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 15 FEBRUARY 2007

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

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

APOLOGIES: Cllr B HENNESSY

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE MAYOR advised he had represented the Town on 9 occasions since the last meeting and the DEPUTY MAYOR had represented the Town on 1 occasion.

THE MAYOR reminded everyone that the Civic Ball would take place on 16th March. Councillors were also reminded that the Annual Town Meeting would take place on 3rd April when Chairs of Working Parties would be asked to present a short report.

CLLR MRS TREHARNE-JONES and CLLR WILSON arrived at 7.32pm

07/008 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2007 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

CLLR MRS HULL and CLLR KYNOCH arrived at 7.34pm

07/009 MATTERS ARISING

CLLR MRS MOORE arrived at 7.35pm

Councillors were presented with options for the design and colour for the badge to denote Former Mayor of Godmanchester. A design was APPROVED and the Town Clerk would place an order for 25 badges to be made.

The Town Clerk would liaise with CLLR MRS HULL to select the appropriate replacement guide for Councillors. It was AGREED 15 copies would be required.

CLLR BROWN presented the idea of Godmanchester Town Council supporting production of a Parish Plan. A Parish Plan gives the chance for the community to have a say in the development of their Town and should be driven by member of the Community with the support of Town Councillors. CLLR BROWN was asked to provide further information and an example of a Parish that had already carried out production of a Parish Plan.

CLLR GOFF confirmed the revised application had been submitted to BIFFA in respect of our request for a grant for the proposed new skate park ramps. Everyone involved was thanked for their excellent work.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH was pleased to report the application for a Small Scale Improvement Bid in respect of the footpath around the Church gates in Chadley Lane, had been successful. The Project Engineer had confirmed the issue of the lighting to the lantern above the gates, would also be considered at the same time. The Town Council had previously AGREED to meet 25% of the costs of the footpath element of the project and further costs were likely in relation to the electricity supply to the lantern but at this time, no figures were available. A sum of up to £2000 was AGREED as the Town Council’s contribution to the Church Gateway project. The Town Clerk would arrange the initial on-site meeting.

Following discussion with the Rights of Way Officer it was confirmed that the path or track to the rear of Martins Close/Bergamont Close is not an official path or Right of Way. It was AGREED that this land should be left as a wildlife corridor at this time. When building takes place on the adjacent land, the developer has AGREED to leave a 3 metre strip from the edge of the development to the boundary fences along Martin Close/Bergamont Close. The Town Clerk would advise the Rights of Way Officer that we did not wish to apply for establishment of a Right of Way.

A14 update: CLLR HYAMS reported that he had attended meetings at District and County Council and the outcome was all were supporting the ORANGE route. CLLR WILSON and CLLR HYAMS had met the Project Leader from Highways who had answered some technical questions and CLLR WILSON was preparing a response to be sent to Highways in the next few days. In the absence of CLLR HENNESSY, CLLR WILSON would liaise with CLLR MRS TREHARNE-JONES in order to get a press release issued as soon as possible.

07/010 CORRESPONDENCE: (See appendix A)

Cllrs were reminded that if their financial or other interests had changed since signing their declaration, they would be required to update the register. The Town Clerk has the necessary forms.

A quotation in the sum of £894 had been received in respect of a major repair to St Mary the Virgin’s Church Clock. It was AGREED this work should go ahead, subject to the Town Clerk checking past records to ensure it was not work that had been carried out on a previous occasion. All Cllrs would be advised of the outcome.

A complaint about cyclists using the pavement in Cambridge Villas was considered and it was AGREED this should be referred to the PCSO’s for their attention.

CLLR MRS GODLEY advised that with regard complaints concerning parking at the junction of Crowhill and London Road, unless the vehicles were causing an obstruction, there was little that could be done as there are no parking restrictions in the affected area.

CLLR KYNOCH asked that all Cllrs give consideration to the issue of Quality Status, as this was an issue being promoted in earnest by CALC.

CLLR KYNOCH was concerned to note vehicles were driving onto the Recreation Ground more regularly. It was AGREED that a sign should be erected at the entrance advising drivers there was no entrance except to authorised users. The Town Clerk would liaise with HDC in the first instance.

CLLR KYNOCH would liaise with the Town Clerk following a request from the Environment Agency to install four fishing platforms along the river bank. An inspection of the area would be made in the first instance.

CLLR MRS MOORE had received requests for S137 grants from Shopmobility and the Huntingdon Volunteer Bureau. It was AGREED the existing arrangement to make grants twice a year in June and December would remain and the Town Clerk would write to both organisations accordingly. It was further AGREED that the Town Council would consider applications made outside these two months only in exceptional circumstances.

CLLR VANE PERCY would liaise with the Town Clerk regarding Tourist information requirements.

CLLR MRS TREHARNE-JONES presented three designs and quotations for additional play equipment for under 5s to be located in the Riverside Park (Coronation Walk). It was AGREED to accept the quotation from Kompan in the sum of £8185. The Town Clerk would advise all three companies accordingly.

CLLR KYNOCH reminded the Town Council that the Police and County Council had in the past objected to siting of equipment on this site and he did not vote in favour of provision of additional equipment. CLLR KYNOCH was concerned about the effect on nearby residents and it was AGREED an article about play equipment would be included in the Town Council newsletter.

07/011 ACCOUNTS.

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED.

07/012 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

(See Appendix C)

CLLR BUTTERWORTH declared an interest in application 0604039FUL. CLLR HYAMS declared an interest in all planning applications. The applications and correspondence set out in Appendix C were considered. The Town Clerk would advise HDC of the Council’s recommendations. CLLR WILSON requested clarification on the procedure followed by HDC when using delegated powers to determine the outcome of a planning application. CLLR HYAMS would investigate and report back to all Cllrs.

CLLR WILSON advised that a meeting had been held with the developer, Barratts, regarding their proposals for 149 dwellings at the London Road site. Various concerns had been raised by Cllrs in relation to the density of the proposed development, width of roads, parking provision, drainage and run off, provision of storage for 3 wheelie bins per dwelling, use of renewable energy sources and possible allocation of Section 106 money. The representatives from Barratts had considered all matters brought to their attention. CLLR MRS LOOKER declared an interest in matters relating to possible future development of Judith’s Field. CLLR WILSON would prepare a response in respect of the planning application number 0604142REM and it was AGREED the Town Council would respond positively but state their reservations. CLLR KYNOCH requested it be noted he does not support approval of this application.

07/013 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS.

An incident on 22nd January, had resulted in local closure of the A14 and traffic including HGV traffic being diverted through Godmanchester to Huntingdon over the Town Bridge. CLLR MRS GODLEY confirmed the bridge has a weight restriction of 7.5T which can be by-passed by the Police in exceptional circumstances. A weight limit is not optional and cannot be ignored or overturned.

CLLR MRS GODLEY presented details to all present, obtained from District Council regarding flooding. Concern was expressed by CLLR BROWN as to what assistance could be provided by the Town Council in the event of a flood alert, and clarification of the Town Council’s responsibility. It was AGREED that the Town Clerk would liaise with CLLR MRS HULL to obtain current details of contact points and procedures followed by District Council and the Environment Agency. These would be published in the forthcoming Town Council newsletter and on the Community Association website.

It was noted that the vegetation around the Town Bridge is very overgrown. The Town Clerk would contact HTC and request it be cleared.

CLLR MRS GODLEY left at 9.53pm

CLLR HYAMS reported some progress was being made regarding the Community Swimming Pool. The school had approached a private company to run the pool. He felt that although it was in the best interests of the school, the Godmanchester Community may see very little, if any benefit. District Council would no longer be involved.

CLLR HYAMS confirmed the Bridge Place Depot car park would soon be made available for Pathfinder House staff use. He had been informed that a crossing would be in place by July.

CLLR HYAMS confirmed discussions were on-going regarding the viaduct at Huntingdon Station which may come down with the go ahead of the proposed A14.

CLLR HYAMS reported that all applications for Traffic Calming presented to the County Council would be dealt with in order in which they were received. Although the budget is County wide, the waiting lists are within each District Council boundary. The Government have introduced a new speed limit policy. The motorist was now not the first consideration but the quality of life of those affected by speeding traffic.

07/014 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS : not covered by correspondence

Flooding: CLLR MRS HULL advised Cllrs that the Environment Agency was conducting consultation with some residents although the Town Council has been advised there are no funds to carry out further work on the Flood Alleviation Scheme.

CLLR VANE PERCY left at 10.22pm

It was AGREED that the Environment Agency be asked to provide a summary of the position and also be asked to consider interim measures to prevent possible problems. CLLR MRS HULL would liaise with the Town Clerk.

Cemetery: CLLR COHEN confirmed that in the event of vandalism to graves at the cemetery, it was the owners or next-of-kin’s responsibility to repair any damage and not the Town Council’s. As the Town Council do not have a financial interest in the actual grave-stones, we cannot insure them and our liability is to ensure safety and therefore remove any dangerous head-stones.

Twinning: THE MAYOR reported a successful Annual Business Meeting held in Huntingdon and Godmanchester over the weekend 9-11 February. All 5 twinned towns were represented. THE MAYOR also confirmed a band from Wertheim would be taking part in the Gala weekend in July and that the Youth Festival would take place from 24-28 September. Delegates for the Youth Festival will be accommodated at Grafham Water Education Centre.

MISCELLANEOUS

CLLR MRS HULL and CLLR MRS LOOKER had attended the Safer Neighbourhood Panel meeting and reported that crime figures for Godmanchester had dropped which was a positive result. It was also confirmed that the response time for calls made to the central Police Control room had improved considerably.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 15 MARCH 2007

The meeting ended at 10.37 pm Mayor

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