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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY 12TH APRIL 2010
Present:- Cllr C. Lofts (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr J. Hart, Cllr M. Johns,
Cllr D. Linney, Cllr A. Maycock, Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr H. Wright, Cllr D. Yates
1. Apologies for Absence
Cllr D. Bain, Cllr M. Blake, Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr J. Lynch, Cllr R. Mills, Cllr A. Wardle
Cllr R. Bromwich, N.C.C.
2. Declarations of Interest
None.
3. Open to the Public
Mr Clarke referred to issues he had raised at the Annual Meeting of the Town. Although the Town Hall clock has been repaired, other items have not been addressed. The Clerk confirmed that these items do not fall under the responsibility of the Town Council. Cllr Dallyn made a note of issued to be referred to SNC, i.e. the removal of the directional sign for Moat Lane toilets and the broken notice board at the entrance of the Sponne Centre.
The Clerk confirmed she had reported the faulty light outside the Town Hall to the Highways Agency a number of times. Mr Clarke said he too had reported the fault and has a reference number for the repair which is due to be carried out on 18th April. He was concerned about the general state of the roads in Towcester and the poor standard repairs. Members were in agreement that this was not acceptable and the Clerk confirmed she would refer this matter to Cllr Bromwich.
4. Town Mayor’s Items
Cllr Lofts gave details of events he has recently attended:-
18/03/10 Town Mayoress Charity Ladies Night
19/03/10 Presentation of awards to young volunteers
25/03/10 U3A (University of the 3rd Age) Launch planning meeting
24/03/10 Towcester Partnership Meeting
29/03/10 NCT Easter Parade
31/03/10 Maths Workshop at Towcester Primary School
03/04/10 Towcestrians record-breaking rugby match
09/04/10 Lions Charter Dinner
12/04/10 Official Opening of the Bury Mount and Watermeadows
Cllr Lofts reminded those present that his Charity Spring Ball will take place on Saturday 24th April; he would welcome as many guests who are able to attend. He confirmed there had been a change of Leadership at SNC and asked Cllr Dallyn for an update on this. Cllr Dallyn advised this would not be official until the SNC Annual Meeting.
5. Report back from:-
Cllr R. Bromwich, Northamptonshire County Council
Cllr Bromwich had given her apologies for the meeting.
Cllr D. Dallyn, South Northamptonshire Council
Cllr Dallyn confirmed that following a lengthy committee meeting, the decision on whether to release Section 106 funds from the Northampton Road development to the Museum
Trust was referred to Cabinet. At its meeting on 12th April, SNC Cabinet agreed to release the funds to the Trust; this will enable plans for the Towcester Museum to advance.
Also discussed at Cabinet on 12th April was a new policy to form part of the Draft Supplementary Planning Document on wind turbines. Consultations on this will take place once it has been discussed by the relevant SNC committee. A review on the re-use of rural buildings will also go out to consultation.
6. Minutes of Meetings
Resources/Planning Committee 8th March 2010
Town Council 8th March 2010
Town Hall Committee 15th March 2010
Recreation/Leisure Committee 15th March 2010
Resources/Planning Committee 22nd March 2010
Proposal
Cllr Stanger proposed that the Minutes of Meetings be signed by the Chair as a true record;
seconded by Cllr Linney; all in favour.
7. Matters Arising from the Minutes
Page 10/03/026
The Clerk confirmed the Midsummer Music committee is yet to obtain permission from the Highways Agency contractor, A1+, to use the Market Square during the event. A site meeting involving the Clerk, Cllr Lynch, John Kimber and representatives of A1+ was very frustrating and failed to satisfy its health and safety concerns over use of the Market Square. A1+ recommended the closure of one lane of the A5 with temporary traffic lights in place at a cost of £450. The committee has agreed to submit detailed plans of alternative options for consideration. The Clerk pointed out the implications for other events, i.e. the annual Carol Concert, which will also be affected.
Page 10/03/029
The Clerk has received notification that works to the Cemetery Chapel will commence at the end of April.
Cllr Allen confirmed there is still a vacancy on the Sponne & Bickerstaffe Charity for a Nominative Feoffee. Cllr Yates has expressed an interest in becoming a TC representative.
Proposal
Cllr Allen proposed that Cllr Yates be nominated as TC representative on the Sponne & Bickerstaffe Charity; seconded by Cllr Godwin, all in favour.
Page 10/03/039
Cllr Hart has spoken with Cllr Bromwich over changes to the opening hours at Towcester Recycling Centre. Many other areas are affected by the 2-day closures and will be objecting to N.C.C.
8. Report back from the Chair of the:-
Resources/Planning Committee
Cllr Hart confirmed that the agents for the developer of the Belle Baulk extension has asked to present plans to the TC prior to submission of the application to the WNDC. It has been agreed they will attend the next RP Committee Meeting on 26th April 2010.
Town Hall Committee
Cllr Allen confirmed that a new tenant may have been found for Office 10 at the Town Hall.
Recreation/Leisure Committee
Cllr Wright had nothing to report. The Clerk confirmed that Sure-start has now put the works contract out to tender. It is anticipated that works will commence in August 2010 for completion in February 2011; one year behind the original schedule.
N.C.C. arranged for the temporary heaters to be removed from at the end of March but following complaints from the Community Centre users, the heaters have been returned. The Clerk confirmed that Jane Pitchfork has been reassigned to the project.
Cemetery Committee
Cllr Wright had nothing to report.
Allotment Working Group
Cllr Maycock confirmed he was unable to attend the Allotment Society AGM in March due to work commitments. New Chair of the Allotment Society, Paul Isaac, was elected at the meeting.
9a. Nominations for Town Mayor
Proposal
Cllr Stanger proposed that Cllr Hart be nominated Town Mayor for the 2010-11 year;
seconded by Cllr Linney; all in favour.
9b. Nominations for Deputy Mayor
Proposal
Cllr Allen proposed that Cllr Johns be nominated Deputy Mayor for the 2010-11 year;
seconded by Cllr Maycock; all in favour.
10. Report back from Local Bodies
Cllr Stanger confirmed that the Town Mayor’s Charity Golf Day has been arranged for 15th September at Cherwell Edge Golf Club. Anyone wishing to participate should contact Cllr Stanger direct.
Cllr Hart confirmed the Sponne & Bickerstaffe Charity held its annual church service on 8th April.
The Clerk confirmed that NCALC has published its training programme for this year. Copies of the programme were distributed; anyone interested in attending the courses should notify the Clerk.
Cllr Allen attended the NCALC County Committee Meeting 20th March; the special meeting to change the status of NCALC to a limited company was not quorate.
Cllr Johns has been informed of additional reductions to the bus services on the Towcester to Milton Keynes route. The Clerk has not received notification of this and will make enquiries.
11. British Telecommunications PLC
Notification of decommissioning of kiosk at Caldecote, Towcester
Correspondence from BT confirms the decommissioning of the kiosk at Caldecote has been completed. The TC is now owner of the kiosk and will need to ensure it is added to its insurance policy. A sign needs to be displayed in the kiosk stating it is no longer in operation.
12. Northamptonshire County Council
a) Northants County Council & Milton Keynes Council – Reducing waste sent to landfill
Copies of the brochure were distributed.
b) The Pocketeer
A copy of the magazine on pocket parks is available from the Clerk.
c) The Tree Council
Correspondence confirms that the first of its 20th Anniversary Regional Forums will take place on 26th June at Studley Hall in Yorkshire. Anyone interested in attending should notify the Clerk.
d) ‘You Choose’ Campaign
The ‘You Choose’ campaign is designed to encourage parish councils to participate in helping N.C.C. make major changes to achieve cost savings of £100million over the next few weeks. Questionnaire forms on which to detail views on N.C.C. priorities were distributed.
13. Correspondence
a) South Northants Homes – Major Works Briefing
Correspondence from South Northants Homes confirms internal modernisations being carried out to properties in South Northants.
b) Great Ouse Catchment Flood Management Plan
Details of the plan can be found at www.environment-agency.guv.uk/cfmp
c) South Northants Council Draft Climate Change Strategy 2010-2014
Details of the strategy can be found at www.southnorthants.gov.uk
d) Northants 50+ Network Newsletter
A copy of the latest newsletter can be obtained from the Clerk.
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