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 23 FEBRUARY 2006

PRESENT: H R BUTCHER Town Mayor, M COHEN Deputy Town Mayor,
Councillors: D BROWN, W D BUTTERWORTH, J COXHEAD, Mrs C A GODLEY, A GOFF, L HOLGATE, E KYNOCH, Mrs A M LOOKER, Mrs E TREHARNE-JONES, C VANE PERCY
Town Clerk: Mrs M LIDDIARD

APOLOGIES: Cllrs: Mrs B MOORE, C R HYAMS
ABSENT: Cllr Mrs H HULL

There were 2 members of the public present.

TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS.

The MAYOR advised that he had represented the Town on 17 occasions since the last meeting. The DEPUTY MAYOR had represented the Town on 2 occasions since the previous meeting. Cllr BUTTERWORTH had represented the Town Council on one occasion.

The MAYOR reported that he had been mis-informed of the cost of preparing a valuation of the Mayoral chain and Mace. Thorough research would be undertaken and a report, certificate and photographs would be provided on both items for the cost of £500. This was APPROVED.

The MAYOR reported that the Town Hall had been broken into last month. A small amount of money had been taken from the Senior Citizens Club and the Town Office had been ransacked. Door frames and damaged locks had been repaired and a pane of glass replaced. In addition, security had been reviewed and additional locks had been put on the main door to the QES and also on the Gents toilet in the Town Hall. The keys for the Yale lock on the QES were strictly limited and could not be copied without the security code.

The MAYOR advised that Godmanchester had hosted the Twinning Business Meeting, which had taken place the previous weekend. He was pleased to report the meeting had gone well and all delegates were happy with the arrangements made.

The MAYOR reminded all Chairs of Working Parties, that their reports would be required for the Town Meeting to take place on 4th April.

The MAYOR also reminded everyone of the Civic Charity Ball, which would take place on 7th April. The two charities that will benefit from the proceeds are MAGPAS and East Anglia Air Ambulance. He asked everyone to give their support this worthwhile event.

The MAYOR further reminded all Councillors that he would not be standing for the role of Mayor once his term concluded in May. The consequences of not having a Mayor were put to the meeting.

The MAYOR had received a letter of resignation from Cllr HOLGATE who will be leaving Godmanchester for pastures new. His resignation was with immediate effect. A vote of thanks was given to Cllr HOLGATE for his outstanding efforts particularly as Chair of the Planning Working Party.

06/001 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.

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

06/002 MATTERS ARISING.

The Outstanding Actions List, dated 19 January 2006 was reviewed.

Cllr VANE PERCY had prepared a draft sketch for the proposed works to improve the uneven ground at the gate entrance to St Mary’s Church. The sketch was APPROVED and Cllr VANE PERCY will now prepare a specification.

The Town Clerk advised that moving the 7.5t sign adjacent to the entrance to Roman Way was not a straight forward matter. The Town Clerk would approach HDC to determine when Roman Way is expected to become an adopted road.

Community Services have agreed to undertake ad hoc litter picks in Godmanchester. They are also keen to become involved in small projects and it was suggested they could be approached to repaint the railings around the War Memorial and along The Avenue. Town Clerk would contact the Project Supervisor.

Cllr Mrs LOOKER and Cllr BUTTERWORTH will liaise with the Town Clerk to provide appropriate wording for a plaque for David Comben. It was AGREED that his wife would also be included in the memorial.

It was AGREED that Cllr VANE PERCY would liaise with Campbell Rees with regard the specification to be provided in respect of the disabled access to the Town Hall.

The sign saying Welcome to Godmanchester has been installed. However, Szentendre has been mis-spelt. Town Clerk would write to Malcolm Lane to rectify.

8.12PM CLLR MRS TREHARNE-JONES ARRIVED

06/003 CORRESPONDENCE.

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

Copies of the new mobile library routes and times have been placed on the notice board and further copies taken to the care homes, chemist and bread shop.

Thistle Security has provided quotations for the following items: a movement sensor to be installed in the kitchen of the Town Hall £65.00. An additional camera to cover the rear of the Town Hall £272.72. An additional alarm bell called a Master Blaster, to be installed at the front of the Town Hall £183.72. A digital recorder to replace the video cctv recorder £685.00. Security of the Town Hall was discussed and it was AGREED it would be preferable to have the Master Blaster inside the building rather than externally. Town Clerk would make enquiries to determine whether this was possible. It was APPROVED that up to £1500 could be spent on these security improvements.

Jacowe Joinery has provided a quotation for the provision of secondary glazing to the Town Hall Kitchen. It was AGREED to accept the quotation for £947 from Jacowe. Town Clerk to write and confirm.

Moore Electrical has provided a quotation for the supply and fitting of two new sodium lamps, one on the QES and one at the rear of the Town Hall. It was AGREED to accept the quotation for £480. Town Clerk to write and confirm.

The Tourist Information Centre have acknowledged our letter and confirmed that when the Centre closes, street signs directing members of the public will be removed.

CCC has acknowledged the Town Council’s comments on traffic calming. They will undertake a survey in due course and will be in contact with us thereafter.

Notification of gas price increases has been received. Cllr BUTTERWORTH requested that the Town Clerk provide information about overheads for both QES and Judith’s Field for discussion at the next Finance Working Party.

06/004 ACCOUNTS.

The accounts set out in Appendix B were APPROVED.

06/005 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.

06/006 DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORTS.

Cllr Mrs GODLEY raised an issue from residents of Duck End. The rear of the property backs onto Buttermel and the complaint relates to the piece of land between their boundary and the shrubs planted and maintained by the Town Council. Because the resident only has a sparse hedge, he is regularly disturbed by youths using the aforementioned land for camping or as a meeting place. After discussion, it was AGREED that the gap must be left to facilitate maintenance of the shrubs but there was no objection to the resident putting up a chicken wire fence and filling in the gaps in his own hedge with quick growing and perhaps prickly plants. Cllr Mrs GODLEY will advise the residents accordingly.

06/007 WORKING PARTY (WP) REPORTS.

Cemetery. Cllr COHEN has now received a quotation from Mr Childs. A reply had also been received from Mr Smith. Town Clerk would obtain a 3rd quotation.

Environment. The MAYOR reported that following installation of signs in all play areas, advising parents of intended age groups for the play equipment, he had looked into the options of providing further play equipment for the pre-school age group. Two schemes were considered and it was AGREED in principle to proceed. The MAYOR would seek further advice from Wicksteed Leisure and detailed costs to provide and install either of the schemes.

Cllr Mrs GODLEY left at 9.30pm

A letter had been received from a resident regarding removal of the seats along The Avenue. The Town Clerk had replied, stating that they had been replaced mainly for health and safety reasons. It was reported that there had been more compliments than complaints received regarding the new seating.

The MAYOR reported that pruning of shrubs in Buttermel and Devana had now taken place. This task is included in the contract as of 1st April 2006.

It was AGREED that the Annual Litter Pick would take place on SATURDAY 29TH APRIL. Everyone invited to attend. The event will be advertised.

Recent vandalism at Judith’s Field was discussed. The shiplap cladding is beyond repair and needs replacing. A quotation from Ashley & Foster was discussed and APPROVAL to meet the cost of £578 quoted was given. Cllr BROWN stated he may be able to undertake the work and he would liaise with Town Clerk regarding a timescale for completing this work. If unable to carry out this work, Town Clerk would contact Ashley & Foster.

Finance. There had been no meeting of the WP but it was agreed that the next meeting would take place on TUESDAY 7TH MARCH 2006 at 4 CROWHILL.

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

Health & Safety. Drafts of the checklists had been passed to Cllr Mrs TREHARNE-JONES for comment. Town Clerk’s Assistant was working on the revised schedules.

Property/Judith’s Field. There are still problems with one of the lights at Judith’s Field. Town Clerk to hasten repair.

Other Representative Groups/Twinning/ Youth Initiative.

Cllr Mrs LOOKER reported that a meeting, organised by the Police, was taking place the following day for under 18s only.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

Following Cllr HOLGATE’S resignation, a new Chair was required for the Planning Working Party. Cllr COXHEAD volunteered to take on the role. He was thanked by The MAYOR and assured he would have support from his fellow Cllrs.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 16 MARCH 2006 AND WILL BE GOWNED.

The meeting ended at 10.00 pm Mayor

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