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 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE
TOWN HALL ON THURSDAY 16 JULY 2009

PRESENT: M COHEN Town Mayor, D BROWN Deputy Town Mayor
Councillors: M DOBBIE, T CANT, J DUTTON, C R HYAMS, Mrs A M LOOKER, Ms D MIDDLETON, C RICHARDSON, D TAYLOR, CLLR VANE PERCY, N WELLS, G WILSON,

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD
Mace Bearer: Mr M WILLIAMS

5 members of the public were in attendance

09/088 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE

CLLR BUTCHER: working away; Mrs WORTHINGTON: holiday; CLLR O’DONNELL: family illness; CLLR Mrs HULL: absent

09/089 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

09/089.1 CLLR TAYLOR – letter from Mr/s Pickersgill (personal acquaintenance); CLLR Mrs LOOKER – planning application H/05024/09/CW (ownership of adjacent land); CLLR WILSON – planning application 0900729LBC (Environment Agency are his employer); CLLR HYAMS – Decision from HDC regarding breach in Code of Conduct Case No 13; Statement on alleged breach of Code of Conduct Case No 15, Case No 16, Case No 17 also planning application H/05024/09/CW and report on application to modify the Definitive Map -Cambridge Road and Almond Close (as he had been involved in lobbying on these planning matters); CLLR DUTTON – Decision from HDC regarding breach in Code of Conduct Case No 13; Statement on alleged breach of Code of Conduct Case No 15, Case No 16, Case No 17; (on advice from the Monitoring Officer CLLR DUTTON confirmed he had a personal and prejudicial interest and would leave the meeting when these items were discussed). CLLR DUTTON also confirmed he had also lobbied in respect of the planning matter H/05024/09/CW. CLLR Mrs LOOKER - discussions regarding the Play Pathfinder Grant application, (her Father-in-Law owns Judith’s Field); CLLR Ms MIDDLETON – item on bollards at the junction of Corpus Christi Lane (home address).

CLLR DUTTON AND CLLR HYAMS left the room.

09/089.2 CLLR WILSON confirmed a decision had been issued by HDC in respect of his alleged breach of the Code of Conduct. He confirmed he had failed on a number of occasions to declare a personal interest as the Environment Agency are his employer, when matters relating to flood risk management were discussed. CLLR WILSON confirmed he had requested more information regarding the complaint and was liaising with the Monitoring Officer regarding a formal statement to conclude the matter.

09/089.3 THE MAYOR advised he had received notification from HDC regarding his alleged breach of paragraph 5 the Code of Conduct (Case No 16). The matter would be referred to the Assessments Sub Committee of the Standards Committee, who would meet and pass down a decision as to whether the matter needed to be referred for investigation. THE MAYOR had not been given a copy of the complaint or advised who had raised the complaint and he had requested this information from HDC. CLLR WILSON advised he had received notification from HDC regarding his alleged breach of the Code of Conduct (Case No 15). He understood this related to the publicity received when handing over a cheque to his designated charity at the end of his term as Mayor. The matter would be referred to the Assessments Sub Committee of the Standards Committee, who would meet and pass down a decision as to whether the matter needed to be referred for investigation. CLLR BROWN advised he had also received notification from HDC regarding his alleged breach of the Code of Conduct (Case No 17). Once again, the matter would be referred to the Assessments Sub Committee of the Standards Committee, who would meet and pass down a decision as to whether the matter needed to be referred for investigation.
CLLR DUTTON AND CLLR HYAMS rejoined the meeting.

09/090 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

09/090.1 It was confirmed, that minutes from Town Council meetings were only required to record decisions and actions agreed by the Town Council and did not need to be verbatim reports. It was AGREED however, that the format and content of the Town Council minutes was acceptable and that some detail was essential.

09/090.2 It was AGREED that minute 09/076.2 should be changed to state: “CLLR WILSON reported he had received a letter from HDC Monitoring Officer advising him they were investigating a breach of the Code of Conduct as he had failed to declare a personal interest at some Town Council meetings when the Environment Agency’s proposals for flood defences had been discussed. This he should have done, as the Environment Agency are his employers. He had not been advised who had raised the matter, nor had he been advised of the outcome of discussions by the Monitoring Officer at this stage.” The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2009 were then duly APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

09/091 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION:

Mr Williams expressed concern regarding vehicles parking on the grassed area in Ferndown Close/Holmehill. This area is maintained by HDC and CLLR HYAMS AGREED to make enquiries.

Mr Doherty asked whether a disabled parking bay could be provided close to the chemist in The Causeway. This is a County Council responsibility and CLLR DUTTON and CLLR WILSON will liaise to take this matter forward.

Mr Doherty referred to the planning application to extend the period of sand and gravel extraction at the Cow Lane site by 20 years. He advised a main sewerage pipe ran under this area and he had concerns about diminution, settlement and compaction and hoped the Town Council would be expressing their views as a matter of urgency.

Mrs Pickersgill commented on the report regarding the application to modify the Definitive Map and confirmed that over 20 people had used the route without challenge for over 20 years. In the report it referred to the path as an “existing roadway” and she hoped further representation could be made on this issue.

Mr Pauley also commented on the report regarding the path from Almond Close to Cambridge Road and he queried why residents had been allowed to block the access and extend gardens.

09/092 TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

THE MAYOR had represented the Town on 22 occasions since the last meeting and the DEPUTY MAYOR on 3 occasions.

THE MAYOR passed sincere thanks to GMC Community Association for a very successful Gala Day and Picnic in the Park. Turnout had been incredible and the Community Association volunteers had done a marvellous job.

THE MAYOR was pleased to report a good day for the GMC in Bloom judging and thanks are given to all residents and GMC in Bloom Committee members for the hard work that went on behind the scenes making Godmanchester so attractive. Results will be known in September.

THE MAYOR reported that St Anne’s PFSA had asked whether the Town Council would provide a raffle prize for their 10 year celebrations to be marked in September and had suggested a free hire session for Judith’s Field or Queen Elizabeth School. This was discussed but it was felt inappropriate and the Town Council would prefer to consider an application for a grant for a specific item later in the year. THE MAYOR also confirmed that Mrs Kenna, Headteacher at St Anne’s would be leaving at Christmas for another position. Her departure would be a loss to the school and to the community as a whole. A letter of thanks would be sent to her in due course.

09/093 TOWN CLERK’S REPORT ON MATTERS ARISING:

09/093.1 The Town Clerk had provided an updated schedule of outstanding matters. The War Memorial has been cleaned and lettering will be re-incised or “blacked” in the following weeks. A letter of thanks will be sent to the Manager of the Black Bull for their help and co-operation as they provided water for the contractor.

09/093.2 CLLR TAYLOR advised progress had been made for the initial application to be submitted to Cambridgeshire Play Pathfinder by 24th July. Judith’s Field had been identified as the most appropriate location to site play equipment for 8-13 year olds and discussions with both Godmanchester Primary Schools had been very useful. If successful in the first stage of application, we would be required to complete a further application, providing details and design of the proposed scheme. CLLR TAYLOR thanked everyone who had been involved so far.

09/093.3 CLLR HYAMS advised he had been keen to go ahead to develop and install a Town Council website. Following the Mayoral Elections in May 2009 he did not believe he had the support of fellow Councillors and confirmed that, as any work to create and install a website could take up to 2 weeks of his time, he was not prepared to volunteer his time. CLLR HYAMS confirmed he would look around for someone else who could take this task on. CLLR Ms MIDDLETON confirmed she may also have a possible contact regarding website design.

CLLR HYAMS had circulated a report to all Cllrs regarding the inadequate speed of the two computers in the Town Office. He recommended that both machines be upgraded and he provided a quotation for two Dell machines. Following discussion it was AGREED not to proceed with a full replacement at this time as purchase of new machines had not been included in the current year’s budget. A short term improvement would be to increase the available memory space on the Town Clerk’s computer and the purchase of a 1Gb memory chip at a cost of £65 was APPROVED. It was AGREED that the upgrade of the Town Office computers should be considered as part of the following year’s budget.

09/093.4 Clarence House Day Nurseries and Godmanchester Rovers Youth Football Club had been invited to submit further information in order that their applications for a grant could be considered. Clarence House Day Nurseries had not provided any further information, and therefore it was AGREED no grant would be awarded. It was further AGREED to award £300 to Godmanchester Rovers Youth Football Club. The Town Clerk would write to advise both organisations.

09/094 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS

CLLR HYAMS expressed his concern on the letter from CCC regarding proposed waiting restrictions for 3 parking spaces on Silver Street and proposed bollards at the junction of Corpus Christi Lane with Old Court Hall. CLLR DUTTON would be following this matter up with CCC.

CLLR DUTTON reported the proposed CCC 20mph speed limit trials had mentioned The Causeway as a possible location for inclusion in the trials, but other locations were considered preferable and The Causeway would not be included in the trials.

CLLR WILSON advised an application had been made for a disabled parking bay to be sited in Rushes Walk. This application was supported.

CLLR WILSON reported long term strategic planning was being considered and there was pressure for more development in the East of England.

09/095 TO CONSIDER PRODUCTION OF A PARISH PLAN

CLLR Ms MIDDLETON confirmed she had sought opinion, via a stand on Gala Day, as to whether residents supported the idea of a Parish Plan. Very few people came forward and as a Parish Plan would need to be led by the residents with support from the Town Council it looked unlikely that this would progress. CLLR Ms MIDDLETON suggested holding a meeting to seek public opinion later in the year as she believed a Parish Plan would be a real benefit to the Town.

09/096 MAYORAL BOARD

CLLR VANE PERCY confirmed a report had been received from Hirst Conservation with their recommendations for treating the Mayoral Board. CLLR VANE PERCY did not believe this was the solution we needed and he advised he would discuss the matter again with Hirst Conservation and also consider any other options for restoration.

09/097 FAIRTRADE STATUS FOR GODMANCHESTER

THE MAYOR is keen to obtain Fairtrade Status for Godmanchester. This requires the support of local businesses and also the Town Council, who would need to agree to use Fairtrade products in the Town Council Office. THE MAYOR confirmed it can take up to 2 years to achieve Fairtrade Status and the application is submitted by an individual (not necessarily a Councillor in office). THE MAYOR is willing to undertake the necessary work and the Town Council confirmed they are pleased to support the initiative.

09/098 CORRESPONDENCE

The list of correspondence in Appendix A was considered. No comments were made.

09/099 FINANCIAL/ACCOUNTS

09/099.1 The list of payments to be made in Appendix B was approved
09/099.2 Councillors received a copy of the Petty Cash Reconciliation for the period to 16th July 2009.
09/099.3 Councillors received a copy of the budget report on the year to date.
09/099.4 Councillors received a copy of the quarterly bank reconciliation statement for the period 1/4/09 – 30/6/09

09/100 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

CLLR WELLS advised Ms Fitzgerald (Planning Officer – HDC) had attended the Planning Working Party and had provided clarification on a number of points relating to planning matters including West Berry Farm.

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

It was AGREED that following receipt of the report from CCC regarding the application to modify the Definitive Map relating to the footpath between Almond Close and Cambridge Road, that the Town Council would request an extension for submission of our comments of 3 months, so that further investigations could be undertaken and an informed response provided to CCC.

MISCELLEANOUS

Town Clerk confirmed a Property Working Party would be held on 30th July, all Cllrs were invited to attend.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 20 AUGUST 2009 IN THE TOWN HALL

The meeting ended at 10.21pm Mayor

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