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.

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE GODMANCHESTER TOWN HALL ON THURSDAY 15 JUNE 2006

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

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

APOLOGIES: H R BUTCHER Town Mayor, Cllrs Mrs C A GODLEY, Mrs B MOORE,
ABSENT: Cllr C R HYAMS,

PRESENTATION:

Carlos Harrison, Youth Worker, attended with one member of the Judith’s Field Youth Group, to tell members of the Town Council about a recent project undertaken by the young people. Cameras had been given to 16 members of the group and they had taken photographs in Godmanchester. A good mix of photographs had been produced and these were used to create a display showing the positive and negative images in Godmanchester. Carlos felt the participation from the young people had been fantastic and they had used the project material to explore and consider the impact of negative and positive events on the community as a whole.

Carlos outlined the plan to have two youth groups, the existing group held at Judith’s Field would continue to run for the 12 to 15 year olds, and it was hoped another group, specifically for the older teenagers would be set up. Although discussions were taking place with the Comrades Club this was not a confirmed venue. The Town Council has also offered use of Judith’s Field for the second youth group.

Cllr MRS LOOKER thanked Carlos on behalf of the Town Council for his commitment and excellent work with the young people, and hoped that the group would go from strength to strength.

DEPUTY MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The DEPUTY MAYOR advised he had represented the Town on 2 occasions since the last meeting. Cllr BUTTERWORTH had represented the Town on 2 occasions. He had attended the Alzheimer’s AGM and reported that the Town Council’s grant, in respect of car parking at Judith’s Field, had been acknowledged with thanks, in both in their minutes and in the Chairman’s speech.

06/043 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2006 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

6/044 MATTERS ARISING.

The Outstanding Actions List, dated 15 June was reviewed.

Cllr BUTTERWORTH had circulated information about concrete planters. Each would cost £73.26 plus £15 delivery. It was AGREED that two planters would be purchased and the cost was APPROVED. Town Clerk to place order. Cllr BUTTERWORTH would investigate provision of soil from Paxton Pits. Cllr BROWN would co-ordinate delivery and positioning of the planters.

Cllr VANE PERCY had arranged to meet Graham Campbell in the next few days to discuss the way forward in respect of the disabled access to the Town Hall and also to discuss proposed footpath improvements by the Church gate.

The DEPUTY MAYOR, Cllr BUTTERWORTH and the Town Clerk had interviewed two candidates for the position of Caretaker at Judith’s Field. The Town Council were asked to ratify the appointment of Mrs Linda Carter, subject to successful completion of a 6-month probationary period. Mrs Carter’s appointment was APPROVED.

The Town Clerk advised that the Premises Licence for the Recreation Ground had been granted. The application for a Premises Licence for the QES had not yet been submitted but would be made once plans of the building had been supplied.

Mr Fechter had written requesting provision of copies of letters etc under the Freedom of Information Act. The Town Clerk had acknowledged his letter and would supply information we are required to supply by 4th July 2006.

06/045 S137 GRANTS: To consider the various S137 requests:

Riverside Rangers £600
Disability Information Service Huntingdonshire £500
GM Baptist Church Football Project £230
Jack & Jill preschool £750
St Mary’s Church Youth Group £300
Childline £50
NCH the children’s charity £50
Macmillan Cancer Relief £50
Dreamdrops: Huntingdonshire NHS PCT £500
Saxongate: Community Learning Centre £500
GM Baptist Church Holiday Club £500
Jumping Beans Parent & Toddler Group £250
Royal Oak Bowls Club £600
Girl Guides £500
GM Rovers: NIL - further information requested
Open Spaces Society: NIL

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

06/046 CORRESPONDENCE

The correspondence listed at Appendix A, not covered by the WP reports, was addressed.

The annual competition to judge the Allotments will take place on Monday 19th June at 7.30pm. The MAYOR will attend. The DEPUTY MAYOR and Cllr BROWN will also be present.

Cllr BUTTERWORTH attended a meeting regarding Tackling Congestion in Cambridgeshire. He reported that various measures were being considered and further meetings would be arranged in the future.

The DEPUTY MAYOR reported that Ferguson’s had been asked to turf the areas in the Cemetery that had not been done so far. Town Clerk to request a date for this work to be undertaken.

The Salvation Army had written advising the Town Council of an ongoing problem with parking outside their hall. Residents had complained that visitors to the hall were parking inconsiderately and the Salvation Army had asked for our comments. Town Clerk would respond.

Cllr GOFF has arranged to meet a skate ramp manufacturer to discuss possibilities for Judith’s Field. A representative from HDC will also attend. Once a design has been produced, the skaters will be asked to offer their opinions and comments.

Cllr MRS HULL reported that the Environment Agency had made arrangements to hold a public exhibition in the QES in relation to the Flood Alleviation plans on 6th July. She proposed that in order for the Town Council to offer useful comments, a working party should be held. Wednesday 21st June was AGREED as the most convenient date. Town Clerk would advise all Cllrs of the time and venue.

In order to publicise the public exhibition to the majority of residents, it was suggested the Environment Agency should put a notice in the Hunts Post as well as providing the press release posters for display at the QES.

The Town Clerk advised that Mr Sneath had attended the Town Office and undertaken the internal audit in respect of the end of year accounts. Moore Stephens (external auditors) had requested further information from the Town Council as we are now required to complete an intermediate audit as our precept is over £100,000. A letter from Mr Sneath was read to the meeting detailing his experience and qualifications to undertake the internal audit. It was AGREED to formally appoint Mr Sneath as Internal Auditor and it was further AGREED that he should be paid £20 per hour for the work undertaken. The Town Clerk would write to confirm these arrangements and request further reports as requested by the external auditors.

Cllr WILSON advised that it would be helpful for someone to attend the CPRE workshop to be held on 5th October 2006 at Hinchingbrooke Country Park on Local Development Frameworks – Getting the best for your community. The Town Clerk would book a place, Cllrs to determine their availability to attend.

Cllr VANE PERCY left at 10.02pm

06/047 ACCOUNTS.

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED.

06/048 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE.

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

As application 0601424FUL erection of 82 dwellings at land adjacent Wigmore Farm – amended landscape scheme; and application 0601301REM in respect of 149 dwellings London Road, had only been received in the office on the day of the meeting, there had been no time for the Planning WP to consider them. They would be discussed following the Flood Alleviation meeting to be held on 21st June.

06/049 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS.

A report from Cllr MRS GODLEY had been circulated to all Councillors regarding ongoing matters of Police Liaison.

06/050 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS : not covered by correspondence

Play Areas:

Cllr MRS TREHARNE-JONES reported that she was looking into alternatives with regard play equipment for the under 5s and would report back at her earliest opportunity.

Cllr GOFF left at 10.24pm

Youth Issues.

Cllr MRS HULL had supplied a copy of the report for all Cllrs on detached youth work, which had been operating in Godmanchester for the past 6 months and was still ongoing. Drink Sense had run alcohol awareness sessions and it was possible they could attend to run a session at the Youth Club. The Town Council APPROVED additional funding of a further free evening at Judith’s Field and £1200 towards youth worker salaries for a 16+ youth provision. Cllr MRS HULL would liaise with the HCSP ASB Thematic Group and an organisation called Young Lives with a view to attracting more funding for the 16+ youth group.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS. Cllr BROWN reported that a group of youths had been attempting to sway the Chinese Bridge. The Town Clerk had asked the Bridge Engineer to attend to ensure the bridge was safe.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 20 JULY 2006

The meeting ended at 10.45 pm Deputy Mayor

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