Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee 7 June 2010

Posted in document archives - Staffing, Finance & Gen. Purposes

Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Mayor’s Parlour, Town Hall, Bideford on Tuesday 7 June 2010 at 5.30 pm

BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee

held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on

Monday 7 June 2010 at 5.30 pm

PRESENT:

South Ward:    

Councillor P J Pester (Town Mayor)
Councillor D M Ratcliff

South (Outer) Ward:    

Councillor A T Powell

East Ward:    

Councillor Mrs C B Church
Councillor S E L Clarke (Chairman)
Councillor R W Vanstone

IN ATTENDANCE:    Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk)

001    ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Clarke be appointed Chairman for the year 2010/2011.

(Vote – For:  4  Against:  0,  Abstention:  1)

002    ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Ratcliff be appointed Vice-Chairman for the year 2010/2011.

(Vote – For:  5,  Against:  0)

003    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors Mrs P Davies (East Ward – Doctor’s appointment) and  T J Johns (North Ward –  Hospital)


004    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

No declarations of interest were made at this time.

005    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

No members of the public were present at the meeting.

006    MINUTES – STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Councillor Vanstone arrived at the meeting)

007    ACCOUNTS

a.    Proposed by Councillor Ratcliff, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For:  6,  Against:  0)

b.    Bank Interest Rates

The members noted the details regarding the terms and rates on offer for the Council’s bank accounts.  Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Council awaits change in the economic climate before considering longer term investments.

(Vote – For:  6,  Against:  0 )

008    NOTICE OF MOTION

Councillor Powell moved the following Notice of Motion and was seconded by Councillor Ratcliff:

“That Bideford Town Council invests £40,000.00 from the Regeneration Budget towards the public realm works at Jubilee Square/Cooper Street.”

RESOLVED:  That the Council agrees to support the public realm works up to £40,000.00 in principle subject to agreed funding from other agencies being in place.  The money is to be ring-fenced and held until written confirmation has been received that the other agencies are committed and subject to approved plans.

(Vote – For:  6,  Against:  0)

009    TOWN HALL MODIFCIATIONS

Members noted the content of a letter from the Property and Procurement Manager, Torridge District Council, enclosed with the agenda, advising of the proposed modifications to the Town Hall and seeking a contribution of £320.00 towards the works.  Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Council contributes £320.00 towards the cushioning of the benches.

(Vote – For:  6,  Against:  0)

(Councillor Powell left the meeting)

010    VOLLEYBALL COURTS

Members noted the content of a letter  from the Health and Recreation Officer, Torridge District Council, enclosed with the agenda, asking if the Council would like to submit an “expression of interest” to have a volleyball court in the parish, and if so, where it should be located.  The court would be provided but the Council would be responsible for its maintenance.  Proposed by Councillor Ratcliff, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Torridge District Council be requested to consider putting this facility in their Culture Report and consider the football pitch at Pollyfield as a suitable location.

(Vote – For:  5,  Against:  0)

011    ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN DESIGNATED AREAS

Members noted the content of a letter from the Legal Department, Torridge District Council, enclosed with the agenda, seeking the Council’s comments regarding the implementation of an Order to prohibit the consumption of alcohol in a designated area.  The designated area consists of part of central Bideford including Victoria Park, King George V Playing Fields, Quay Car Park and Landivisiau Walk.  The designated area excludes the Bowling Club, Rugby Club, former TIC and Burton Arts Centre (including the area to the east of the centre where ancillary tables are provided.  Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Torridge District Council be requested to consider including the Skateboard Park and Chudleigh Fort in the Order.

(Vote – For:  5,  Against:  0)

012    FORD WOODLAND

Members noted the content of a letter from the Tree Officer, Torridge District Council, enclosed with the agenda, requesting the Council to supply and plant two semi-mature English Oaks to enhance the look of the woodland.  The Town Clerk advised that Hazel had been suggested as this enhances the environment for door mice.  Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Council waits until the Autumn when hopefully nature will have taken its own course.

(Vote – For:  5,  Against:  0)

013    ARBORICULTURAL WORKS

a.    Ford House Woodland

The Town Clerk advised that at last month’s meeting of the Committee the members had received a copy of the Walkover Survey (Quantified Tree Risk Assessment) Report and it was resolved to seek quotations for the works to be     carried out.  Letters had been sent to four contractors but only two quotations had been received and these were read out to the members.  Proposed by Councillor Mrs Church, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Wessex Tree Surgeons be appointed to carry out the work covered in the Walkover Survey Quantified Tree Risk Assessment Report dated 23 April 2010.

(Vote – For:  5,  Against:  0)

b.    Tricks Allotments

The Town Clerk advised that he had received a further quotation for the two additional trees at Tricks allotments which needed attention, following the Tree Survey Re-Assessment Report which had been circulated at last month’s meeting.  Proposed by Councillor Ratcliff, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Arborcare be appointed to carry out the additional     work covered in the Tree Survey Report dated 9 April 2010.

(Vote – For:  5,  Against:  0)

014    LOAN TO PANNIER MARKET

The Town Clerk advised members that the Market Management Committee had requested a short-term loan.  Proposed by Councillor Vanstone, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Council agrees to a short term loan of £10,000.00 to provide working capital to support future initiatives.

(Vote – For:  5,  Against:  0)

015    MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN

Members noted the information which had been distributed with the agenda.  Proposed by Councillor Clarke, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the need for a Medium Term Financial Plan was agreed in principle and that the Committee prepares a Draft Forward Planning Strategy for consideration by the Council.

(Vote – For:  5,  Against:  0)



The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 7.07 pm.




Signature of Town Mayor:  ………………………………….  Date:  ……………………........




Signature of Chairman:  ……………………………………..  Date:  ………………………....