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 NOVEMBER 2007

PRESENT: M COHEN Town Mayor,
Councillors: D BROWN, W D BUTTERWORTH, Mrs C A GODLEY, A GOFF,
E KYNOCH, Mrs A M LOOKER, S PRINCE, G WILSON

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

APOLOGIES: Cllrs H R BUTCHER , B HENNESSY, Mrs H HULL, C R HYAMS Deputy Town Mayor
Mrs E TREHARNE-JONES, C VANE PERCY,

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The MAYOR had represented the town on 14 occasions since the last meeting.

The MAYOR advised that the escort to the Mayor of Peterborough had died suddenly. Although unable to attend the funeral, a card expressing the condolences from Godmanchester Town Council had been sent.

THE MAYOR reported that the Boyan Choir would be performing at St Mary the Virgin on Sunday 18th November. The organisers had expressed their thanks to the Town Clerk and Assistant to the Town Clerk for their agreement to sell tickets on their behalf.

THE MAYOR reported the Town Clerk had asked to attend a one-day Basic First Aid for the Appointed Person training course at a cost of £84. This was APPROVED although it was noted that this was not a requirement of the Town Clerk’s position.

THE MAYOR confirmed we do not own a copy of the 1212 Charter or 1604 Charter and a scanned copy of each would cost £97.06. This cost was APPROVED and Town Clerk would confirm our order. Once received it was further AGREED that up to £500 could be spent on suitable frames for both Charters. This cost would depend on final sizes of scanned images and whether or not safety glass would be required.

THE MAYOR thanked all Cllrs who had attended the Remembrance Day Services at the War Memorial at 11am and at Mary the Virgin in the evening. The Town Clerk was asked to note the need to increase the number of Orders of Service for the morning service next year as several people did not have a copy.

CLLR MRS LOOKER arrived at 7.50pm

THE MAYOR advised he would not be present for the meeting in December and offered his apologies.

THE MAYOR asked Cllrs to ratify the change in areas of responsibility for CLLR WILSON and CLLR PRINCE. This was APPROVED. Town Clerk would forward an updated list to all. CLLR WILSON AGREED to retain responsibility for A14 matters.

The Co-op have asked to use the School Hill car park for a Winter themed show to take place on 14 December. This was APPROVED. Town Clerk would ensure the organisers understood all insurances, power supply, appropriate licenses were their responsibility.

THE MAYOR reminded all Cllrs that the Annual Carol Service would take place at 6pm on Wednesday 5th December.

07/078 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2007 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

07/079 MATTERS ARISING

The Town Clerk confirmed the Freemen of Godmanchester would obtain a quotation for the repairs required to the railings along The Avenue.

Consideration was given to the provision of Fishing Platforms. A member required a recorded vote: CLLR KYNOCH and CLLR MRS LOOKER were opposed to the fishing platforms at their suggested location. CLLR D BROWN, CLLR W D BUTTERWORTH, CLLR M COHEN, CLLR MRS C A GODLEY, CLLR A GOFF, CLLR S PRINCE AND CLLR G WILSON supported the provision. Town Clerk would advise the Environment Agency that provision of two platforms was APPROVED. However, as the proposed site is within the conservation area, planning permission would be required. The Environment Agency would also be asked to provide a copy of the risk assessment. The Town Clerk would advise the Environment Agency that should the platforms fall into disrepair in the future, that the Town Council reserved the right to seek their removal.

Consideration was given to the adoption of Standing Orders. CLLR KYNOCH reported there were various rules governing Parish Council’s that we were obliged to follow by law but it was suggested Godmanchester Town Council have all minor, formerly agreed and ongoing agreements put into the form of Standing Orders. Town Clerk would obtain further information from CPALC and all Cllrs would forward any information they had on existing policy to the Town Clerk who would liaise with CLLR KYNOCH.

The Town Clerk confirmed that training on the New Model Code of Conduct would take place on Thursday 24th January 2008.

A quotation had been received from Moore Electrical in respect of replacing the electrical isolation switch at Judith’s Field. It was AGREED a metal door would be required on the brick built unit and Town Clerk would place an order for this door with B E Welding. It was further AGREED that following installation of the metal door, the isolation switch would be replaced. Costs for both jobs were approved subject to a maximum of £700. Town Clerk would follow up with Powergen, replacement of our existing electric meter at Judith’s Field, which is more than 18 years old.

Town Clerk reported that a few headstones at the London Road Cemetery had fallen over. The next of kin would be contacted and asked to undertake repairs, but if this was not possible, it was AGREED the Town Council would undertake the necessary repairs. Town Clerk was also advised that some residents tending graves in the London Road Cemetery were leaving too many mementos and they would be contacted and reminded that it is a lawn cemetery.

CLLR WILSON confirmed the S106 agreement in respect of the development on London Road had not yet been drawn up and signed. He would liaise further with HDC.

07/080 A14

CLLR WILSON reported the Highways Agency decision to follow the Orange Route in respect of improvements to the A14. He suggested we reconsider the option relating to the junction allowing traffic access to and from the West. CLLR MRS LOOKER declared an interest, CLLR MRS GODLEY abstained from voting, CLLR KYNOCH was not in favour, but remaining Cllrs supported the decision to write to the Highways Agency putting forward a case for a half junction. CLLR WILSON would prepare a draft for consideration.

07/081 CORRESPONDENCE (see Appendix A also)

THE MAYOR advised the CAB did not have a Town Council representative at present. CLLR BROWN AGREED to be the Town Council representative. Town Clerk would confirm.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised residents had written to the Town Office on traffic calming matters, parking concerns, provision of bus services and school safety zones. Town Clerk would respond to each resident advising them of action taken.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH confirmed the Rights of Way Officer had written to request permission to clear some ground to create a visibility splay for Public Bridleway 102/2. This was APPROVED.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH reported HDC had offered to assist the Town Council in drawing up a license to allow the Environment Agency an easement over the land for cables from School Hill Car Park to the Lock, pending registration of the Recreation Ground to Godmanchester Town Council.

Correspondence from Fields in Trust was being dealt with by CLLR MRS LOOKER in respect of land at Judith’s Field thought to be covered by an agreement with the National Playing Fields Association. CLLR MRS LOOKER would continue to liaise with CLLR BUTTERWORTH as necessary. Town Clerk’s note: This matter has now been closed and it has been confirmed there is no longer a link between the Town Council and Fields in Trust for any land in Godmanchester.

The Garden of Remembrance in Cambridge Street is currently tended by Fergusons twice a year. It was AGREED to ask Fergusons to undertake one additional visit per annum.

HDC have asked all Town and Parish Councils to identify any land on which affordable housing could be built and also any capital which could be put into such a scheme. Godmanchester Town Council will submit a nil return.

CLLR MRS LOOKER advised Gubbio in Italy who were twinned with Wertheim had invited Huntingdon and Godmanchester to extend their Twinning links to Gubbio. It was AGREED that unless there could be established links with the local primary or secondary schools, this would not be possible. Town Clerk would reply to HGTA.

CLLR MRS LOOKER reported on the recent Inter Town Forum. St Neots, St Ives, Huntingdon and Ramsey are continuing to explore possibilities of improved shared services and will also continue to work on a draft charter. CLLR MRS LOOKER had confirmed Godmanchester was happy with existing arrangements and were not looking to participate at this time.

CLLR MRS GODLEY left at 9.55pm

A resident had raised concerns over the severity of the spring on the church gate in Church Place. It was AGREED to approach Saywells who had installed the gate and the Town Clerk would liaise to resolve the matter. APPROVAL of costs up to £150 was given.

07/082 ACCOUNTS

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED. A petty cash account for the period ending 15th November 2007 was presented to the Council.

CLLR WILSON presented the budget for 2008/2009 and explained how the figures had been obtained. The current contribution to Huntingdon and Godmanchester Twinning Association has been set at £1400 for the past four years and it was AGREED to increase the amount to £1600 for the following four years (2008-2011). Town Clerk would confirm with HGTA.

The budget figures were APPROVED and the Town Council also APPROVED the increase in precept figure from £110,000 to £115000. Town Clerk would submit our request to HDC.

CPALC have finalised the pay settlement for 2007/2008. It was AGREED that with effect from 1 April 2007 the Town Clerk’s rate of pay would increase by 32p per hour and the Town Clerk’s Assistant’s rate of pay would increase by 16p per hour.

CLLR WILSON thanked all those who had attended the Finance Working Party and he was thanked for his hard work and preparation of the Budget.

07/083 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

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

07/084 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS

No reports received.

07/085 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS: not covered by correspondence

MISCELLANEOUS

The Brownies will be planting trees at Judith’s Field on Saturday 24th November at 11am. All Cllrs are invited to join them.

The Town Clerk advised she would not be in the office on Wednesday 28th November.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 13 DECEMBER 2007

The meeting ended at 10.35pm Mayor

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