MINUTES OF THE HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE MEETING
ON TUESDAY 28th JULY 2009
Present: Cllr Winney Cllr M Jones Cllr S Jones Cllr Frank
Apologies: Cllr Dowler, Cllr Cusack
In attendance: Cllr Boulton, Penny Ibbotson H20 Declarations of Interest – None declared H21 To confirm the Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 26th May 2009
Item H04 ‘Residents Parking’ was changed to read ‘A letter from residents has been sent to CDC. Following this amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 26th May 2009 (pp027-029 09/10) were signed as a true and accurate record of the proceedings. H22 Review of Matters Arising from Previous minutes
Bins on Back Lane: The location of the bins has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the nearby residents and there is still ongoing discussions taking place. It was agreed that the matter was not directly a Town Council issue but Cllr Cusack is helping with negotiations. ACTION: Await feedback from Cllr Cusack Street Light No 10 Horcott Road: GCC Street Lighting has advised that work on light number 10 on Horcott Road should start on 10th August and be completed by 15th August. The Town Council has been asked to advise Street Lighting if the light is not working after this date. ACTION: Light No 10 to be checked after 15th August. Pavement from The Garretts: No response from Highways to date – to be deferred to next meeting. Residents Parking: No response to date – defer to next meeting No. 74 diversion to Horcott: Stagecoach in Swindon has passed the request for the No. 74 to pass through Horcott to Swindon Borough Council as they are responsible for determining the bus route for the No. 74 bus. No response to date. It was reported that the various overhanging vegetation at The Plies and Morgan Hall were dealt with very efficiently. H23 To receive income and expenditure for Highways committee
The latest figures were circulated. Five new flower tubs have been ordered for the Market Place at £20 per tub as a number of them are falling apart. The grass cutting figures are running within budget at the moment. GCC also gives a grant towards verge cutting costs. ACTION: The Clerk to check whether the figures include or exclude VAT
The Clerk to check where the income from burials is allocated CHURCHYARD/BURIAL GROUND
H24 To receive updated Risk Assessment on the Churchyard and Burial Ground The updated Risk Assessment showing hazard and risk values had been circulated in advance of the meeting. The hanging sign on the Church notice board still needs to be fixed more securely.ACTION: Cllr Winney to check the progress of improvements to the sign with the PCC. It was agreed that the term ‘regular checks’ on the risk assessment needs to be changed to ‘checks to be carried out every 6 months’. The checks are to take place in March and September of every year.
ACTION: The Clerk to amend Risk Assessment accordingly.
H25 Repair of Church Walls
i. To discuss quotes for repair of Church Wall on High Street: Three quotes have been obtained for the repair of the damaged section of the wall at £550, £700 and £900. This repair would be covered by the insurer of the driver that caused the damage There is concern however that the whole of the wall needs attention as it leans significantly. One estimate has been obtained for a full repair of the wall at £65 per m. It was RESOLVED to recommend to Full Council that the whole of the Churchyard wall along the High Street is repaired and funds need to be found for this work.
ACTION: Item to go on Full Council agenda and three quotes to be obtained for the full repair. ii. To discuss quote from John Maunder to rebuild wall by New Burial Ground: A quote has been received to carry out repairs to the wall alongside the New Burial Ground and Mill Lane – as picked up in the Risk Assessment. It is anticipated that the work will take 3-4 days at a daily rate of £140 per day.
It was RESOLVED to recommend to Full Council that this work is carried out.
ACTION: Item to go on Full Council agenda. H26 Memorial Safety
i. To receive document from Ministry of Justice ‘Managing the Safety of Burial Ground Memorials’: The document had been circulated prior to the meeting.
ii. To complete the Memorial Safety Questionnaire: Responses to the questionnaire were agreed.
iii. To discuss future testing of memorials in Burial Ground/Churchyard: The memorials in the Churchyard and New Burial Ground were tested in March 2009 using visual and hand testing. A check is to be carried out at 6 monthly intervals. H27 To discuss the management of grave spaces in New Burial Ground
It was agreed to try and complete row A first then B, C and D but leaving the three graves next to the path until last to allow access.
ACTION: The Clerk to inform the gravedigger of the proposal and prepare an updated plan pf spaces available. HIGHWAYS
H28 To discuss lighting of Horcott path
Cllr Frank has been in touch with the proposed supplier of the bollard light and discussed the scheme with GCC Street Lighting. The supplier is being very slow to supply a sample bollard.
ACTION: Cllr Frank to chase company. It was suggested that Coln Park is contacted as there are lighting bollards in use at the site. H29 To discuss possible purchase of further grit bins at a cost of £170 + VAT and complete grit bin survey
Cllr Winney has noted existing grit bins at The Garretts, Betterton’s Close, Faulkener’s Close, Horcott Road, Bull Tap, Beaumoor, The Quarry, The Croft and inside the Churchyard. The Fire Station also has one for it’s own use. The St Mary’s Drive and Courtbrook areas do not seem to be served by grit bins. It was queried whether the grit is for public use or for GCC contractors and also if it can be used by the public – what was the subsequent liability?
ACTION: The Clerk to contact the Highways rep and also ask why FTC should pay for further bins. H30 To discuss bus shelter on Hatherop Road
Cllrs Winney, Dowler and M Jones met the Area Highways rep on site to discuss a possible location for the bus shelter on Hatherop Road. A response is now being awaited, it was not sure whether Highways would specify a particular design of bus shelter. Prices for a standard cantilever shelter range from £2444-£3002 depending on the type of glass/polycarbonate used. It was thought a more enclosed design would be preferable. GCC has confirmed that £2000 has been granted to Fairford Town Council towards a new bus shelter. ACTION: Cllr Winney to contact the Area Highways rep to discuss further. H31 To elect a representative on Lechlade Footpaths committee
Cllr S Jones volunteered to be on the Lechlade Footpaths Committee. H32 To discuss requests for dog waste bins at Horcott Road Football Club and Betterton’s Close
There are already a number of dog waste bins in the Horcott area so it was decided not to fund an additional bin near the Horcott Football Club entrance. Standard bins can also be used for disposing of dog waste. There is no suitable bin close to the footpath from Betterton’s Close and a nearby resident often finds dog waste in her green wheelie bin. Dog waste bins cost in the region of £150 for supply only. It was RESOLVED to purchase a dog waste bin from the Churchyard maintenance and repairs budget.
ACTION: The Clerk to order a dog waste bin to be fixed near the Betterton,s Close footpath. H33 To discuss Parking Strategy for Fairford in advance of meeting with John Day (Parking consultant for CDC) on 5th August
Comments were made that need to be raised at the meeting:
o Parking in Fairford must be kept free of charge
o Enforcement of parking restrictions is needed
o Staff from shops and takeaways are often seen parking outside the businesses and thus prevent customers from using the spaces. H34 To discuss proposed car park outside Fairford Library
A proposed car park outside the library has been looked at before and refused due to poor visibility onto the A417. A site meeting was held in 2007 with a rep from GCC but no further action was taken by GCC. There has now been a request for further information regarding the site such as a location plan, proposed car park plan and evidence of need.
It was agreed that before FTC carries out any further work confirmation is needed on whether a vehicular access would be allowed onto the A417.
ACTION: The Clerk to contact GCC to discuss the possibility of a vehicular access. (H35 missed off agenda) FOOTPATHS
H36 River Walk and Barrier by Dilly’s Bridge update
There has been no progress to date. The relevant Public Rights of Way officers are currently on holiday.
ACTION: The Clerk to chase Public Rights Of Way. H37 GCC Consultation on proposed extinguishment of public footpath BFA29 near Morgan Hall
This consultation is for members of the public, FTC has already responded to the application. MAINTENANCE
H38 To receive update from Coln River Project Meeting on 20th July 2009
Minutes of the meeting have been circulated to Councillors.
Cllr S Jones confirmed that the Environment Agency does carry out annual vegetation cuts along the River Coln. H39 Items the Chair considers urgent.
Cllr Winney mentioned the possibility of allotment land towards Southrop – Cllr S Jones asked if he could prepare a report of the situation to date for the next Facilities meeting (4th August). Cllrs Winney and Boulton looked at some trees near the entrance to St Mary’s Drive following concern raised by a resident. There are three trees (ash, cherry and sycamore) that are too large for the space and need to be felled.
ACTION: The Clerk to ask the Tree Warden for his views and contact CDC to find out if any permission is required to fell the trees. Quotes for the work would be needed. Cllr Frank offered to cut back the shrubs in that area if necessary. The laurel hedge by Park Close is to be cut back on Monday 3rd August, it will look bare for a while but should re-grow. The re-alignment of the dropped kerb by Manor Close is on GCC Highways list of works to be carried out – no date given at the moment. A wall by the Community Centre, Churchyard and Fairford House looks at risk of collapse. Ownership needs to be established and repair carried out.
ACTION: The Clerk to establish ownership. The ‘Welcome to Fairford’ signs need to be cleaned.
ACTION: Cllr Winney to contact the Highways rep to discuss. Cllr Frank raised concern about the maple by the churchyard wall close to the Mill Lane/High Street junction – it is having a detrimental effect on the wall and should be taken into account when looking at the wall repair. H40 Date of next meeting – Tuesday 22nd September 2009 There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.30pm _____________Chairman
_______________2009
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