MINUTES OF THE FAIRFORD TOWN COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 12TH APRIL 2006 IN FAIRFORD COMMUNITY CENTRE The Town Mayor Mrs Christine Roberts presided over a meeting of approximately 35 residents and 10 members of the Town Council: Cllrs Howard Dowler, Paul Fisher, Nigel Gibbs, Martin Harwood, Trevor Hing, Freda Lang, John Morgan, Greg Phillips, Ivor Price and Chris Roberts. District Councillor Malcolm Berry and Tom Shepherd from the Wilts & Glos Standard were in attendance.
Apologies: County Councillor Theodoulou, Town Councillors Bart Borchardt, Maurice Jones and David Nelmes; Rev Brian Atkinson, PC Jon Palfrey and Mrs Suzanne Jones.
MINUTES OF LAST ANNUAL TOWN MEETING OF 13 APRIL 2005,
having been circulated, were accepted (proposed by Cllr Dowler and seconded by Cllr Gibbs) as a true and accurate record of the proceedings.
230/06-7 Declarations of Interest in Items on the Agenda
None declared.
PRESENTATION OF FAIRFORD YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 2006
This year 2 nominations had been received: Todd Hathaway and James Skinner and it had been accepted that they share the award.
In all weathers, they help with coaching sessions for Primary School pupils after school, giving up their own time to pass on their love and knowledge of football to the up-and-coming generation.
REPORT FROM THE TOWN MAYOR
The Town Mayor reported a particularly interesting year with many contentious issues arising.
Fairford has rarely been out of the limelight – national and local television, radio and the local press.
The beginning of September 2005 saw the first of the problems when rumours about changes for the hospital materialized with the removal of the beds and the hospital virtually closed; the fight is by no means over, although the future does look bleak.
Issues about composting facilities at Sunhill are being watched with a keen eye: one application has been allowed for the composting of green waste for a temporary two year period and another application for composting mixed organic waste was argued over. Whilst the Town Council is not directly affiliated to the Sunhill Action Group, it is not happy about the composting facility for mixed organic waste so close to Fairford, without proof that it is not harmful to the environment or to the community. More accurate figures are needed about the number of extra heavy lorries that could be using our narrow country roads.
Plans for the proposed holiday development on Lakes 103, 103A and 104 had been submitted to CDC, and when an outstanding report is to hand the planning application process will start again.
Good news came in the form of a Heritage Lottery Fund Grant for the Community Centre. In December, 2005, nearly £700k was awarded to the renovation project - a major achievement for our small town and congratulations were extended to the whole Project Team, led by Cllr Trevor Hing, and for all the hard work put in by so many over the past years.
The much needed and overdue flooding alleviation and sewage work commenced in January 2006 and will relieve residents in Moor Lane and Milton Street. However residents in Horcott and workers at the Industrial Estate were thanked for their patience during the road closure.
Fairford Primary School has been put into ‘special measures’ but the school will now receive help in the way of advice, extra personnel and finance to help them improve. The staff and Governors will support the School’s attempts to turn this situation around.
A Festival Market is planned for the Fairford Festival for the first time – similar to the Christmas Festive Market – on Saturday 3 June in the Walnut Tree Field.
Fairford Playing Fields Ltd have seen a number of positive changes – taking on a new look with financial help from the Town Council.
As well as the Monday Youth Club run by Gloucestershire County Council, two new youth groups have been set up: the Friday Club for younger children run by Julie Hedges and The Box on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons set up by Trevor Hing and John Read.
Considerable change in the community - i.e. Market Place alterations, Dilly’s Bridge, new businesses, extra lighting in the Car Park, High Street and Market Place, plus cctv coverage – your Council have made these decisions to do the best for the whole community which they represent.
Saturday Council surgeries are held monthly and feedback is encouraged from the community.
Thanks were extended to the Deputy Mayor and all the Councillors, Council staff, the Community Centre Project Team and to Albert Alder, who does a marvellous job in keeping Fairford looking great. The Mayor also thanked members of the media, who have followed the breaking stories in Fairford.
REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR MALCOLM BERRY
Waste recycling – the increase in the district to 38% of waste recycled makes CDC a leader in the country!
Housing allocations – more weight is to be given to people with local connections (the balance will be looked at carefully over the next year).
Council Tax – the increase of 2.5% represents a percentage reduction in the increase this year: the aim is to bring the Council Tax in line with the increase in pensions gradually.
Cotswold Leisure Centre – the appearance of the new facility is stunning and the quality is excellent, as witnessed by £12,000 revenue in the first week. If targets are met, the Centre will prove financially sound.
Green Wheelie Bins for garden waste collection have proved to be a good project overall.
Street sweeping – this now takes place three times a year, and will, hopefully, reduce flooding.
Reclassifying the A417 – The County Council is still in discussion with the Government Office for the South West, but a weight limit on the A417 is being proposed.
REPORT FROM COUNTY CLLR RAYMOND THEODOULOU
Cllr Berry read the Report:
County Council elections – Conservative majority returned by a small margin in 2005. New administration policies included: maintenance of public security; more for the elderly and disadvantaged; devote more resources to the secondary road system and restrain growth in Council Tax. During the year progress in fulfilling these policies has been made.
Glos Police partnership to provide 63 full time and new police officers in Gloucestershire.
An extra £7m to the Social Service Budget to improve domestic services for the elderly and disadvantaged; £5m for each of the next 4 years to the road maintenance budget for secondary roads; reduce annual costs and non-essential expenditure by about £13m, out of a budget of £550m, to meet these new obligations.
Waste disposal – many participated in public discussion, and a plan was formulated to build a waste disposal plant in Gloucestershire, at a cost in excess of £400m, but after scrutiny it was clear that it could cost in excess of £900m, so the project was terminated. Meanwhile £1.5m was set aside for 3 years to find and evaluate sustainable sites in order to cut the amount of material going to landfill.
Cllr Theodoulou has opposed the location of the green and mixed organic composting facilities at Sunhill; he has supported the Action Group both at CDC and GCC. The future of the project still hangs in the balance, but material progress was made when the Planning Inspectorate found against the application – a major reason given being the inadequacy of the access route for heavy lorries.
The GCC NHS Scrutiny Committee has supported the Fairford Hospital Action Group in opposing the closure of beds. A letter of objection had been written to the Minister. The Action Group is now considering alternative ways of procuring health facilities needed by residents of Fairford. Tribute to Mayor Chris Roberts, whose efforts have been as tireless as they have been heroic.
Planning – decisions must protect the character and appearance of our environment.
ADDRESS FROM COL PAUL WUEBOLD
The past eleven months had been very rewarding with his whole family being involved in community events. The wonderful weather for the RIAT in 2005 produced more crowds and inevitably more traffic – all dealt with successfully. The recent exercises had been carried out well with quiet hours being adhered to on the Base as far as possible. The Operation Bolthole went very well and he apologised for the odd times when flights were outside the time schedule. The 500 personnel from Brize Norton had been well behaved. The existing Air Base personnel had enjoyed being involved with community tasks (the litter pick – endeavoring to keep a beautiful place beautiful!) Staff at the Base have also enjoyed helping with the meals for the Pensioners.
ADDRESS FROM SQN LDR WILL WAIN
Reported that there will be two Collective Training exercises in the spring and autumn. With these exercises it is envisaged that during the 4-6 week period approximately 1,300 extra personnel and 250/300 vehicles will be in the area. Following the build up period the personnel will be confined to the Base; but small groups will be allowed off Base at different times = to see the beauty of the area, with an emphasis on respect for the community.
REPORT FROM PC JON PALFREY
Cllr Paul Fisher read the Report from the Police:
The past year has been one of low crime levels overall. The two major incidents of note occurred in the Market Place and took up considerable police time and resources. Crime figures are: violence against the person – 38, 25 detected = 66% detection rate. 5 burglary of dwellings. Criminal damage – 36, 9 detected = overall detection rate is just below 25%.
Streetsafe van patrols regularly visit Fairford on Fridays and Saturday evenings between 8pm and 4am with a remit to address anti-social behaviour and alcohol related offences. With the warmer weather approaching and lighter evenings the Safer Community Team will be carrying out more regular patrols, with specific operations to address the problems of groups of youths gathering in areas such as the playing fields and the car park.
PC George Lager had moved onto firearms enquiries, his role is being covered by PC Jon Palfrey, the Rural Beat Officer for the South Cotswolds. Three designated officers for Fairford are PC Ed Norman, PC Dave Williams and PCSO Paul Hancock.
PRESENTATION OF FAIRFORD CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 2006
There were 7 nominations for Citizen of the Year: Alan Baker, Margaret Bishop, Julie Hedges, David Lawrence, Tim Mowat, John Read and Peter Yells. Cllr Roberts stated that the past year had been especially memorable because of the Community Centre project and the success in receiving a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. Of the 7 nominees a good number were involved with this project, but one person stood out because of her extreme dedication and commitment to the project - Margaret Bishop who was elected Fairford Citizen of the Year 2006. She was nominated not only for being instrumental in gaining the HLF but also securing the initial project planning grant of £37,800 and a further £24,800 for the Fairford History Society: to put on a community play about the history of education in Fairford. Margaret is still working hard to raise another £150k from the Rural Renaissance Fund to finance the new build section. Town Council badges were presented to all the runners-up.
Two other members have also played a very important part in this HLF grant and a special one-off award was made to Tim Mowat and John Read.
REPORT on the Town Council FINANCIAL SUMMARY and REPORT ON FAIRFORD FORWARD – Deputy Mayor CLLR MARTIN HARWOOD
Cllr Harwood stated that the completion of the HealthCheck led to the formation of Fairford Forward, whose Annual General Meeting is on 15 May 2006 in the Community Centre. The Town Council had kept the increase in the precept to 1.5%, through discipline on budgeting. And valuable work by Councillors and partnership with other organizations.
REPORT ON MARKET PLACE PROJECT – CLLR TREVOR HING
Cllr Hing reported that the electrics had been completed, lamppost relocated, anti-skid surface laid and disabled parking slots have been re-aligned, although there were still some issues currently under discussion. Some new down lights had been installed in the Market Place and High Street areas which have much improved visibility. Lighting had also been installed in the Car Park. The cctv system in the Market Place had provided successful footage following a number of incidents in that area and that problems with youths in the bus shelter had been reduced. Future plans for cctv installations at Coln House School are planned, to monitor the junction there with Milton Street and Horcott Road.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY CENTRE – CLLR TREVOR HING
Cllr Hing stated that the achievement in obtaining Heritage Lottery funding of almost £700,000 equates to 66.8% of the eligible project total for the restoration and refurbishment of the Community Centre. It was the culmination of 2 years planning and hard work by the Project Team, and in particular Margaret Bishop. The balance of £348,000 is still needed, and to finance the new build/furnishing and equipment elements requires a further £126,000. Of this £230,000 had already been raised, primarily by the Town Council and St Mary’s Parochial Church Council; a further £143,000 is the costed contribution for voluntary labour – leaving a sum of at least £100,000 needed. The public appeal has raised over £3,000 since the new year and the project team would like to hear from potential benefactors! Further grant aid funding has been applied for, however there was disappointment in not receiving any money from the CDC on the bid for a share of council tax raised on Second Homes. Reg Ellis & Associates, the appointed project leaders, are preparing tenders etc with an expected building start in the autumn of 2006. The building will not be closed, but there will be some disruption and alternative short-term venues will have to be found.
REPORT ON FAIRFORD PLAYING FIELDS LTD – ALISON DUGDALE
Since the current group of volunteers took over the running of the park in 2002, the team finally managed to set up a company structure that has enabled it to move forward and begin to implement the plans drawn up after consultation with the public. The team started work with equipment aimed at older children to help to tackle the problems of vandalism. It also installed CCTV and this has proved successful in attempts to curb acts of vandalism.
Items
Cost (incl. VAT)
Funder
Status
CCTV and Zip wire
£10,500
Fairford Town Council
Installed and paid
Climbing Net and Safety Surface
£5628
Fairford Town Council
Installed and paid
Spinner Safety Surface
£3525
Aggregates Levy Funding (£3506)
Installed and paid
Sand
£260
Rural Initiative Fund
Received
A Health and Safety inspection was commissioned in January, carried out by an independent qualified inspector. The results were predominantly favourable with some areas which needed to be addressed. Any high risk areas have now been addressed and the team were currently working on lower level risks that were highlighted.
The team were now working towards Phase 2 of the project. A grant of £4850 had been received from Awards for All Lottery funding towards the slide and it was hoped to order this in the next few weeks. The team would also make good the area where the slide is currently, and hopes to fill in the dip in the ground where concrete was removed in the past. The Fairford Town Charity has agreed to purchase some seating for the park.
The project had been awarded £15,000 from Gloucestershire Environmental Trust towards the toddler play area and Junior multiplay unit. It was currently applying to the Reaching Communities big Lottery Fund for £35,000 for the rest of the cost. The hope was to purchase all the equipment in one go to take advantage of special discounts.
REPORT ON SKATE RAMP – CLLR FREDA LANG
Cllr Lang stated that the Ernest Cook Trust is still supporting this project. Other sites have been and are being visited and the outcome of these visits will be reported to the Town Council. The project continues.
REPORT ON PLANNING – CLLR JOHN MORGAN
Cllr Morgan reported that 8 major planning issues had been debated over the past year with varying results. Saxon Way outline planning was refused and the application for 33 houses in the area of Lygon Court was withdrawn. Approval was given for development at the Bowling Club and Horcott Industrial Estate. After concerns over archaeological and access retentions, the extension to Horcott Pit was approved. The Agricultural Supply Company’s two remaining applications for composting were still being considered. Additional information was being sought by the CDC from Cygnet Investments for the development of Lakes 103, 103A and 104.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
Q: Council Tax – why is it so high and at all necessary?
A: Fairford Town Council have achieved their aim to keep the increase to 1.5% over 3 years. More businesses are needed in the town.
Q: Is the Town Council keeping an open mind on the proposed Lakes development?
A: The Planning Committee of the Town Council will deal with this application on its merits when it is re-submitted. The Town Council’s original objection still stands, but when more information is to hand the application will be considered again.
Q: Saxon Way development – did the Town Council oppose this development?
A: No, the CDC opposed the application. The CDC planning policy makes provision for up to 50% of new homes being social / affordable housing.
Q: The new Leisure Centre has cost in excess of £7.5m. Has it got plans to recoup some of this?
A: Yes, mainly through St James’s Place Associates (who have bought the site of the old leisure centre).
Q: Pips Field – was this application rejected by the Town Council?
A: No.
Q: Council Tax – costs have doubled in recent years, why?
A: Fairford Town Council has kept its part of the Council Tax the same for the past 3 years. Unfortunately everything costs more each year and has to be paid for.
There being no further business the Mayor thanked everyone for attending and declared the meeting closed at 8.45 pm.
_______________Chairman
_______________ 2007
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