Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on Thursday 15 September 2011

2011 at 5.30 pm

BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee

held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on

Thursday 15 September 2011 at 5.30 pm

PRESENT:
North Ward:
Councillor Mrs M P Fulford

South Ward:
Councillor D G Brenton (Substitute for T J Johns)
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)

043 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors A T Inch (South Ward – Work) and T J Johns (North Ward – Personal)

044 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Councillor Clarke declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 (New Year’s Eve Committee Member).

045 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

There was no public participation.

046 MINUTES – STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 August 2011 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For:  8,  Against:  0)

047 ACCOUNTS

a. Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For:   8,  Against:  0)

048 SEWER VENTILATION COLUMNS

Members were advised that during the stress testing of the columns it was found that the column at the junction of Catshole Lane/Clovelly Road has a 2 mm wide crack between 2 of the grilles.  WM Ironwork Ltd had provided two options for repair and these were outlined to Members with costs.  Proposed by Councillor Clarke, seconded and

RESOLVED:   That further quotes be obtained to include access cost and painting of the columns.

(Vote – For:  8,  Against:  0)                                

049 PORT MEMORIAL – FLAG POLE

The Chairman outlined his idea for a flag pole and Town flag to fly at the Port Memorial.  Proposed by Councillor Mrs Davies,  seconded and

RECOMMENDED: That the Council approves expenditure not exceeding £1,000.00 from the Regeneration Budget to cover the cost of purchase of a flag pole, Town flag, planning application and installation.

(Vote – For:  8,  Against:  0)

050 NEW YEAR’S EVE - PREMISES LICENCE

Members were advised of Torridge District Council’s decision to relinquish responsibility for Bideford’s New Year’s Eve Premises Licence.  The Premises Licence authorised the Council to have entertainment, attractions and concessions on The Quay.  However, since 2000 the event has been facilitated by the Bideford Festival Committee, who has not held the licence, and therefore the responsibility of the success and safety of the event has not been in control of the District Council.  The decision to surrender the licence has been made to ensure that the organisers of the event are identified in the interest of public safety.  Members were also advised that the cost of a new application would be £1,100.00 with an annual fee of £1,070 thereafter to maintain the licence.  The Town Clerk also mentioned additional costs for insurance, marshals and the impact on staff, which was one of the reasons that Torridge District Council had relinquished responsibility.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RECOMMENDED: That the Council agree in principle but that more information be obtained with regards to running this event.

(Vote – For:  8,  Against:   0)

051 CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS TO BE TAKEN IN PART II

Proposed by Councillor Vanstone, 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 remainder of the meeting.

(Vote – For:  8,  Against:   0)

052 MARKET OFFICER

The Town Clerk advised that at the Committee meeting on 17 March 2011 it was agreed that the pay scale of the Market Officer be reviewed in 6 months.  Members were given a copy of the Market Officer’s appraisal for the previous year and the Town Clerk explained the reasons for upgrading the post the previous year.  Following discussion it was proposed by Councillor Btrenton, seconded and

RESOLVED: To await the normal review date.  That the matter of a basic domestic plumbing course be investigated.

(Vote – For:  8,  Against:  0)

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.15 pm.

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

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