Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Mayor’s Parlour, Town Hall, Bideford on Thursday 16 September 2010 at 5.30 pm

 

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BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee

held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on

Thursday 16 September 2010 at 5.30 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward:

Councillor T J Johns

South Ward:

Councillor A T Inch
Councillor P J Pester (Town Mayor)
Councillor D M Ratcliff


South Ward (Outer):

Councillor A T Powell

East Ward:

Councillor S E L Clarke (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs P Davies
Councillor R W Vanstone

IN ATTENDANCE:    Councillor Ms E L Farrington
Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk)

034    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor Mrs C B Church (East Ward – Illness)

035    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

No declarations of interest were made at this time.

036    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

No members of the public were present at the meeting.

037    MINUTES – STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 August 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Councillor Powell arrived at the meeting)


038    ACCOUNTS

Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For:  8,  Against:  0)

039    COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN

Members were reminded that at its meeting on 12 August 2010 the Council was asked to consider taking the lead on the Community Action Plan (CAP).  The Council resolved that the feasibility of taking the lead be referred to the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee to consider and make recommendations to Council.  A copy of the CAP, although not updated since May 2009, was obtained from the District Council and e-mailed to councillors.  Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and

RECOMMENDED:  That the Council leads on the following projects only:

•    Cannon on the Quay
•    Ford Woodland
•    Town Information Centre
•    Backpackers Hostel

That the remaining projects be lead by the local authority who initiated them.

(Vote – For:  8,  Against:  0)

040    REVIEW OF COUNCIL’S POLICY – MAYOR’S CIVIC CHURCH SERVICE

Members were advised that a review of the Council’s Civic Functions was carried out by the Committee in February 2008.  The Committee were given three options relating to the Annual Meeting of the Council and Mayor Election/Introduction Ceremony.  It was recommended to Council that Option 2 was the preferred option which allowed for a voluntary Civic Church Service but no parade.  The reason behind this recommendation is that numbers dwindled and a large number of organisations were not supporting the parade.  The Council ratified the decision in March 2008.  The Council has been requested to reconsider its position and reinstate the parade in the belief that it helps to build up and enhance the civic life of the town.  Proposed by Councillor Ratcliff, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Parade be re-instated as part of the civic event.

(Vote – For:  8,  Against:  0)

041    LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME

Members noted the content of a letter from Devon County Council on the subject of the 2010 Actuarial Valuation update.


The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.05 pm.




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




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