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 10 January 2008

PRESENT: M COHEN Town Mayor,
Councillors: D BROWN, A GOFF, C R HYAMS Deputy Town Mayor, Mrs A M LOOKER, S PRINCE, G WILSON

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

APOLOGIES: Cllrs H R BUTCHER , W D BUTTERWORTH, Mrs C A GODLEY, B HENNESSY, Mrs H HULL, Mrs E TREHARNE-JONES, C VANE PERCY
ABSENT: Cllr E KYNOCH,

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The MAYOR expressed his thanks to Stuart Bond, Chairman of GMC Community Association, for putting details of the forthcoming Charity Concert in aid of EACH on the website. Cllrs were advised tickets were available from the Town Office.

The Winter Themed evening organised by the Co-Op had been supported by residents of Godmanchester and a collection had been taken to support the Mayor’s Charity: EACH.

THE MAYOR reported he had represented the Town on 5 occasions and the DEPUTY MAYOR had represented the Town on 1 occasion.

The Town Clerk would be out of the office on 1 February 2008 to attend First Aid Training.

08/01 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2007 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

08/02 MATTERS ARISING

CLLR WILSON was thanked for preparing a thorough response on Core Strategy Preferred Options. Town Clerk would send by 11th January. CLLR MRS LOOKER declared an interest and confirmed she had taken no part in any discussions or decisions reached by the Town Council.

CLLR BROWN reported that a meeting had taken place with representatives from the Town Council, HDC, Luminus, Muir Housing, and Godmanchester Churches led by Mr Thackeray, to discuss the way forward for Godmanchester in Bloom. It was AGREED a public meeting would take place in the QES on 31st January when members of the public would be invited to attend and express their views. Town Clerk would obtain maps of the Town for display at the meeting. CLLR MRS GODLEY had agreed to approach the local press to raise awareness.

Town Clerk is seeking confirmation from the Diocese of Ely of the date that the churchyard was formally closed.

CLLR BROWN confirmed he had received copies of the Town Charters of 1212 and 1604 and he would liaise with the Friends of the QES regarding style of frame and possible location of prints in the QES.

The Town Clerk confirmed the lighting columns in Chadley Lane would be connected and switched on on 8th February. Town Clerk would liaise with Rev Busk and PCC and local press to publicise the event.

CLLR WILSON and CLLR HYAMS are working to clarify the position regarding S106 agreements affecting Godmanchester. Following discussion, CLLR MRS LOOKER would ensure Mr Bill Looker advised the Town Council of the administrative changes relating to the lease of Judith’s Field.

The next edition of the Town Council newsletter is ready for publication. The Town Council APPROVED printing costs in the sum of £241.78 and Cllrs were asked to distribute all copies by Friday 25th January.

08/03 CORRESPONDENCE (see Appendix A)

Thistle Security have supplied a quote for a fourth camera for the Town Office in the sum of £275. This was APPROVED. The camera will be located in the lobby of the Town Hall.

Following electrical wiring tests carried out in October 2007, Moore Electrical have supplied quotations for the necessary work. Works in Town Hall: £430. Works in Judith’s Field: £240. Works in QES: £750. These sums were APPROVED. Town Clerk would place orders for the works to be carried out.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH was arranging to meet a representative from CCC Parish Paths Partnership to discuss the footpath sited on the allotment ground.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH would be attending the next “Tackling congestion in Cambridgeshire” meeting and would report back in due course.

A request had been received from the Bulgarian State Circus who would like to make Godmanchester one of their stops. Town Clerk would obtain more detail, but Judith’s Field was suggested as a possible location.

HDC have asked for information about illegal parking and requirements for repairs or provision of dropped kerbs. This would be noted in the newsletter but all Cllrs should pass information to CLLR BUTTERWORTH to co-ordinate a response.

08/04 ACCOUNTS

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED. A petty cash account for the period ending 10th January 2008 was presented to the Council. A quarterly bank reconciliation was also presented to the Council.

08/05 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

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

08/06 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS

CLLR HYAMS reported the pavement in Croftfield had been resurfaced.

CLLR HYAMS reported that money from the Wigmore Farm development had been allocated to cycle paths and cycle ways.

CLLR HYAMS reported that the Buckden Landfill site would close in October 2008. A new under-cover site would open in Spring 2009 in St Neots. Following closure of the Buckden site, refuse could be taken to Alconbury or to the existing site in St Neots.

CLLR HYAMS confirmed that Highways had issued a planning embargo along the proposed route for the A14.

08/07 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS: not covered by correspondence

CLLR WILSON requested a Finance Working Party be held following the Training Session to be held in the Town Hall on 24th January. All Cllrs invited to remain after the training session to attend.

THE MAYOR reported the new lights on the Godmanchester side of the Town Bridge were now working.

MISCELLANEOUS

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 21 FEBRUARY 2008

The meeting ended at 10.00pm Mayor

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