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 17 AUGUST 2006

PRESENT: H R BUTCHER Town Mayor, M COHEN Deputy Town Mayor,
Councillors: D BROWN, W D BUTTERWORTH, A GOFF, Mrs H HULL, E KYNOCH, Mrs B MOORE, Mrs E TREHARNE-JONES, G WILSON

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

APOLOGIES: Cllrs Mrs C A GODLEY, C R HYAMS, Mrs A M LOOKER, C VANE PERCY,

06/058: C0-OPTION OF TOWN COUNCILLOR

Mr Bill Hennessy addressed the Town Council explaining why he would like to be considered for the vacancy as Town Councillor. Following his presentation, Councillors were given the opportunity to ask questions. Mr Hennessy left the meeting and the Town Council voted unanimously to co-opt him to the vacancy. The Town Clerk would confirm the appointment.

CLLR MRS HULL arrived at 7.35pm

PRESENTATION: Mr Richard Probyn, Planning Policy Manager, HDC, attended to advise the Town Council of proposals relating to the Huntingdon Town Centre Vision Project. Comments on the document will be fed into the Strategic Planning Process. An exhibition will take place during two weeks in September detailing the proposals. The exhibition will be held at the QES on 19th September between 4 and 8pm. All welcome to attend.

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The MAYOR confirmed he had represented the Town on 4 occasions since the last meeting and the DEPUTY MAYOR had represented the Town on 1 occasion.

The MAYOR advised the Assistant to the Town Clerk would be on holiday for one week. The MAYOR advised he would also be away.

The MAYOR advised he and the MAYORESS would be visiting Wertheim to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Twinning Charter between Godmanchester and Wertheim. The Town Council granted permission for the Mayoral Chain to be taken out of the country and the Town Clerk would provide a letter of authority.

Councillors were reminded that the Civic Service would take place on 17th September.

The MAYOR reported that the youth project Young Lives do not wish to proceed in Godmanchester at the present time. The Town Clerk would seek a formal response to the invitation to make a presentation to the Town Council, which had not been provided.

The MAYOR confirmed the Civic Robes had been cleaned and returned.

The MAYOR has been asked to speak at the Huntingdon Volunteer Bureau AGM on 27th September. He asked Councillors for their suggestions for anything that could be done for the residents of Godmanchester.

06/059 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2006 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

06/060 MATTERS ARISING.

The Outstanding Actions List, dated 17 August was reviewed.

Replies from Mr Meadowcroft, Legal and Estates at HDC and NALC had been received in respect of the Stopping Up Order. Town Clerk would reply to Mr Fechter’s original enquiry.

Cleaning equipment for use by hirers of the QES is now in place and is located in the kitchen cupboard. Coat hooks have been provided and the order placed for the re-decoration of the lobby area. The kitchen floor is in a poor state and it was AGREED the Town Clerk would obtain 3 quotations for replacing the flooring in the kitchen, gents toilet and to supply flooring to the ladies toilet.

Following an enquiry about provision of a bench on the far side of the Recreation Ground, the Town Clerk advised the cost of a simple bench, without arms or back rest, would be £235.47 plus an installation cost of £165. It was proposed and AGREED not to provide a bench at this time.

The Town Clerk had produced a list of regular suppliers which the Town Council APPROVED. It would be reviewed annually.

Following installation of the two planters in front of the Town Signs, Cllr TREHARNE-JONES would present a proposal for provision of plants and regular maintenance following her discussions with the Chair of the Allotment Association. It was AGREED that £100 per planter could be spent to provide bulbs and suitable evergreen plants and seasonal bedding.

06/061 CORRESPONDENCE: (see also Appendix A)

A quotation had been received for the repair to the broken glass in the Town Hall window. The sum of £360 was APPROVED. An order would be placed and a claim made against our insurance.

CALC are holding a Freedom of Information Workshop on 13th September. The Town Clerk and MAYOR would attend and if any other Councillors wished to attend they should contact the Town Clerk.

A request had been made to use the showers at Judith’s Field for one hour in the morning and one hour at lunchtime. Due to disrepair, this was not feasible. Town Clerk would advise.

HDC have asked for our comments on proposals to turn two dis-used play areas at Fairey Avenue and Merton Walk into additional parking areas. The Town Council would advise HDC that they have no objections.

CCC have advised the lighting at the western end of Park Lane needs upgrading. The Town Council has no objection to the proposals although concern was expressed about the tree in Park Lane and Cllr KYNOCH as tree warden, would investigate, and Town Clerk would write to CCC stating support for the upgrading.

Cllr GOFF had presented all Councillors with a copy of the proposals for the skatepark at Judith’s Field. Cllr MRS MOORE and Cllr GOFF will liaise regarding available funds.

Cllr MRS HULL advised that the Environment Agency had agreed information supplied to the Town Council could be put on the Godmanchester website. She was liaising with Stuart Bond. Cllr MRS HULL asked that a copy of the response from the Environment Agency be provided for all Councillors.

Cllr MRS MOORE advised the Church Commissioners had reviewed the rental for the Allotments and the rent had increased to £750 per annum. The increase was APPROVED and charges made to the Allotment Association would be increased accordingly.

Cllr MRS TREHARNE JONES reported she would meet with the new Wicksteed sales representative to discuss possibilities for play equipment for under 5s. Wicksteed’s safety inspection report has identified a broken seat on a swing and the cost to replace of £98 was APPROVED. She expressed concern about the entrance to the play area in Coronation Walk. This is in hand with Ferguson’s who will undertake the work later in the year.

06/062 ACCOUNTS.

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED.

06/063 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE.

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

Cllr Brown would attend the Development Control Panel to be held on 21st August to reinforce the Town Council’s concerns relating to the proposed development at Wigmore Farm.

06/064 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS.

No reports issued.

06/065 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS : not covered by correspondence

Finance: Cllr MRS MOORE advised that the Town Clerk had been appointed at salary scale LC2 point 30. There had been an increase recommended by CALC and Cllr MRS MOORE recommended the Town Clerk’s hourly rate be increased to £12.45 in line with the scales provided by CALC and that this increase be backdated to 1 April 2006. This was APPROVED.

Cllr MRS MOORE asked that Chairs of Working Parties give thought to preparation of budgets for next year. All figures to be presented to Cllr MRS MOORE prior to the next Town Council meeting.

Youth Matters: Cllr MRS HULL confirmed she would provide minutes of recent meetings she, and Cllr MRS LOOKER had attended.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

A litter bin along The Avenue had been pulled away from the concrete base. Town Clerk would report this to HDC Operations.

A lamp post adjacent to the allotments was reported as leaning, and Town Clerk would report this to CCC.

The railings around the War Memorial have been damaged. The repairs are in hand.

Cllr BROWN will attend the CPRE workshop on 17 October regarding Local Development Framework.

Cllr BROWN has AGREED to undertake the framing of the two Twinning Charters. When complete, these will be displayed in the QES.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 21 SEPTEMBER 2006

The meeting ended at 10.47 pm Mayor

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