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.

GODMANCHESTER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE GODMANCHESTER TOWN HALL ON THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2006

PRESENT: H R BUTCHER Town Mayor, M COHEN Deputy Town Mayor
Councillors: W D BUTTERWORTH, Mrs C A GODLEY, A GOFF, B HENNESSY, Mrs H HULL, Mrs A M LOOKER, Mrs E TREHARNE-JONES, G WILSON

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

APOLOGIES: Cllrs C R HYAMS, E KYNOCH,
ABSENT: Cllrs D BROWN, Mrs B MOORE, C VANE PERCY,

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE MAYOR has represented the Town on 8 occasions since the last meeting, the DEPUTY MAYOR on 3 occasions.

THE MAYOR gave his thanks to those Cllrs who had attended the Memorial Services at the War Memorial and St Mary’s Church. Both were well attended by the public especially by Youth Organisations at the War memorial. THE MAYOR thanked Sue Williams, sister of the Mace Bearer, who although only visiting for the weekend, stood in at the last moment to play the Last Post and Reveille. The Town Clerk has sent a letter of thanks. Finally THE MAYOR thanked the Town Clerk and Clergy for well organised events. CLLR MRS LOOKER also offered a vote of thanks.

CLLR MRS HULL arrived at 7.31pm

THE MAYOR and MAYORESS had attended the Armistice/Veterans Service at the American Cemetery where they laid a wreath from the Town Council and people of Godmanchester.

THE MAYOR and MAYORESS and the Twinning Association had been to Szentendre to commemorate the 1956 uprising in Hungary. A number of events were attended including planting a commemorative tree, presentation of awards and unveiling of a commemorative plaque in the Town Hall. Attendance was appreciated by the Mayor and Council and all had been warmly welcomed by the townspeople.

A reminder that this years Christmas Carols would be held on Wednesday 13th December at 6pm outside the QES. Both primary schools would be joining the celebrations to include the switch on of Christmas lights and a visit from Father Christmas.

The Town Clerk would be on holiday on Tuesday 28th November, Friday 1st December and Monday 4th December.

The Mace Bearer was not available for the December meeting, which is scheduled as a public meeting and therefore gowned. It was AGREED that we would dispense with gowns but adjourn the meeting at 9pm for 15 minutes to allow members of the public to speak.

CLLR COHEN arrived at 7.35pm

06/081 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 October 2006 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

06/082 MATTERS ARISING.

The Outstanding Actions List, dated 16 November was reviewed.

The Assistant to the Town Clerk’s computer needed to be replaced. Two quotations had been received, the third company had not responded. AA Computers & Services had provided a quotation in sum of £590. This was APPROVED and the Town Clerk would place an order.

CLLR HENNESSY arrived at 7.37pm

CLLR GOFF confirmed an application had been submitted to BIFFA in respect of a grant towards the cost of the proposed new skate ramps. We should hear in January whether our application is successful.

Graham Campbell Associates have submitted drawings for the footpath improvements suggested for the area around the Church gates. They have advised they believe the project would cost in the region of £3000. It was AGREED that the Town Council would be willing to meet these costs, however, we will submit an application to HDC under the Small Scale Minor Improvement Scheme bids seeking up to 75% of the costs. The Town Clerk would confirm with St Mary’s PCC their approval of the drawings and our intention to seek a grant from HDC.

A further report has been received from the Painting Conservator in relation to previous work undertaken. The Mayor and Town Clerk would follow up on references and also discuss concerns raised by Cllrs, with Ms Woodcock regarding the test piece of work undertaken on the Mayoral Board.

CLLR HENNESSY advised he had not had a response from the Deputy Monitoring Officer at HDC and the adoption of a complaints procedure would be deferred to the next meeting.

06/083 TRAFFIC/SAFETY: WEST STREET/OLD COURT HALL

A resident has raised a complaint regarding traffic using the slip road alongside Old Court Hall. She has witnessed vehicles driving the wrong way down a one way street, vehicles driving too quickly through this narrow slip road and her son has narrowly escaped injury on more than one occasion. Following discussion it was AGREED the Town Clerk would write to residents seeking their views.

06/084 CORRESPONDENCE: See Appendix A

A quotation to paint the walls of the small hall and large hall in the QES in the sum of £1500 was APPROVED. This would be scheduled in conjunction with replacement of the curtains.

Marche de France have contacted the Town Office asking whether Godmanchester would like to provide space for a Normandy Christmas Market visiting next month. Town Clerk would contact the organiser for more information.

Zurich Insurance have written to advise there is insufficient evidence in respect of the claim made by Nokia relating to the crack in their building. The Town Council was asked whether we would remove the trees adjacent to the Nokia site. The Town Clerk would write to advise we would not consider it at this time.

The Standards Board has written to confirm the matter raised by CLLR HYAMS regarding CLLR MRS HULL has been closed. CLLR MRS HULL confirmed she wished CLLR HENNESSY to have a copy of the letter in relation to his development of the Town Council’s complaints procedure.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH had circulated details to Cllrs regarding Tackling Congestion. He would collate all information received in respect of the Highways Agency questionnaire and prepare a response and would also respond to the letter regarding the recent Speed Survey relating to traffic calmed areas, incorporating comments from Cllrs.

CLLR COHEN advised Huntingdon Town Council would be running a course in January 2007 regarding Cemetery Management. It was AGREED the Assistant to the Town Clerk should attend and the cost of £55 was APPROVED.

CLLR COHEN had received a complaint from a resident who was distressed that toys and a pumpkin on her baby’s grave had been seriously damaged. The Town Clerk had apologised for any distress and had made enquiries and raised the matter with the ground maintenance contractor who had not been aware of any accidental damage. CLLR COHEN would visit the resident to follow up this matter. Town Clerk’s Note: CLLR COHEN has now visited the residents to discuss the matter.

06/085 ACCOUNTS.

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED.

06/086 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

CLLR MRS TREHARNE-JONES arrived at 8.33pm

CLLR WILSON outlined the applications set out in Appendix C. The Town Clerk would advise HDC of the Council’s recommendations.

CLLR WILSON advised there would be further consultation in respect of the proposed route for the A14. A public exhibition would take place in the QES on 14th December. CLLR WILSON confirmed he would attend the advance presentation at HDC to be held on 30th November

06/087 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS.

CLLR MRS GODLEY reported the PCSO open surgery arranged through Neighbourhood Watch had had to be cancelled.

CLLR MRS GODLEY advised the public consultation on the A14 route to be held in Huntingdon had been changed from 12 December to 11 January. Details would be published.

06/088 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS : not covered by correspondence

CLLR MRS TREHARNE JONES advised 2 additional companies had been asked to provide a quote for provision of play equipment: swings at Judith’s Field and toddler equipment at Coronation Walk. Fergusons have been asked to provide a quotation for provision of turf and levelling the surface at the Coronation Walk play area. This would be brought to the next meeting.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

CLLR MRS HULL had spoken to Inspector Pickles regarding a Police Drop In session which was not viable at this time. CLLR MRS HULL will liaise further with PC John Windley.

CLLR HENNESSY was concerned at the lack of Police response to a resident who had been attacked when leaving his vehicle to remove an obstruction in the road. CLLR MRS HULL will follow this matter up.

CLLR MRS GODLEY left at 8.52pm

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 21 DECEMBER 2006

The meeting ended at 8.53 pm Mayor

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