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

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PRESENT:

North Ward:

Councillor T J Johns
Councillor Ms E L Farrington (Substitute for A T Powell)

South Ward:

Councillor S G Inch (Substitute for A T Inch)
Councillor P J Pester (Town Mayor)
Councillor D M Ratcliff

East Ward:

Councillor S E L Clarke OBE (Chairman)
Councillor R W Vanstone

IN ATTENDANCE:    Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk)

062    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors Mrs P Davies and Mrs C B Church (East Ward – Illness)

063    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

No declarations of interest were made at this time.

064    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

No members of the public were present at the meeting.

065    MINUTES – STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.

066    ACCOUNTS

Proposed by Councillor Ratcliff , seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For:  5,  Against:  0)

(Councillors Pester and Vanstone arrived at the meeting)

067    STREET SWEEPER

The Town Clerk advised that he had spoken with the Chief Executive of TTVS regarding the possibility of the Council contracting out this service to TTVS. However, the Chief Executive said that this was not in harmony with what the voluntary sector was about unless the Council could come up with ideas to broaden the role.

Councillor Clarke advised that it was not TTVS but TTS that we should approach with a view to seeking their interest in the Council contracting out this service to them.  He advised that he would contact the TTS to discuss the idea.

068    ALLOTMENTS – LAND AT HANDY CROSS

The Town Clerk advised that the Bridge Trust has responded by advising that it has now resolved to proceed with its proposal to lease the land to the Council.  The Bridge Trust will now prepare a draft lease for the Council’s consideration.

069    STREET LIGHTING – MARKET PLACE

The Town Clerk advised that he had received a letter from a resident in Market Place   complaining about the need for lighting up an area next to his house due to an increase in anti-social behaviour and drug dealing.  Members were advised of the full content of the letter.  He also advised that he had spoken with Devon County Council on the subject as it is they who normally have responsibility for lighting the streets. Devon County Council has advised that they do not have a budget to cover additional street lighting.  The Town Clerk then outlined the implications if the Council agreed to have the work carried out and install a street light on the property of the resident.

Proposed by Councillor Ms Farrington, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the resident is advised that the Council will not provide street lighting on his property to increase lighting for his CCTV camera and as this area is already covered by a Dispersal Order the police should be contacted and requested to take action to enforce the Order.

(Vote – For:  7,  Against:  0)

070    ‘DRAFT’ BUDGET ESTIMATES – FINANCIAL YEAR 2011/2012

The Town Clerk presented the ‘Draft’ Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2011/2012 which are attached and form part of these Minutes.

Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and

RECOMMENDED:  That the Council approves the budget and a Precept in the sum of £343,000.00 be submitted to Torridge District Council in respect of the Financial Year commencing 2011 and that the Council’s reserves remain at £100,0000.00.
(Vote – For:  7,  Against:  0)

071    GRANT – NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATIONS

The Town Clerk reminded members that it had been mentioned at the previous meeting of the Council that there was a shortfall to fund cover for the New Year’s Eve celebrations.  Members were requested to consider whether or not to make a donation to the event which could be funded through the contingency budget.

Proposed by Councillor Ms Farrington, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Council makes a donation of £1,000.00 for the emergency medical cover for New Year’s Eve 2010 on the understanding the payment is made to the West Country Ambulance Service or St John Ambulance.  The Committee would comment and note any future provision for events must come with cover from the organisers for the full cost of medical emergency cover.

(Vote – For:  6,  Against:  0,  Abstention:  1)

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.52 pm.




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




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