TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY 11TH JANUARY 2010

Present:              Cllr C. Lofts (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr M. Blake, Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr J. Hart,

                          Cllr M. Johns, Cllr D. Linney, Cllr J. Lynch, Cllr A. Maycock, Cllr C. Stanger,

                          Cllr A. Wardle, Cllr D. Yates

1.           Apologies for Absence

Cllr R. Mills, Cllr H. Wright

Cllr D. Dallyn – SNC

Cllr A. Wilby, SNC, had forwarded notice that he would arrive late to the meeting.  Item 6 on the agenda, South Northamptonshire Council – Affordable Housing in Towcester will be deferred to the next Full Council Meeting on 8th February.

2.           Declarations of Interest

None.

3.           Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

4.           Town Mayor’s Items

Cllr Lofts gave details of events he has recently attended:-

15/12/09 Presentation of vouchers to Sara Lyons, Towcester Infant School for the Town  

               Crier Christmas drawing competition  

17/12/09 Open Air Carol Concert on the Market Square

20/12/09 Service of Carols and Lessons at St Lawrence Church

23/12/09 Presentation of hampers to residents of Plank Houses at the Plough Inn

5.           Report back from:-

Cllr R. Bromwich, Northamptonshire County Council

Cllr Bromwich circulated correspondence from the Leader of N.C.C., Jim Harker, concerning its subsidy to the Music Service.  It states that the County Council is required by Government to prioritise the services it provides. Though the Council has no intention of letting the reputation and work of the Music Service diminish; it is one of the many areas going through public consultation and scrutiny to see if a better service could be provided more cost effectively.  A final decision on the level of subsidy will not be made until 25th February. 

Cllr Bromwich requested an amendment to Minute Page 09/12/161 ‘Cllr Lynch questioned why the crossroads near to the Saracen’s Head were not resurfaced as part of the gas works as promised by Cllr Bromwich’.  Cllr Bromwich advised that she did not ‘promise’ but agreed to pursue this matter with the relevant department.

Cllr Bromwich reported back from the meeting she organised for 5th January concerning proposals for the enhanced cycle path from Docklewell Close to Water Lane.  She confirmed that works are now scheduled to commence on 25th January.  Revised proposals include laying down double-yellow lines from the crossing on Buckingham Way to the Leisure Centre junction.  This has been recommended by the Road Safety Officer to enhance visibility for cyclists/walkers by preventing parents from parking near to the Buckingham Way crossing.   Cllr Wardle confirmed the school was advised by the Road Safety Officer to have parents park in this location.  Cllr Bromwich will ask the R.S.O. to speak with the Governors of Nicholas Hawksmoor again on this issue.

Cllr Blake stressed that the advertisement of public consultations needs to be improved; many residents attending the meeting were unaware of the proposals until notices of the commencement of works were erected. 

Cllr Lofts raised concern that a number of grit bins in Towcester were not refilled between the pre and post Christmas snow.  He agreed to email the details to Cllr Bromwich for her to pursue this matter.

6.           South Northamptonshire Council – Affordable Housing in Towcester

              This item was deferred to the next Full Council Meeting on 8th February 2010.

7.           Minutes of Meetings

              Resources/Planning Committee                 14th December 2009

              Town Council                                           14th December 2009

Proposal

Cllr Stanger proposed that the Minutes of Meetings for December 2009 be signed by the Chair as a true record; seconded by Cllr Wardle; all in favour.

8.           Matters Arising from the Minutes

Minute Page 09/12/162

The Clerk confirmed that the Chief Executive of SNC, Jean Morgan, is on leave until 21st January.  She will contact Jean’s Secretary next week to arrange the meeting requested by members to discuss the relocation of SNC offices to Moat Lane.  SNC cabinet is due to make its decision this month.  

Minute Page 09/12/162

Cllr Lynch referred to the decision taken since the last meeting not to proceed with the funding of the new heating system at the Community Centre; which is contrary to Minute Page 09/12/162.  As N.C.C. is now budgeting £30,000 for the new system, it was agreed to wait for the Sure-Start works to commence.  In the meantime the TC will provide 3 freestanding heaters for the Vision.  The Clerk today met with a representative from Sure-Start’s service provider; he is investigating options for temporary heating in the main building in order to facilitate some preliminary sessions. 

9.           Report back from the Chair of the:-

Resources/Planning Committee

Cllr Hart had nothing to report.

Recreation/Leisure Committee

Cllr Wright had forwarded her apologies for the meeting.  The Clerk referred to the latest correspondence from Vicky Walker of Arnold Thomson concerning the transfer of open space on the Willis Dawson development off Highfields.

Proposal

Cllr Johns proposed that the title deeds be signed by the Chair; seconded by Cllr Linney; all in favour

The Clerk confirmed the annual ROSPA inspection was carried out in December.  There are no high or medium risk items identified in the report.  A copy of the report will be forwarded to the TC contractor to schedule all necessary works.

Cemetery Committee

Cllr Wright had forwarded her apologies for the meeting.  A report had been forwarded to all TC members concerning the allotments to the rear of Malthouse Court; following the Clerk’s conversation with the Knight Frank representatives for the Hesketh Estate.  The TC currently has a 45 year lease of the allotment land and pays an annual rent of £500.00. 

The Hesketh Estate is now offering a 999 year lease of the land for £40,000.  The Clerk recommended the TC pursue this offer and refers the issue of financing the purchase of the lease to the Resources/Planning Committee.  Cllr Wardle pointed out that the TC will become responsible for a considerable amount of work on the site as a result.

Proposal

Cllr Wardle proposed that the TC pursue the offer of a 999 year lease of the allotment land to the rear of Malthouse Court and refer this item to the Resources/Planning Committee to discuss financing the purchase of the lease; seconded by Cllr Johns; all in favour.

Allotment Working Group

Cllr Maycock confirmed there will not be a meeting of the Allotment Society until February.

Town Hall Committee

Cllr Allen confirmed that Berrys Commercial had given notice to terminate the lease of its office at the Town Hall with effective from 31st March 2010.  This will bring the number of vacant Town Hall offices to 2; to be referred to the Town Hall Committee.

10.         Report back from Local Bodies

There were no reports back from Local Bodies.

11.         West Northamptonshire Development Corporation

              Draft West Northamptonshire Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Published

Cllr Lofts advised that the assessment lists 18 sites in the Towcester area but not all of these are recommended for strategic housing.  He felt it important the TC forwards representations on the document to the WNDC; the closing date is 11th February.  The Clerk agreed to forward the website link to the document to all TC members; this item will be discussed at the next Resources/Planning Committee Meeting on 25th January.

12.         Correspondence

A copy of the following items of correspondence is available from the Clerk;-

NCALC Update November/December 2009

Northamptonshire Acre Village Viewpoint

Tim Boswell MP Advice Centre dates for 2010

Wildlife Trust Training Workshops

Northants 50+ Network Newsletter

NCC Bus Timetable effective from 14th December 2009

Highways Agency ‘Helping with your journeys’