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 DECEMBER 2006

PRESENT: H R BUTCHER Town Mayor, M COHEN Deputy Town Mayor
Councillors: D BROWN, W D BUTTERWORTH, Mrs C A GODLEY, A GOFF, B HENNESSY, Mrs H HULL, C R HYAMS, Mrs A M LOOKER, Mrs E TREHARNE-JONES, G WILSON

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

APOLOGIES: Cllrs E KYNOCH, C VANE PERCY
ABSENT: Cllrs Mrs B MOORE

4 members of the public were in attendance

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE MAYOR welcomed Mr Sursham (former Town Mayor) and Mr Middlemiss (original Mace Bearer) and his wife to the meeting. Mr Sursham is writing a book about Godmanchester and the Town Council to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Godmanchester’s reversion to an independent Town Council after 22 years amalgamated with the Borough of Huntingdon. The Town Council offered their support in his endeavours.

THE MAYOR has represented the Town on 19 occasions since the last meeting attending Pantomimes, Carol Services and a Robot Rumble. The DEPUTY MAYOR has represented the Town on 1 occasion. THE MAYOR thanked all Cllrs who had attended events on his behalf at this busy time of year.

The French market held on 2nd December had been well attended despite the short notice in confirming the event. We await feedback from the organisers but comments from local residents who had attended had been positive.

The Carol Service had taken place on School Hill on Wednesday 13th December and was a real community event with both primary schools and all Churches being represented. After the service, Father Christmas was kept busy distributing sweets to the largest crowd in many years.

The Town Clerk and Town Clerk’s Assistant would ensure cover for the office during the period between Christmas and New Year. THE MAYOR confirmed his holiday arrangements in January.

06/089 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2006 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

06/090 MATTERS ARISING.

CLLR HENNESSY confirmed he had now heard from the Deputy Monitoring Officer at HDC and he recommended APPROVAL of the draft Complaints Procedure. This was AGREED. CLLR HENNESSY would re-draft the internal procedure for the Complaints Procedure between Councillors and circulate details to all Cllrs.

The Town Clerk presented revised quotations for curtains for the two halls in the QES and also presented samples of possible materials. The quotation from Curtains from Diane in the sum of £2421.00 APPROVED. It was AGREED further consultation with the Friends of the QES would take place and their views considered before a final decision is made.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised we have now received three quotations for the footpath improvements by the Church gates in Chadley Lane. It was AGREED to accept the quotation for £2930 from NLS Builders. We await confirmation from HDC regarding our bid for funding under the Small Scale Improvement Bid scheme. Once the outcome is known, the contractor will be advised.

06/091 A14 (CLLR MRS LOOKER declared an interest)

CLLR WILSON stated he hoped all Cllrs had attended the recent exhibition. A leaflet encouraging residents to vote a particular way had been placed on the reception desk within the exhibition, which he later discovered had originated from the Offords Action Group. A letter of complaint had been sent to the Exhibition organisers, as such lobbying should not have been permitted within the exhibition.

A further letter had been sent requesting several pieces of information. CLLRs GOFF, HENNESSY and HYAMS had been tasked with particular actions and CLLR WILSON would have the draft of our formal response to the consultation available for consideration at the next Planning Working Party meeting in January. THE MAYOR thanked him for his thorough handling of the matter to date.

06/092 CHURCH GATES AND THROW

CLLR BUTTERWORTH reported the lantern above the Church gates in Chadley Lane had never been connected and the PCC had asked whether this could be rectified. CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised the nearby street light would need to be removed or re-sited and he recommended approaching HDC to determine the extent of the work needed and costs involved. It was AGREED the Town Clerk would arrange an on site meeting between HDC Lighting Engineer and CLLR BUTTERWORTH.

06/093 S137 GRANTS: The following grants were APPROVED

Huntingdon U3A £630
Godmanchester Senior Citizens Club £650
Jigsaw Nursery £250
Godmanchester Rovers £500
Jack & Jill preschool £100
Huntingdon CAB £250
Girl guiding in Godmanchester £650
GMC Community Association: Picnic in the Park 2007 £8000

06/094 CORRESPONDENCE: See Appendix A

The case for the Rambler’s Association concerning the footpath at Monk’s Pit will be heard in the High Court in May 2007.

The Premises Licence for the QES has been received. It does not cover sale of alcohol and all hirers will continue to be advised of the need for a Temporary Event Notice should their event include sale of alcohol.

A second notice board is required for the QES for display of the Premises Licence and insurance details. A quotation from Jacowe joinery in the sum of £205 was considered too high. CLLR BROWN will liaise with the Town Clerk to provide a quotation.

HDC have advised that the Parish Electoral Review recommends Godmanchester have 17 Councillors (an increase of 2). Town Clerk to advise HDC of our support.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised he had received a request from a resident for a mirror to be placed at the junction of London Street with Barringer Court. It was AGREED the request would be passed to the Highways Division and the resident advised as the Town Council do not have responsibility for traffic matters.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised he had now received speed survey statistics from the Highways Division in relation to the traffic calming sites in Godmanchester. Cllrs would pass their comments to CLLR BUTTERWORTH who would respond to Highways.

The meeting was adjourned at 9.00pm for members of the public to address the Town Council.

(CLLR HYAMS declared an interest) Mr Whitehouse, a representative of Green Issues Communications had forwarded information to the Town Council regarding the application for 149 houses at London Road. The Town Council has not received a detailed planning application but responded in general terms and raised questions with Mr Whitehouse which he agreed to look into. He would respond to the Town Clerk and thanked the Town Council for the opportunity to speak.

The meeting re-convened at 9.24pm.

CLLR GOFF reported that ACRE/BIFFA had requested further information relating to our bid for funds for the new skate park. He will respond.

CLLR MRS TREHARNE-JONES advised work was needed to combat soil erosion at the Children’s play area in Coronation Walk. The old sand pit was now mainly mud and tree roots were also becoming visible. Ferguson’s have quoted to lay slabs, level where necessary, provide topsoil and turf and their quotation of £1250 was APPROVED.

Ferguson’s have also provided a quotation to maintain the two Town Planters. Unfortunately, the planter in Cambridge Road near the allotments has suffered regular theft and all but one plant has been taken. CLLR MRS TREHARNE- JONES will put an article in the Allotment newsletter asking allotment holders to be vigilant. The quotation in the sum of £225 per planter per annum was APPROVED for one year in the first instance.

CLLR MRS GODLEY left at 9.35pm

06/095 ACCOUNTS.

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED.

06/096 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.

HDC have confirmed the play equipment for Lavender Grove has been approved and is due to be installed by the end of the year. It is the responsibility of the developer, not the Town Council. The Town Clerk will ensure we have a phone number to report any incidents that may occur.

06/097 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS.

CLLR HYAMS advised everyone that the planning procedures were changing and in future Developers and local residents would be able to speak at Development Control meetings.

CLLR HYAMS suggested it would be useful to set up a working group to get the Town Council publication up and running. It would be considered at the next meeting.

06/098 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS : not covered by correspondence

CLLR MRS LOOKER advised the under 16 youth group had experienced lower numbers recently. Work was continuing to get the over 16 youth group up and running in the New Year.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

CLLR BUTTERWORTH reported the adoption of Roman Way was at least 2 years away.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised that David and Shona Comben’s children had visited and seen the plaque placed in memory of their parents. They were very touched by the thought but had not wished to have a formal unveiling.

THE MAYOR advised the Town Bridge was due to be repaired in January 2007. He also took the opportunity to thank all Cllrs for their support in 2006 and to wish them and their families a Happy Christmas.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 18 JANUARY 2007

The meeting ended at 10.16 pm Mayor

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