TC01. 01/16 to Note Any Apologies for Absence: Accepted from Cllr Williams

MINUTES OF FULL MEETING of COUNCIL
Held in the Council Chamber, Tetbury on Monday 25th January 2016 at 7pm

PRESENT: Cllrs S Ball (Chair), A Walsh, I Maslin, S Hirst, T Stevenson, B Edge, C Pearce, P Burrell, C Morgan, K Painter, M Hamlett, J Easterbrook, M Lea,Town Clerk Natalie Haines & Administrator T Niblett, Public7 members of Public

TC01. 01/16 To note any apologies for absence: Accepted from Cllr Williams

TC02. 01/16 Declarations of Pecuniary Interest in addition to those declared on Register: None

TC03. 01/16 Public Consultation: None

TC04. 01/16 Adoption of minutes held 7th December 2015: Following 3 amendments it was proposed by Cllr Painter, seconded Cllr Walsh to adopt the minutes – 11 in favour, 2 abstentions.

TC05. 01/16 Progress Reports: Burial ground – Town Clerk has been tasked by F&S to chase Maggie Heaven following a meeting in November where she was asked to contact the Charities Commission, this item will also be discussed at the Dolphins Hall meeting. Defibrillators in Tetbury – Contacted the land agent of TIC to see whether the second defibrillator can be installed on this building. Welcome to Tetbury leaflets – on-going. GAPTC training – training dates have recently been circulated. Contact highways re zig-zags and road markings outside St Mary’s primary school – advised this has been requested. West Street no entry – Cllr Hirst offered to straighten road sign. Kerb stones and parking in West Street – to be placed on next Highways agenda. CDC parking signs advertising free parking – advised that this can be claimed back from CDC need proof of ticket, although this does not include the Chippings car park.

TC06. 01/16 Mayor and Town Clerk Reports for January: Mayors report circulated in advance. Visited various shops with the Town Crier before Christmas and the general feeling was very positive. Thanks to Christmas in Tetbury for the lovely Christmas lights. Attended carol services at St Marys Church and the Goods Shed. Clerks report circulated in advance. New carpets have been fitted on the stairs and the landing in the council offices. Police Museum refurbishment has been completed. All staff appraisals have been carried out. Donna Thomas has started working for two days per week at the TIC. Goods Shed – the PWLB loan has been agreed and we are in the second round for the LEADER project grant fund.

TC07. 01/16 Police report for December: Report circulated in advance. There were 12 crimes between 1stDecember and 31st December 2015 compared to 9 for the same period of 2014. Year to date crime at 85 compared to 76 at the same point in the previous year. Advised that fraud is taking place at theATM machine Tesco, can we seek clarification from the Police to see whether we need to advertise this and what the public needs to be aware of when using cash machines. Could we contact Tesco to request Managers check the machine on a regular basis? Advised that in the local newspaper an article had been written about men stopping cars with ladies on their own, again do we need to advertise this? Clerk to contact Police for guidance.

TC08. 01/16 To note budget report to end of December: report circulated in advance. Town Clerk advised that we currently have £44,329 in free reserves.

TC09. 01/16 To agree new staffing structure from 1st April 2016 as recommended by F&S: Town Clerk provided an overview. Advised that the new community role would include tourism, management of the TIC, attend Heritage & Regeneration meetings, link to businesses and organisations throughout the town. It was proposed by Cllr Painter, seconded Cllr Stevenson to accept the new staffing structure as recommended by F&S and the Town Clerk to provide an alternative name to the role – voted all in favour. The advertisement will be advertised on the TTC, GAPTC websites, Tetbury Advertiser and on the Council noticeboards.

TC10. 01/16 To agree precept request: precept request circulated in advance. Cllr Hirst chair of F&S provided an overview. Advised the Local Council Tax Support Grant Award had been reduced from last year from £15523 to £14549 but the tax base has been increased from 2048 to 2163.8. F&S have requested a 2% increase which would see an increase of £2.37 for Band D household per year which would be in line with other organisations (Police, GCC & CDC). We have increased funding towards H & R projects and our salary budget to cover additional staff costs. It was proposed by Cllr Hirst, seconded Cllr Walsh that we accept the increase of 2% - voted all in favour.

TC11. 01/16 To consider the closure of the Priory Nursing Home: (Given the nature of this item, the Chair had given a 30 minute time limit for discussions). Cllr Pearce declared an interest in this matter. Letters had been receivedwhich advised the closure date for the home would be Thursday 31st March 2016. As of today’s date 4 out of 16 residents were still looking for alternative accommodation and staff looking for alternative employment. Questions were also asked about the residents in Peter Herve House? Cllr Painter advised he had been in contact with a potential provider who may be interested in purchasing the Priory Nursing Home. It was agreed that Cllr Painter would contact the potential provider and set up a meeting with this provider and the National Benevolent Charity. Cllr Ball to arrange a meeting with the National Benevolent Charity and Somerset Care to see how Tetbury Town Council could assist with the 4 residents still looking for accommodation. Town Clerk advised that any letters being sent as a Cllr should be approved by the Town Clerk before posting.

TC12. 01/16 To reconsider twinning with Chatillion-sur-Indre, France: Report circulated in advance. Cllr Ball advised Sir William Romney’s school would be interested in this venture for the youth with other schools showing an interest as well. It was believed that the figure of 22 individuals would not be a true representation of the youth in Tetbury. We would need to find out how many youths could actually attend the event and how organisations would fairly select who would attend. It was agreed that this would be a fantastic opportunity for the youth to visit France and if we decided to vote against the idea the money would be offered to Cirencester for their youth representatives to travel. This would not be a twinning event but a partnership for individuals to attend the FeteNational in July and for Tetbury to reciprocate in 2017. Following a heated discussion it was proposed by Cllr Stevenson, seconded Cllr Hirst to support this partnership and for representatives of Tetbury to attend the Fete National – voted all in favour.

TC13. 01/16 To consider special town meeting to address public concerns: Correspondence was circulated from a business owner who felt that the general morale in the town was low and had provided a list of items that residents had concerns with. Advised that some items on the list were outside TTCs remit but it was felt that an extra town meeting would be beneficial with Cotswold District Council, Gloucestershire County Council and other organisations in the town being invited to address concerns. Town Clerk to arrange a meeting end February/early March.

TC14. 01/16 To consider celebrations for the Queens 90th birthday: It was requested that we contact the Church Wardens to see whether the beacon could be lit on St Mary’s Church. Looking at a picnic and fireworks on the Recreation Ground or Sir Williams Romney’s ground in June, Cllr Painter Chair of Heritage & Regeneration to contact Chamber of Commerce to look at holding competitions within the town.

TC15. 01/16 To agree Open Spaces policy as recommended by F&S: It was proposed by Cllr Walsh, seconded Cllr Lea to agree the Open Spaces Policy – voted all in favour. Tara was thanked and praised for all of her hard work in putting the document together. Copies of the Open Spaces policy to be made available at the Tourist Information Centre, Library and on TTC website.

TC16. 01/16 Brief updates from Feoffees/Dolphins Hall/TRLRT:
Feoffees – nothing to report.
Rail Lands Trust - £4,700 has been raised from the sale of the calendars, advised a theatre actor would be interested in using the Goods Shed for a play and opera. David Baddiel could be interested in looking at putting on a show as well. Highgrove concert tickets now on sale at TTC and TIC. Carols in the Goods Shed and New Year’s Day walk both events very well attended.
Dolphins Hall – report circulated in advance. Appointed James Slater & Co as Structural Surveyors with a survey having been conducted this month. £13,000 received from S106 Cala Homes monies. Tea dances have been arranged throughout the year, and a bric-a-brac and nearly new sale organised for 19th March. AGM for the Dolphins Hall will be 13th April at 7pm. Leases for Football and Rugby clubs are currently with Solicitors who are writing to the Charity Commission to ensure the 15 year leases are approved and also to satisfy the Trustees. A vote on rents will be voted on at the next meeting. It was asked as TTC were custodial trustees should we also receive sight of the leases.

TC17. 01/16 Working group reports:
Highways meeting took place 19th January 2016 where various issues were discussed. Mayor will write a piece in Tetbury Advertiser article regarding Speedwatch campaign. Cllr Lea to send details to Town Clerk regarding road surfacing work carried out in Lowfield Road in the incorrect working conditions. County Cllr Hicks advised group that a Traffic Restriction Order would cost £10,000 for up to 5 issues around Tetbury. TTC to contact Glos Highways to request for white line remarking, County Cllr Hicks advised a backlog due to weather conditions.

TC18. 01/16 Correspondence received to date: None received.

TC19. 01/16 District and Councillor reports:
District Cllr Hirst – CDC Local Plan has a target date of Autumn 2017, CDC have confirmed they will provide funding of £10,000 for the TIC. Glos CC have issued a Highways guide and Amey newsletter. Invited Tourism Group to attend Highways meeting.
Cllr Painter – circulated Tetbury Tourism Group minutes.
Cllr Lea – Tetbury Rugby Club nominated for rugby club of the month in Rugby World magazine. Signs for new housing developments are becoming a hazard when turning out of junctions.
Cllr Edge – Discussed old loading bay in Church Street.
Cllr Morgan – Requested information regarding electric car charging, advised this is run by Director who owns Forest Green Rovers Football Club.
Cllr Burrell – Asked if we received any response from company who supplied bunting last year, no response had been received.

TC20. 01/16 Items for February Agenda: To discuss possibility of making the posts of Mayor and Chair of Council two separate posts.

TC21. 01/16 To note the date and time of the next Full Council meeting: Monday 15th February 2016 at 7pm.

Meeting closed 9.20pm

Chairman ……………………………………………………………………………… Date ……………………………………………………….

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