MINUTES OF THE HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE MEETING ON
TUESDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER 2009

Present: Cllr M Jones  Cllr Cusack  Cllr Frank
Apologies:  Cllr Winney, Cllr S Jones
In attendance: Cllr Boulton, Penny Ibbotson

H41To elect a temporary chair in the absence of Cllr Winney
It was RESOLVED to elect Cllr Cusack as chair for the meeting.

H42 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Frank declared a personal interest in item H49
Cllr Cusack declared a personal interest in item H52

H43 To confirm the Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 28th July 2009
The minutes of the meeting held on 28th July 2009 (pp056-059 09/10) were signed as a true and accurate record of the proceedings.

H44 Review of Matters Arising from Previous minutes:

Bins on Back Lane: It was noted that the bins are now sometimes being placed inside the yard. The item is to be taken off the agenda unless further issues arise.

Street Light No 10 Horcott Road: The light has now been fixed.

Pavement from The Garretts: Gloucestershire Highways has carried out a survey and advised that the request is not considered a high enough priority to proceed. The resident who raised the concern has been told of this decision.

Residents Parking: Residents parking schemes are the responsibility of Gloucestershire Highways Department. They are currently undertaking a review and a new policy will be in place by the end of the year, this will allow the public a mechanism to request new residents parking schemes. It has been recommended that FTC contacts Highways at the end of the year.
ACTION: The Clerk to contact Highways later in the year.

 No 74 diversion to Horcott: The Clerk has written to Swindon Borough Council to request a diversion of the 74 bus to Horcott.

Dog waste bin for Betterton’s Close: The bin has been ordered and should arrive at the end of October. CDC will fix and empty the bin.

H45 To receive income and expenditure for Highways committee
The figures were circulated. The grass cutting for the churchyard may go slightly over budget but this can be balanced by the verge and walnut tree field grass cutting which is well within budget.
There is a high figure for Burial costs as Andrew Slade submitted an invoice covering the last 12 months.
All the money in the flower tubs category will be used as five new tubs are needed to replace broken ones.
The draft budget setting figures for 2010/2011 financial year need to be set before the next Finance meeting (20th October). A short Highways committee meeting will need to be arranged before this date.
ACTION: The Clerk and Chairman to arrange a suitable time and date for a budget setting meeting.

        
CHURCHYARD/BURIAL GROUND
H46 To discuss feedback from Andrew Slade ref future management of grave spaces in New Burial Ground
Andrew Slade (gravedigger) has concerns about the proposed plan for completing the burial ground as if the row closest to the hedge is left until last, there may be problems of waterlogging and access.
ACTION: The Clerk to contact A Slade to discuss future management of the grave spaces.

HIGHWAYS
H47 To discuss lighting of Horcott path
The sample from Design Plan has still not arrived nor a location where the bollard can be viewed in situ. (POST MEETING NOTE: The sample light bollard is to be delivered to the Council Office on Thursday 24th Sept – Cllrs are invited to call in and view it.)

H48 To discuss possible purchase of further grit bins at a cost of £170 + VAT
It was agreed to purchase one grit bin for the St Mary’s Drive/Leafield Road area.
ACTION: The Clerk to advise County Highways and ask for a recommended location.

H49 To update on proposed bus shelter on Hatherop Road
Paul Swift from County Highways met Cllr Winney on 18th September to discuss a location for the bus shelter. The suggested location by the Fire Station is not suitable and three suggestions for alternative bus stops were made:
1. By Cricket Club
2. Hatherop Road, opposite Queensfield junction
3. Hatherop Lane

It was agreed to recommend to Full Council that the new bus shelter is located by the bus stop on Park Street by the Cricket club.
ACTION: Item to go on Full Council agenda and Clerk to check any restrictions for the Conservation Area and ECT.

H50 To update on proposed car park outside Fairford Library
The Clerk has written to GCC to ask if the principal of having a vehicle access from the land in front of the library would be acceptable. No response to date.

H51 GCC Consultation on proposed extension of 30 mph limit along Coronation Street.
GCC is consulting on a proposed extension to the 30mph speed limit along Coronation Street. This is as a result of a request from FTC. The committee welcomes the proposal and gives full support.
ACTION: The Clerk to respond back to GCC

H52 To discuss parking time limit for High Street & Market Place
Item deferred to next Highways meeting.

FOOTPATHS
 H53 River Walk and Barrier by Dilly’s Bridge update
 An email has been received from Public Rights of Way. The Coln path clearance has not progressed due to clarification being needed on the exact route of the path. The Coln River Project Team is dealing with this.
 PROW advised that the installation of a barrier would be the responsibility of the landowner and queried the priority of the proposal. Willow planting was suggested to protect the side of the river and reduce further erosion.
 ACTION: The Clerk to pass on the willow suggestion to the River Coln Project Team.
           
MAINTENANCE
H54 To discuss maintenance of hedges at New Burial Ground & Car Park and trees & shrubs along St Mary’s Drive
Thanks were given to Cllr Steve Boulton for carrying out shrub/hedge cutting in the town car park free of charge.

Cllr Boulton has also offered to cut back shrubs and trees along St Mary’s Drive and trim the Burial Ground hedge free of charge. Cllrs Frank and Winney have offered to help.

The comments from the tree warden were taken on board and it was agreed to leave the cherry in place. It was agreed to still remove the smaller trees as it is would be much easier to carry out now rather than wait for them to be too big.

A letter needs to be written to the nearby residents to advise of the proposed work
ACTION: The Clerk to draft a letter and send to Cllr Frank to circulate.

H55 Items the Chair considers urgent:
• Request from CDC to transfer land along Quarry Alley to FTC ownership – it was agreed that Fairford Town Council would take ownership of the land by Quarry Alley after the proposed new planting works had been carried out.
ACTION: The Clerk to check whether the stumps are to be ground out.
• It has been suggested that the seat in the Market Place bus shelter is boxed in to prevent litter gathering underneath it. It was agreed to investigate this further and ask Coln House if they would be interested in helping and the cost involved.
ACTION: The Clerk to contact Coln House School.
•  Cllr Jones suggested that Keble Alley could be resurfaced with scalpings from the resurfacing work planned for this week along the A417.
ACTION: The Clerk to contact Highways to discuss.

H56 Date of next meeting – Tuesday 24th November 2009