Environment Committee

Minutes of meeting Wednesday 18th March 2009 at Arlebury Park Conference Room

 

Present:             Cllrs, Cattle (Chair), Phillips, Yeldham, Mansfield, Jeffs, Gentry

HCC:                  Cllr J Porter

Apologies:          0

Public:                3              Mr and Mrs S Brill, Mrs J Bonham Carter

Press:                 0

Minutes:            NATC Assistant Clerk, Mrs B Gray

 

123

1 Apologies - none

 

124

2 Declaration of Interest on agenda items

Cllr Yeldham declared interest Item 6 Salisbury Rd

Cllr Gentry Item 5.1 Hankins Ct

 

125

3 Minutes of meeting held Wednesday 12th November 2008

Proposed: Cllr Mansfield Seconded: Cllr Yeldham – (Agreed)

 

126

4 Public Participation

None at this time raise at Item 11 – Dog Bins

 

127

5 Correspondence

5.1 Hankins Yard letter discussed and meeting reminded that part of planning permission given was that Coop uses vehicles that can access/turn within this location. Decision to review again when scaffolding removed.  A Resident Parking only sign would be the responsibility of the residents not NATC.  Letter to Mr Renyard  

 

5.2    Watercress Pollution Reply from Watercress Line to Mrs Oates read. Meeting agreed endeavors by Watercress Line to alert footplate crews/firing inspectors to avoid making smoke within  Station environs were being made.  Clerk to reply to resident asking for details i.e. time and dates if occurs in future.

 

 

JC/RG

Clerk

 

 

 

 

Clerk

128

 

 

 

 

6 Salisbury Road – Trees Update

Drawing HHW/07/08/02 Tabled.  Cllr Gentry reported on the public afternoon session spent listening to residents.  The  best that could happen is that HCC  would maintain upkeep for 4 trees but over time it was  felt that arguments would come forward to cut those  down especially as two of those that might remain are allegedly damaging property..  Cllr Porter tabled a summary of afternoon and evening sessions.  Discussions re build outs having lit bollards and the change to the street scene.  Asked HCC Chris Wilson does work have to happen and was advised yes. Comment made going against Design Statement. Some suggestions made - make the road one way - not possible with regard to turning ability.  Trees to be placed in residents garden as option to having in road - Residents wanted to view the road option first. Suggestion to widen one side of road. Access issues.

Cllr Gentry It seems HCC very minded to find a solution at this time and that the town should take advantage of this.  Felt that in the long term the best approach was to remove all existing tress and plant suitable replacements.  If this is not done now we will probable end up with all the tress coming down and no replacements – the worst of both worlds..

Resolution  Remove all existing trees and provide replacement trees along the entire length of Salisbury Road.

Proposed: Cllr Gentry  Seconded: Cllr Phillips

 

1st  Amendment:  Retain two existing trees on west side and repair pavements for residents

Proposed: Cllr Jeffs  Seconded:  Failed no seconder

 

2nd Amendment: Retaining trees at 11 and 13 on east side.

Proposed: Cllr Jeffs Seconded: Cllr Mansfield

 

Vote taken on Amendment 2

For                          Cllrs Jeffs and Mansfield

Against                   Cllrs Cattle, Gentry and Phillips  Amendment lost

Vote on Principle Resolution

For                          Cllrs Gentry, Phillips and Cattle

Against                   Cllrs Jeffs and Mansfield             Agreed

 

Proposed to take to Full Council for ratification : Cllr Gentry Seconded: Cllr Cattle      (Agreed)

 

 

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7.1 PFI Street Lighting HCC Julian Higgins update awaiting authorisation for Dept of Transport once received final tenders go out and anticipates return of these by May/June with a possible December 09 start date.  HCC taking over some of the street lights on 1st April 09.

7.2 Upgrading of street lights Cllr Gentry informed meeting that areas that would NOT be upgraded were  Hill  Terrace, Brandy Mount, South end Gt Weir , Mill Hill (3) and these would continue to be maintained by NATC in the short term – when footpath across Perins completed need to make a decision on lamp by Scout Hut.  Station Approach has a lamp 2 metres from the resident’s bedroom window but  the residents wish it to remain. Clerk to add to list of transfer to HCC. 

 Haig Road, Winsor Road, Ashburton Close and Ashburton Road – existing lights too far apart to be transferred to HCC.  Additional  lights at a  cost of  £1,000 per light need to be installed   then  HCC will adopt them. Initial investment £8-10,000 to secure future saving of £3,000 per annum

Q. Is there an early warning system if HCC decide to make any changes would they inform NATC first?

A. Cllr Porter on Climate Change Panel – Discussions in  HCC about cutting light  back by 30 minutes stages from 2am back until comments made.  However new high responsive lighting means not so much energy is used to reach full brightness.  There is to be a second meeting on 26th March and any action would be taken with the Town’ knowledge.

Q. Why retain Hill Terrace light.

A. It is a single light HCC will not take over less than three

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

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8 Cycle Racks – Additional

City Council wanted to put bike racks in West St/Broad St corner – NATC said location inconvenient and problematic.

Q. Style of rack not popular.

A. Non intrusive on conservation. Also has only  single fixing point. Tree guards can be used.

Other designs and costs to be brought to next Environment meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

131

9 West St Bus Stop Cllr Porter reported good attendance at meeting – all agreed including David Goodman that it was worth doing the work at the present site. Would reconsider a move in 2 years.  Director of works advises not possible until 2010 awaiting design and ground works Planning.

 

Proposal to take steps away at Bus Stop in West St. Bus stop in roadway with purpose built kerb also releasing 2 parking spaces.

 

Proposed: Cllr                           Seconded:   Cllr Jeffs  (Agreed)

Cllr Gentry  updated Moda Rosa today

Clerk to write to Neville Crisp to ensure that parking bays are marked off

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

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10 Feedback from ATP Projects

Cllr Jeffs advised – John Arlott plaque Funding Cllr Power has  main funding for equipment and administration. Dependant on further grant to enable affordable evening event for community.

Cllr Gentry confirmed Finance agreed to make Arlebury Park facility available to Town Partnership

Cllr Porter advised Soke feasibility study improving pedestrian access

Sun Lane Bridge  - small works

Perins lease to be signed by 20th March. Cllr Gentry advised that it will not be signed until the return of R Barry on 25th March 09. Car Park will  not be done by time of Watercress Festival. Use Perin’s and Arlebury Park to park

 

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11 Dog Bins WCC email re Arlebury Park 2 to increase collection to twice weekly as bin is getting heavy.  NATC not in position to pay for increased collections. Clerk to advise WCC

Recent installation and re-siting of Dog Bin in Ladywell Lane was discussed between residents who attended the meeting.  A specific location was suggested and agreed.  Cllr Cattle to meet with Mrs Brill and to view the location. Clerk to advise Bill Williams of WCC re the move.

Q. Can the dog bins be green rather than red as National Trust

A. Statutory requirement. National Trust bins are on own land

 

Clerk

 

JC

Clerk

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12 Allotments Cllr Cattle advised Andrew Merry has now installed water tap and Brook clearance near completion. With regard to possible new site  - further update October/November 09.

Cllr Gentry asked for clarification on Budget.  Why are we £300 down on allotment income? This is due to new allotment holders paying for 18 months in advance. Forecast for allotment work needs to be increased to £1000.

 

 

Clerk

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13 Finance

Burial Grounds  Cllr Cattle advised nothing to report at this stage awaiting PCC 

Hedge Laying Cllr Gentry advised he had been Hedge Laying with Wednesday Group at Mill Trail/Memorial Gardens now has views of wild areas. Scalping complete. Letter of appreciation to Wednesday Group from Chair

letter of thanks (Ray Fisher and White (Industrial)

 

 

 

JC/Clerk

 

JC/Clerk

 

Meeting closed at 9.10pm

Date of next meeting Wednesday 17th June 2009