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 12 JULY 2007

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

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

APOLOGIES: Cllrs H R BUTCHER, A GOFF, E KYNOCH, Mrs H HULL
ABSENT: Cllr B HENNESSY, Mrs B MOORE, C VANE PERCY,

1 member of the public was present

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE MAYOR advised he had represented the Town on 10 occasions since the last meeting and the CLLR MRS LOOKER had represented the Town on 1 occasion.

THE MAYOR advised he had been out of e-mail circulation for the past week but hoped his e-mails would be up and running again soon. In the meantime, would all Cllrs please note and ensure information was provided in another form.

THE MAYOR reported Gala Day and Picnic in the Park had been successful. Town Clerk would write to GMC Community Association to thank all involved in the event. Town Clerk would also write to Inspector Pickles to pass on our appreciation for the low key but effective policing on both days. THE MAYOR also expressed his thanks to the Twinning Association for their organisation and involvement with the Wertheim Band who had made a colourful contribution to Gala Day. Town Clerk would write to the Chairman of HGTA.

CLLR BROWN, on behalf of the Community Association passed on thanks to the Town Council for the support provided, with particular reference to the financial contribution.

THE MAYOR on behalf of the Town Council recorded his congratulations to CLLR VANE PERCY for receiving a Second Award of Merit from the British Interior Design Association.

THE MAYOR advised that the Town Clerk would be on holiday for two weeks. Please bear in mind the Town Clerk’s Assistant would be working on his own for that time.

07/054 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2007 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

07/055 MATTERS ARISING

CLLR GOFF had put forward a proposal for railings to be installed at both ends of Judith’s Field building in an attempt to stop youths kicking balls against the wall. CLLR TREHARNE-JONES suggested that an alternative to railings would be to provide a sturdy bike rack, which would be useful as well as preventing ball games against the building. It was AGREED CLLR GOFF be asked to look into costs and suitable design. Town Clerk would arrange for a sign to be put up at both ends of the building advising NO BALL GAMES AGAINST THIS BUILDING. It was further AGREED that CLLR GOFF consider repairs required at Judith’s Field and refer these to the Town Clerk who would obtain quotations.

The Town Clerk had confirmed to all Cllrs that S137 applications could be considered from any organisation who benefited the Godmanchester Community. It was AGREED formal criteria for consideration of applications was not needed. Town Clerk would provide a copy of the information to all Cllrs and CLLR HYAMS would advise all residents via the next Town Council newsletter that organisations were invited to apply for grants in June and December each year which would be considered on their merits and alongside other applications received.

Decoration of the two halls in the Queen Elizabeth School, and all areas of Judith’s Field is due to begin towards the end of July. Following recent heavy downpours the lobby area in the QES was damaged by water overflowing the roof guttering. Town Clerk would liaise with CLLR HYAMS and CLLR BUTCHER to seek advice to improve drainage to the QES.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH reported he had met with Traffic Engineers to discuss options to improve safety along the one way section of Old Court Hall. A letter had been sent to the residents seeking their comments. One reply had been received to date. CLLR BUTTERWORTH also reported that we would need to submit an application for a Jointly Funded Minor Improvement Bid before the results of speed surveys were known. It was AGREED that CLLR BUTTERWORTH would prepare a submission for a JFMIB in relation to further traffic calming measures along The Avenue/Post Street/Cambridge Road and London Road and to improve signs prohibiting HGVs.

The Town Clerk confirmed registering areas of land in Godmanchester was proving a drawn out process. CLLR BUTTERWORTH and CLLR HYAMS will seek further information and refer all matters back to the Town Office.

Further discussion took place regarding the work that had been undertaken to install granite setts. CLLR BUTTERWORTH considered the work had been carried out in accordance with the contract. It was proposed that the outstanding bill be paid. CLLR BROWN abstained from voting, but it was AGREED the Town Clerk should now pay the bill in full.

Costs had been obtained from CCC in relation to improved street lighting along Chadley Lane. In order to replace all 3 existing lighting columns with 4 ornate columns and to install a feeder pillar for provision of an electricity supply to the throw over the gates would incur a cost of approximately £10,000. CCC would consider a contribution of approximately £2,000. It was AGREED the Town Council would make a contribution of £8,000 for provision of 4 new ornate columns. Town Clerk would confirm with CCC.

CLLR MRS LOOKER advised it was still hoped that the c-card scheme would go ahead. CLLR MRS HULL was still awaiting further detail.

07/056 CODE OF CONDUCT

Following advice from CPALC it was AGREED that Godmanchester Town Council would adopt the New Parish and Town Councils Model Code of Conduct in its entirety from 1st September 2007. It was AGREED to advertise our acceptance through CPALCs block place advertisements and further AGREED to meet the £24 contribution towards advertising costs. It was also AGREED that with immediate effect all Agendas would advise members of the public that if they wished to address the Town Council on a matter of business, they should advise the Town Clerk before the start of the meeting. Each member of the public would be given a maximum 3 minutes to speak and the Chairman would adjourn the meeting accordingly.

07/057 COUNCILLORS RESPONSIBILITIES

Cllrs present agreed to continue with their designated areas of responsibility. THE MAYOR would hold further discussions with CLLR MRS GODLEY and CLLR MRS HULL regarding responsibility for Police Liaison.

All Cllrs were reminded that when following up enquiries or matters relating to Godmanchester and its residents it was important that the Town Office be kept aware of all issues.

CLLR MRS GODLEY left at 9.40pm

07/058 CORRESPONDENCE (see Appendix A)

CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised the House of Lords had allowed the appeal relating to the footpath at Monks Pitt unanimously. Town Clerk would contact the Ramblers Association asking for clarification on the issue of a further inquiry.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH confirmed a further letter had been received from our Insurers, Zurich Municipal, in relation to the claim made in relation to trees at Judith’s Field. Following discussion, it was AGREED to formally accept the advice from our Insurers and to agree for the Poplar Trees to be removed. CLLR BUTTERWORTH would prepare a response in order to clarify various points such as Heave Indemnity. CLLR HYAMS would also refer to the removal of the trees in the next Town Council newsletter.

Fergusons have advised that due to weather conditions so far this year, we have had 9 of our contracted 16 cuts for all grass areas. It was AGREED a further two cuts at a cost of £1500 could be undertaken in addition to those remaining. The Town Clerk reported Fergusons had been instructed to cut back overgrown shrubs which were obstructing the footpath in Buttermel. This was retrospectively APPROVED.

CLLR MRS TREHARNE-JONES advised Wicksteed had carried out an inspection of the play equipment. There were no items of high risk requiring attention. CLLR BROWN confirmed he would replace the missing “top hat” for the piece of equipment at Judith’s Field. Following installation of new play equipment, CLLR MRS TREHARNE-JONES advised signage for the play area in Coronation Walk and Judith’s Field would need to be amended. She would advise Town Clerk of new requirements.

07/059 ACCOUNTS

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED. A petty cash account for the period ending 12th July 2007 was presented to the Council. The Town Clerk also presented a quarterly bank reconciliation. Barclays were investigating a recent credit and the Town Clerk confirmed at this time balances did not tally. The £20 discrepancy would be explained to all Cllrs following Barclays investigation.

07/060 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 Town Clerk would write to the Head of Planning Services asking for additional detail to be provided on Enforcement Cases which had been ongoing for some time.

CLLR HYAMS would attend the next Development Control Panel to be held on 16th July to support the application for a foodstore on Cambridge Road.

07/061 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS

CLLR HYAMS reported various pot holes in roads in Godmanchester had been filled in recently. Please advise CLLR HYAMS of any further problems.

07/062 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS: not covered by correspondence

CLLR MRS LOOKER and CLLR MRS HULL had attended a visual audit of Fox Grove following reports of damage and graffiti. At the time of inspection the area was quite presentable.

CLLR MRS LOOKER advised that since Carlos was no longer the Youth Leader for the Youth Group at Judith’s Field, numbers had dropped. Carlos has been replaced by Angie Linton, who is proposing a fresh approach and considering detached youth work perhaps from the Autumn.

MISCELLANEOUS

CLLR MRS LOOKER advised the path from the rear of the Cemetery to the football field was overgrown. Town Clerk to ask Highways to clear this path.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 16 AUGUST 2007

The meeting ended at 10.58 pm Mayor

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