED that
Simon O’Connor be invited to carry out the work on
heating, plumbing and reinstating the gas supply.
Judith’s Field. Cllr GOFF presented
a comprehensive report on progress on work being carried
out at Judith’s Field. He recommended that all the
windows that had been vandalised be replaced with polycarbonate
instead of glass. This would cost approximately 30% more
than glass but was less likely to suffer from vandalism.
This was APPROVED by the Town Council. Turning to the
security aspects, Cllr GOFF proposed that, instead of
roller shutters or grilles to protect all vulnerable areas
preventing access to the veranda and doorways, wrought
iron gates and grilles be installed. He had received various
estimates for this work and recommended that that from
B E Welding & Fabrication for £1948.00, plus
£200.00 for the door frame be accepted. APPROVED.
There was also a requirement to replace sofit boards,
roof tiles and down pipes. Again, he had received a number
of estimates and recommended that the estimate from Huntingdon
Specialist Coatings for £965.00 be accepted. The
Town Council ACCEPTED this estimate.
Cllr GOFF informed the meeting that HDC
had agreed to build a dirt trail for the skateboard users
for just £100.00. All that was required was a design;
he had asked the children what they wanted. He recommended
that this sum be approved and that the Town Council proceed
with the project. APPROVED.
As much of the expenditure was incurred
as a result of vandalism, the Town Council asked the Town
Clerk to enquire of Huntingdon Town Council for their
general opinion on claiming against insurance for these
costs.
Cllr GOFF informed the Town Council that
ACRE was planning to hold a one day conference on Village
Halls and how to make them a successful multi-purpose
facility, attract more funding and increase income. He
suggested that, as Judith’s Field would soon be up
and running again, it would be appropriate for him to
attend. The cost would be £12.00. The Town Council
APPROVED this sum for Cllr GOFF to attend.
No dates were proposed for the next round
of WP meetings but the Planning WP would meet as usual,
one week prior to the Council Meeting, on Thursday 12
September 2002.
Cllr Vane Percy left the meeting at 10.00pm
02/061 RATIFICATION OF MONIES COMMITTED
UNDER ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Town Clerk explained that, following
discussions with his predecessor, he had discovered that
the voting of expenditure under “Any Other Business”
was not allowed. He therefore requested that the following
items, which had previously voted on under that category
be formally ratified:
Minutes dated 18 April 2002 - £160.00
for the purchase of Kalamazoo Minute Sheets.
Minutes dated 16 May 2002 - £400.00
additional Mayoral Purse; £589.00 plus VAT to Ashley
& Foster for the re-fixing of headstones in the Cemetery.
Minutes dated 20 June 2002 - £20.00
per month increase as a result of an increase in hours
worked by the Town Clerk’s Assistant.
The Town Clerk reminded the Council that
all the above expenditure had been approved previously.
APPROVED.
02/062 QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL. Discussion
under this item was taken during the Property WP report.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS. The Town Clerk
advised members of the Town Council that he would be on
holiday for the period 24 August to 8 September inclusive.
His assistant, Mrs Hakimi, would be running the Town Office
in his absence.
The DEPUTY MAYOR asked for ideas for an
appropriate gift to be presented when representing Godmanchester
at the European Festival of Youth to be given to the Mayor
of Salon. All Councillors were asked to think of ideas
and to discuss at the next meeting, which would be held
approximately one week before the festival.
The DEPUTY MAYOR had attended a recent
Godmanchester Community Association meeting at which it
had been suggested that there should be closer links with
local businesses. They needed to be made to feel that
they were all part of the local community. After some
discussion it was proposed that the MAYOR/DEPUTY MAYOR
should write to local businesses suggesting closer links.
APPROVED.
Cllr Mrs HULL informed the Town Council
that she had had outline agreement from “Natural
High” to conduct a Graffiti Art Project workshop.
The skills imparted at the workshop would eventually be
applied at the skatepark in Judith’s Field. The MAYOR
said that she would fund this project from the mayoral
purse.
Cllr Comben left the meeting at 11.03pm
THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD
ON 19 SEPTEMBER 2002.
The meeting ended 1105 pm Town Mayor
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