|
116 09/10 MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON 8TH DECEMBER 2009
Present: Cllr Cusack (Chair) Cllr Frank (part) Cllr Winney(part)
Cllr Boulton Cllr M Jones Cllr S Jones
Cllr Wardle Cllr Fisher Cllr Mumford
Cllr Harwood Cllr Hing In Attendance: Vanessa Lawrence (Clerk) 5 members of the public, Penny Ibbotson (Deputy Clerk – part)
255 09/10 To receive the Declaration of Acceptance of Office from Caroline Mumford Caroline Mumford’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed
256 09/10 Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs S & C Roberts and County Cllr R Theodoulou 257 09/10 Declarations of Interest in Items on the Agenda
Item 276 – Cllr Fisher – personal interest
Item 281 – Cllr Fisher – personal interest 258 09/10 Minutes
To approve the minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 10th November 2009 (pp097-102 09/10)
Line 4 Item 238 – should read “his” concerns……
Line 4 Item 251 – should read “government”
Line 1 Item 224 – should read “ ….dinner at Cllrs own cost…..”
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes with the above amendments. Proposed Cllr
Harwood, seconded Cllr Wardle – 8 in favour, 3 abstentions. 259 09/10 To agree to adjourn the meeting for Public Question Time – there is a 10 minute time limit
It was RESOLVED to adjourn the meeting for Public Question Time, proposed Cllr Hing,
seconded Cllr S Jones – all in favour. Mr Jeanes wanted a reply to a question relating to a subject which was not Council related. The chair advised him of this. Q: Mr Finney asked if the Council could do something about a blocked drain at the junction of Hatherop Lane and A417 .
A: The Clerk advised him that Glos. Highways would be contacted. Cllr Winney arrived. Q: Miss Ferguson asked why was money spent on the “Santa’s Grotto?
A: This was a decision taken by the Council as part of a very popular Community Event, something for the children. Small presents were purchased. 50p was charged for each child who wanted to see Santa, so some of the expenditure would be recouped. Any presents left over would be put to one side for next years events. Santa’s Grotto proved to be very successful, with many children talking to Santa.
Q: Mrs Taylor asked why can’t notices be put on the window of the Council offices and enlarged for sight impaired people to see.
A: Notices were normally put on the lower panes of glass, but in future the Clerk will endeavour to enlarge any notices to A3 size, where possible
117 09/10
260 09/10 To agree to reconvene the meeting following Public Question Time
It was RESOLVED to reconvene the meeting, proposed Cllr Harwood, seconded Cllr Boulton - all in favour.
261 09/10 Chairman’s announcements
* Thanks were extended to all Cllrs and volunteers who helped with the setting up and clearing up of the festive market. Speaking to the market traders some old and some new, all were happy with the turnout and some even ran out of products to sell. The introduction of “Santa’s Grotto” was well received and judging by the numerous comments will be part of future markets. Once again special thanks went to Vanessa and Penny for all their work in the preparation and organisation of this event, which incorporated a change in layout, this together with everyone pulling together in the setting up helped to make this one of the best Festive Markets yet. Albert Alder and the Clerk’s husband,Tony, also contributed to the clearing up at the end of the night and a letter of thanks will be sent to both of them.
* Responses to an invitation from the Mayor to all Cllrs regarding attendance to the Christmas Dinner on the 17th December, was requested, this event is totally at Cllrs own expense Christmas wishes were extended to all. 262 09/10 To consider invitations to meetings (e-mailed)
* CDC – Meetings – December 2009
* Cotswold Leisure Centre – Fairford – Preview evening – 10/12/09 – 5-7pm 263 09/10 To consider correspondence (for information only e-mailed)
* Energy Saving Trust
* Public Service Events
* GMTF – E-bulletin No. 148
* R.Theodoulou – Re: Kemble Line
* Ann Jones – Tree Council
* Press Release from Glos. Police
* Planning Portal e-news
* Rural Services Network- Newsletter
* Lorrywatch News – 5th Edition- Reports had not been submitted. Cllr Winney said that
he would speak to Mr. Morgan about this. ACTION: Cllr Winney
* Philip Cooper – Re: Change in Licensing Law
* LGE – Default Retirement Age
* Leaders Update – Nov. 09
* Glos. Nightstop – It was agreed that this would be included in the Newsletter. ACTION:
Clerk
* NALC – Legal Briefing sheet – 3/9/09
* Letter from Resident to CDC - copied to FTC
* CPRE’s Fieldwork Magazine - in office. 264 09/10 To consider correspondence requiring a reply Report with reference to a recent letter from a member of the public re. complaint
about a Councillor and the reply sent.
Following the complaints procedure Section 6 (e) & (f). A letter of complaint about said Cllr was received from a member of the public, the
issues contained within the letter related to a matter over which the Council as a whole has no power or jurisdiction and therefore there was no merit in presenting it to the Council for discussion. This was a request for the Council to seek the resignation of said Councillor. The letter was addressed to the Mayor. For information: A local authority cannot compel one of its members to resign, and even a vote of no confidence passed by an authority would not be guaranteed to secure a resignation – such a course of action is solely at the behest of the individual Councillor.
118 09/10
The complainant was advised that should he or indeed any member of the public or Councillor in an individual capacity, wish to make a complaint they are at liberty to do so and that this should be referred to the Standards Committee at Cotswold District Council. Before the letter was sent to the complainant, the Clerk approached the Legal Department at CDC, a draft copy of the letter was sent to them for confirmation of the details contained therein and was duly approved.
265 09/10 To consider report from District Cllr
* Business Rates
Many Cotswold businesses have been re-rated and some rateable values have increased enormously. CDC has no say and plays no part whatsoever in setting rateable values – they are all set by the Inland Revenue. CDC merely has a legal obligation to collect whatever sums are calculated and hand over the money to Central Government.
* Planning Application Fees
These are set by Central Government. However, many people have said that they think it is unfair that the general Council taxpayer subsidizes the pre-application advice given to developers. So, now CDC will be charging for this advice on major applications and will also be bringing in other charges soon, which will produce an additional income of £25,000 pa.
* Feedback from the Town & Parish Council Meetings
November. A wide variety of views were put forward. One matter that can get a quick response is the comment made about feedback being needed when views given on planning applications do not appear to be taken on board by the District Council when applications are determined. This has been considered and CDC will now ensure that feedback will be given where the CDC’s decision is different from the view of the Town or Parish Council after a decision has been made.
* Travel Tokens
Due to an anticipated cut of £80,000 from Central Government, CDC has had to make a tough decision with regard to Travel Tokens. All over 60’s will still be able to apply for a bus pass, but from 1st April 2010, only those people who qualify on the grounds of disability will be eligible for travel tokens.
* Waste Collections and Recycling
Cotswold District Council is discussing plans to introduce kerbside collection of plastic bottles. This has been made possible because of negotiations with SITA to use different vehicles designed specially to deal more efficiently with the waste collections in the Cotswold District. Costs are always going to be higher in our District than say Cheltenham because of the sparsely populated rural villages compared with urban areas. These new vehicles will be able to collect plastic waste at the same time as other collections and provide a much more economic solution that we had previously anticipated. CDC is currently recycling between 60% and 70% of all household waste and it is this which ultimately helps to keep the County Council tax bill down, keeps rubbish out of landfill and gets raw materials back into the manufacturing chain.
* Christmas Dates
The Christmas waste and recycling collection dates and details can be found at http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=2033.
* Council Tax
CDC previously approved a rise in Council Tax for next year of 3.5%, which is the same as last year, but thanks to prudent financial management, CDC now propose to keep Council Tax down to 2.5%.
* Community Projects Fund
A further £100,000 will go into the Community Projects Fund to help Community and Village Halls and to enhance play facilities at recreation parks for young people. I have previously supported grants of £15l000 each for Fairford Community Centre and Fairford Pre-School. Maybe this si something that the Palmer Hall could look at. 119 09/10
* Flood Resilience
There will be an allocation of up to £500,000 from capital reserves towards flood resilience work in the District. Since the 2007 floods, CDC has been working hard with drainage experts and engineers to see if our flood defences can be built up in those communities worst hit, including Fairford.
* Emergency Planning
Gloucestershire Rural Community Council received funding from the Red Cross to develop a toolkit to assist communities in developing emergency plans and has now produced a professional CD, which takes the user through the development of an emergency plan step by step as well as citing examples of best practice, many of which come from Towns and Parishes in the Cotswolds. The CD will be sent to every Town and Parish Council in Gloucestershire and I understand Fairford will receive theirs very soon, if we have not already done so. CDC is assisting by mailing out these CDs with its weekly mailing to the Parish Councils. 266 09/10 To consider report from County Cllr
No report received.
Penny Ibbotson and Cllr Frank arrived.
267 09/10 To receive reports on meetings attended
* CCTV meeting with various agencies – 7th December 2009 – Cllr Frank reported that the meeting had been attended by Mark Godsland, Regional Crime Prevention Officer, Tony Dix from CDC, Phil Bates from Redhand, Cllrs Harwood, Frank and Cusack and Vanessa Lawrence(Clerk), to discuss CCTV for the Town, its advantages and disadvantages. The findings to be discussed in Committee before any recommendation is made to Full Council. Phil Bates from Redhand will be forwarding revised figures, as a result of this meeting. Cllr Harwood felt that the project should go ahead, especially with the possibility of the Police being able to tap directly into the system if necessary. ACTION: Clerk to add this item to the Agenda of the next
Facilities Committee meeting.
* Community Resilience – Cllr Hing attended a meeting at Weston Sub Edge recently, where he gave a presentation on the work the this Council has been doing for Community Resilience. Our plans have helped to formulate the County’s and District’s plans. As the Deputy Clerk had come in specially to take notes regarding Planning issues, the Clerk
requested that the Planning matters be brought forward. The Council agreed. PLANNING
273 09/10 To receive the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 17th November 2009 (pp103-104 09/10) and 1st December 2009 (pp110-112 09/10)
The minutes of the Planning Meeting held on 17th November 2009 (pp103-104 09/10) and 1st December 2009 (pp110-112 09/10) were received – all in favour.
274 09/10 To consider and agree recommendations from Planning Committee Meeting 1st December re: Pips Fields and Coln Country Park.
It was RESOLVED to agree the recommendations from the Planning Committee to strongly object to the planning application for Pips Field. Proposed Cllr Harwood, seconded Cllr M Jones – 10 in favour 1 abstention. ACTION: The Clerk 120 09/10
It was RESOLVED to support the concept of a visitor centre at Coln Country Park but not a development of this scale and therefore the Council agreed to Object to the application, the reason for the objection should be forwarded to CDC. Proposed Cllr Wardle, seconded Cllr S Jones – all in favour. ACTION: The Clerk
FINANCE
268 09/10 To receive minutes of Finance meeting held on 17th November 2009 (pp105 09/10) and 2nd December 2009 (pp115 09/10)
The minutes of the Finance Meeting held on 17th November 2009 (pp105 09/10) and 2nd December 2009 (pp115 09/10) were received – all in favour. Cllr Winney asked about budget for footpaths and said that this would be discussed further at the next Highways meeting. ACTION: Clerk to add
this to the Agenda for Highways. Cllr Hing asked if the PCC had been advised of the recent Audit Fee. ACTION: Clerk to write to the PCC. 269 09/10 To receive payments/receipts report to end of November 2009
The payments and receipts were received by Council – all in favour. 270 09/10 To approve retrospectively, cheque payments for November 2009
It was RESOLVED to approve retrospectively cheque payments for November, proposed Cllr Harwood, seconded Cllr M Jones – all in favour. Cllr Frank asked if a copy of cheques paid could be e-mailed prior to the meeting in future. ACTION: Clerk to e-mail list of cheque payments prior to Full Council meetings. 271 09/10 To agree budget & Precept recommendations for 2010, from the Finance Committee.
Cllr Harwood advised the Council that the Finance Committee were recommending that the Precept is not raised for 2010/11, and should remain the same as last year. It had been agreed that some of the projects should be postponed for the time being. Permission was required to remove some of the high value projects from the listings, but that these projects might be considered later in the year if possible especially if grant funding can be obtained for any of them. Cllr Wardle advised that in real terms, with 1 less household in the equation the actual increase would be around 0.1%. Cllr Winney felt it was important to point out to everyone in the town that many jobs were undertaken by Cllrs, free of charge e.g. Hedgecutting and riverwork. He expressed his thanks to all those that have come together. Cllr Wardle said that the Finance Committee wanted to remove certain projects from the budget proposals for 2010/11, but it was likely that 2009/10 will end with funds in excess of those required to maintain sensible reserves. When the actual size of any such surplus is known then we can consider which of these projects to fund. Cllr Wardle proposed that the Council should agree in principle hold the precept at 2009/10 level, and that the final decision should be deferred to the January Full Council meeting, following a review, seconded Cllr S Jones, - all in favour. ACTION: Clerk to add this to the Agenda for the next Full Council meeting in January 2010.
272 09/10 To agree payment to FCC Management Committee of £600 for maintenance costs.
It was RESOLVED to pay FCC Management Committee £600 for maintenance costs. Proposed Cllr S Jones, seconded Cllr M Jones – all in favour.
121 09/10
FACILITIES
275 09/10 To receive progress update on CCTV
This item had been covered earlier in the Agenda.
276 09/10 To agree recommendation from the Facilities Committee re. Playing Fields.
This item had been covered at an earlier meeting of the Town Council. However, concerns were expressed as to why the Town Council should take this on and how best to try and involve young parents with small children . The Council were told by the Chair of Facilities that there would not be a lot of expenditure involved for equipment in the first year and that before the Council take this on, all the equipment will have been checked. Mention was also made as to the possibility of putting in a CCTV camera at this site. It was agreed that approaches should be made to other councils who have playing fields under their control. ACTION: Clerk to contact other Councils. Facilities Committee to look at ways of involving young parents. HIGHWAYS
277 09/10 To receive the minutes of the Extraordinary Highways meeting 15th October 2009 (pp091a-091b) and 24th November 2009 (pp106-109 09/10)
The minutes of the Extraordinary Highways meeting held on the 15th October 2009 (pp091a-091b) and 24th November 2009 (pp106-109 09/10) were received. Cllr Wardle asked if “No Cycling” signs could be put up on footpaths especially the footpath along Lake 104. Item H72 – Cllrs requested the Clerk to check on the terms of tender for the grasscutting contracts for the footpaths and verges and that tenders should go out for next year’s contract . ACTION: Clerk to check the tender for this year. 278 09/10 To approve recommendation from Highways Committee to take ownership of land by Quarry Alley after CDC has carried out shrub planting.
Cllrs Winney and M Jones met with representatives from County to discuss Quarry Alley. Cllr Winney advised the Council that County would endeavour to clear the area of all vegetation and would either leave the area clear or re-plant under instruction from the Council, but that shrubs etc., would be low maintenance growing to no more than 4 feet in height. There would be not financial contribution from them as it would be Town Council
property and a legal agreement would be drawn up. Cllr Winney was in favour of taking on this piece of land, but other Cllrs were unsure as to the possible future cost implications. Cllr Cusack proposed that this item should be deferred to the next Highways Committee in order that Cllrs can study the plan and look at the alleyway over the Christmas break,seconded Cllr Frank – 8 in favour, 2 against, 1 abstention. ACTION: Clerk to add this
item to the next Highways Agenda – POST MEETING NOTE: The Clerk contacted CDC following their e-mail to request that they continue with their plans to clear the area, which will allow the Council time to come to a decision. They informed the Clerk that the work would consist of clearance of the area but no replanting would be undertaken until such time as a decision is made by the Council. They were unsure as to when the work would be undertaken as this was under the control of the tree wardens at CDC. OTHER BUSINESS
279 09/10 To agree revised Public Question Time rules.
The revisions were read out to the Council. It was RESOLVED to agree revised Public Question Time Rules, seconded Cllr Fisher – 10 in favour, 1 abstention
280 09/10 To discuss possible participation in the Food & Drink Festival planned for next year by the FLBC.
Cllr Fisher declared an interest in this item. 122 09/10
Cllr Harwood proposed that the Council obtain further information on this item and it was suggested that the Faciliites Committee should look at this. It was agreed that it would be a good idea to support this, but that costs would need to be obtained before a decision could be made, seconded Cllr Frank – 10 in favour, 1 abstention.
281 09/10 To agree recommendation from the Finance Committee to enter into negotiations with preferred bidder for 3 London Street.
Cllr Fisher left the room having declared an interest. Cllr Wardle proposed that the Council should agree recommendation from the Finance
Committee to enter into negotiations with the preferred bidder for 3 London Street. It was also proposed that a valuation should be obtained, seconded Cllr Frank – 10 in favour, 1 abstention. ACTION: Clerk to obtain quote for valuation and to contact the preferred bidder. POST MEETING NOTE: The Clerk has contacted valuers and is awaiting costs for this. 282 09/10 To appoint a member to the Planning & Highways Committees
Cllr Harwood proposed Cllr Mumford for the Highways Committee, seconded Cllr Hing – 8 in favour, 3 abstentions. Cllr Frank proposed Cllr Wardle for the Planning Committee, seconded Cllr S Jones – 9 in favour, 2 abstentions.
283 09/10 Date of next meeting 12th January 2010
The meeting ended at 9.40pm
………………………………………..Chairman
……………………..2009
|
Town Council 