204/08

Action:

Action:

Public Question Time (1)

Mr R Mustoe asked why his 43 years service had not been noted and no recognition had been given ?  The Chairman replied that Mr Mustoe’s long service had been noted in the Chairman’s Report to the Annual Parish Meeting.  He added that a proposal to adopt an Honorary Scheme had been put to Council but received no support and that no other Town or Parish Council in the District have such a procedure.  Mr Mustoe threatened that he would take any misdemeanour of the Council to the Standards Board.

Waste Disposal

Members were advised that CDC’s new arrangements had not been successful.  Earlier in the day many bins not cleared out properly, black bags had been left out and not collected and there was general confusion over what to leave out and when.  Clr Tufnell (District) replied that the crews had been told not to collect bags that were not in a bin and that bins were to be replaced.  There should now be less litter if there are no bags to be split open and he would see that problems were corrected.   Despite these initial problems the amount of waste going into landfill has dropped from 80 tons to 20 and that a record amount of garden waste had been collected the previous week.

Northleach in Bloom

Members were asked why some of the awards had not yet been made ?  The Chairman advised that it had not been a Town Council imitative and that enquiries would be passed on to the Northleach in Bloom group.

Market Place Bus Stop

Members were asked why the bus stop is still not being used correctly ?  The Chairman confirmed that operators have agreed to use shelter as intended and Gloucestershire Highways have agreed to carry out a small works programme to make access easier for buses.

205/08

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr Mrs J Pullin (Family Bereavement),  Cllr A Wellman (Holiday) and Cllr Mavis Lady Dunrossil (County).

206/08

Acceptance and signing of Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on Tuesday, 27 May 2008

It was RESOLVED to confirm the Minutes as a true and accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.

207/08

Declaration of Interests

None

208/08

Action:

To Discuss any Matters Arising from the above Minutes not included on the Agenda

Resurfacing of School Hill

Scheduled for end of July 2008.  Members were advised that Eastington Hill is also in a very bad condition.

209/08

Police Report from attending Police Officer

PCSO Williams reported that generally everything is still quiet although there has been skate boarding in Market Place.  No offence, however, is being committed unless any vehicle is interfered with and owners need to report and incidents.  The only alternative is for the Council to make a by-law prohibiting skate boarding and then to enforce it.  The presence of the Youth Service Skate board ramp during summer holidays may help the situation.  PCSO Williams also reported:

·          Increasing number of thefts of stone tiles particularly from bus shelters.

·          Anti social behaviour on the Playing Field is increasing.

·          Some buses are coming into Market Place except on Market day.

·          Speed checks are being carried out in the Town and it is now a high priority in County.  Most offenders are being logged on the school run but many drivers slow down when they see a Police Officer.  Drivers will be prosecuted if caught travelling over 10 mph over the speed limit.

He advised that this was his last meeting as PCSO as he will begin PC training shortly.  Everyone present joined with the Chairman in thanking PCSO Williams for his excellent work in the community.

210/08.

District Councillors’ Report

Report from Councillor Mark Tufnell (District)

Cllr Tufnell thanked PCSO Williams for the enormous contribution his work has made and said that he looked forward to seeing him as a PC.

Green bins – there have been reports about stolen licences and bins. However, with 20,000 bins in total in the District only 20 have been stolen.

The Hyder report is to be discussed with Town Council representatives on Friday.

211/08

Finance

211.1/08

Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Noted.

211.2/08

To Receive Report from the Chairman

Cllr Mrs Rainey advised that the last meeting had been a very short one but a great deal had been achieved.

211.3/08

Budget Status up to 30 May 2008

Noted.

211.4/08

Bills for Payment for June 2008

RESOLVED to approve.

211.5/08

To Adopt Revised Standing Orders (attached)

Proposed:  Cllr C Hancock      Seconded:  Cllr Mrs P Rainey and unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the amended Standing Orders.

211.6/08

To Adopt Revised Financial Regulations (attached)

Proposed:  Cllr C Hancock      Seconded:  Cllr Mrs P Rainey and unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the amended Standing Orders.

212/08

Planning and Tree Works

212.1/08

Schedule of New Planning Applications, Applications Responded to and Decision Notices Received

The Planning Scheduled was tabled and Noted.

212.2/08

To Receive Report from the Chairman

Cllr Mrs Lawrence advised that there had been one additional new planning application since publication of the agenda.

213/08

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

Report from the Chairman

Cllr Wellman was unavailable.

214/08

Westwoods Committee

214.1/08

Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 2 June 2008

These were not available and would be circulated later.

214.2/08

To Receive Report from the Chairman

Cllr Blades advised that bookings are going well with:

·          Art Exhibition (students from Cotswold School) being held in the next couple of weeks.

·          Upstairs store is being cleared out.

·          Painting in the Fortey Hall begins on 5 August but no bookings have been cancelled.

215/08

Co-option to Fill the Vacancy left by the Resignation of Drew Nevins

It was unanimously RESOLVED to co-opt Mark Williams to fill the vacancy.  Cllr Williams then signed his Acceptance of Office and joined the meeting.

216/08

Study Groups and Projects - Update

216.1/08

Town Plan

Cllr Hancock advised that the Plan is making progress and it is hoped that it will be finalised by the autumn.  There is a new member joining the group and the Group will have a stand at the Charter Fair.

216.2/08

Action:

MUGA Working Group – Notes from the meeting on 19 May 2008

The notes were unavailable and would be circulated later.  Cllr Hancock reported that the 3 potential providers had seen both sites and would have visual displays available for the Open Evening on 23 July.

216.3/08

Action:

Allotments – Reports from meeting re Bassett Road site and Mill End site

The notes were unavailable and would be circulated later.  The Clerk reported that a site has been agreed with GCC and the Lease is being prepared.  It is likely that a Licence will be issued to enable preparation work to begin before the lease is available.  The Chairman advised that he has put together an Environmental Grant bid for £10K through GRCC. 

217.4/08

Drainage including Hyder - Second Phase Report

The Chairman advised that the report reiterates everything previously discussed with CDC and described to consultants.  Cllr Mustoe congratulated the consultants on the accuracy of their report and Cllr Hancock advised that he has received another report on the condition of the main culvert. 

217.5/08

Action:

Resilience Planning – Notes from CDC Seminar

The notes were unavailable but would be circulated later.  The group would be meeting on Monday to develop plan for presentation to the Council.  Representatives from Police and Fire services have been invited.  CDC’s Grant must be applied for by 31 July.

217.6/08

Action:

Youth Issues – Notes from Meeting with Youth Service and CDC Officers

The notes would be circulated later but there was nothing further to report.

217.7/08

Action:

Management of CDC Land – Notes from Meeting with Estates Officer

The notes would be circulated later.  A report has been received regarding land ownership in Ward Road which the Chairman and the Clerk would progress.

218/08

Correspondence

·                CDC – Removal of Eastington Payphone

It was RESOLVED to support Eastington residents’ wish to retain the telephone box.

·                CDC – Cotswold District Core Strategy – Settlement Profiles

A group has been developed including Councillors and residents.

·                CDC – Cotswold Community Sport & Physical Activity Network (CSPAN) – 25 June 2008

Noted

·                CDC Community Safety – Bogus Callers and Rogue Traders Seminar at Westwoods – 10 July 2008

Noted

·                GCC – Gloucestershire Flooding Conference – 14 July 2008

Noted

Action:

·                GCC – Road Closure Notice for School Hill from 28 July to 8 August 2008

Noted.  Cllr Mrs Rainey asked if the return of the name ‘School Hill’ could be investigated.

219/08

Chairman’s Report

Members were advised that the recent Concerts had been a great success and that a thank you event for all helpers had been held.

220/08

Representatives on Other Bodies

220.1/08

Youth Club – Cllr Mrs J Pullin

Cllr Mrs Pullin was unavailable.

220.2/08

Parochial Church Council and Church Restoration Fund –

Cllr D Cotton and Cllr C Hancock

Nothing further to report.

220.3/08

Safer Cotswold and Community Crime Panel – Cllr Mrs J Pullin

Cllr Mrs Pullin was unavailable.

220.4/08

Northleach Primary School – Cllr J Mustoe and Cllr C Hancock

Cllr Mustoe advised that work on the new classroom is progressing well.  He added that the Town is very fortunate that the County Council is prepared to invest in the School and that the new hall is a great asset.

221/08

Any Other Business

Any other matters that any Councillor wishes to bring to the attention of the Council or agenda items for future meetings.

None.

222/08

Public Question Time (2)

Members were advised that the appearance of the Town has deteriorated in recent years, the verges have become overgrown, road signs need repair and footpaths need clearing.

Members replied that they considered the approach from the A429 traffic light is considerable improved now that the redundant Little Chef has gone and the new wall build.  It was also noted that an unofficial signs has appeared advertising local businesses.