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 17 JUNE 2010

PRESENT: A WELTON: Town Mayor
Councillors: Mrs S WORTHINGTON (Deputy Mayor), D BROWN, R BUTCHER, Mrs J FLETCHER, Mrs H HULL, Ms J MacLEOD, A MARTIN; Ms D MIDDLETON, N PAULEY, C RICHARDSON, D TAYLOR, G WILSON

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

3 members of the public were in attendance

10/96 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE

CLLR CANT: work commitment; CLLR HYAMS: attending HDC Cabinet meeting; CLLR VANE PERCY: work commitment; CLLR WELLS: holiday.

10/97 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

CLLR WILSON: Any item relating to the Environment Agency, who employ him; CLLR Mrs FLETCHER: items relating to Judith’s Field as Mr Ireson Jnr is a family friend, and planning application in Granary Close (which is where she lives); CLLR PAULEY: planning application relating to 15 White Hart Lane as he knows the applicant; CLLR RICHARDSON: planning matter relating to access to Judith’s Field from Roman Way (which is where he lives); CLLR Ms MIDDLETON: planning application for Wood Green as friends work at Wood Green.

10/98 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Following one amendment under item 10/94 third paragraph: delete “there was no support to widen the footpath” and insert “there was mixed community support for widening the footpath” the Minutes of the extra ordinary meeting held on 10th June 2010 were duly APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

10/99 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION:

Mr Chris Campbell offered to clarify the position regarding the two planning applications in respect of 15 White Hart Lane. Following refusal of earlier planning applications relating to this address, Mr Campbell confirmed his company had worked with HDC’s Planning Officers and taken their comments into account when submitting the two fresh applications. Applications for a semi detached dwelling and a detached dwelling were submitted with a view to permission being granted for one or other by HDC.

Mr Kynoch brought to the Town Council’s attention a press cutting from September 2006 relating to work undertaken by the EA to install pilings in St Ives. Complaints had been received at the time that dwellings were shaking as a result of these works. THE MAYOR thanked Mr Kynoch and confirmed we would bring this to the EAs attention when further discussions took place.

10/100 TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

THE MAYOR confirmed he had represented the Town on 8 occasions since the last meeting, and the DEPUTY MAYOR on one occasion.

THE MAYOR confirmed the following dates:
2nd October 2010: Charity Quiz Night
17th October 2010: Annual Civic Service. Please note this date has been changed from that previously published.
25th March 2011: Charity Dinner Dance to be held at Wood Green.
THE MAYOR hoped that members of the Town Council would support these events.

THE MAYOR confirmed that Nigel Hewson, Caretaker for Judith’s Field had resigned with immediate effect. It was urgent to fill this vacancy as soon as possible, and if anyone is aware of a possible candidate, please put them in touch with the Town Clerk. A Personnel working party to discuss all personnel issues would be held on 21st June and all Cllrs were invited to attend.

10/101 TOWN CLERK’S REPORT ON MATTERS ARISING:

The updated list of outstanding matters was presented to the Town Council.

CLLR Mrs HULL did not believe there had been much damage to the daffodil bulbs along The Avenue, but she confirmed she would liaise with Mary Stokes, and ensure the Town Council were kept advised of progress made.

10/102 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS

CLLR WILSON advised white lines would be painted across the access to the property opposite the Coop store in Cambridge Road. CLLR PAULEY asked for clarification on how Highways considered these applications and any strategy applied as another resident in East Chadley Lane had had his application turned down. CLLR WILSON will follow this up.

CLLR WILSON advised that the Town Council’s bid for traffic calming in Sweetings Road and Crowhill had received a low score and would not be approved for funding.

CLLR WILSON provided an update on the progress on the Minerals and Waste Plan.

10/103 CORRESPONDENCE (Appendix A)

Confirmation had been received that the A14 public enquiry had been put on hold and would be reconsidered after the Government’s funding review in Autumn. It was AGREED to write to the Secretary of State to express the Town Council’s views on this postponement.

CLLR Ms MIDDLETON confirmed that the Executors of Mr Bill Looker had given their permission for the Town Council to install a MUGA on Judith’s Field. This is an important first step for the project.

10/104 REMEMBRANCE DAY

Following discussion about how the service was managed last year it was AGREED that the Town Council would want traffic stopped for the procession to and from the War Memorial and also for the 2 minutes silence as a minimum requirement. CLLR WILSON would liaise with CCC in the first instance to determine how this can be achieved. CLLR WILSON will also speak to Inspector Fordham at Cambs Police and keep the Town Clerk advised of progress made and necessary actions on the Town Council.

10/105 FINANCIAL/ACCOUNTS

10/105.1 The list of payments to be made in Appendix B was approved. It was AGREED that the additional £10 required to meet the cost of advertising the Annual Town Meeting were approved. It was AGREED that the Town Council would pay the annual subscription for the Town Clerk to be a member of the SLCC. The Town Clerk asked for permission to raise a cheque for signature outside the Town Council meeting in respect of the annual insurance premium which was now due, but which had not yet been invoiced. This was AGREED. The usual 2 signatories would be required.
10/105.2 Councillors received a copy of monthly salary information, the Petty Cash Reconciliation for the period to 17th June 2010, a copy of the budget report on the year to date, and a copy of the monthly bank reconciliation as verified by THE MAYOR.
10/105.3 It was AGREED to purchase and install an additional litter bin to be located at Judith’s Field.

10/106 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 CLLR WELLS was not present, it was not possible to conclude discussions on access to Judith’s Field from Roman Way and Bascraft Way. This would be carried forward to the next meeting.

10/107 WORKING PARTY REPORTS

10/107.1 Cllrs were presented with a report from the Property Working Party Meeting, which had taken place on 2nd June 2010 CLLR Mrs WORTHINGTON confirmed that she and THE MAYOR had attended an informal meeting on 17th June 2010 with Chris Allen at HDC to discuss the issue of the public toilets. She confirmed the position for other Town Councils was not clear-cut and she outlined the current position for Huntingdon Town Council, St Neots Town Council, St Ives Town Council and Ramsey Town Council. CLLR Mrs WORTHINGTON and THE MAYOR had confirmed that Godmanchester wanted the public toilets in Godmanchester to be kept open but that the Town Council could not manage this facility. They also confirmed we would have difficulty in finding the funds required and that this could only be achieved by using funds currently committed elsewhere. Meanwhile, the petition organised by Godmanchester Community Association had been sent by Godmanchester Town Council to HDC and would be presented to the Council on 23rd June. CLLR BROWN AGREED to represent the Town Council when the petition was presented and would be given up to 5 minutes to speak. We would await the outcome of this before arranging further discussions.

CLLR Mrs WORTHINGTON advised that the Community Payback team may not be able to carry out further work in Godmanchester at the present time due to the lack of public toilets, which was another unintended consequence of their closure.

10/107.2 CLLR Mrs FLETCHER confirmed a Personnel working party would be held on 21st June to discuss a variety of personnel matters. The Town Council were asked to consider beginning the recruitment process to fill the current caretaker vacancy and it was AGREED that an advert could be placed on our notice boards, through the Job Centre and with agreement on the Community Association website. This would not incur a cost to the Town Council. The Town Clerk advised that Keith Walters was doing his best to cover both QES and Judith’s Field and that on occasion his wife would assist (i.e. when there were 2 bookings at the same time). The Town Clerk requested permission to pay Mandy for the days she worked, on an ad hoc basis at the Judith’s Field caretaker’s daily rate. This was AGREED. She would be required to present the Town Council with an invoice, which would be paid in arrears.
10/107.3 CLLR PAULEY presented a report on the recent 800 Committee meeting. He clarified the position regarding a community café and confirmed the Senior Citizens Club would be approached with a view to allowing the Town Hall to be used as a community café at weekends, when not in use by themselves.

CLLR BUTCHER asked how the Twinning Association could get involved in the 800 celebrations as they were keen to be represented. CLLR PAULEY suggested they contact Stephen Spencer, Chairman of the Community Association.

10/108 COUNCILLORS RESPONSIBILITIES/PORTFOLIOS

THE MAYOR stated that as 4 Cllrs were missing, it would not be appropriate to change any Cllrs portfolios, but he asked all Cllrs to consider what they would like to keep, what they would like to change, what they would like to be involved in and to send him an email to confirm this. THE MAYOR appreciated several Cllrs worked full time, but he would appreciate a more even distribution of responsibility. Town Clerk would email all to ensure those not present were aware of this request.

CLLR Ms MIDDLETON expressed her view that all Cllrs should be active and productive and get involved in the work of the Town Council more fully.

MISCELLEANOUS

CLLR RICHARDSON said he would present an update at the next Town Council meeting on the work of LINK.

CLLR WILSON advised that CLLR PAULEY, CLLR Ms MIDDLETON and he himself were taking part in the Godmanchester in Bloom Open Garden afternoon on 20th June. Everyone invited to visit these gardens and many more.

CLLR BUTCHER provided an update on recent Twinning events, which had received good feedback.

The Town Clerk asked CLLR PAULEY to liaise with her regarding the next “meet your Cllrs” session.

CLLR Ms MIDDLETON reminded all that the next working party for Judith’s Field facilities would be held on 22nd June at 7.30pm. All Cllrs invited to attend.

CLLR Ms MIDDLETON asked that articles for the next Town Council newsletter be submitted to her as soon as possible for production of a newsletter late in July.

CLLR PAULEY read a statement in order to clarify the misunderstanding at last week’s meeting in relation to the item on location of the disabled parking bay. He asked that it be minuted – that since joining the town council, it has always been his intention to serve the community to the best of his abilities. CLLR Pauley stated that he did not represent any political party and therefore had no agenda other than to achieve what he felt was best for the community as a whole.
He reminded members that this is an apolitical democratic council that should be as transparent as possible to the public that it serves.

CLLR TAYLOR advised an evaluation request on the Play Pathfinder Project had been received from CCC. He was meeting with all four schools that had been involved in the project and would complete the evaluation and ensure a copy was kept on file.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 15 JULY 2010 IN THE TOWN HALL

The meeting ended at 10.25pm Mayor

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