TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY 6TH APRIL 2009

Present :   Cllr C. Stanger (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr J. Hart,

                Cllr M. Johns, Cllr D. Linney, Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr A. Maycock, Cllr R. Mills,

                Cllr A. Wardle, Cllr H. Wright

                Cllr R. Bromwich – N. C. C.

                Cllr D. Dallyn – S. N. C.

1.    Apologies for Absence

Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr J. Lynch, Cllr D. Yates

Cllr A. Wilby – S. N. C.

2.    Declarations of Interest

None.

3.    Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

4.    Town Mayor's Items

Cllr Stanger gave details of events he had recently attended:-

13/03/09 Brackley Civic Dinner

14/03/09 Towcester Town Mayor's Charity Ball

20/03/09 N. C. C. Chairman's Civic Dinner

Cllr Stanger reminded all present that this would be his last Full Council Meeting as Town Mayor. He thanked all his fellow councillors their support during his term of office. His last fundraiser will be a Quiz Night on 24th April; to date approximately £4,000 has been raised for his nominated charities.

5.    Report from :-

Cllr R. Bromwich, Northamptonshire County Council

Cllr Bromwich confirmed her attendance at a recent gathering of representatives from N. C. C. Prevention and Early Intervention and the voluntary sector to discuss ways in which to assist elderly and disabled persons who wish to remain independent. It was acknowledged that many do not know about all the help available to them and this must be addressed. Cllr Bromwich today attended a presentation aimed at garnering the views of disabled people. Feedback included some criticism of appointed bus / taxi drivers and people generally staring and making fun of disabled people. Cllr Bromwich stressed the need for increased tolerance when dealing with people with learning disabilities.

Cllr Bromwich recently visited the new hospital in Northampton for patients with mental illnesses. She was extremely impressed with the size of the hospital and the improved facilities it offers; confirming that each patient now has their own room.

Cllr Bromwich gave her apologies for the next Town Council meeting.

Cllr D. Dallyn, South Northamptonshire Council

Cllr Dallyn referred to complaints regarding the litter on the open area at the bottom of the Shires Estate. She has spoken with the Towcester Partnership who will be organising a litter pick of this area and the water meadows site. Further discussion need to take place on future maintenance of these areas.

S. N. C. is putting out to consultation an Interim Rural Housing Strategy to look at the whole of the South Northants Region. The aim is to identify potential sites for future affordable / social housing.

6.    Minutes of Meetings

Resources/Planning Committee      9th March 2009

Town Council                                 9th March 2009

Town Hall Committee                    16th March 2009

Recreation/Leisure Committee       16th March 2009

Resources/Planning Committee     23rd March 2009

Page 09/03/034 was amended to include Cllr A. Wardle under Item 1 – Apologies for Absence.

Proposal

Cllr Hart proposed that the Minutes of Meetings be signed by the Chair as a true record;

seconded by Cllr Wardle, all in favour.

7.    Matters Arising from the Minutes

Page 09/03/037

The Clerk confirmed that she is due to attend a meeting with Jane Pitchfork of N. C. C. regarding the feasibility study to be carried out on the Towcester Youth & Community Centre to assess its potential to become a Sure-Start Children's Centre.

8.    Report back from the Chairman of the :-

Resources/Planning Committee

Cllr Lofts confirmed that the meeting of the Resources/Planning Committee scheduled for this evening had been cancelled as no planning applications had been received. Cllr Lofts reported the following planning decisions:-

Permission for Development in respect of:-

S/2009/0104/P     Tiny Tows Pre-School, Towcester Primary School, Islington Road, Towcester

                           To extend existing outdoor covered play area.

S/2009/0070/P     32 Spinney Close, Towcester

                           Single and two storey rear extension.

S/2009/0141/P     40 Hazel Crescent, Towcester

                           Two storey side extension.

S/2008/1094/P     Sponne School, Brackley Road, Towcester

                           2.0 metre fence to incorporate gates for vehicular and pedestrian access to highway frontage.

Listed Building Consent in respect of:-

S/2009/0112/LB     Manor House, Hulcote

                            Reinstatement of French window in place of existing standard window on rear elevation.

Cllr Lofts referred to the recent application to extend the Tesco store. He confirmed that the proposals will effectively double the size of the store.

Town Hall Committee

Cllr Hart confirmed that the programme of redecoration works has been completed. Baby changing facilities are now installed in the disabled toilets as well as at the Towcester Youth & Community Centre.

Recreation/Leisure Committee

Cllr Dryden had given her apologies for the meeting. The Clerk confirmed that the new Town Guide had been delivered and will be distributed to the local Estate Agents, Library, S. N. C. Offices etc. The loss adjuster has forwarded the final settlement of £1500 in respect of loss of income for the Towcester Youth & Community Centre.

Cemetery Committee

Cllr Mills confirmed that a site meeting is to be arranged to discuss options for the future use of the Cemetery Chapel. He referred to a letter received from a former resident of Towcester requesting to reserve a burial plot in Brackley Road Cemetery . He confirmed that the Clerk will be writing back to establish some further details.

Allotment Working Group

Cllr Maycock confirmed his attendance of the Allotment Society's AGM on 11th March. No Chairman was elected at the meeting and this role will be carried out on rotation. Members of the Society spoke about erecting a fence around the allotment site to help prevent theft and vandalism. Cllr Wardle did advise that permission would need to be obtained from the TC and Hesketh Estate and planning permission may also be needed depending on the height of the fence.

9.    Report back from Local Bodies

Cllr Lofts reported the setting up of a Towcester Wildlife Trust; the first meeting of which is taking place this evening at the Saracen's Head. The new group is looking forward to taking over the wildlife management of several open spaces in the town.

Cllr Hart confirmed that the Chantry House Committee had been successful in achieving additional funding from S. N. C. towards the programme of works being carried out at the Chantry House. The cost of the works was considerably more than anticipated.

Cllr Hart referred to the last Recreation/Leisure meeting at which it was agreed that an additional 10 traders in the town centre would be allowed to participate in the window box scheme this year. Feedback received from the last meeting of Towcester Traders indicates that there will not be this many additional applicants. Letters will be sent to all the current participants and those who expressed an interest at the meeting.

Cllr Johns thanked all members of the council who have given their support to him over the past few weeks, following the sad loss of his wife, Gill.

Cllr Linney confirmed that he will give a report back from the N. A. L. C. at the next meeting.

Cllr Wright confirmed she has been asked by the Sponne & Bickerstaffe Charity to make bunting for a 25th Anniversary party to commemorate the opening of Moorfield. Any spare material that can be donated will be gratefully received.

10a.    Nominations for Town Mayor 2009/10

Proposal

Cllr Allen proposed that Cllr Chris Lofts be elected as Town Mayor for the ensuing year;

seconded by Cllr Godwin, all in favour.

10b.    Nominations for Deputy Mayor 2009/10

Proposal

Cllr Lofts proposed that Cllr Jacqueline Hart be elected as Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year;

seconded by Cllr Linney, all in favour.

11.    Casual Vacancy

The four letters of application for two vacancies on Brook Ward were forwarded to members prior to the meeting. Voting took place by ballot; the successful candidates being Mr David Bain and Mr Martin Blake. The Clerk confirmed that the new members would be invited to join the Council at the Annual Meeting on 11th May.

12.    East Midlands Regional Assembly

        East Midlands Regional Plan: Partial Review

The East Midlands Regional Plan sets out a broad, long-term development strategy for the region and identifies the scale and distribution of new housing and priorities for the environment, transport, infrastructure, economic development, agriculture, energy, minerals and waste treatment and disposal. On 11th March the East Midlands Regional Assembly's Housing and Transport Joint Board met to agree changes made to the Regional Plan following its consultation period. The current version of the Regional Plan, published by the Secretary of State on 12th March, can now be viewed on:- http://www.gos.gov.uk/goem/planning/regional-planning/

Noted.

13.    Correspondence

a)    South Northamptonshire Council

i.     Vehicle Access Brackley Road / Keats Drive

Correspondence from Ms Nathasingh of S. N. C. Legal Department refers to the vehicular access at Brackley Road / Keats Drive . S. N. C. and N. C. C. are now working towards a compromise with all parties to resolve this issue and Ms Nathasingh will report any developments as soon as possible. The Clerk confirmed that this item will be referred to the next Recreation/Leisure Committee meeting.

ii.    Dog Control Orders

Following its consultation period ending on 19th February 2009, no further amendments were made to the S. N. C. Dog Control Orders. Further information can be viewed on the S. N. C. website.

iii.    Changes to cash office arrangements at Towcester and Brackley Council Offices

Correspondence confirms that with effect from 1st April 2009 cash payments will no longer be accepted at the S. N. C. Offices. A new system of payment using an ‘allpay' card, accepted at the post office and local shops has been introduced. Cllr Linney informed the meeting that many residents, particularly elderly persons, were not satisfied with the new arrangements. Cllr Lofts queried whether any formal consultations had been carried out.

Proposal

Cllr Lofts proposed that the TC register its concern with S. N. C. that it was not consulted over the new payment arrangements at its offices:

seconded by Cllr Godwin, all in favour.

b)    Northamptonshire County Council

Correspondence from N. C. C. gives an updated report on assessing of its Top 10 Local Priorities for the 2009/10 financial year. Noted.

c)    South Northants Homes

Correspondence from South Northants Homes confirms the schedule of works to its properties. Works currently being undertaken in Towcester are at Meadow Court and Willis Way .

d)   Village Viewpoint – A copy of the Spring 2009 issue is available from the Clerk.