Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on Wednesday 18 August 2011 at 5.30 pm

Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee

held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on

Thursday 18 August 2011 at 5.30 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward:

Councillor Mrs M P Fulford
Councillor T J Johns (Town Mayor)

South Ward:

Councillor A T Inch
Councillor S G Inch (Deputy Town Mayor)
Councillor P J Pester

South (Outer) Ward:

Councillor A T Powell

East Ward:

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

IN ATTENDANCE:    Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk)
Mrs H J Blackburn (Deputy Town Clerk)
Councillor D G Brenton
Councillor Mrs E A Brenton
1 x Member of the Public

032    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No apologies were received.

033    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

No declarations of interest were made at this time.

034    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

There was no public participation.

035    MINUTES – STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2011 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Councillor Vanstone arrived at the meeting)

036    ACCOUNTS

a.    To approve the payments listed

b.    Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

b.    Internal Finance Inspector’s Report

The Members received the Internal Finance Inspector’s Report for the period     1 July – 30 September 2011.  Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the report be accepted.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

037    STAFFING MATTERS

038

a.    Psychometric Assessments

The Town Clerk advised that the Chairman had talked of the merits of short listed candidates undergoing Psychometric Assessment Tests at the previous     meeting.  This would     cost approximately £150.00 per candidate.  Proposed by     Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Psychometric Assessments Tests be carried out on short-listed candidates.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

(The Town Clerk left the room and the Deputy Town Clerk took the Minutes for agenda items 6.b. and c.)

b.    Appointment of Grievance Panel

The Chairman advised of the need to set up a Grievance Panel.  Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillors Clarke, Mrs Fulford, A T Inch, Johns and Pester are appointed to the Grievance Panel.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS TO BE TAKEN IN PART II

Proposed by Councillor A T Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be discussed, it is advisable, in the public interest, that the public be excluded for the next item.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

(Councillors Brenton and Mrs Brenton left the room)

c.    Independent Investigator

The Deputy Town Clerk advised the cost of two independent investigators and spoke briefly about the way in which the investigation was expected to be conducted.  She assured the Committee that the Grievance Procedure was being followed and that an Independent Investigator is being engaged to ensure that the matter is reviewed both independently and objectively.  Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED: That Mr Jeremy Roe is engaged to independently investigate the grievance currently lodged with the Council.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0) 

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

Proposed by Councillor A T Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Meeting return to an Open Session.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

(The Town Clerk returned to the meeting and resumed taking the Minutes.  Councillors Brenton and Mrs Brenton returned to the meeting as did the member of the public).

039    SNOW WARDEN SCHEME

Members noted the content of a letter from Devon County Council regarding the Snow Warden Scheme which had been circulated with the agenda.  Members were requested to consider joining the scheme and to appoint a Snow Warden.  Proposed by Councillor Clarke, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Council joins the scheme and that Councillor Powell is nominated as the Council’s Snow Warden.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

040    SWANSEA COASTGUARD CENTRE

Members noted the information from Torridge District Council regarding the proposed closure of the Swansea Coastguard Centre and the District Council’s request to support an objection to the proposed closure.  Proposed by Councillor  , seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Council fully supports the District Council’s opposition to the proposed closure of the Swansea Coastguard Centre.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

041    COUNCIL’S HANDYMAN SCHEME

The Town Clerk advised of the need to formalise a system of reporting, prioritising and agreeing projects to be carried out under the Council’s Handyman Scheme.  Proposed by Councillor A T Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the agreeing and prioritising of projects be delegated to the Town Clerk.  The Town Clerk to liaise with the Highways Superintendent regarding Chapter 8 issues.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

042    POLLYFIELD COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Members noted the content of a report from the Chairman of the Pollyfield Community Association.  Councillor A T Inch queried the name of the Association as he could not find it on the Charity Commission’s website.  Councillor Mrs Davies said that she would let him have the registration number for the Association.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.00 pm.

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

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

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