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MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON 8th March 2011
Present: Cllr Cusack (Chair) Cllr Fisher Cllr Mumford Cllr Wardle Cllr Hinton Cllr Winney Cllr C Roberts Cllr Hing
In Attendance: Vanessa Lawrence (Clerk), Gemma Casey (Wilts & Glos Standard), 1 member of the public
266 10/11 Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllrs. Boulton, Harwood, S. Jones, M. Jones, S. Roberts
267 10/11 Declarations of Interest in Items on the Agenda
Item 285 - Cllr Fisher – prejudicial interest
Cllr Fisher proposed that this item should be taken at the end of the meeting, seconded Cllr Hing – all in favour.
Item 283 - Cllrs Hing & Winney– personal interest
268 10/11 To approve the minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 8th February 2011(pp131-135 10/11)
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 8th February 2011 (pp131-135 10/11). Proposed Cllr Winney, seconded Cllr Mumford – 6 in favour, 2 abstentions. The Clerk was asked to check if Cllr Harwood had left the room when Item 252 was taken. Cllr Cusack said that he had. The Clerk will amend the minutes accordingly. ACTION: Clerk to amend minutes and to amend the minutes accordingly.
269 10/11 Matters arising
None
270 10/11 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 Hinton, seconded Cllr Wardle – all in favour.
No questions were received, but Mr. R Jeanes said that he felt that item 280 should be looked at carefully, relating to population of Fairford. Cllr Cusack said that this had already been checked.
271 10/11 To agree to reconvene the meeting following Public Question Time
It was RESOLVED to reconvene the meeting. Proposed Cllr. Mumford, seconded Cllr Winney – all in favour.
272 10/11 Chairman’s announcements
None received by the Chairman, but the Deputy Chairman advised the Council that he had received several complaints about possible vandalism in the Churchyard/Burial Ground. He said that there had been no vandalism, but that certain monuments had been ‘laid down’, in accordance with Health & Safety regulations, by the risk assessor,where these monuments had proved unsafe. These will be restored to their normal positions and made safe.
273 10/11 To consider correspondence/invitations received (list e-mailed) and agree response to correspondence requiring a reply (e-mailed)
Cllr Wardle commented on the amount of e-mailed correspondence received from GCC.
County Cllr. Theodoulou arrived.
274 10/11 To consider report from District Councillor
The subjects covered by District Councillor Roberts in her report related to:
• Buses – regarding concerns about changes to bus routes. To that end a drop-in session has been arranged on Saturday 12th March,12 noon to 2pm, where residents can speak directly to Stan Waddington, who is the GCC Cabinet Member for Transport.
• Finances – District Cllr Roberts reiterated the freeze on Council Tax for this coming financial year.
• Flood Alleviation Bid – District Cllr Roberts reported on the changes in funding contributions from GCC and CDC towards supporting the bid to be made by the Environment Agency.
The Full report will be forwarded to all Councillors.
Q: Cllr Wardle asked about certain comments made in the latest Leaders update regarding the amount of money used for training at CDC.
A: District Cllr Roberts said that the report had been blown up out of proportion, but that Cllr Wardle should speak directly to Mr. Neudegg at CDC.
275 10/11 To consider report from County Councillor
County Cllr Theodoulou said that due to the extremely poor settlement from Central Government many cuts had to be made. The areas badly affected were:-
Day Centres for the elderly - which were closing. Facilities were being made available in more sensible buildings.
Youth provision – In Fairford this means the closure of the current youth club. Initiatives in Fairford are currently going ahead with some help from CDC and GCC, this won’t be available until April 2011.
Management re-structuring at GCC and job losses – 3 management positions lost.
Buses – It is unlikely that any detailed information on routes will be available immediately. Work is still underway on specific routes. GCC are looking at the bus network to see where savings can be made. Only subsidized routes are being looked at. Stan Waddington is to attend a drop-in session in Fairford (see above). This proved to be very successful when a similar event took place recently in Lechlade. County Cllr Theodoulou stressed that people should try to call in, and have a say.
Lorry Watch – This is changing from being under the control of Trading Standards to Glos. Highways.
Q: Cllr Winney asked District Cllr Theodoulou if he could look at the new road surface along through the Town has it had been reported to him that small holes had been seen in the surface which could lift in bad weather. Cllr Winney also reported that parts of the surface on the Town bridge were coming away. Cllr Hinton said that where the two road surfaces met, new and old on Cirencester Road, Fairford, the condition of the road surface was quite poor. On the whole, however, Cllrs. were very pleased with the work done and asked District Cllr Theodoulou to report this to Glos. Highways.
A: District Cllr Theoudoulou said that he would report this to GCC Highways.
276 10/11 To receive reports on meetings attended
Neighbourhood Management Meeting – 2nd March –Cllr C Roberts – Cllr. Roberts reported that there would be an extra PCSO for Fairford and Lechlade and that the ` mobile police station would continue to operate. She also reported that there had been 28 burglaries in Fairford and Lechlade in the last 3 months. The Police are of the opinion that these are being carried out by organized groups. Thieves seem to be targeting jewellery, cars and electrical goods. Full report will be circulated to all Cllrs.
ECSP Meeting - February – Cllr Harwood – report circulated to Cllrs.
Youth Meeting – 23rd February – Cllr S Jones – report circulated to Cllrs.
Parking Issues – CDC – 1st February – Cllr Mumford – report circulated to Cllrs.
Spatial Planning workshop – February – Cllrs C Roberts and Hing – Cllr Hing reported that this was not of particular interest to Fairford but dealt mainly with agencies rather than planning issues. This workshop was being run nationally.
FCC Management Meeting – Cllrs. C Roberts, Winney and Cusack – Support for Youth provision was discussed.
PLANNING
277 10/11 To receive the minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 15th February 2011 (pp136-137 10/11) and 1st March 2011(pp138-139 10/11).
The Planning minutes were received for the 15th February 2011 (pp136-137 10/11). The minutes for the 1st March had not been received by Cllrs.
278 10/11 To agree response to Core Strategy Second Issues Paper
Cllrs Wardle and S Jones had drafted a response, which has now been circulated to all Cllrs. Cllr Wardle asked Cllrs to look at the responses this to be discussed at the next Planning meeting on the 15th March 2011. He explained which sections had particular relevance to Fairford.
County Cllr Theodoulou left the meeting.
Cllrs agreed to look at the document and to defer this item to the next Planning meeting. ACTION: Clerk to add this item to the agenda for the next Planning meeting.
FACILITIES
279 10/11 Update on youth provision for Fairford
Youth provision is still to be provided by GCC until the end of June in some way. FCC have agreed to pay for the Keble Room for this group. In September Glos. Youth led by Greg Husband will operate in conjunction with Chris Saunders, Deanery Youth Worker, on alternate Mondays. Cllr Wardle asked what resources would be required and was told that the room was already available and some equipment also. Other than the cost for the Youth Workers there is not a significant amount required. It was explained that the budget set aside by FTC would fund 2 Youth Workers and a room. The Youth office is paid for at the present time by GCC and the lease for this runs out sometime in 2012).
• To discuss supporting ECSP in hosting a Mini Expo in September 2011 to promote youth activities. – Cllr Hing said that the last Expo had been very successful and wholly commended this activity. However concerns were raised about the work involved in preparation for such an event and it was felt that more information was required before a decision could be made. It was suggested that this should go back to the ECSP for further deliberation. Further discussions also need to take place regarding whether the event should take place in Lechlade or Fairford. ACTION: Clerk to refer this back to ECSP for their next meeting.
280 10/11 To consider and agree entry into the Gloucestershire Vibrant Village of the Year Competition 2011.
After discussion It was RESOLVED not to enter this competition this year. Proposed Cllr Hing, seconded Cllr Wardle – all in favour.
FINANCE
281 10/11 To approve retrospectively cheque payments for February 2011
It was RESOLVED to approve retrospectively cheque payments for February 2011. Proposed Cllr Wardle, seconded Cllr Hinton – 7 in favour, 1 abstention
282 10/11 To receive payments & receipts report to end of February 2011
It was agreed to defer this item to the Finance Committee meeting on the 15th March 2011. – all in favour.
HIGHWAYS
283 10/11 To agree road closure request from CDC for RBL 90th year anniversary celebration 18th June 2011.
It was RESOLVED to agree the road closure request for the RBL 90th year anniversary celebration on June 18th 2011. Proposed Cllr Cusack, seconded Cllr Mumford – 6 in favour, 2 abstentions.
284 10/11 Update on Fairford to Lechlade Footpath project
Letters of support for the project from the ECT had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was agreed that support from other landowners where the footpath is intended to run should be sought. ACTION: Clerk to contact other landowners.
OTHER BUSINESS
285 10/11 Update on progress with 3 London Street
• To agree to put property back on sale if current negotiations are not finalized by end of March.
This item will be discussed at the end of the meeting. It was agreed that this should be held In Camera, due to the sensitive nature of the business.
286 10/11 To discuss fund raising for flood alleviation work in Fairford.
Discussion took place regarding the current contributions which are earmarked for the above project, from CDC, GCC and FTC. It was agreed that the more the Community could raise to contribute towards this the better it would be. Cllr C Roberts said that if everyone gave £5.00 £15k could be raised. However, it was also agreed that until we have something more definite regarding progress with the EA bid it is difficult to know how best to obtain funds, especially if the bid fails, how do we return monies paid to us. Pledging money was discussed, or alternatively, if money is paid, if it is not used, then it could be explained that this would go into supporting FEAG. It was further agreed that people who had been affected by the floods in 2007 should be contacted to see if they would be willing to form a Fund Raising Committee. The Council agreed that a small article should be put into the newsletter to ask people to come forward, particularly those most affected by the floods, with any suggestions on how best to proceed. ACTION: Clerk to add article in the newsletter – Cllr C Roberts would draft an article.
287 10/11 To consider and agree writing to Stan Waddington about late notification re. Public transport.
It was agreed that this would not now be necessary as Mr. Waddington would be attending a drop-in session on the 12th March at the Community Centre.
288 10/11 To consider and agree purchase of Honours board for Barker Room.
It was agreed to defer this to the Finance Committee meeting. Asking residents at the Annual Town Meeting was also considered, but in the first instance the Finance Committee would consider this. ACTION: Clerk to add this to the agenda for the Finance Meeting in March.
289 10/11 To consider and agree estimate for mounting board for ‘Barker Family’ whips.
It was agreed to defer this item to the Finance Committee meeting and to speak to Cllr S Boulton. ACTION: Clerk to add this to the agenda for the Finance Meeting in March.
290 10/11 To discuss format for Annual Town Meeting – Committee reports.
It was agreed to put the top table at the end of the room near the screen and to have the PA in operation. Chairs from each of the 4 Committees would read a brief report. A copy of the un-audited figures should also be made available (if completed in time for the meeting). ACTION: Clerk to organize.
291 10/11 Date of next meeting 8th March 2011
Addendum Item
292 10/11 To discuss possible closure of police office in Fairford
A general discussion took place about placing the police office facilities in the Library if the current office closes. It was agreed that it would be better to discuss this after the Public meeting on the 10th March when a clearer picture of what is proposed is obtained.
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