MINUTES OF THE HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2010
Present: Cllr Boulton (Chair) Cllr Winney Cllr M Jones
Cllr Hinton Cllr Mumford
In attendance: Penny Ibbotson
Apologies: Cllr Cusack
It was agreed in advance to move item H58 to after item H40 as it was relevant to the Churchyard discussions.
H35 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Boulton declared a personal interest in item H52.
H36 To confirm the Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 27th July 2010
It was RESOLVED to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 27th July 2010 (pp 039-041 10/110 as a true and accurate record of the proceedings.
H37 Review of Matters Arising from Previous minutes:
No 74 Bus: Swindon Borough Council has finally responded to the request for information on additional costs to divert the No 74 Bus to Horcott, by stating the responsibility has been passed to Gloucestershire County Council. The Clerk has written to GCC to ask about the possibility of a diversion through Horcott.
Footpath link from Burdocks to Horcott Lake: There still has not been a response from Hanson about the possibility of a permitted footpath. Apparently people are currently using land at The Mere as a cut through, as this property is currently for sale, there is no-one to approach to ask if a footpath could be created on this section of land.
Litter in Library car park: Litter in the library car park is the responsibility of GCC. The Clerk has written to GCC to ask for an improvement to services.
Horcott Lakes footpaths: The Angling Club already contributes to footpath maintenance around Horcott Lakes by employing Fred, the seasonal maintenance man.
Repairs to A417: County Cllr Theodoulou has confirmed that repairs to the A417 in Fairford are scheduled for 2011/12.The local Highways department is trying to push for an earlier date if possible.
H38 To receive income and expenditure for Highways committee
The income and expenditure figures were received. Footpath maintenance has gone slightly over budget but there should not be a need for further work until after April 2011.
Grass cutting is well within budget this year, due to a dry spring/summer.
CHURCHYARD/BURIAL GROUND
H39 To review Risk Assessment of Churchyard & Burial Ground
The Risk Assessment carried out on 29th June 2010 was reviewed and a number of actions were required.
ACTIONS:
• Investigate formal warning signs for uneven paths: Clerk
• Loose tiles and slabs to be removed from gate near Community Centre: Clerk
• Repair wall in Cremation Area: Done
• Repair wall along Mill Lane: Cllr Boulton to discuss with PCC
• Door to gas meter box is off hinges: Clerk to contact PCC
• Label bins to improve sorting of waste: Painting labels on the bins was suggested: Clerk to talk to Albert
• A loose cross and a loose slab on a box tomb were noted: Clerk to contact Sid Flatman
• Rails from Mill Lane need to be improved following accident: New rails have been made and will be installed shortly.
H40To discuss contract for the gravedigger
Notes produced by the Clerk were discussed and extra points added.
ACTION: The Clerk to put information together as a contract and circulate for final approval.
H58 To agree to purchase a document from SLCC called ‘Cemetery Management & Administration for Town and Parish Clerks’. Cost £27 + £2 p + p.
It was RESOLVED to purchase the document as it looks to contain useful information.
ACTION: The Clerk to purchase document from SLCC
HIGHWAYS
H41 To agree a response to County Highways following public consultation regarding parking in High Street and Market Place
70% of total respondents (66% of Fairford residents) were in favour of a restriction on parking along the High Street & Market Place. Of the restrictions, a 2 hour limit was the most favoured option by Fairford residents. 2 hour waiting limits are more likely to be enforced than 1 hour as it allows the parking warden time to travel between different locations. It was thought that there was not a need for restrictions on Saturdays.
It was RESOLVED to respond to County Highways, that there should be a 2 hour limited waiting restriction on parking on the east side of the High Street and Market Place. Highways are to be asked if this restriction could run from Monday to Friday only and not Saturdays and Bank Holidays.
ACTION: Recommendation to go to Full Council.
H42 To agree response to Local Transport Plan Questionnaire
It was agreed that Councillors could fill the response forms in as individuals, as it would be difficult to collate a group response. The questionnaires are available on www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ltp3.
ACTION: Councillors to complete forms by 14th October 2010.
H43 To receive letter from resident raising concerns regarding road surface and gullies in Milton Street
The letter was received and the Clerk had drafted a response.
ACTION: The Clerk to send response to resident.
H44 To discuss parking along Mount Pleasant
It was agreed that there is a difficulty with the number of cars parked along Mount Pleasant but it is difficult to know what to do to resolve the situation.
H45 To discuss and agree whether to purchase a dog waste bin near the junction of Cinder Lane and footpath No.30 (near Football Club)
It was RESOLVED to purchase a red dog waste bin for Cinder Lane up to the value of £150, and ask CDC to fit the bin and add it to their list to empty. This is to be taken from the Maintenance & Repairs General budget.
ACTION: The Clerk to order bin and liaise with CDC.
H46 To discuss request to build a ramp at bridge near the Broadboards
A ramp has been requested to allow access over the bridge by mobility scooters. It was agreed to contact Mike Barton from Public Rights of Way for advice on how to improve the access.
ACTION: Clerk to contact Mike Barton
H47 To receive letter from GCC regarding closure of Lorry Watch scheme
The letter was received.
H48 To discuss request to purchase a small section of St Mary’s Drive Open Space to allow extension to resident property
There is a covenant on the land that it must be retained as a public open space. The open space was created to be a benefit to the local community.
ACTION: The Clerk to contact resident to decline request for the above reasons.
H49 To discuss issues arising from Steam Rally 2010
Concerns have been raised about vehicular movement to and from the Steam Rally 2010. This resulted in mud along Park Street, grass verges being driven over and a car parked on Park Corner was damaged. Boarding at the entrance to The Park would help ease the mud situation.
ACTION: The Clerk to contact Chairman of the Rally organisation. Cllr Hinton to advise of address.
MAINTENANCE
H50 To discuss grass cutting and footpath maintenance tenders for 2011
The tenders need to be advertised for the 2011/2012 contracts. It was suggested that an open advert to invite contractors to tender is placed in a suitable publication such as the Standard or What’s On.
ACTION: The Clerk to spend up to £100 in advertising 2011/12 grass cutting and footpath maintenance contracts.
H51 To discuss responses to consultation on trees in Jeffries Close
The general feeling from residents is that they would like to keep and maintain the trees, but had concerns about disposing of the cuttings. Cllr Boulton suggested it might be possible for him to carry out the significant work first, so subsequent maintenance would not create too much waste.
ACTION: The Clerk to arrange a meeting with the residents and Cllr Boulton to discuss the way forward.
As part of the consultation with the residents, concerns about parking along the entrance road to Jeffries Close were raised. In the evenings and at weekends, there are a large number of cars parked between the trees and narrow the road, which would not allow access to emergency vehicles. The Clerk has mentioned the problem to the police and they will carry out a site visit to issue warning notices if necessary.
H52To discuss fixing a storage bin at Walnut Tree Field for Albert to place rubbish bags until collected
The Ernest Cook Trust has offered a concrete bin for use as rubbish storage. It would need steel stakes for fixing but would significantly reduce costs. It was agreed to accept this offer.
ACTION: The Clerk to confirm with Albert, the best location for the storage bin. It was suggested just inside the field by the Park Street entrance.
H53 To discuss repair to roof of Market Place bus shelter
Cllr Boulton has carried out a temporary repair on the roof. Six new tiles are needed on the front and there may be replacements needed on the rear.
ACTION: Cllr Hinton to obtain a quote for the replacement tiles.
H54 To discuss request to remove Maple from St Mary’s Drive Open Space and replant new trees in a different location
A maple in St Mary’s Drive Open Space is significantly overhanging the shed and garden of 1 Park Close. The owner has asked if it can be removed/cut back. Cllr Boulton has inspected the tree and there are two alternatives: Remove the overhanging limb, leaving two remaining limbs, which may unbalance the appearance of the tree or remove the tree completely and replant new tree/s elsewhere in the open space. It was RESOLVED to remove the overhanging limb first and then review the situation.
ACTION: Cllr Boulton to look at the maple to see if he is able to do the work with assistance.
H55 To discuss requests regarding trees in Beaumoor Place
There are three trees in a raised area at Beaumoor Place that a nearby resident has asked if they could be cut back as they are blocking light to his property. The trees are the responsibility of CDC, though may be passed to Fosseway in the future. The Clerk has spoken to the Tree Officer at CDC and work was carried out last year to the trees. He will carry out another site inspection this week.
The same resident has complained about foliage alongside the footpath and Keble Lawns. Cllr Boulton has spoken to the resident at Keble Lawns and they have carried out cutting back along the boundary. They do not want to reduce the height as it would affect their privacy.
CDC has confirmed that there is ‘no right to light to a property’ and the committee felt that the neighbour had made efforts to cut back their vegetation. Access to the footpath is clear and it was thought there was nothing else the Town Council could do with this matter.
H56 Items the Chair considers urgent:
Trees blocking Street Lights: It has been reported that trees along London road are blocking street lights. The Clerk has spoken to Street Lighting and it would help to have specific column numbers.
ACTION: Cllr Hinton to record the column numbers and also check near the Town Bridge and Betterton’s Close entrance.
Cllr Winney offered to cut back the ivy growing over the speed sign by the Railway Inn.
Quarry Alley: The Transfer Deed for Quarry Alley has been sent from CDC for checking. It was RESOLVED not to appoint a solicitor to check the documents as it is only a small piece of land.
ACTION: Cllr Boulton to check the documents and report back.
H57 Date of next meeting – Tuesday 23rd November 2010
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