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 21 AUGUST 2008

PRESENT: G WILSON Town Mayor,
Councillors: D BROWN, H R BUTCHER, M COHEN Deputy Town Mayor, M DOBBIE, Mrs H HULL, Mrs A M LOOKER, Ms D MIDDLETON, C RICHARDSON, M RZYMEK, N WELLS

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

APOLOGIES: Cllrs: T CANT, Mrs C DUTTON, J DUTTON, C R HYAMS, C VANE PERCY

1 member of the public was present

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE MAYOR reported he had represented the Town on 6 occasions and the DEPUTY MAYOR had represented the Town on 3 occasions.

THE MAYOR reminded all Cllrs that the Civic Service would take place on Sunday 21st September at 11.30am. Cllrs are invited to attend with their spouse/partner and families.

THE MAYOR confirmed that CLLR ALAN GOFF had tendered his resignation from his position as Town Councillor after many years service. On behalf of Alan’s colleagues past and present, THE MAYOR recorded his sincere thanks for his involvement in all Town Council matters, particularly Alan’s involvement with Judith’s Field.

THE MAYOR confirmed two residents had expressed an interest in the casual vacancy for Town Councillor and they would be invited to attend the next Town Council meeting.

THE MAYOR thanked all Cllrs who had attended the extra meetings to discuss Standing Orders and Core Strategy and he also thanked David Roffe, Assistant to the Town Clerk for manning the office while the Town Clerk was away.

THE MAYOR reported the Anglia in Bloom judges have visited Godmanchester on 28th July and that he had accompanied them and GMC in Bloom Committee members on a tour around Godmanchester. Following this, THE MAYOR confirmed he had written to GMC in Bloom and also to Fergusons, our Grounds Maintenance Contractor to thank them for their hard work. THE MAYOR had also had a letter printed in local papers passing his thanks to everyone who had been involved in the initiative. CLLR BROWN would be attending the results and awards ceremony on 9th September.

THE MAYOR confirmed that the Environment Agency had been invited to attend the Town Council meeting in September to provide an update on their proposals for a Flood Alleviation Scheme for Godmanchester. A public meeting would follow in October/November.

THE MAYOR suggested the next Town Council newsletter be distributed before the date of the Civic Service and all Cllrs were asked to pass articles to CLLR MS MIDDLETON by the end of the following week.

THE MAYOR then welcomed David Stokes who was invited to address the meeting.

08/69 PRESENTATION FROM FRIENDS OF QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL

David Stokes is the Chairman of the Friends of the Queen Elizabeth School and he began by explaining how the group had come into being and some history of the Queen Elizabeth School. The QES had been in a bad state of repair and was not in use. The group formed in 1979 as a working party to consider the future of the QES and went on to become the Friends of QES. Mr Stokes confirmed the group ran as a registered charity and the events held each year ranged from Quiz Nights, Talks and lectures to Tea Dances and funds raised were used for the benefit of the QES. He also explained the Friends of QES were currently updating and improving all Museum displays and for those who had not visited the Museum, he advised it was open around 6 times each year. The Town Council and Friends of the QES agree that it would be better to have a proper permanent location for the many artefacts and display panels held in the museum but such a building is not available. Any suggestions or offers of premises would be welcome.

Mr Stokes confirmed there was a sum available of up to £1000 if the Town Council had a particular project in mind for the QES. For example the Friends were considering a new hanging rail to support their museum displays.

THE MAYOR thanked Mr Stokes for attending and then introduced Mr Chatfield and Mr Clark who were present to provide an update on the A14 scheme.

08/70 PRESENTATION AND UPDATE ON A14 ELLINGTON TO FEN DITTON

Mr Chatfield from the Highways Agency confirmed they were making good progress towards a final design and there had been a great deal of liaison with local Town and Parish Councils. Meetings with District and County Council Officers would take place in September and there would be a public exhibition held in the Marriott hotel in December. It was hoped that draft Orders would then be produced in March which would be followed by a period for further comment.

Mr Clark from Costain Skanska stated there had been a lot of activity into ground investigation works to determine the conditions of the land and a great deal of work on traffic modelling. He confirmed no decision had yet been made on whether there would be an A14 junction with the A1198 Much of this was due to ongoing discussions relating to the removal of the viaduct and the impacts of traffic through Huntingdon.

Mr Clark advised discussions with the Environment Agency were a major part of the consultation and he confirmed that the designs were taking into account the 100 year flood plain plus a percentage for potential global warming. He also confirmed that the design looked forward 15 years and they were obliged to take into account plans for housing development that had been approved and these were being factored into the design, and included in traffic modelling. A further percentage increase in development using average economic growth figures was used for future unconfirmed growth. It was recognised that Cambridgeshire was an area of high growth.

It was confirmed that the Highways Agency were looking towards opening the new stretch of A14 in 2015. Mr Chatfield confirmed that the Town Council should continue to lobby District and County Councillors but they were keen to continue close liaison with Town and Parish Councils.

THE MAYOR thanked them for attending and was grateful for their continued liaison.

08/71 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2008 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

It was AGREED to discuss Planning Applications as the member of public present was in attendance to hear the outcome of one application.

08/72 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

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

THE MAYOR confirmed that following discussions regarding the Core Strategy, a response to the consultation had been prepared and submitted. The Town Clerk would provide a copy of our response to Stuart Bond for inclusion on the website.

08/73 STANDING ORDERS: APPROVAL AND ADOPTION

CLLR COHEN confirmed discussions on the draft document had taken place and minor amendments made. Following further suggestions for minor changes, it was AGREED that the document be adopted by the Town Council with immediate effect. Town Clerk would issue a hard copy to each Cllr. THE MAYOR thanked CLLR COHEN for all the work he had put in to this important document.

08/74 MATTERS ARISING

CLLR BROWN confirmed he had met with CLLR VANE PERCY to discuss design and location of a raised angled flower bed. Following discussion it was considered the preferred location was on the verge in front of the Bridge Place car park. CLLR BROWN would continue to liaise with Huntingdon Regional College and also HDC regarding this proposal.

CLLR BROWN and CLLR RZYMEK had made enquiries into the cost of a power assisted bike for use by our PCSO. The two companies approached had been willing to offer substantial discounts, however, Cambridgeshire Constabulary have a contract with a supplier for provision of and maintenance of their pedal cycles and may not be able to take advantage of these offers. The price of one unit from their supplier was at least double the cost of that obtained from our enquiries. Clearly there may be a difference in make and model, but it was AGREED that the Town Council would be willing to make a contribution of £650 towards the unit for our PCSO. The Town Clerk would liaise with Cambs Police to further the matter.

Town Clerk confirmed the survey of the Chinese Bridge had been undertaken and a report was awaited. This would be hastened.

CLLR MRS HULL asked that all Cllrs with knowledge of non-river related flooding in Godmanchester forward the details to her as soon as possible.

CLLR MRS LOOKER confirmed that a public meeting would be held on 9th October to seek ideas on ways to mark and celebrate the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Charter in 1212. It was AGREED that this public meeting would also be an opportunity to discuss future play facilities at Judith’s Field and possible creation of a Youth Council.

CLLR BUTCHER advised 3 Architects had been approached and responded regarding the project to oversee and manage the cleaning of the Town Hall building. Although all had responded to the request for a cost, the details were difficult to compare. CLLR MRS LOOKER would seek the opinion of David Stokes on the replies received. The Town Clerk would acknowledge all replies pending a decision.

CLLR BROWN advised discussions had been on-going with the Environment Agency regarding railings at the Mill Yard Sluice. There was a possibility that the railings could be re-aligned which would open up the steps once again, but ownership and liability required clarification.

CLLR BROWN was also discussing possibilities for the area between East Chadley Lane and Park Lane with HDC. CLLR MRS LOOKER confirmed the land did not belong to the Town Council and was owned, she understood, by the Church Commissioners.

THE MAYOR thanked CLLR BROWN for his on-going involvement and support of the Godmanchester in Bloom initiative and suggested that monthly reports by e-mail to all Cllrs would be a good way forward as there was clearly a great deal going on. The Council would then respond to requests for decisions at Council meetings.

CLLR BROWN presented the framed copy of the 1212 Charter. The 1604 Charter would be finished shortly. CLLR BROWN also confirmed a translation of the 1212 Charter would be placed with the copy of the original document.

CLLR BROWN also presented a framed copy of the picture of the Town Council taken in May 2008 as a gift to be hung in the Town Hall lobby. THE MAYOR and Town Council thanked him.

CLLR BROWN confirmed work had begun to repaint the railings along The Avenue. Jewsons had responded to our request for assistance in the purchase of materials, by a substantial discount. CLLR BROWN confirmed we had purchased all materials required at a cost of £594.78 including VAT. Town Clerk would write to thank Jewsons for their support and their involvement would be recognised in an article in the next newsletter.

THE MAYOR confirmed he had passed details of the S106 money available for Judith’s Field to CLLR MS MIDDLETON.

CLLR BUTCHER confirmed the old lighting columns have been removed in Chadley Lane and we have asked an electrician to ensure the lantern over the gates is connected and working. Town Clerk would liaise further with CCC to discuss options regarding brightness of the lanterns.

It was AGREED to cut the grass growing over the BMX track at Judith’s Field. The working party for facilities at Judith’s Field would meet before the public meeting on 9th October.

08/75 CORRESPONDENCE - see Appendix A

THE MAYOR confirmed he had received a complaint regarding the recent strimming and clearance of the river banks along Queen’s Walk. He had responded to this letter directly.

THE MAYOR confirmed two letters had been received in relation to the casual vacancy for Town Councillor. Both residents would be invited to attend the next Town Council meeting and outline their reasons for applying.

CLLR BUTCHER advised that Campbell Rees had presented a quote in the sum £625 from A&K Builders Ltd in respect of further work suggested by CLLR VANE PERCY to lay additional granite setts at the entrance to the churchyard in Chadley Lane. Town Clerk to liaise with all parties to ensure the specification and schedule of works would produce the required effect. If all parties agree this work will be appropriate and adequate, the sum of £625 is APPROVED. Town Clerk to keep all Cllrs advised.

CLLR BUTCHER advised a request had been made by the Chair of the Fabric Committee of St Mary the Virgin for repairs considered to be the responsibility of the Town Council. Town Clerk would seek confirmation that the wall in question is the property of the church and not of neighbouring properties and seek further legal advice from NALC.

CLLR MRS LOOKER confirmed that HDC have rejected the creation of a Parish Charter as they believed it would weaken the services they could provide.

0876 ACCOUNTS

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED. A petty cash account for the period ending 21st August 2008 was presented to the Council. THE MAYOR confirmed the Town Clerk’s salary payment included a payment for an additional 20 hours worked in the previous month.

08/77 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS
Not available.

08/78 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS: not covered by correspondence

CLLR BUTCHER advised he would hold an Environment Working Party following the Planning Working Party on 11th September. Items for consideration were the Grounds Maintenance Contract, the tenders for project managing the cleaning of the Town Hall, and Risk Assessments for trees. All Cllrs are invited to attend.

CLLR RZYMEK confirmed he and the Town Clerk had undertaken Risk Assessments for the Town Hall, Queen Elizabeth School and Judith’s Field. CLLR MRS DUTTON would also meet with CLLR RZYMEK to undertake Risk Assessments on our play areas. Recommendations for work required would be put to the Town Council in due course.

MISCELLANEOUS

CLLR RICHARDSON asked that the Town Clerk follow up again on the Judith’s Field access issue as this had been outstanding for a considerable time.

The Mayor outlined that he would like to develop a Forward Look so Cllrs could plan for future meetings. The Environment Agency has been invited to the September meeting and in October there will be an item to consider suggestions for 2012 and ideas for young people and the facilities at Judith’s Field. It was also agreed to invite Fairfield Development to outline their plans for the land south of the A1198 to the October meeting.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 18 SEPTEMBER 2008

The meeting ended at 10.47pm Mayor

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