TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2009

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

                Cllr J. Hart, Cllr D. Linney, Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr J. Lynch, Cllr A. Maycock,

                Cllr D. Yates

 

1.    Apologies for Absence

Cllr M. Johns, Cllr R. Mills, Cllr A. Wardle, Cllr H. Wright

Cllr R. Bromwich – N.C.C.

Cllr D. Dallyn – 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 has recently attended:-

18/01/09   Bucket Collection by the W.I. for the Town Mayor's Charities at Towcester Races

24/01/09   Town Mayor's Pool & Darts Knockout at Deanshanger Social Club

25/01/09   Town Mayor's Charity Football Match at Blakesley

Cllr Stanger confirmed his Charity Ball will take place on Saturday 14th March. Invitations have been sent out and all donations towards the prize draw and tombola would be most welcome.

5.    Report back from :-

 

a)    Cllr R. Bromwich, Northamptonshire County Council

Cllr Bromwich had forwarded her apologies for the meeting.

 

b)    A representative of South Northamptonshire Council

Cllr Dallyn had forwarded her apologies for the meeting.

 

6.    Minutes of Meetings

Resources/Planning Committee       12th January 2009

Town Council                                  12th January 2009

Recreation/Leisure Committee         19th January 2009

Cemetery Committee                      26th January 2009

Resources/Planning Committee       26th January 2009

 

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that the Minutes of Meetings be signed off as a true record;

seconded by Cllr Linney, all in favour.

 

7.    Matters Arising from the Minutes

The Clerk had nothing be report under Matters Arising from the Minutes.

 

8.    Report back from the Chairman of the :-

 

Resources/Planning Committee

Cllr Lofts had nothing to report.

Town Hall Committee

Cllr Hart confirmed that the internal redecoration works have been completed. There is currently a problem with the heating in the Town Hall as the switch keeps tripping off. The electrician has checked all the connected sockets and ordered a new RCD unit which should resolve the problem.

Recreation/Leisure Committee

Cllr Dryden confirmed the gents' toilets at Moat Lane are still closed. This item will be referred to the next RL meeting. As yet, there is no update on when the Community Centre will re-open; the Clerk is following up this matter with the contractor. The funding of £5,000 towards lighting for the skateboard park has been received from the Safer Communities team. The commuted sum of £53,000 for the transfer of open space at Water Lane has been received from David Wilson Homes .

Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park

Cllr Yates reported back from the meeting of the Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park Committee which she attended with Cllr Wright. Cllr Yates has obtained a copy of the constitution of the committee which the Clerk will circulate prior to the next RL meeting. The issues discussed at the meeting included:-

- upgrading of the signage

- fencing of the site

- planting

- responsibility for opening/closing

It was agreed to refer this item to the next RL meeting for a full discussion.

Cemetery Committee

Cllr Mills had forwarded his apologies for the meeting. The Clerk confirmed that the Cemetery contractor, Ben Mitchell, is much better following his recent health problems, although his assistant, Les, remains in a serious condition in hospital.

Allotment Working Group

Cllr Maycock confirmed that the Chairman of the Allotment Society, Peter Cowan, has resigned. The AGM of the Allotment Society will take place on 11th March when the new Chairman will be appointed. Members have raised a query with respect to tree surgery on the allotment site as they consider that one tree near to the wall has been missed.

 

9.    Report back from Local Bodies

Cllr Lynch confirmed the Towcester Partnership has appointed its new Project Manager, Mr Barry Owen.

Cllr Lofts confirmed he has selected two charities for his Mayoral year. He invited members to nominate a third local charity for consideration.

 

10.    Casual Vacancies

 

Notification has been received from SNC that the TC may now co-opt for its Casual Vacancy on Brook Ward. The Clerk has notified SNC regarding the resignation of Cllr Kidd and will await their confirmation that this vacancy can also be co-opted. The 2 vacancies will be advertised in the forthcoming issue of the Town Crier due out in March.

 

11.    Standards Board of England

Proposal

Cllr Lofts proposed that Cllr Hart complete the questionnaire form from the Standards Board for England on its service provision;

seconded by Cllr Linney, all in favour.

 

12.    Correspondence

a)    2009 Village of the Year Competition

It was agreed the Town Council would not be eligible to participate in the Village of the Year competition.

b)   A copy of South Northants Council Arts News; January to April 2009 Edition is available from the Clerk.