TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY 18TH MAY 2009

Present :-   Cllr C. Lofts (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr D. Bain, Cllr M. Blake, Cllr C. Dryden,

                 Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr J. Hart, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr J. Lynch,   Cllr A. Maycock,

                 Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr A. Wardle, Cllr H. Wright, Cllr D. Yates

1.    Apologies for Absence

Cllr D. Linney, Cllr R. Mills, Cllr A. Wardle

Cllr R. Bromwich – N. C. C.

2.    Declarations of Interest

None.

3.    Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

4.    Town Mayor's Items

Cllr Lofts had nothing to report to date. He thanked his fellow Councillors for attending the Mayormaking Ceremony on 11th May.

5.    Report back from :-

a)    Cllr R. Bromwich, Northamptonshire County Council

Cllr Bromwich had given her apologies for the meeting.

b)    Cllr D. Dallyn, South Northamptonshire Council

Cllr Dallyn referred to the proposals for an Aldi store on the former Central Wool Growers site.  She confirmed that a public consultation will take place at the Town Hall on Wednesday 27th May from 4pm to 8pm. Cllr Lofts confirmed that the TC had previously objected to the application as the need for another supermarket had not been demonstrated plus and there were also issues relating to traffic management. Cllr Dallyn confirmed the WNDC will decide on the application.

Cllr Dallyn spoke of the many open front gardens in Towcester and how the deeds of these properties stipulate that the open frontage must be maintained. She has established that these regulations cannot be enforced by the Planning Authority provided that any fence erected is not above 1.8m in height. Cllr Blake confirmed the only height restriction on hedges applies to leylandi which must not be allowed to grow above 8ft.

c)    Cllr A. Wilby, Towcester Partnership

The Towcester Partnership Project Manager, Barry Owen, had prepared a document detailing its current projects and this had been forwarded to all members of the Council prior to the meeting.

Cllr Wilby gave a brief summary of each project under the following headings:-

•  Shop Fronts and Upper Floors Spaces

•  Business Forum

•  Web Portal

•  Moat Lane

•  Water Meadows

•  Towcester Information Leaflet

•  Inward Investment – Jobs led Growth

•  Bell Plantation – Sports and Education Facility

•  Towcester Back Lanes Project

•  Towcester Marina

•  Youth Bus

•  Sun, Moon & Stars

•  Town Management Project

•  Towcester Museum

Cllr Lofts is encouraged by the progress made by the Partnership since appointing its new Project Manager.

6.    Minutes of Meetings

  Town Council                                6th April 2009

  Town Hall Committee                   20th April 2009

  Recreation/Leisure Committee      20th April 2009

  Resources/Planning Committee    27th April 2009

  Cemetery Committee                   27th April 2009

Proposal

Cllr Allen proposed that the Minutes of Meetings for April 2009 be signed off by the Chair as a true record; seconded by Cllr Lynch, all in favour.

7.    Matters Arising from the Minutes

Page 09/04/048

Cllr Lofts referred to correspondence from Nicola Capewell, Head of Community Engagement at SNC concerning its ‘ New Ways to Pay' scheme. The TC had expressed concern over the lack of consultation carried out by SNC prior to the scheme being implemented. The correspondence states:-

•  There was insufficient time between Cabinet considering the proposal and making its decision to consult users of the cash office.

•  In January, all customers who paid by methods other than Direct Debit were notified of the proposals and advised they would be issued with a ‘allpay' card and where this could be used.

•  A letter was sent out to notify all district, town and parish councillors.

8.    Report back from the Chair of the :-

Resources/Planning Committee

Cllr Hart confirmed that applications had been received to:-

•  Install a new glazed entrance at the existing Tesco store

•  Extend the Masonic Meeting Room on Watling Street . The committee agreed to support observations made by the TDLHS on this application.

•  Change the use of 120 Watling Street to form a coffee shop. The committee objected to the change of use on the grounds it would adversely affect to balance of retail/non-retails units in the town centre.

Cllr Hart referred to correspondence from the Highways Agency. It confirms its request made to all businesses on the A5 trunk road in Towcester to remove all potentially hazardous obstructions from the footways along Watling Street . This follows a number of complaints from pedestrians having difficulties negotiating the footways.

Town Hall Committee

Cllr Hart had nothing to report

Recreation/Leisure Committee

Cllr Dryden confirmed the works to install lighting at the skateboard park have been completed. The Clerk is to speak to Doug Millard with respect to setting the timer for the lights to come on/go off. The new seat for the cradle swing has been installed on the Recreation Ground. Cllr Dryden reminded members of the RL committee that the next meeting on 1st June will take place at the TYCC.

Cemetery Committee

Cllr Wright confirmed the committee had agreed to proceed with repairs to the Cemetery Chapel, commencing with the main underpinning and roof works. The Clerk confirmed she had held a meeting with the surveyor, Paul Brown, who will prepare the specification and tender document. It is estimated the total cost of the works, including internal refurbishment, will be between £50,000-£60,000. The committee has a budget of £12,000 set aside and a public works loan will be taken of for the remainder. Cllr Johns stressed the importance of establishing a use for the refurbished building to justify the cost of the works. The Clerk confirmed that an article will be placed in the Town Crier to seek public opinion on the proposals.

Proposal

Cllr Godwin proposed that the TC instructs the surveyor to proceed with the tender specification and tender document; seconded by Cllr Maycock, all in favour.

Allotment Working Group

Cllr Maycock referred to the Annual Produce Show; the Allotment Society has agreed to open the show to all entries from within the NN12 postcode. Cllr Maycock and Cllr Mills have inspected the crumbling wall at the Malthouse Court allotments and agreed they

will need to remove all ivy and four courses to stabilise it. This will be done with the help of a working party from the Allotment Society. Secretary, Paul Isaac, is to contact the Hesketh Estate to enquire whether it would like to retain the stone. Following the TC decision not to permit the erection of a fence on the boundary with the church, the Society is looking into planting a natural hedge.

9.    Report back from Local Bodies

Cllr Godwin confirmed he had attended a presentation on waste recycling at Towcester Primary School.

Cllr Yates confirmed that a date is still to be set for the next meeting of the Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park Committee.

Cllr Stanger confirmed the Town Mayor's Charity Golf Match will take place on 16 th September at Cherwell Edge Golf Club.

Cllr Linney advised that anyone parking in St Lawrence Churchyard must ensure the gates are closed, this is a prerequisite of the church's insurance. He confirmed he will be stepping down from the N. A. L. C. County Committee in September as it has not been

possible for him to attend the bi-monthly meetings. Members were asked to give consideration to filling this vacancy.

10.    FINANCE

        Accounts 2008/09

        Annual Statement of Accounts year ending 31st March 2009

A full copy of the accounts had been forwarded to all council members prior to the meeting. The Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2009 had been agreed by the Resources/Planning Committee.

Proposal

Cllr Johns proposed that the Chair sign Statements 1 & 2 of the Annual Return;

seconded by Cllr Lynch, all in favour.

11.    Northamptonshire County Council

a)    Registration Services – Northampton

Cllr Lofts detailed correspondence regarding changes to the Registration Service in Northampton .

b)    Empowering Councillors and Communities Scheme

Cllr Lofts confirmed the questionnaire form relates to the grant from Cllr Bromwich towards the new slide on the Recreation Ground and improvements to the entrance of Towcester Waste Recycling Centre. It was agreed for the Clerk to complete the questionnaire

on behalf of the TC.

12.    Towcester Youth Coffee House

Correspondence from the TYCH confirms at its recent AGM the Chairman, David Linney, was proposed for re-election. Noted.

13.    Correspondence

a)    SNC Armed Forces Day 22nd June 2009

It was agreed the Cllr Hart and Cllr Linney would represent the TC at SNC Armed Forces Day.

b)    NHS Northamptonshire – Consultation on the proposed reduction in hours at Silverstone Surgery

Correspondence from NHS Northamptonshire thanks the TC for its positive comments resulting from its consultation on the proposed reduction in hours for the Silverstone Surgery. Once the consultation period expires on 31st May 2009, all responses will be analysed and a report compiled before a final decision is made.

c)    South Northants Alzheimer's Society

A copy of the April 2009 Newsletter is available from the Clerk.

d)    SNC Arts News

A copy of Issue 32 of SNC Arts News is available from the Clerk.

e)    Northamptonshire Acre – Village Viewpoint

A copy of the Spring Edition of Village Viewpoint is available fro the Clerk.

f)    Towcester Community Household Project

Correspondence from Oliver Low details proposals to purchase the former Pomfret Arms P. H. for conversion into a refuge providing emergency accommodation and outreach services for people in need. Members of the TC agreed to support the proposals in principle.