TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY 9TH JULY 2007

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

                 Cllr J. Hart, Cllr M. Hornett, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr D. Linney, Cllr C. Lofts,

                 Cllr J. Lynch, Cllr R. Mills, Cllr H. Wright

1.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr A. Maycock

Cllr C. Stanger

Cllr D. Dallyn – SNC

Cllr R. Bromwich – NCC

2.    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

3.    OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

No members of the public were present.

4.    TOWN MAYOR'S ITEMS

Cllr Baker informed the meeting of events she has recently attended:-

15/06/07 Opening of Nicholas Hawksmoor School Open Art

16/06/07 Methodist Church Anniversary Celebrations

              Opening of St Lawrence Church Fete

17/06/07 St John Ambulance Presentation

23/06/07 Midsummer Music Festival

29/06/07 Peterborough Cathedral Patronal Festival

30/06/07 St Lawrence Bell Ringers Summer Dinner

01/07/07 SNC Family Fun Run at Towcester Racecourse

02/07/07 Towcester Junior School talk with Towcester Staff

05/07/07 Towcester Infant School talk with Towcester Staff

08/07/07 Banbury Civic Service

5.    REPORT BACK FROM :-

Cllr A. Wilby, South Northants Council

Cllr Wilby informed the meeting that SNC had vetoed government proposals to close post offices in rural areas.

The Towcester Partnership is currently bidding for funding to take forward the Community Centre study. Work by the Partnership on this project was halted when a new civic centre was proposed for the Moat Lane development. The Tove Valley Baptist Fellowship is also looking into providing a community facility so it is important to look into what is practical for the Moat Lane site. The planning application is due for submission shortly. Work is ongoing for the provision of sports / leisure facilities.

Cllr Wilby stressed the importance of preparing a ‘shopping list' for the Section 106 monies relating to the urban extension, in particular tourism opportunities and funding support for a community centre.

In correction of the TC minutes from June, Cllr Wilby confirmed that he will not stand down as Chairman of the Towcester Partnership until October 2007. SNC has requested a meeting to discuss the future of the Partnership as funding from EMDA is not yet forthcoming.

6.    MINUTES OF MEETINGS

Resources/Planning Committee 11th June 2007

Town Council 11th June 2007

Cemetery Committee 18th June 2007

Resources/Planning Committee 25th June 2007

Corrections to the minutes were as follows:-

Page 07/06/102

35% and not 39% of the development site has been earmarked for formal playing fields.

Page 07/06/112

Only hazardous memorials from the 1st phase on memorial testing have been repaired.

Proposal

Cllr Linney proposed that the minutes be signed by the Chairman as a true record;

seconded by Cllr Johns,

All in favour.

7.    MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Page 07/06/101

The Advent online finance package has now been installed.

Page 07/06/107

Cllr Lofts attended the meeting on developing extended services. Schools are responding to requests from Central Government that they have services in place to look after children from 8am to 5pm and also investigating how their own facilities can be utilised by the wider community.

Page 07/06/103

The receipt of correspondence from Jackson Stopps solicitors was surprising. Cllr Baker spoke to Paul Quinn of the WNDC with regards to this matter. Paul Quinn confirmed that the WNDC is aware of the benefits of acquiring the parkland belonging to Jackson Stopps and SNC is pushing for this. The WNDC felt proposals from Persimmon / Bloor had not made satisfactory provision of green open space for the new development and they are being encouraged to include the parkland. In terms of 106 contributions, this would affect other provisions as the cost of acquiring the land would be considerable. The WNDC considered that some of the areas on the edge of the parkland could be developed, thus funding the purchase of some parkland. This land is very much at the forefront of negotiations concerning the green space offer. Paul Quinn recommended that the TC write to the WNDC and both developers stating that they now realise the land is for sale and every effort should be made to procure it for the town.

Cllr Baker would like to discuss this matter further with representatives of SNC and the Towcester Partnership so a clear case can be made for procuring the parkland. The Clerk has been unable to make contact with Jackson Stopps solicitor. The TC needs to make written observations with respect to this matter. Cllr Linney suggested that this be done immediately and the TC should not wait until the Persimmon / Bloor application has been submitted. Cllr Johns felt that the TC should take no action at this stage. He is confident that the WNDC are dealing with the matter. The Clerk confirmed that Paul Quinn is keen for the TC to write to the developers.

Proposal

Cllr Lofts proposed that the TC write to the WNDC stating that it recognises the land as important green space and the WNDC should preserve this for the town and resist pressure to reduce the size of the land.

seconded by Cllr Johns,

All in favour.

8.    REPORTS BACK FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE :-

Resources / Planning Committee

Cllr Johns confirmed that residents of Jenkinson Road attended the Resources / Planning meeting to state their objections to the application for a mobile telephone mast on London Road . The application is due to be re-submitted to the WNDC and the committee has agreed to write to the WNDC to re-iterate its original objections. The application for a large retail until and restaurant on the former Central Woolgrowers site was discussed and the committee will be writing to SNC to make a number of observations. Correspondence from SNC confirms that there will be a Planning Forum on 16th July for Town and Parish Councils. Comments were made with respect to the notice given. Cllr Johns and Cllr Baker will attend. Cllr Johns confirmed that the revised Model Code of Conduct had been adopted by the committee.

Town Hall Committee

The Clerk has met with the surveyor to prepare the tender document for works to the Town Hall. The appeal for tenders will be published in this week's local newspapers and further copies have been forwarded to specific. Tenders must be received within 14 days. The value of the works is approximately £60,000. Cllr Hart reported a reduction in the number of pigeons in the Watling Street Recreation / Leisure Committee

Cllr Dryden confirmed that works to replace the play equipment on Sandyhome Road ceased due to the wet weather conditions. Work has now resumed and the contractors are on target to complete the works by 20th July. An official opening will take place on 7th August 2007 . Playdale has agreed to sponsor free ice creams for the children.

Cemetery Committee

Cllr Godwin had nothing to report.

Allotment Working Group

The Clerk reported a problem with a substantial tree on the allotment site which is leaning against the church wall. The Clerk has written to the Hesketh Estate with respect to this matter and is awaiting their reply. Cllr Wardle has established that the NatWest Bank will release trophies and money relating to the former Allotment Committee for use at the Produce Show on 27th August.

9.    REPORT BACK FROM LOCAL BODIES

Cllr Lynch reported that the Midsummer Music Festival on 23 rd July was a great success and over £5,000 was raised for the chosen charities. Proceedings were halted during a 10 minute downpour. Cllr Lynch thanked everyone who helped at the event plus the sponsors and artists who proved that we have fabulous local talent. Cllr Lynch referred to problems at the Community Centre where the Police were called to attend. The Midsummer Music Committee has suggested that the Towcester Rock School , who performed at the Community Centre, should next year be allowed to showcase their talent at the Town Hall on the Friday preceding the event, providing that this is properly stewarded. Presentation of the proceeds from Midsummer Music to the 3 chosen charities will take place at 7pm on Thursday 19th July at the Saracens Head.

Cllr Hornett reported an excellent response to the Neighbourhood Watch appeal for street representatives on the Shires Estate, with a possible 16 new volunteers. Cllr Hornett confirmed that signs for the Neighbourhood Watch scheme have been sponsored by the Rotary Club and Whittlebury Hall.

10.    CO-OPTION OF CASUAL VACANCY FOR BROOK WARD

Cllr Baker gave details of the application from Mrs Yates for the Town Council vacancy on Brook Ward.

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that Mrs Yates be elected as the new Town Councillor for Brook Ward;

seconded by Cllr Lofts,

All in favour.

11.    MOAT LANE

         Update from the Consultative Group Meeting

Cllr Baker and the Clerk attended the meeting which detailed future plans for Bury Mount. The sides have eroded and collapsed and a full investigation is to be carried out to look into the Mount. The intention is to screen off the Mount for the works and install a viewing platform for public access. This is planned for the 8th / 9th September to coincide with Heritage Open Days. Works are due to commence on 16th July but no firm plans have been set. SNC has budgeted £25,000 for the works; the quotation is approximately £52,000, excluding the viewing platform. SNC is hoping that the WNDC will make a financial contribution. At the time of the meeting no response had been received. Cllr Lofts enquired whether SNC is submitting the plans itself. The Clerk agreed to find out this information.

12.    SOUTH NORTHANTS COUNCIL

a)    Parking Partnership – NCC / SNC Waiting & Loading Restrictions   

Correspondence confirms that, following the introduction of decriminalised parking across the County, SNC has been included in the scheme. The parking scheme will be implemented on 5th August. A plan enclosed with the correspondence outlines the waiting / loading restrictions in Towcester, which will now be enforced. Noted.

b)    Proposed Stock Transfer to South Northants Homes

Correspondence confirmed that SNC has reached stage 2 of the proposed stock transfer to South Northants Homes and the ballot papers will be delivered to all tenants within the next week. Noted.

c)    Housing 4 U Newsletter – Summer 2007

A copy of the SNC publication, Housing 4 U, is available from the Clerk.

13.    CORRESPONDENCE

a)    NALC

The Clerk confirmed details of the scheduled NALC training courses. Councillors who would like to attend any of the courses were asked to notify the Clerk..

b)    Northampton Youth Advisory Service – Annual Report 2006/07

A copy of the report is available from the Clerk.

c)    Northampton Youth Advisory Service – Service Six