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.

PRESENT: H R BUTCHER, Town Mayor, M COHEN Deputy Town Mayor
Councillors: D BROWN, W D BUTTERWORTH, Mrs C A GODLEY, A GOFF, L HOLGATE, Mrs H HULL, E KYNOCH, Mrs B MOORE, Mrs E TREHARNE-JONES,
Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

APOLOGIES: Cllrs: J COXHEAD, C R HYAMS, Mrs A M LOOKER,
ABSENT: Cllr C VANE PERCY
There were no members of the public present.

TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS.

The MAYOR advised that he had represented the Town on 7 occasions since the last meeting. The DEPUTY MAYOR had represented the Town on 3 occasions since the previous meeting.

The MAYOR thanked Councillors and members of the public who had attended
The Remembrance Day Parade and Church Service. It was nice to see them so well supported.

Cllr KYNOCH arrived at 7.34pm
Cllr Mrs TREHARNE-JONES arrived at 7.35pm

Christmas Carols and switching on of the lights is to take place on Saturday 17th December at 6.30pm. All Councillors are invited to take part.

Cllr Mrs LOOKER and Cllr Mrs TREHARNE-JONES had represented the Council on 5th November when they judged the guys competition.

Cllr Mrs MOORE arrived at 7.38pm

05/075 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2005 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

05/076 MATTERS ARISING.

The Outstanding Actions List, dated 17 November 2005 was reviewed.

The replacement lights have been received from Gala Lights. Moore Electrical advised that there was no satisfactory way of fixing the items to the building despite advice from Gala Lights. Installation has been postponed while alternative fixings are investigated. In the meantime, Moore Electrical will still repair the 2 security lights.

05/077 CORRESPONDENCE.

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

The request for permission for Geocaching on the Recreation Ground was discussed. It was AGREED that a 6 month trial for this activity be permitted subject to the organiser having appropriate insurance cover. Town Clerk will also advise the organiser that access for vehicles is restricted. Three Cllrs voted against this proposal and Cllr KYNOCH wished to be named.

Confirmation has been received that all rainwater gullies have been added to a schedule and should be attended to by the County Council’s gully-emptying contractor.

Residents in properties along the footpath between The Stiles and Pipers Lane will be contacted by the County Council advising them to cut back their overhanging foliage. The light cannot be moved as it would not re-direct light to where it is needed, but could be repositioned when the light column is due for renewal.

A quotation has been received from Town and Country flooring in respect of the floor damage caused when slates were dislodged from the roof on the QES allowing water to run down the inside wall of the building. The repairs to the roof have been undertaken and the incident reported to the Police who have provided a Crime Reference Number. It was PROPOSED that we wait a further month, as the raised floor, does seem to be settling. Town Clerk to contact our insurers to advise of a possible future claim. Town Clerk to ensure all hirers of hall are aware of the existing problem with the floor.

The Town Clerk advised that replies had been received from Copleys and Hunnybun & Sons (Solicitors) confirming that our property has been registered. A reply has been sent to the Land Registry confirming we have no further property requiring registration.

BT has written agreeing to retain the public payphone on The Causeway opposite the One Stop shop. They will continue to monitor use. The payphone at the junction of Roman Way and London Road will be removed. Cllr BUTTERWORTH declared an interest in the latter payphone.

05/078 ACCOUNTS.

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED.

05/079 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE.

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

05/080 DISTRICT COUNCIL REPORTS.

Cllr Mrs GODLEY advised the Town Council of the District Council’s offer to carry out collections of bulk refuse items in addition to normal refuse collections at cost. It was AGREED to go ahead with this initiative subject to confirmation of details as to how this will be publicised, who will advertise the scheme, and a plan for collections.

Cllr Mrs GODLEY advised she had received a response from the Police regarding recent incidents at Judith’s Field. The Town Council DECIDED that the Town Clerk should write to Police Headquarters to obtain a formal response on the incident.

Cllrs were advised of the preparations being made locally for any avian flu pandemic.

Cllr Mrs GODLEY had received confirmation that the Police would not divert heavy vehicles over Godmanchester Town Bridge in future.

05/081 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS.

Finance. Cllr Mrs MOORE advised that the Finance WP had met and a budget and precept for the forthcoming year were presented. The Town Council ACCEPTED the proposals and it was AGREED the Town Clerk would submit the precept request for £110,000.

Two organisations have asked whether they can pay their invoices to us through the BACS system. The Town Clerk had been advised this would be advisable as a charge is levied for each cheque we pay into our account and no charge is made for receipt of BACS payments. It was AGREED that those wishing to pay us through BACS could do so.

Another small window has been broken at Judith’s Field. The Town Clerk obtained a cost to replace all remaining small glass windows with plastic. To replace 10 windows would cost £265, which would represent a substantial saving on the individual cost per window. It was AGREED to go ahead and replace all windows.

The Town Office photocopier has developed intermittent faults and the service agreement has expired. It was AGREED that it would be preferable to purchase a new machine rather than take out a further expensive service agreement. APPROVAL to spend up to £300 was given.

Cemetery. Cllr COHEN reported that the London Road Cemetery would need an area developing to the West, fairly soon. Information has been received from Huntingdon Town Council who have also provided a name of someone to contact to provide a quotation. It was AGREED that the Town Clerk should request costings.

Environment. In his role as Chair of the Environment WP, the MAYOR discussed correspondence received during the month. A resident had written regarding traffic using the slip road in Old Court Hall. A copy of the reply from Cambridgeshire County Council advising that closing the road was not viable and that traffic calming was not advisable, had also been received. We are guided by the advice from the Police and County Council and Town Clerk would acknowledge receipt of the letter.

A proposal from Hilton Parish Council suggesting all Councils affected by the realignment of the A14 should get together was discussed. The Town Council DECIDED that it had put its case forward and was content with the current proposals. Town Clerk to advise Hilton Parish Council that Godmanchester Town Council did not wish to become involved

Cllr Mrs GODLEY left at 9.40pm

Emma Murden, Project Manager, Cambridgeshire County Council has written to confirm the intention to consult with the residents of 18-25 East Chadley Lane on the footway improvements.

Cllr BROWN advised of a fallen tree on the Recreation Ground, which could be considered dangerous. The MAYOR will investigate.

Flood Defences. There had been no meeting of the WP.

Health & Safety. The Town Clerk reported that the training course attended by her and the Town Clerk’s Assistant had been very useful. The Asset Register and template for building checks was still being produced. The Caretaker at Judith’s Field has been issued with a personal alarm, and the Town Clerk will determine whether the Caretaker has a mobile phone.

Judith’s Field. Further to the proposal to protect the building from damage, HDC had proposed an alternative method using landscaping. Cllr GOFF aired an alternative proposal for the long-term future of Judith’s Field. It was DECIDED that these matters, and all issues relating to Judith’s Field, were best discussed at a Judith’s Field WP meeting. It was AGREED to have the Judith’s Field WP meeting after the next Planning WP meeting and that both meetings should be held at Judith’s Field. Cllr GOFF will obtain two further estimates for the landscaping proposal to be considered at the next WP meeting.

Cllr Mrs TREHARNE-JONES left at 10.15pm

Other Representative Groups/Twinning/Youth Focus Group.

Youth Focus. Cllr Mrs HULL made Cllrs aware of a report from the Youth Worker. It was DECIDED to retain funding for the Youth project and £1000 is set aside for this financial year and £5,000 is budgeted for 2006. Town Clerk was asked to follow up the outside storage issue at Judith’s Field.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

The Mayoral Board is deteriorating. Town Clerk to request update from Cllr VANE-PERCY regarding refurbishment programme for the Mayoral Board. The MAYOR will take photographs of the Board so a record of all names and dates is not lost.

Appraisal of Godmanchester’s Traffic Calming Scheme: All Cllrs are asked to deliver any comments and feedback on the scheme to the MAYOR who will report back at the next meeting.

The Town Clerk was asked to contact the District Conservation Officer regarding the proposed plans for a disabled access ramp at the entrance to the Town Hall

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 15 DECEMBER 2005 AND WILL BE GOWNED.

The meeting ended at 10.38 pm Mayor

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