6th December, 2011 DURSLEY TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES of the PROCEEDINGS at the MEETING of the COUNCIL held in the Community Room, the Fire Station, Kingshill Road, Dursley at 7.10 pm on Tuesday, 6th December, 2011. Action Summary: 8663.2 Additional Grit Bins 8665.2 Community Association grills 8665.3 SmartWater Contrib. 8671 Annual Town Mtg PRESENT Cllr J Ball, Town Mayor Cllr C Nelmes, Deputy Mayor Councillors D Evans, T Frankau, V Harding, M Laybourne, B Marsh, M Nicholson, M Ortmans, L Patrick, W Thompson. Also present: County Councillors D Andrewartha and B Tipper, District Councillor G Wheeler and Council officer Mrs S Ginn, Acting Town Clerk. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE 8656 Apologies for absence were accepted from Councillors S Creswick (SDC meetings), F Firth (personal) and A Stennett (personal). DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 8657 It was noted from the agenda, that where they are appointed as Council representatives, Councillors do not need to declare a personal interest in items concerning those outside bodies. The Mayor declared a personal and pecuniary interest in agenda item 10.2 (Minute 8665.2 below) and withdrew during consideration thereof. COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS 8658 County Councillors’ Reports Councillor Tipper’s report covered the Community Safety Overview & Scrutiny Committee trading standards enquiry; concern about the vulnerability of some members of the community; the opening of the Vale Community Hospital and the need for additional car parking at Cam & Dursley Station. Councillor Andrewartha’s report covered the meeting planned between Rednock School pupils and Gloucestershire Highways; the Fire & Rescue Service consultation on risk-related changes in service; Council budget cuts Council 6th December, 2011 which have saved £30m this year; the Budget & Performance Overview & Scrutiny Committee report to Cabinet on areas of concern. Councillor Andrewartha confirmed that monies held by Local Authorities in Icelandic banks and feared lost, will be returned within six months and that a condition of the planning consent for the new Vale Community Hospital was the provision of a bus service which has not yet materialised. District Councillors’ Reports Councillor Wheeler provided an update on the plans to distribute 3,200 new homes across the district between now and 2026, the housing numbers, employment targets and areas for development; the County Council will be asked in these times of recession to look at alternative methods of waste disposal to that proposed at Junction 12 and Councillor Wheeler reported on the findings of the car parking review. Councillor Marsh outlined details of the government scheme which will enable the District Council to buy back its own council housing stock. The scheme comes into effect in April 2012 and a housing revenue account will be set up and ring-fenced. Extra staff will be employed. Councillors Andrewartha and Tipper withdrew from the meeting. REPRESENTATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC 8659 No representations were received from the public. MINUTES 8660 The Minutes of the Meetings of the Council held on 1st and 15th November 2011 were signed by the Mayor as a correct record of the proceedings at those meetings. BUSINESS RELATING TO COUNCIL FINANCE 2011/12 8661 8661.1 Council’s Accounts 2011/12 (i) IT WAS RESOLVED that the schedule of orders for payment (Appendix A) made since the last meeting, prepared by the interim Responsible Financial Officer and circulated to members, be authorised and signed by the Mayor. (ii) It was noted that a list of receipts received since the last Council meeting was unavailable. 6th December, 2011 GREEN SPACES Council 8662 8662.1 Report of the Chairman of the Green Spaces Committee In the absence of the Committee Chairman, the Vice-Chairman had no matters to report. TOWN IMPROVEMENTS AND AMENITIES 8663 8663.1 Report of the Chairman of the Town Improvements and Amenities Committee In the absence of the Chairman the Acting Town Clerk presented the Chairman’s written report which covered the Christmas Switch on event held on 25th November. 8663.2 Additional Grit Bins Arising from paragraph 8644.3 of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 1st November, 2011 and a request to Gloucestershire Highways to supply additional grit bins, a response had been received from C Riley, Stakeholder Manager, Gloucestershire Highways and circulated to members. Since the issue of the agenda a further email had been received confirming that Gloucestershire Highways will assess 3-5 additional priority grit bin locations and if suitable and once purchased by the Town Council will allow them to be placed on the highway to be filled by Gloucestershire Highways. After due discussion Councillor Nelmes moved, Councillor Thompson seconded and IT WAS RESOLVED to request the following three additional grit bin locations for consideration and to seek prices for their subsequent purchase: Yellow Hundred/Ferney; Brownings Lane and Henlow Drive. PLANNING 8664 8664.1 Report of the Chairman of the Planning Committee The Chairman had no matters to report. 8664.2 To receive the Minutes of the Planning Committee Meetings held on 1st and 15th November, 2011 The Chairman moved, Councillor Ortmans seconded and IT WAS RESOLVED to adopt the above-mentioned Minutes. Council 6th December, 2011 POLICY AND FINANCE 8665 8665.1 Report by the Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee The Committee Chairman had no matters to report. 8665.2 Dursley & District Community Association At this point the Mayor withdrew from the meeting. A letter dated 19th November 2011 had been received from the Chairman of the Dursley & District Community Association, requesting Council as Trustee of the Association to meet the cost of installing grills over the windows to deter continued vandalism. Copies of the aforementioned letter had been circulated to members. Discussion ensued on whether the installation of grills would be the most effective method of preventing further vandalism; it was suggested that for approximately £300 a small CCTV system could be purchased which might assist in identifying perpetrators and deter vandalism. After further discussion, Councillor Frankau moved, Councillor Nicholson seconded and IT WAS RESOLVED subject to quotes received, to meet the cost of installing grills on the windows of the Community Centre and to suggest that the installation of a small CCTV system also be investigated. Councillor Harding agreed to take the matter to the forthcoming Safer, Stronger Community Partnership meeting as small ‘mobile’ CCTV systems are available through the police. The Mayor rejoined the meeting. 8665.3 ‘SmartWater’ Property Coding An email had been received from Dursley’s Police Community Support Officer, requesting financial assistance towards the supply of the above product for vulnerable households within the Dursley community. Details of the product had been circulated to members and it was noted that the cost per household is £15. After due consideration, the Committee Chairman moved, Councillor Evans seconded and IT WAS RESOLVED to contribute £150 to meet the cost of providing SmartWater for 10 households and to purchase the product for coding Council’s office equipment and machinery. It was suggested that Council could act as an advertising mechanism for the scheme. 8665.4 Retirement of the Headteacher, Dursley C of E Primary School 6th December, 2011 Council It was brought to Council’s attention that the Headteacher of Dursley C of E Primary School retires shortly and IT WAS AGREED to wish him well in his retirement and to thank him for his contribution towards the education of Dursley’s children during his seventeen years as Headteacher at the school. 8665.5 Councillors’ Reports It was noted that upon receipt from the relevant organisations, agendas, minutes of meetings and general information are distributed electronically to Councillors and hard copies are available from the office. The following additional reports were received from Council’s representatives: - Sports Network Partnership, 8th November – In the absence of Councillor Stennett no report was received. - Road Safety Liaison Group, 15th November – Councillor Frankau had been unable to attend the meeting and consequently had no report. - Dursley United Charity, 24th November – the Mayor reported that 62 benefactions of £100 have been distributed upon the recommendation of local organisations. - Gloucestershire County Council Pre-budget Consultation, 24th November – Councillor Nelmes reported that the meeting held at Rednock School covered the Stroud District. The presentation centred around the County Council’s adult care budget and there was some interesting debate, despite poor attendance at the meeting. - Christmas Switch-on, 25th November - This event had been covered under paragraph 8663.1 above. - Stakeholder viewing of The Vale Hospital, 25th November – in the absence of Councillor Stennett, Councillor Laybourne advised that she had toured the new hospital and had been very impressed by the facilities available. - Youth Partnership meeting, 1st December – Councillor Nelmes reported that the Partnership is making good progress and is on the verge of submitting a funding application to Stroud District Council; a bank account has been set up and the Constitution agreed. The specification and costings for the youth worker are being looked at. The next meeting will be on 22 nd December and another meeting will be held in January. - Community Safety – Councillor Harding, Council’s Police representative reported that anti-social behaviour in the alleyway adjacent to Boots remains unresolved and will be raised at a forthcoming policing meeting. 6th December, 2011 Council 8665.6 The Localism Act It was noted that The Localism Act received Royal Assent on 15 th November 2011. Details of the key measures which will affect local councils had been circulated to members. 8665.7 Temporary Youth Sessions at the Community Centre In the absence of information available to discuss this item, the matter was deferred to a later Council meeting. BUSINESS RELATING TO STAFF 8666 8666.1 Report by the Chairman of the Staff Committee The Committee Chairman had no matters to report under this agenda item. 8666.2 To receive the Minutes of the Staff Committee Meeting held on 29th November 2011 The Committee Chairman moved, Councillor Evans seconded and IT WAS RESOLVED to adopt the above-mentioned Minutes. 8666.3 Recruitment for a Replacement Town Clerk/RFO The Committee Chairman reported that the Staff Committee is looking at the recruitment of a new Town Clerk/RFO. The position had been advertised and 19 applications for the position had been received; six candidates were shortlisted and interviews were currently being held and references would be sought. The conditions of employment for the new Town Clerk are also being reviewed. 8666.4 Outsourcing of Council’s Staff Payroll It had been anticipated that outsourcing the staff payroll would commence in December; however Council was advised that the system is not fully in place to be able to do so. Councillor Nelmes advised that outsourcing the payroll is cost-effective, ensures the staff are paid and will leave the Town Clerk with more time to concentrate on important project work. HIGHWAYS 8667.1 8667 Proposed parking restrictions, Lister Road Further to the 1st November Council meeting, regarding the proposal to introduce double yellow lines in Lister Road/Phelps Mill Close and Victoria Close, response had been received from the District and County Council’s 6th December, 2011 Council advising that the road has not yet been adopted, but no such proposals are being considered. CLERK’S REPORT 8668 8668.1 Clerk’s Report The Acting Town Clerk reported that: (i) the green bollard had been reinstated in the Market Place; (ii) the BT telephone kiosk which had been vandalised three times in the past year had been repaired and will be repainted in 2012 – Council has again been offered the opportunity to purchase the kiosk for £1; (iii) the new equipment for the groundstaff had been received and (iv) the back-up capacity for the office computers had been increased at minimal additional cost. The following items were noted: (a) The drafted joint winter action plan between Dursley Town Council and Gloucestershire Highways has been amended to include the areas agreed at the 1st November Council meeting (b) Work at the Pike House, Kingshill Road has started and an access key to the Recreation Ground has been provided. (c) Letters of thanks for donation received from (i) Churches Together; (ii) The Open Door Club; (iii) Kingshill House Limited. (d) Copies of the Public Path Extinguishment and Definitive Map and Statement Modification Order 2011 and Notice of the Order in respect of public footpath CDU10. (e) Training Opportunities for Councillors as listed on the agenda. COUNCIL REPRESENTATION AT MEETINGS 8669 Councillors agreed to represent Council at the following meetings: (a) Charter Group, 7 pm, 8th December, Fire Station Eastern Avenue (Councillor Nelmes). (b) GL11 Stakeholders’ Group, 5 pm, Community Centre, 12th December (the Mayor/Deputy Mayor). (c) GL11 Project AGM, 14th December, 6 pm, Glebe House, Cam – Councillor Nelmes would attend in lieu of the Mayor. (d) The Twinberrow Foundation, AGM and scheduled meeting, 3 rd January 2012. (e) Local Government Pension Scheme Forum, 25th January 2012, Shire Hall, 10 am. Council 6th December, 2011 (f) Cam, Dursley & Uley Joint Woodland Management Committee, 30th January, 7 pm, Cam Memorial Hall (Councillors Marsh and Harding). NEWSWORTHY ITEMS OF SIGNIFICANT INTEREST TO DURSLEY RESIDENTS 8670 Councillor Harding advised that Friends at Christmas provide Christmas lunches on Christmas Day and Boxing Day for those living on their own. Transport is provided. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING – 2012 8671 Arising from the 1st November Council meeting, it was noted that Rednock School has offered the free use of its facilities for the 2012 meeting. After due discussion, IT WAS AGREED that in order to be able to report back to the meeting on the full year’s finances, the 2012 Assembly of the Annual Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday 24th April. After due consideration IT WAS AGREED to invite Ms Trudi Piggott, Team Manager of the Vale Community Hospital as Guest Speaker. ....………………………………….. Town Mayor …….…………………………...…. Date