Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Town Hall on Thursday 23 March 2023 at 6.30 pm
PRESENT:
North Ward:
Councillor P S Christie
South Ward:
Councillor S Inch (Chairman)
Councillor P J Lawrence
East Ward:
Councillor Mrs J Gubb
Councillor J McKenzie
West Ward:
Councillor C Hawkins
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)
1 Member of the public
108. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor D Bushby (North Ward, personal), Councillor Mrs L Hellyer (East Ward, personal).
109. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND ANY REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Councillor Mrs Gubb declared a pecuniary interest in item 8.b. (Husband has worked with the Maintenance Team.)
110. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION OF 15 MINUTES DURATION
No Members of the public wished to speak.
111. MINUTES
Proposed by Councillor Hawkins and seconded by Councillor McKenzie, the minutes of the meeting held on 16 February (Grants) 2023 were approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)
112. CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
The Town Clerk circulated a letter received from a resident of Northam about Bideford Town centre. The letter had been sent to a number of local Councillors and the MP. She had written back to say that she would share it with members of the SFGP committee. After considering a comment in the letter, the Committee asked the Town Clerk to write to the owners of the commercial waste bins in Conduit Lane and Jubilee square advising that the Town Council would like the bins to be only put out on bin day, and not left out permanently. They are causing a health hazard, look unsightly and block the thoroughfare. If the owners do not make other arrangements for the storage of the commercial waste bins, then the issue needs to be reported to Torridge District Council.
The North Devon Heritage Officer from the North Devon Record Office has asked for permission to display five documents relating to the Coronation celebrations for Edward VII and George VI. They are held in the archives, and it is requested to put them on public display in the Barnstaple museum for an exhibition due to start in April to coincide with the Coronation of Charles III. Members asked the Town Clerk to write and grant permission. Councillor Christie also suggested that they may wish to borrow and display the Edward VII medal he had given to the Town Council.
113. ACCOUNTS
Members received the list of payments.
Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded by Councillor Mrs Gubb and
RESOLVED: That the draft list of payments is approved.
(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)
114. ST MARYS CHURCH CLOCK
The Town Clerk advised that this item was withdrawn as St Mary’s had contacted the Town Council to advise that they still do not have sufficient funds to repair the clock and so a service is not currently required.
115. MAINTENANCE OPERATIVES
a. Members received an update on the tasks undertaken by the Maintenance Operatives. Members asked the Town Clerk to thank the team for the quick response to issues in Ford Woods and Barton Tors.
b. SEASONAL MAINTENANCE TEAM EMPLOYEE
Members considered the costs and benefits of employing a Seasonal Worker between May 2023 and September 2023 to assist with the additional summer workload.
Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded by Councillor Hawkins and
RESOLVED: That a Seasonal Worker is employed between May 2023 and September 2023 to assist with the additional summer workload.
(Vote: For: 5, Against: 0, Abstention: 1)
116. PART II CLOSED SESSION
Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded by Councillor Inch and
RESOLVED: That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be discussed, the meeting moves into part II.
(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)
117. STAFFING MATTERS
Members approved the temporary appointment of Richard Coombes as Acting Town Clerk for the period 1 May 2023 to 31 July 2023.
There is a confidential Minute associated with this item.
118. Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded by Councillor Mrs Gubb and
RESOLVED: That the meeting returns to Standing Orders.
(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)
The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.40 pm.
