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 19 OCTOBER 2006

PRESENT: H R BUTCHER Town Mayor, M COHEN Deputy Town Mayor
Councillors: D BROWN, W D BUTTERWORTH, B HENNESSY, Mrs H HULL, C R HYAMS, E KYNOCH, Mrs A M LOOKER, Mrs B MOORE, Mrs E TREHARNE-JONES

Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

APOLOGIES: Cllrs Mrs C A GODLEY, A GOFF, C VANE PERCY, G WILSON

1 member of the public was present

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE MAYOR has represented the Town on 8 occasions since the last meeting, the DEPUTY MAYOR on 3 occasions and CLLR MRS LOOKER on 1 occasion.

THE MAYOR thanked everyone for their co-operation on attending the meeting early to consider Planning matters and to CLLR BROWN for taking the lead in CLLR WILSON’s absence.

THE MAYOR and MAYORESS would be visiting Szentendre to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the uprising over the weekend of 21/22 October. The Town Clerk would be on holiday from 21 – 30 October and production of the minutes will therefore be delayed.

THE MAYOR reminded all Councillors about the Remembrance Day Parade. Councillors should meet at the Town Hall, Gowned. We will depart at 10.45am.

THE MAYOR reminded everyone that emails should be used to pass information between fellow Councillors and for discussion of Council issues but should not contain personal comments.

An early notice 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. CLLR KYNOCH was asked to purchase sweets.

THE MAYOR advised the Town Clerk’s Assistant had experienced a problem with his computer and a temporary repair to the hard disk had been undertaken. The Town Clerk would approach a Data Recovery Service in the hope that some information could be retrieved.

06/074 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2006 were APPROVED and signed as a complete and accurate record.

06/075 MATTERS ARISING.

The Outstanding Actions List, dated 17 August was reviewed.

Town Councillor visiting cards were considered. CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised of an alternative source. The Town Clerk would look into the alternatives.

The Town Clerk had obtained 3 quotations for provision of curtains in both halls in the QES. The Town Clerk was also asked to obtain further information and to approach the Friends of QES to determine whether they would contribute to the costs.

CLLR GOFF has not had time to complete the application for a BIFFA grant in respect of the skateramp. THE MAYOR will undertake the initial completion which needs to be submitted by 20th November.

All tenants at Chord Business Park have been advised that the car park at Judith’s Field is for use by users of the Judith’s Field facilities only. In addition, the Town Clerk would have a sign made and installed to re-inforce parking restrictions.

CLLR HENNESSY had presented details of a draft complaints procedure to all Cllrs for consideration. It was AGREED Cllrs would submit any comments to CLLR HENNESSY before the next meeting.

CLLR MRS TREHARNE JONES was thanked for purchasing and planting bulbs and evergreen plants for the two Town Planters.

Campbell Rees have been asked to draw up specifications and drawings in respect of footpath improvements by the Church gate. If a guideline cost can be obtained, a bid can be made under Small Scale Environmental Improvement Schemes. This must be submitted by 24 November.

06/076 CORRESPONDENCE: See Appendix A

Wicksteed Leisure have presented a quotation for play equipment. CLLR MRS TREHARNE JONES will follow up to obtain two further comparative quotations.
This expenditure has been set aside for the next financial year.
It was AGREED that the maintenance for play equipment in Coronation Walk could go ahead at a cost of £201. Town Clerk would confirm details with Wicksteed.

CLLR MRS TREHARNE-JONES left at 8.50pm

THE MAYOR advised further correspondence had been received from CCC regarding the Stopping Up Order confirming that CCC did not consider they were liable for any of Mr Fechter’s costs.

The Senior Citizens Club are currently being charged for 2 water meters for the Town Hall. They have requested permission to re-route pipework to enable Anglian Water to disconnect one meter and thereby reduce the standing charges. It was AGREED the Town Council had no objection providing building regulations were met and the Conservation Officer was consulted.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH advised dog control provisions of the Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act are now in place. The Town Clerk would write to HDC to confirm we wish HDC to be responsible for all Dog Control Orders and to request that proposed new developments and also the football ground be included in the area covered.

The draft letter prepared by CLLR BUTTERWORTH regarding the HDC Conservation Area Management Plan was APPROVED. Town Clerk to send to HDC.

CLLR MRS MOORE reported on the Finance Working Party which had taken place the previous week. It was AGREED the Town Clerk would be paid for attending the Extraordinary Town Council Meeting held on 18 October 2006 and she would also receive payment for mileage.

It was AGREED to appoint Sally Woodcock to undertake the work to improve the Mayoral Board at a cost of up to £6502. Town Clerk would obtain further details of insurance cover required for the duration of the work.

It was PROPOSED and AGREED that the charges made to the Allotment Association would be increased by £50 per annum effective from April 2007, following the increase of £75 per annum charged to the Town Council by the Church Commissioners.

It was suggested that the Town Council should have a Town Councillor as a representative on the Picnic in the Park Committee. CLLR BROWN was willing to take on this role. Town Clerk will liaise with the Committee.

A suggestion had been made that the Town Council should produce and distribute a regular newsletter informing residents of the work undertaken by the Town Council. CLLR HYAMS agreed to take on this task. He will investigate options regarding distribution and it was AGREED the first issue should be distributed prior to the Annual Town Meeting held early in April.

Following preparation of a budget for 2007/2008 CLLR MRS MOORE recommended the precept remain at £110,000. It was AGREED that the Town Clerk would submit our request for this sum.

CLLR HYAMS proposed a vote of thanks to CLLR MRS MOORE for her continued hard work in respect of the Town Council’s finances. This was unanimous.

06/077 ACCOUNTS.

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED.

The Town Clerk presented a copy of the quarterly bank reconciliation for all Councillors.

06/078 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

CLLR HYAMS declared an interest in all planning matters. CLLR BROWN outlined the applications and correspondence set out in Appendix C which were considered. The Town Clerk would advise HDC of the Council’s recommendations.

Further concern was expressed regarding the overnight parking in Roman Way. The Town Clerk would write to the Management Company to seek their support in placing restrictive notices on Roman Way.

06/079 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS.

CLLR HYAMS advised he is pursuing the issue of a crossing adjacent to the Depot in Godmanchester.

CLLR HYAMS updated those present on the ongoing discussions regarding the Community Swimming Pool.

CLLR HYAMS advised Development Control is changing. CLLR BROWN had attended a workshop on the Local Development Framework. He will provide a summary for all Cllrs.

06/080 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS : not covered by correspondence

The next Youth Focus Group will be held on 29 November at 3.30pm at Judith’s Field. CLLR MRS LOOKER would seek further information about a Police drop-in session which she understood was operating in a neighbouring parish.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Town Clerk to chase Traffic Division for a review on the traffic calming installed in Godmanchester.

Town Clerk to chase Operations regarding litter bins on The Avenue.

CLLR BUTTERWORTH stated the change of decision regarding the format of the letter to Young Lives was completely unacceptable. He stressed decisions taken at a Town Council meeting were binding and he wished his objections and concerns recorded.

CLLR BROWN confirmed he was refurbishing the “Top Hat” of the play equipment at Judith’s Field. He would also investigate the whereabouts of the gate which seems to be missing.

Use of Judith’s Field for the annual Bonfire Night celebrations was APPROVED.

An approach had been made by Friends of QES and also Senior Citizens regarding financial support for the provision of refreshments at the Carol Service. Town Clerk would advise both organisations APPROVAL had been given in principle.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 16 NOVEMBER 2006

The meeting ended at 10.55 pm Mayor

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