Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Council Chamber on Thursday 27 April 2023 at 6.30 pm
PRESENT:
North Ward:
Councillor D Bushby (Chairman)
Councillor P S Christie
Councillor D McGeough
South Ward:
Councillor P Lawrence
Councillor S Inch (Vice-Chairman)
East Ward:
Councillor Mrs J Gubb
Councillor Mrs L Hellyer
Councillor J McKenzie
West Ward:
Councillor C Hawkins
IN ATTENDANCE:
2 Members of the public
Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)
119. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
All Committee members were present
120. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND ANY REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
There were no declarations of interest.
121. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION OF 15 MINUTES DURATION
No Members of the public wished to speak.
122. MINUTES
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Gubb and seconded, the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2023 were approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote – For: 7, Against: 0, abstentions: 2)
123. CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
The Chairman advised that Councillor James Craigie had intended to attend the meeting and raise the question of an emergency grant of £500 for remedial works to a tap and raised beds in the Link Centre garden. It was agreed that Councillor Craigie should be asked to complete an Emergency Grant application form and for the matter to be brought to a future SFGP meeting.
The Town Clerk advised that the Town Band had written to thank the Council for the grant received and she circulated their letter.
The Town Clerk circulated a picture of graffiti and litter in the town that had been given to her during the week with the request that she show Members. The graffiti has since been removed and Councillor Christie mentioned an initiative by the Police where the perpetrators, if caught, will be required to take part in a scheme to remove graffiti.
124. ACCOUNTS
a. Members received the list of payments.
Councillor Inch suggested that Blakewell Services could provide an alternative supplier for Maintenance items.
Proposed by Councillor Bushby seconded by Councillor Mrs Hellyer and
RESOLVED: That the draft list of payments is approved.
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
b. INTERNAL FINANCE INSPECTOR’S REPORT
Members considered the Internal Finance Inspector’s report.
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Mrs Gubb and
RESOLVED: That the Internal Finance Inspector’s Report for the period 1 October – 31 March 2023 is approved.
(Vote For: 9, Against: 0)
Councillor Mrs Langford was thanked for her work as Internal Finance Inspector.
c. INDEPENDENT FINANCE INSPECTOR’S REPORT
Members considered the Independent Finance Inspector’s report.
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Mrs Gubb and
RESOLVED: That the Independent Finance Inspector’s Report for the period 1 October – 31 March 2023 is approved.
(Vote For: 9, Against: 0)
d. NON-EARMARKED FUNDS
The Town Clerk advised that at the end of the Financial Year 2022/23, £26,865 remained in the General Fund.
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor McGeough and
RECOMMENDED: That the non-earmarked funds (£26,865) are re-apportioned as follows: £6,865 to the current project budget and that £20,000 is added to the ring-fenced reserves for the Maintenance Team facility.
(Vote For: 8, Against: 0, Out of room: 1)
125. COMMERCIAL WASTE BINS
Members considered the communication from a local business regarding the commercial waste bins in Conduit Lane. It was suggested that if the waste was collected more frequently, that would help the situation. Members noted that complaints from the public about litter and graffiti were becoming more frequent. Councillor Christie said that in many towns, especially in Cornwall, drangs were a feature of the town, and were made to look pretty – not full of waste bins.
Councillor Christie suggested that the incoming Council might wish to resurrect the Tidy Town Group as a joint initiative with Torridge District Council.
126. MAINTENANCE OPERATIVES
Members received and noted the update on the tasks undertaken by the Maintenance Operatives. Councillor Bushby noted his disappointment that Devon County Council Highways had required the bunting to be strung in parallel lines to the Quay rather than across it. He felt that the Highways Officer should work more closely with the Town Council to resolve any issues and achieve permissions. Councillor McGeough suggested inviting the Highways officer in for a friendly chat, to see how we can all work together going forward. Everyone felt that this was a good idea.
Councillor Mrs Gubb asked for an update on the removal of tree branches from a private property at East-the-Water. The Town Clerk was aware of the issue and had asked for some photos to show what was involved. Mrs Gubb advised that the Maintenance Team supervisor felt that they may need to hire a cherry picker to remove the branches. The Town Clerk said that she would not be able to authorise such an expense for the removal of branches on private land, without the express permission of this Committee. Members agreed that the Council could not pay for a cherry picker for works on private property.
127. PART II CLOSED SESSION
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor McKenzie and
RESOLVED: That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be discussed, the meeting moves into part II.
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
128 CITIZEN’S AWARD
There is a confidential Minute associated with this item.
129 Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor McKenzie and
RESOLVED: That the meeting returns to Standing Orders.
(Vote For: 9, Against: 0)
The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 7.03 pm.
