MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY 9TH MARCH 2010Present: Cllr Cusack (Chair) Cllr C Roberts Cllr S Roberts
Cllr M Jones Cllr Wardle Cllr S Jones
Cllr Hing Cllr Fisher Cllr Mumford
Cllr Harwood Cllr Frank
In attendance:Vanessa Lawrence(Clerk), 7 members of the public, WPC Sarah Crawford, Gemma Casey – Wilts & Glos Standard.
347 09/10 Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllrs Boulton and Winney 348 09/10 Declarations of Interest on Items on the Agenda
Declarations of interest were received for:
Item 367 – Cllr C Roberts – prejudicial
Cllr S Roberts - personal
Item 371 - Cllr C Roberts – personal
Cllr Hing – personal
Item 372 - Cllr Cusack – prejudicial
Item 368 – Cllr Wardle & Cllr Cusack – prejudicial
Item 366 - Cllr Fisher - prejudicial
Item 374 – Cllr Fisher - personal Note: Although Cllr C Roberts did not declare an interest in Item 363 and 364, she did not wish to take part in the debate relating to these two items. 349 09/10 To approve Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 9th February 2010 (pp141-146 09/10) and Extra-ordinary Full Council meeting held on 16th February 2010 (pp147 09/10)
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 9th February 2010 (pp141-146 09/10), proposed Cllr Harwood, seconded Cllr M Jones 4 in favour 2 against.
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Extra-ordinary Full Council meeting held on 16th February 2010 (pp147 09/10), proposed Cllr M Jones, seconded Cllr Frank – 8 in favour, 3 abstentions. 350 09/10 To agree to adjourn the meeting for Public Question Time – there is a 10 minute time limit. Questions only.
It was RESOLVED to adjourn the meeting for Public Question Time. Proposed Cllr Hing, seconded Cllr S Jones – all in favour. Before questions were taken, the Chair addressed a question that had been asked at the last Full Council meeting from Mrs Kinnock. Q: Mrs Jean Dowler asked about the why certain questions were allowed in public question time.
A: The Chair replied that he knew that her question related to correspondence received from her, which included other issues, and that no reply would be forthcoming until the Council had been consulted Q: Mr Neil Dowler asked a question about charges to the public for information from the Council.
A: The Chair replied that he knew that his question related to correspondence received from him, which included other issues, and that no reply would be forthcoming until the Council had been consulted.
Q: Mr Peachey wanted to know who was responsible for the possible parking restrictions in the High Street County Cllr Theodoulou arrived. A: Cllr C Roberts replied that this was a County Council matter, enforcement is done by CDC and signage is under the control of the County Council.
Q: Mr Peachey wanted to know if there was any cost implication for this Council.
A: It was explained that the current signs were illegal and that the County Council wanted to replace what was already there.
Q: Miss Ferguson wanted to know if anything could be done about the parking in Mount Pleasant.
A: She was advised that this would be put to the Highways Committee to look at.
Q: WPC Crawford wanted to know how the Council was progressing with the CCTV project.
A: She was told that this was to be discussed later on the agenda.
Q: Mr Godsall wanted assurance that any money taken from fines collected as a result of parking restrictions would be used for Fairford rather than going to the County Council.
A: Cllr C Roberts said that any money collected would be used to pay the enforcement officers. 351 09/10 To agree to reconvene the meeting following Public Question Time.
It was RESOLVED to reconvene the meeting.
Proposed Cllr Frank, seconded Cllr Harwood– all in favour. 352 09/10 Chairman’s announcements
• E-mail read out to Council regarding requirements from the Council for the Christmas Concert to be organised by John Read, following his request last month.
• Cllr Frank’s letter of resignation was read out to Council. Cllrs thanked Cllr Frank for his work with the Council and wished him and his family well for the future.
• Any reports for Cllr Harwood to be sent a.s.a.p.
• Cllr Hing is to send a letter of condolence to Mrs Jean Keene on behalf of the Council. 353 09/10 To consider invitations received(e-mailed)
• Time & Place – Presentation at Farmors School – 20th April 1.25pm – 2.25 pm
• Cotswold Water Park Society – Somerford Keynes Village Hall - 26th March at 7.30pm
• CDC – March Meetings
• CDC – Tree Competition – Awards ceremony – Crispin Golding to attend to accept prize on behalf of FTC for Mrs M. Bishops tree.
354 09/10 To consider correspondence received (e-mailed) – for information only.
• Kim Sutton Gallery – letter
• Ivor Price – letter – Re-direct to Ripples Editor – ACTION: Clerk
• Jennifer Thoburn - letter
• Rural Services network – newsletter Feb 2010-03-05
• Planning Portal – e-news – 4th Feb
• E-Gloucestershire – Jan-Feb 2010
• Rural Services Community
• Planning Portal – e- news – 12th Feb
• Planning Portal – e-news – 18th Feb
• GMTF – e-bulletin No. 152
• Cotswold Housing News – article in this publication relating to Seminar on Affordable Housing – Cllrs M Jones and S Jones expressed their interest in attending. ACTION: Clerk to obtain further information.
355 09/10 To consider correspondence requiring a reply (e-mailed)
None received. 356 09/10 To consider report from District Councillor
• Opening Hours at 5 County Council Household Recycling Centres- Fosse Cross, Hempsted, Oak Quarry, Pyke Quarry and Wingmoor Farm will be changing as from Sunday 28 March. The new hours will be Monday to Sunday 9am-6.15pm every day except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. These hours will be fixed all year round. Currently, the hours alter twice a year when the clocks change in March and October.
• Prudent Financial Management – Cotswold District Council has made significant savings during the year despite the recession. Finance Officers at CDC have just reviewed their 3rd quarter spending and are confident that expenditure will be well within their profiled budget. Although income has declined and investments have been hit by low interest rates, careful management of expenditure and staff costs has ensured that the Council is on course for an estimated under-spend of £700k against its expenditure targets.
• Lowest Council Tax Increase for 15 years – Cotswold District council has set its Council Tax increase at 2.3%, which is the lowest increase for 15 years. This equates to an increase of 6p a week for an average Band D Council Tax payer.
• Environment Agency Flood Warning Notifications – CDC has been advised of measure put in place by the Environment Agency to improve the flood warning services in West Oxfordshire and Cotswold District. From 8th February, the Agency started to automatically register a number of homes and businesses at risk of flooding from rivers, which are of currently registered to receive flood warnings. These new measures will help the Agency protect more people from flooding, providing them with better flood warnings and help those affected by flooding to take action to protect themselves. People will be able to opt out of this service if they wish. The Agency will be writing to people affected to explain the new service. 357 09/10 To consider report from County Councillor
• The budget for 2010/11 has now been passed.
• 2.3% Council Tax increase for 2010/11 – lowest increase ever reported
• Have been able to find new sums for care of children and the elderly, with £1.1 million allocated for 30 new social workers for children and £9 million for elderly care.
• £500k allocated for road repairs
• £500k allocated for salt stocks
• Discussion taking place on deployment of extra police
• Increase in capital projects - £48 million
• £500k for a new mortuary in Gloucester
• Efficiency measures have meant a £12.5 million saving
• 1st round of voluntary redundancies by end of March – 150 personnel with another 200 to follow by next year.
• The government grant is expected to be reduced by £30 million. Q: Cllr Wardle asked if Cllr Theodoulou knew why potholes that are filled in seem to last for a short time only.
A: Cllr Theodoulou said that a new technique was being used and that results were awaited.
Q: Cllr M Jones asked about funding to help long-term carers to help give them some respite breaks.
A: Cllr Theodoulou said that he would find out about this. Cllr Theodoulou left the meeting. 358 09/10 To receive reports on meetings attended
• Report received from Cllr S Jones – GRCC meeting 22nd February - re: Playground – circulated.
• Report received from Cllr Hing – FCC Management Committee – Cllr Hing reported that the Committee were looking at CCTV and are going to consult with the Police. He advised the Council that the cost of the water leak earlier in the year has been met by the insurance company, and the lift has been repaired. Income is slightly ahead of budget. It is likely that there may be changes on how bills are managed if approved, which will give more control to the Centre Manager. The licence agreement has also been reviewed.
• Meeting with Fairford Youth Football Club – 19th February.
• Meeting with Redhand – re: CCTV project The Council agreed that Item 368 and 372 could be discussed under Meetings Attended. They also agreed to bring forward Item 368 in order to answer WPC Crawford’s queries before she was called away. Proposed Cllr Hing, seconded Cllr M Jones – all in favour. 368 09/10 To discuss revised specification for CCTV following meeting with Redhand on the 26th February 2010.
Cllr Wardle stated that he had no fundamental opposition to this project. He stressed that he had concerns relating to the selection of preferred supplier. Cllrs Wardle and Cusack then left the room having declared an interest. Cllr Harwood stated that he felt this matter had gone on for too long and a decision should be made. It was agreed that the revised quote fell within the guidelines as required in the Financial Regulations. During the debate that followed, Cllr Hing proposed that a separate meeting
should be held, seconded by Cllr C Roberts. 2 for proposal, 2 abstentions, 5 against. After further discussion it was agreed that the Council should go ahead with the project for 3 cameras on a 5 year warranty.as the 1st phase in the project. Proposed Cllr Hing, seconded Cllr M Jones – 6 in favour 2 against. ACTION: Clerk to contact Redhand Cllr Wardle returned 372 09/10 To agree proposal from Cllrs S Jones, Frank and C Roberts following meeting with Fairford Youth Football Club and to agree best way forward.
After debate Cllr Harwood proposed that this matter should go to the Finance Committee to discuss finances to enable the Council to help the Youth Football Club with grant funding, seconded Cllr Hing, 10 in favour. ACTION: Clerk to add this to the agenda for Finance Committee Meeting. Cllr Cusack returned FINANCE
359 09/10 To receive payments/receipts report to end of February 2010
Cllr C Roberts wanted to see a breakdown of certain categories. ACTION: Clerk to e-mail 4102 and 4206 and 4031 nominal codes to Cllrs. 360 09/10 To approve retrospectively cheque payments for February 2010
It was RESOLVED to approve retrospectively cheque payment for February – all in favour. 361 09/10 To approve figures for additional audit costs from PCC and to agree that future bills will be settled by each individual organisation as they stand.
Cllr Hing explained how the figures had been arrived at, which related to higher costs incurred by FTC & the PCC in 2008 and 2009 as a result of the Community Centre project. The final figure would mean that £640 would be paid to FTC. Cllr Hing proposed that the Council approve this amount, seconded Cllr Wardle – all in favour. PLANNING
362 09/10 To receive minutes of Planning Committee Meetings held on 16th February 2010 (pp148-149 09/10) and 2nd March 2010 (pp 150-151 09/10)
The minutes of the Planning Committee Meetings were received Cllr C Roberts left the room 363 09/10 To discuss Colnside Developers Ltd., letter, from Feb Full Council, in light information recently received.
Following further information received from the developer, it was agreed that that the Council could not comment further until a current application was received as this may be different from the original application submitted some years ago. It was agreed to defer this to the Planning Committee Meeting to be discussed further when an application was available to view. ACTION: Clerk to add this to the agenda for Planning Meeting when appropriate. 364 09/10 To agree reply to CDC’s e-mail – re. Pips Field
It was agreed to defer this item to the next Planning Committee Meeting. Cllr Wardle agreed to re-draft a letter to take to the meeting for approval. ACTION: Clerk to add this to the agenda for the next Planning Committee Meeting. Cllr C Roberts returned to the meeting. FACILITIES
365 09/10 To receive Minutes of Facilities Committee Meeting held on 2nd March 2010 (pp152-153 09/10)
The Facilities Committee meeting minutes were received. Cllr Fisher left the room 366 09/10 To agree to take over control of Fairford Playing Fields including all associated costs, maintenance and ROSPA inspections.
Cllr S Jones proposed that Standing Orders be suspended, seconded Cllr Harwood, so that the decision made at the last meeting could be overturned . Cllr Wardle said that we do not need to suspend Standing Orders as the reason for overturning the decision was because new information had been received. It was RESOLVED to take over the playground from the 31st March 2010, subject to regular review – all in favour. ACTION: Clerk to write to the Ernest Cook Trust, Fairford Playing Fields Ltd, Insurers and ROSPA and to arrange for a new sign to be made up. Cllr Fisher returned
Cllr C Roberts suggested an amendment to the copy and then left the room
Cllr S Roberts left the room
367 09/10 To approve copy for April’s copy Ripples magazine
It was RESOLVED to approve copy for April’s Ripples magazine subject to amendments. Proposed Cllr S Jones, seconded Cllr Harwood – all in favour. ACTION: Cllr S Jones to amend and re-circulate prior to Clerk forwarding to Ripples. Cllrs C Roberts & S Roberts returned 368 09/10 To discuss revised specification for CCTV following meeting with Redhand on the 26th February 2010.
Minuted above following item 358 09/10. HIGHWAYS
369 09/10 To approve 2010 Burials fees as recommended by the Highways Committee
Cost comparisons had been made with other Councils and it had been agreed that a small increase should be applied to cremation fees. It was RESOLVED to approve 2010 Burial fees as recommended by the Highways Committee. Proposed Cllr M Jones, seconded Cllr Harwood – all in favour. OTHER BUSINESS
Councillor Wardle asked that councilors be given more detail in advance before being asked to approve a new fee structures.
370 09/10 To discuss details for Annual Town Meeting – format etc.
It was agreed to ask the Police, representatives from RAF Fairford and Youth Services to attend and present a report. The Clerk is currently working on the Annual Report and reports are required from each Committee Chairs. It was
agreed to revert to a slightly more formal arrangement. Refreshments will be served as last year.
Cllrs Cusack, Frank, C Roberts and Hing all declared an interest in the next item.
371 09/10 To approve licence document from FCC Ltd
Cllr Hing explained the information contained within the document and Cllr S Jones proposed that this be approved, seconded Cllr Fisher, 6 in favour, 1 abstention. Cllr Wardle signed the document. 372 09/10 To agree proposal from Cllrs S Jones, Frank and C Roberts following meeting with Fairford Youth Football Club and to agree best way forward.
Minuted above following item 358 09/10. 373 09/10 To discuss correspondence received regarding complaint.
Discussion took place and it was agreed that two Cllrs would look into this and report back to Council. ACTION: Cllrs Fisher and Hing to action. 374 09/10 Update on 3 London Street
It was agreed to defer this item to the Finance Committee Meeting. ACTION: Clerk to write to prospective buyer. 375 09/10 Next meeting Tuesday 13th April 2010
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