TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY 14TH APRIL 2008

Present :-   Cllr V. Baker (Chairman), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr J. Hart,

                 Cllr D. Linney, Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr J. Lynch, Cllr A. Maycock, Cllr R. Mills,

                 Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr H. Wright

 

1.    Apologies for Absence

Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr A. Wardle, Cllr D. Yates

 

Cllr D. Dallyn – SNC

 

2.    Declarations of Interest

None.

 

3.    Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

 

4.    TOWN MAYOR'S ITEMS

Cllr Baker gave details of events she has recently attended:-

 

12/03/08   Towcester & District Local History Society AGM

15/03/08   Towcester Town Mayor's Civic Ball

17/03/08   Public Meeting hosted by the Towcester Partnership

26/03/08   Meeting of Moat Lane Consultative Group

05/04/08   Towcester & District Lions 34 th Charter Dinner

09/04/08   Afternoon Tea fundraiser for the PSP Society

11/04/08   SNC Chairman's Dinner

12/04/08   Towcester Town Mayor's Charity Concert

 

Cllr Baker thanked all those who had supported her fundraising activities throughout the year, by attending the events or donating prizes.

 

5.    Report back from :

 

Cllr R. Bromwich, Northamptonshire County Council

Cllr Bromwich confirmed the recipients, awarded a share of the £10,000 she had been allocated by NCC to distribute to good causes in the South Northants area:-

 

Vision Youth Café, Towcester Youth Coffee Shop, Towcester Ladies Hockey Club, Towcestrians Cricket Club, Towcester Evening Women's Institute, Towcester Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, SNVB, South Northants Alzheimer's Society.

 

Cllr Bromwich would welcome applications for the next 2008/09 allocation. She referred to a recent conference in Birmingham , focusing on young people with learning difficulties where NCC was praised for its presentation. It aims to provide more options for adults in residential care and in recent times has helped facilitate the move of 20 young people with learning difficulties out of residential care to live independently. Cllr Bromwich gave details of progress made achieving targets set in the Local Area Agreement.

 

Cllr A. Wilby, South Northamptonshire Council

Cllr Wilby confirmed that the SNC housing issue has been settled with the transfer of its stock to landlord, South Northants Homes, being completed. The benefit to the authority is small in relation to the value of the housing stock. 100+ residents attended the SNC meeting on the Silverstone Planning Brief. Cllr Wilby considered it a good exercise in local democracy where both sides made good points. This matter will now refer back to cabinet for its decision. The development of Moat Lane is moving forward with a number of developers interested in long term investment. Work on the Mount should commence shortly but other development is not anticipated for some 18 months. .

Towcester Partnership

Jackson-Stopps proposals for Burcote Wood Farm are being worked out. Towcester Partnership has organised a workshop for 24 th April in the Chantry House. A background document on this will be circulated shortly. Preliminary proposals are for a good quality housing scheme surrounding the parkland and the Partnership is looking for all views on this. Cllr Lofts referred to the professional consultations organised by Persimmon/Bloor on its planning proposals. He considered that Jackson-Stopps should be funding proper consultations. Cllr Wilby will take these comments on board. Cllr Wilby stressed the importance of not losing sight of other issues in view of Persimmon/Bloor planning application. It appears that the Civic Building designated for Moat Lane may not be sufficient to accommodate all the activities originally anticipated and this issue needs to be addressed. The Partnership has been working with NCC on changes to public transport in the area, involving the introduction of a transport hub from September 2008. Cllr Wilby is keen that these changes are incorporated into the Persimmon/Bloor plans. He pointed out the merits of the public meeting held on 17th March and is hopeful that Persimmon/Bloor will now enter into serious discussions.

 

Cllr Baker commended the Partnership on its public meeting. The presentations made at the meeting were good and well informed. Cllr Lofts agreed adding that it was important the WNDC heard what the town wanted from the development. Cllr Baker expressed her disappointment on the slow progress of the Moat Lane development.

 

6.    Minutes of Meetings

Resources/Planning Committee    10th March 2008

Town Council                               10th March 2008

Cemetery Committee                    17th March 2008

Resources/Planning Committee     31st March 2008

Town Council                               31st March 2008

 

Proposal

Cllr Allen proposed that the Minutes of Meetings be signed by the Chairman as a true record; seconded by Cllr Linney, All in favour.

 

7.    Matters Arising from the Minutes

08/03/025 The Clerk referred to the resignation of Cllr Hornett from the Town Council and his role as Neighbourhood Watch Scheme Co-ordinator for Towcester. Members were asked to consider acting as TC representative on the scheme. No-one at the meeting felt able to take on this role and the matter was deferred to a future meeting.

 

The Clerk confirmed that the WNDC will be holding an ‘open space' workshop on 15 th April which representatives of the TC are invited to attend. No-one present was able to attend due to the short notice given. Cllr Baker noted the importance of the issues being discussed and suggested the TC send a strong response to the WNDC requesting that more notice be given in future.

 

Cllr Baker has been forwarded a copy of the objections submitted by Paulerspury Parish Council to the WNDC on the Persimmon/Bloor application. She confirmed the objections were in line with those of the Town Council. Cllr Allen suggested that the TC respond to the Parish Council Parish confirming it concurs with and supports the objections.

Cllr Baker pointed out the persistent referral to the development area as Towcester Vale. Members agreed that in all communications it should be referred to as expanded Towcester as this gives a better impression that it will form part of the existing town.

 

8.    Report back from the Chairman of the :-

 

Resources/Planning Committee

Cllr Stanger had nothing to report.

Town Hall Committee

Cllr Hart had nothing to report.

Recreation/Leisure Committee

Cllr Dryden had given apologies for the meeting. The Clerk confirmed that no meeting took place in March so all matters will be referred to the next meeting on 21st April.

Cemetery Committee

The Clerk confirmed that tree surgery works on the Malthouse Court allotment site have been carried out by contractors for the Hesketh Estate. The Estate has agreed to carry out repairs to the churchyard wall.

Allotment Working Group

Cllr Maycock had nothing to report.

 

9.    Report back from Local Bodies

 

Cllr Lynch confirmed his attendance at the NCC meeting on emergency planning. A number of scenarios were discussed and members considered what role the TC would play in the event of these emergencies. Cllr Godwin suggested the TC ask the Emergency Planning Team how we fit into its plans. Cllr Hart felt members of the public may approach the TC for contact details of other agencies, rather than ‘hands-on' assistance, and it would be helpful to have this information to hand.

Cllr Linney informed the meeting that the Towcester Youth Coffee Shop has been closed for the past fortnight, following a serious incident, where one of its volunteers was injured. This has resulted in a ban being given to 2 members. The Coffee Shop will re-open on following the installation of CCTV cameras.

Cllr Allen confirmed the resignation of Anne Hornett as Chairman of the Sponne & Bickerstaffe Charity. This position has been taken over by Penny Bennett.

 

10.    Vacancy for Town Councillor

Following the resignation of Cllr Hornett, the TC has a vacancy on Brook Ward. The Clerk confirmed that the vacancy has been advertised in the forthcoming Town Crier and a notice will be placed in the local press. Provided that the TC is not required to hold an election, it is likely the vacancy will be co-opted at the TC meeting in June.

11a)    Nominations for Town Mayor

Cllr Linney proposed that Cllr Charles Stanger be nominated for the role of Town Mayor for the ensuing year; seconded by Cllr Lynch, Unanimously agreed.

 

11b)    Nominations for Deputy Mayor

Cllr Allen proposed that Cllr Chris Lofts be nominated for the role of Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year; seconded by Cllr Maycock, Unanimously agreed.

 

12.    Moat Lane Consultative Group

The meeting of the Moat Lane Consultative Group on 26 th March was attended by Cllr Baker and the Clerk. The meeting was arranged to consider the entrees quoting for the landscaping of Bury Mount and its surrounds. A further meeting will be held at SNC on 30th April to agree the final proposals. The Clerk has forwarded details of the meeting to all members by email.

 

13.    CORRESPONDENCE

 

NALC

a)    Update 2008/09

A copy of the NCALC Update for March/April is available from the Clerk. It confirms the relocation of the NCALC headquarters Hunsbury Hill to new offices in Litchborough and details of the annual NCALC conference to be held in Eastbourne 20-22 May.

b)    Membership 2008/09

The cost to renew the TC membership to NCALC for the period 1st April 2008 to 31st March 2009 is £1290.00

 

Proposal

Cllr Allen proposed that the TC renew its membership of NCALC for 2008/09; seconded by Cllr Linney, All in favour

 

c)    Internal Audit Membership for 2008/09

The Clerk confirmed the cost to renew the TC internal audit membership for 2008/09 will be £303.43 or £330.75 depending on which Charge Band it falls within. Noted.

d)    Joint Press Release from NCALC and Northants ACRE

The joint press release confirms the partners have decided not to renew their joint service level agreement and will in future operate as individual bodies. Noted

 

CPRE Northamptonshire Design Awards 2008

CPRE Northamptonshire is sponsoring a county-wide Design Awards scheme. Details are available from the Clerk. The closing date for entrees is 30th September.

Northamptonshire County Council – Household Waste Recycling Centre

Rationalisation Project – Stakeholder Consultation

Correspondence from NCC confirms it has organised 4 stakeholder workshops to review its waste recycling services. Cllr Baker confirmed that 3 of the workshop dates have passed, the final workshop being held on 26th April. Cllr Allen suggested the TC write to NCC to stress the importance of maintaining the waste recycling centre in Towcester.

 

Greens Norton Royal British Legion

Correspondence from M. Bricknell, Secretary of the Royal British Legion regarding holding a ceremony at the Brackley Road Cemetery similar to the event held at Greens Norton. Councillors agreed to support this request and suggested a meeting be arranged to progress this matter further.

 

South Northamptonshire Council – Village Directory 2008 Review

Correspondence from SNC confirms it will shortly review the information contained within its Village Directory, which details the services available in each village within the District. The Clerk confirmed the directory relates only to Caldecote as part of the Towcester parish.

 

Britain in Bloom

A copy of Bloom Review 2008 is available from the Clerk.