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 21 JUNE 2007

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

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

APOLOGIES: Cllrs W D BUTTERWORTH, Mrs C A GODLEY, B HENNESSY,
ABSENT: Cllr Mrs H HULL

3 members of the public were present

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE MAYOR advised he had represented the Town on 5 occasions since the last meeting and the DEPUTY MAYOR had represented the Town on 1 occasion.

THE MAYOR thanked the DEPUTY MAYOR and CLLR VANE PERCY for assisting in the judging of the Annual Best Kept Allotment Competition.

07/044 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2007 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

07/045 MATTERS ARISING

CLLR BUTTERWORTH had located a company who would sell Cllrs Robes at a cost of £50 per robe (including VAT). It was AGREED to purchase 17 robes to provide a new robe for each Cllr and have spares. Town Clerk would confirm our order.

CLLR BUTCHER would look at provision of additional coat hooks in the QES and report back at the next meeting.

Two quotations for redecorations of the two halls in the Queen Elizabeth School, and all areas of Judith’s Field were considered. The third decorator approached had not submitted a quotation. It was AGREED to accept the quotation from ReDec for the Queen Elizabeth School for the sum of £1500. It was AGREED to accept the quotation from ReDec for Judith’s Field for the sum of £1210. Town Clerk would liaise regarding suitable dates for undertaking the decorating and advise both contractors of the outcome.

CLLR MRS MOORE arrived at 7.40pm

CLLR MRS TREHARNE-JONES advised the play equipment had been installed and had been warmly received by the children and parents.

Following a letter from CPALC it was AGREED to bring consideration of the New Code of Conduct forward for discussion at the July meeting.

A meeting has been arranged with the Highways Division to consider possibilities for improving safety in Old Court Hall. Highways have confirmed a second No Entry sign cannot be installed in Old Court Hall as there is insufficient space on Highways land to erect a sign.

07/046 S137 GRANTS: The following requests were considered and granted:

Vitalise - £250
Disability Information Service Huntingdon – NIL
Godmanchester Baptist Church: Football Project - £250
St Mary’s Church 0-5 Group – £200
Carers UK – £300
Royal Oak Bowls Club – £1000
Clarence House Day Nurseries – NIL
Friends of QES – NIL
Huntingdon Volunteer Bureau – £500
St Anne’s School - £1000
1st Godmanchester Scout Group - £700
Godmanchester Rovers - NIL
Shopmobility – NIL

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

CLLR GOFF arrived at 8.15pm

07/047 MEMBERSHIP OF OPEN SPACES SOCIETY

Following discussion, it was AGREED to renew our annual membership of the Open Spaces Society.

07/048 CHURCH GATES: CHADLEY LANE

CLLR VANE PERCY and CLLR BUTTERWORTH had met the builder following completion of the work to install granite setts at the Church Gates in Chadley Lane. There have been problems opening the larger of the two gates and the builder had been asked to grind down high spots on the metal runner. CLLR VANE PERCY reported he was still not satisfied with the overall finish and the Town Clerk was instructed to write to NLS Builders to ensure the work was completed in accordance with the drawing provided as part of the contract. The invoice for payment was not to be paid until this had been achieved. CLLR VANE PERCY would discuss the matter with Graham Campbell and also consider the metal rail and provision of a metal keep as additional items. CLLR VANE PERCY also suggested chipped paintwork on the gates should be repaired. Town Clerk would write to the PCC to request that minor on-going maintenance such as greasing the bolts, be undertaken by the Men’s Group.

07/049 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

The applications and correspondence set out in Appendix C were considered. CLLR MRS LOOKER and CLLR HYAMS declared an interest in application 0701710FUL. The Town Clerk would advise HDC of the Council’s recommendations.

CLLR BROWN was perusing the document from HDC on Local Development Framework: Issues and Options consultation. He would pass his comments to Cllr Wilson who would draft response to HDC and circulate to all Cllrs for comment.

CLLR WILSON and CLLR VANE PERCY left at 9.47pm

07/50 CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS FROM CLLRS (See Appendix A)

CLLR GOFF advised there had been problems at Judith’s Field with youths congregating and giving verbal abuse to the Caretaker. He had also experienced this abuse first hand. CLLR GOFF reported the hirer that evening had been reduced to tears upon her departure. It was AGREED the Town Clerk would contact Inspector Pickles to ensure this problem does not escalate or get out of hand. Town Clerk would also ensure Caretakers were advised of the limits of their responsibility when attending the premises to open or lock the building for hirers. CLLR HYAMS would also contact Inspector Pickles from a County perspective requesting the necessary resources be provided to deal with anti-social behaviour at Judith’s Field. Town Clerk’s Note: Cllrs have been advised of the outcome of conversations with the hirers. Town Clerk has also issued clear instructions to Caretakers regarding their safety.

THE MAYOR advised the plans of the Cemetery were in need of updating. Town Clerk would liaise with HDC to have new plans drawn up electronically. It would appear an additional row could be provided adjacent to the footpath and the grave digger would investigate and report back. It was AGREED to purchase markers for all graves that were either reserved or occupied and unmarked for ease of reference. William Peacock & Sons had provided samples of materials that could be used and it was AGREED to purchase 100 wooden markers with a plastic engraved name plate. This combination would be the most hard wearing option as brass name plates deteriorate fairly quickly. Costs of up to £1200 for 100 markers was APPROVED.

CLLR HYAMS reported he hoped to put together the next editions of the Town Council newsletter in September, December and March. All articles welcome. He will circulate details of deadlines.

CLLR MRS MOORE had attended a consultation seminar on planning for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in the East of England. Cllrs were presented with various facts relating to Gypsies and Travellers and Planning. Further information is available in the Town Office.

CLLR MRS LOOKER reported the recent Safer Neighbourhood Panel meeting held in Pathfinder House had not been well attended. Every Cllr was advised to sign up for e-cops which is a free e-mail newsletter from Cambridgeshire Constabulary. Town Clerk would pass details to all Cllrs.

CLLR MRS LOOKER advised the next Youth meeting would be held on 3rd July.

07/051 ACCOUNTS

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED. A petty cash account for the period ending 21st June 2007 was presented to the Council. It was AGREED that the Town Council would meet the full costs of replacing the curtains in the QES and Town Clerk would write to The Friends of the QES declining their offer of a financial contribution.

07/052 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS

Due to the late hour, there were no reports.

07/053 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS: not covered by correspondence

MISCELLANEOUS

Town Clerk advised she was looking into First Aid training following an incident in the Town Hall.

CLLR MRS LOOKER asked that anyone interested in forming a team of 4 to play bowls on 1st July, contact her.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 12 JULY 2007

The meeting ended at 11.08 pm Mayor

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