MINUTES OF THE HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE MEETING  HELD AT 7PM ON TUESDAY 22nd JULY 2008

Present:   Cllr Winney                       Cllr Dowler                        Cllr Jones

            Cllr Morgan                Cllr Fisher            

Apologies:            Cllr Cusack          

In attendance: Penny Ibbotson

H13 Declarations of Interest: None declared

H14 To confirm the Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 27th May 2008 (pp028-030 08/09) were signed as a true and accurate record of the proceedings.

H15 To receive income and expenditure for Highways committee

The grass cutting is to be discussed in more detail later in the agenda.

There is currently a large under spend on maintenance and repairs in the Churchyard. This should be reviewed at the next meeting when hopefully there will be more information about the status of the Churchyard.

ACTION: The Clerk to invite reps from PCC to the next meeting.

H16 Review of Matters Arising from Previous minutes

Cllr Winney met Mike Barton from PROW to discuss vehicles accessing Horcott Ford. It is thought that vehicles are using the access from East End rather than Snake Lane and it would be difficult to prevent this as it is on private land rather than a Public Right of Way. It was agreed not to pursue this any further at the moment unless it becomes a major issue.

Councillors have been reviewing the parking available in the town car park on Saturday mornings and agreed there was still plenty of space whilst the dog training is taking place at the far end. 

ACTION: The Clerk to write to resident that expressed concern to advise of this fact.

CHURCHYARD

H17 To discuss request from Highworth memorials to put their name and grave number on the back of future memorials in ½” letters

It was agreed that Highworth Memorials could put their name and the grave number on the back of memorials, provided that it was engraved lettering and the relatives of the deceased were in agreement.

ACTION: The Clerk to contact Highworth Memorials with this information

H18 To discuss concern raised about magnolia bush in New Burial Ground

A relative has expressed concern that the magnolia replanted along the wall in the New Burial Ground, will grow over his mothers grave. It was confirmed that this magnolia is maintained by the Council handyman and in fact will need to be regularly monitored as it is located next to the tap, to which access needs to be kept clear.

MAINTENANCE

H19 Review of grass cutting costs to date for Churchyard, Verges and Walnut Tree Field

A detailed breakdown of costs to date was circulated. The budget is mostly on target for the year and also a grant from Highways of £1,540.44 towards grass cutting has recently been received, which is available to cover any overspend.

It was suggested that Community Services is used as much as possible for footpath maintenance as there is no cost implication to the Town Council.

It was reported that two hedges need cutting back in Fairford: The laurel hedge at the Park Close entrance to St Mary’s Drive Open Space and a hedge further into Park Close.

ACTIONS: The Clerk to chase Forget me Not ref the laurel hedge and Cllr Winney to contact Fosseway with respect to the other hedge

H20 To discuss grass cutting by Fosseway Living

Over recent years, Fosseway has taken on areas of grass cutting at The Plies and The Quarry as a gesture of goodwill. This service was stopped this year and the grass left to grow resulting in complaints from residents. FTC arranged for the grass to be cut but following this, Fosseway changed their minds and will continue to cut these areas for the rest of the year. FTC will need to take these areas on from 2009 and County Highways will provide a grant of approx £80 to do this work. The area of grass by the laurel hedge in Park Close also needs to be added on.

H21 Items the Chair considers urgent.

·        A request has been made for a cyclepath from the Town Bridge to Marlborough Arms. It was agreed that there is insufficient room for such a facility and it is inappropriate in a Cotswold village.

ACTION: Clerk to respond back to resident

·        The bench at the entrance to The Plies has been pulled out and placed on a nearby wall. It was agreed that this is a well used seat and leg extensions are required to allow the seat to be fixed properly into the ground. A cost of £170 for fixing has been given but clarification on the cost of leg extensions is needed.

ACTION: The Clerk to liaise with contractor to organise its fixing.

·        Les Webb Engineering has kindly helped with the construction of a water carrier for Albert and carried out the work free of charge.

ACTION: The Clerk to write a letter of thanks

·        Concern was raised about a new plaque that has been located on an existing grave as it extends further out than the standard 600mm from the upright of the headstone. The application was approved in error and it was recommended that FTC contact the relative to explain that a mistake has been made and FTC is willing to pay the costs of a more suitable plaque to fit in with the guidelines.

(Post Meeting Note: The cost of a replacement plaque will be in the region of £700.)

ACTION: Cllr Winney to discuss the situation with the relative.

·        There has been no progress with the proposed extension of the 30mph limit north along Coronation Street. County Highways has suggested that the existing road markings are emphasised with a strip of red asphalt. It was thought this would be out of keeping for a rural area and a buff strip would be more appropriate.

 ACTION: The Clerk to discuss this with County Highways

H22 Date of next meeting – Tuesday 23rd September 2008

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.35pm

                                                                                                                        __________Chairman

                                                                                                                        __________2008