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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, 8TH FEBRUARY 2010
Present: Cllr C. Lofts (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr M. Blake, Cllr J. Godwin,
Cllr M. Johns, Cllr D. Linney, Cllr J. Lynch, Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr A. Wardle,
Cllr H. Wright, Cllr D. Yates
1. Apologies for Absence
Cllr D. Bain, Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr J. Hart, Cllr A. Maycock
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.
It was agreed to bring forward Item 6 on the agenda.
6. South Northants Council – Affordable Housing in Towcester
Report from Jacqueline Brooks, Team Leader, Strategic Housing
Jacqueline Brooks and Alice Izzett from the Strategic Housing Team introduced themselves. Jacqueline explained that the Strategic Housing Team is looking to work in partnership with the Town Council, and other local bodies, to prepare for the urban expansion of Towcester. Jacqueline referred to the Masterplan which indicates potential sites for development and stressed the importance of gaining a robust evidence base so that proposals from developers can be properly assessed. At the time of the Persimmon Homes application a Strategic Housing Growth Report was made looking into supply and demand. The Strategic Housing Team aims to implement a new Housing Strategy by the end of 2010 and will be carrying out a housing needs survey to assess all aspects of housing demand in Towcester from the types of homes required to affordability.
Cllr Wardle said the lack of affordable housing in Towcester is evidenced by her role as School Governor. Single members of staff would like to live in Towcester but cannot afford to and travel in from Northampton each day. Jacqueline confirmed that schools and other employers would form part of the survey.
Cllr Johns welcomed any research in this area particularly that which will support local people to find affordable housing.
Cllr Lofts thanked Jacqueline and Alice for attending the meeting. Jacqueline asked to come back to a future meeting for the TC to approve the survey questionnaire prior to its circulation.
4. Town Mayor’s Items
21/01/10 Towcester Partnership Board Meeting
25/01/10 Towcester Bus Co. Board Meeting
28/01/10 JAG (Joint Action Group) Meeting
29/01/10 Unveiling the plaque on new play equipment with representatives of SNH
5. Report back from:-
Cllr R. Bromwich, Northamptonshire County Council
Cllr Bromwich had given her apologies for the meeting and the Clerk reported on her email.
Cllr D. Dallyn, South Northamptonshire Council
Cllr Dallyn had confirmed in advance that she would be late to the meeting. This item was deferred.
7. Minutes of Meetings
Resources/Planning Committee 11th January 2010
Town Council Meeting 11th January 2010
Recreation/Leisure Committee 18th January 2010
Resources/Planning Committee 25th January 2010
Proposal
Cllr Linney proposed that the Minutes of Meetings be signed by the Chair as a true record;
seconded by Cllr Stanger; all in favour.
8. Matters Arising
No matters arising from Full Council.
9. Report back from the Chair of the:-
Resources/Planning Committee
Cllr Johns confirmed that the committee will forward observations to the West Northants Joint Planning Unit on its Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Draft.
Minute Page 10/01/10 – The Clerk will report back the outcome of her discussions with Natwest Bank concerning new charges at the next committee meeting.
Minute Page 10/01/009 – Cllr Wardle reiterated her proposal from the Resources/Planning Committee Meeting on 25th January:-
Proposal
Cllr Wardle proposed that the TC transfers monies from its reserve account to secure the 999 year lease of the allotment land to the rear of Malthouse Court and sets its precept for 2011/12 to repay the reserve account; seconded by Cllr Linney; all in favour.
Recreation/Leisure Commiittee
The Clerk confirmed that the RL Meeting scheduled for 15th February will be cancelled to allow members to attend the public meeting being held by SNC. The Clerk gave a brief update on RL items:-
Temporary heating was installed at the Community Centre last week; the heater in the foyer area has not proved effective. Sure-Start will be commencing preliminary sessions in the Community Centre from 10th February; nothing further has happened with respect to the project since the last RL meeting.
Major problems with blocked toilets/drains at the Community Centre last week was traced back to drains beneath the car park at the Riverside Centre. Under the terms of its lease, NCC arranged for the works to clear the drains.
The Clerk, Cllr Allen and Cllr Lynch attended a site meeting with representatives of the Environment Agency to discuss the collapsed headwall downstream of Towcester sluice. Remedial works to reduce the size of the headwall were agreed. The Clerk will send details of the works required to the TC contractor for approval by the EA.
The transfer of open spaces on the Shires Estate is progressing. The Clerk will meet on site with Grant Perks of SNC and a representative of Persimmon Homes on 16th February to discuss this further. The TC needs to consider whether its wishes to take over the area between the bridge and Loughran Bros which currently owned by the Hesketh Estate; this item will be referred to the next RL Meeting.
Cemetery Committee
The Clerk confirmed she has recently submitted the Public Works Loan application for funds to be released in March. Works to the Cemetery Chapel will commence in April.
Allotment Working Group
Cllr Maycock had given apologies for the meeting.
10. Report back from Local Bodies
Cllr Lynch confirmed the Towcester Partnership is in a very difficult financial position. At the beginning of April 2009 it advised SNC and NCC that it needed projects to become self sustainable. The only project that has been approved is the South Northants Bus Co. and this will not generate sufficient income due to the way its fees are levied. Currently there is no funding available and the Partnership will need to serve redundancy notices on the Project Manager and Clerk. This will put into jeopardy the future of the South Northants Bus Co. This issue is being discussed at SNC Cabinet this evening. Cllr Lynch is hopeful the Partnership can secure a role in the new Market Town Partnerships being created by SNC and asked the TC for its support in achieving this.
Cllr Wardle referred to the Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park and discussions held with Jonathon Kingsley-Smith about its refurbishment. The pond needs excavating and a new relining. The school is looking into thickening the hedge between its playing field and the pocket park; once this is established the fencing can be removed.
Cllr Linney confirmed that a Charity Race Night will be held at the Town Hall on Saturday 27th February to raise much-needed funds for the Towcester Youth Coffee Shop.
Cllr Allen confirmed NCALC is applying to become a company limited by guarantee. This will have no affect on its services but will provide protection for its members. He referred to the new Northamptonshire Council Charter; comments on the document are needed by 7th April and he recommended the TC gives it support. It was agreed to refer this item to the appropriate committee for further discussion.
Cllr Blake confirmed the Towcester Allotment Society has been successful in its funding application to Cllr Bromwich for a new gate. This will be a metal, key-operated gate.
11. Correspondence
WNDC – Regional Launch of the West Northamptonshire Manual for Design Codes
- The launch of the manual will take place on 24th February at Franklins Gardens. Cllr Linney agreed to attend on behalf of the TC.
NHS Northampton – Your Guide to health Services in Northamptonshire 2010
- A copy is available from the Clerk.
St Lawrence Church – Parade Services for 2010
- A copy is available from the Clerk.
SNC – Renewal for a Street Trading Consent
- No objections to the renewal of the Street Trading Consent for ‘Express Catering’, A43 Layby between Showsley and Hulcote.
Northamptonshire Acre – New Funding Opportunities for Community Groups
- A copy is available from the Clerk.
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