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 13 DECEMBER 2007

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

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD
Mace Bearer: M WILLIAMS

APOLOGIES: Cllrs: M COHEN Town Mayor, R BUTCHER , S PRINCE,
ABSENT: Cllr A GOFF

3 members of the public were present

DEPUTY MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The DEPUTY MAYOR reported he had represented the Town on 6 occasions since the last meeting. THE MAYOR had represented the Town on 13 occasions since the last meeting.

The DEPUTY MAYOR thanked everyone who had helped make the Carol Service held on 5th December a success.

A reminder to all Cllrs that the training on the New Model Code of Conduct has been fixed for Thursday 24th January 2008.

The Winter-themed show, organised by the Co-op store, would take place on Friday 14th December in the Town Hall car park, which would be closed all day.

THE MAYOR had requested the January meeting be brought forward and it was AGREED the meeting would take place on Thursday 10th January. Town Clerk would liaise with CLLR PRINCE regarding a new date for the Planning WP meeting.

The DEPUTY MAYOR confirmed the Town Office would be closed from 24th December to 31st January, although the Town Clerk and Town Clerk’s Assistant would call in each day to deal with any urgent matters.

A reminder to all Cllrs that the Mayor’s Charity Concert in aid of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices will take place on 26th January in St Mary the Virgin parish church. Please support this event.

PRESENTATION ON THE CORE STRATEGY

Mr Steve Ingram, Head of Planning Services for HDC was welcomed to the meeting.
He outlined the need for a new strategy and explained the Core Strategy would replace the old Local Plans and would carry Huntingdonshire through to 2021. The new Core Strategy would set the parameters for planning strategy and would accommodate Huntingdonshire’s future growth needs. Mr Ingram confirmed that the East of England is the largest designated growth area in the Country.

CLLR HENNESSY arrived at 7.41pm

Mr Ingram advised that there were several committed developments already included in the overall figures, but a further 5450 homes would need to be provided in the district by 2026. Concerns were expressed with regards the existing infrastructure in the area and Mr Ingram confirmed that part of the strategy would address and attempt to rectify issues of infrastructure to support further growth.

CLLR VANE PERCY arrived at 8.11pm

Following consultation and adjustment, it was hoped the Core Strategy would be adopted by July 2009 and Godmanchester Town Council were asked to put forward a response before closure of the consultation period on 11th January 2008. Mr Ingram was thanked for attending and providing the overview. Mr Ingram suggested, as the topic was so important, that he would be happy to attend a further meeting with Godmanchester Town Council to provide further detail.

It was AGREED that CLLR WILSON would draft a robust response to the proposals put forward in the Core Strategy and he would liaise with all Cllrs to ensure the deadline was met.

PRESENTATION ON GODMANCHESTER IN BLOOM

Mr Thackeray was welcomed to the meeting and thanked for his work to date to start up a Godmanchester in Bloom Committee. He outlined his vision for the future and how he envisaged the project building year by year. In order to encourage other local businesses to offer support for the project, he is seeking a financial contribution from the Town Council as a starting point. Godmanchester Town Council is willing to support the initiative and in the first instance will consider areas of Town Council land that could be improved with further planting of flowers or shrubs. The Town Council will also promote the initiative in the next Town Council newsletter encouraging greater participation by the residents of Godmanchester.

CLLR MRS LOOKER arrived at 8.42pm

Mr Thackeray was thanked for attending and advised the application for funds would be considered alongside other grant requests later in the meeting, and that he would be advised accordingly.

It was AGREED that the Town Clerk would write to the Chairman of the Community Association to seek written confirmation that they would act as fund managers on behalf of the GMC In Bloom organisers. Mr Thackeray, would be asked to provide a full business plan and asked to formalise arrangements in terms of committee members. CLLR BROWN AGREED to act as liaison between GMC Community Association and Town Council.

The meeting was adjourned at 8.50pm

A resident expressed her concern regarding the application for planning permission at the Old Station Master’s cottage in Bridge Place, Godmanchester. She had raised her concerns and objections with the District Council and also with the Town Council. She advised the Town Council she would attend the Development Control Panel meeting and speak on the matter. Town Clerk’s Note: We have been advised that Planning Permission has been granted following the panel meeting held on 17 December.

The meeting was re-convened at 9.02pm

07/086 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2007 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

07/87 S137 GRANTS: The following requests were considered and granted (see Appendix D):

Open Spaces Society - £50
St Mary the Virgin PCC – NIL
Huntingdon Volunteer Bureau - £500
Godmanchester Ranger Unit - £600
Huntingdon CAB - £550
Godmanchester in Bloom - £1000
Godmanchester Cricket Club - £2000

The Town Clerk would write to the applicants to advise them of the outcome of their requests for financial assistance.

CLLR MRS GODLEY left at 9.45pm

07/088 MATTERS ARISING

CLLR BUTTERWORTH confirmed a Small Scale Improvement Bid had been submitted to HDC to seek funding to have the Town Hall building cleaned. An initial quotation indicated a cost of approximately £24,000 including minor repairs. The Town Council would be required to pay 25% of the costs, if successful in obtaining a grant.

The spring on the gate to the churchyard in Church Place has been adjusted and the resident who raised the issue is satisfied with the adjustment.

An order has been placed for a steel door for the brick unit housing the electricity isolation switch for Judith’s Field. Once fitted, the isolation switch will also be replaced.

CLLR WILSON will make further enquiries regarding the S106 funding in respect of the London Road development. CLLR HYAMS advised there may be further sources of S106 money which he is looking into.

Following a visit to view work carried out by a painting conservator, CLLR BROWN and CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised the Town Council of the options available for our Mayoral Board. It was AGREED the Town Clerk would investigate the costs to erase all names, clean the wood thoroughly removing all traces of varnish and have the full board re written. The Town Council believe this option preferable to attempting a partial restoration.

07/089 CORRESPONDENCE (see also Appendix A)

CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised the new Mobile Library times would be displayed on the Town Noticeboards and passed to the Community Association website.

The recent Area Joint Committee for Traffic matters had discussed the petition received from residents in Linden Grove and also the Town Council’s request for further traffic calming measures in Godmanchester. Both matters were refused.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised responses had been received from HDC and the Environment Agency regarding the state of the Mill Sluice brickwork and adjacent river. Copies of the letters would be forwarded to Lady Linda Vane Percy.

A resident had written raising several complaints regarding the state of Godmanchester. Following discussion, the Town Clerk would respond.

CLLR WILSON advised a copy of the CD of the Scheme Assessment Report had been received from the Highways Agency. CLLR BROWN and CLLR KYNOCH asked for a copy. It was AGREED a printed copy of the documents would be requested and it was further AGREED that the cost of £32.50 would be met. Town Clerk would order copy. CLLR HYAMS would copy CD.

CLLR VANE PERCY left at 10.30pm

07/090 ACCOUNTS

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED. A petty cash account for the period ending 13th December was presented to the Council. CLLR KYNOCH declared an interest in the Accounts.

CLLR MRS HULL left at 10.40pm

07/091 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The applications and correspondence set out in Appendix C were considered. The Town Clerk would advise HDC of the Council’s recommendations. It was not possible to comment on two Planning Applications and it was AGREED the Town Clerk would advise HDC that our response would be delayed until after the January meeting.

07/092 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS

No reports received.

07/093 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS: not covered by correspondence

CLLR MRS LOOKER advised there would be a Youth Focus meeting at the end of January.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Community Association had asked whether the Town Council had or would consider adding to the Christmas Lights as they were considered rather modest. It was confirmed that there are no plans to add to the existing lights.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 10 JANUARY 2008

The meeting ended at 10.50pm Mayor

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