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Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Town Hall, Bideford on Thursday 1 December 2022 at 6.30 pm
 
PRESENT:
 
North Ward:
 
Councillor P S Christie
Councillor D Bushby (Chairman)
Councillor T Johns (Substitute for Councillor S Inch)
Councillor D McGeough
 
East Ward:
 
Councillor Mrs J Gubb
Councillor L Hellyer
Councillor J McKenzie
 
South Ward:
 
Councillor P Lawrence
 
West Ward:
 
Councillor C Hawkins
 
 
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs H Blackburn (Town Clerk)
  
064. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
 
Councillor S Inch (South Ward – Personal)
 
065. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND ANY REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
 
There were no declarations of interest at this point.
 
066. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION OF 15 MINUTES DURATION
 
No Members of the public were present at the meeting.
 
067. MINUTES
 
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Hellyer and seconded by Councillor Lawrence, the minutes of the meeting held on 27 October 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record.  
 
(Vote – For: 7, Against: 0, Abstentions: 2)
 
068. CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
 
No items were raised.
 
069.  ACCOUNTS 
 
a.  Members received the list of payments.  
 
(Councillor Mrs Gubb declared a personal interest in item 5 on the payment list (Her son provided the PA system on Remembrance Sunday).
 
Councillor McGeough commented on the grant of £15,000 to Torridge District Council for the provision of play equipment and suggested that the Mayor is invited to unveil the new equipment once it is installed.
 
Proposed by Councillor McGeough, seconded by Councillor  Hawkins, and
 
RESOLVED:  That the draft list of payments is approved.
 
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
 
b.  Members received the Internal Auditor’s report.  
 
Proposed by Councillor Lawrence, seconded by Councillor  Bushby, and
 
RESOLVED:  That the Internal Auditor’s report is approved.
 
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
 
070. PORT MEMORIAL LICENSE REQUEST
 
Members considered a request from a local trader to grant a license to park a horse box serving coffee and light snacks on the Port Memorial for the summer season.
 
Members discussed the feasibility of this request but felt that it would not be an appropriate place to trade from and would adversely affect the amenity of the area.
 
Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded by Councillor Mrs Gubb, and
 
RESOLVED: That the request for a license to park a horse box serving coffee and light snacks on the Port Memorial for the summer season is declined.
 
(Vote For:  9, Against: 0) 
 
071. BUS SHELTER
 
Members considered the provision of a bus shelter in the vicinity of the taxi rank.  Councillor Bushby advised that he had received a number of requests from taxi drivers and members of the public requesting a shelter.  He envisaged a simple, transparent shelter, with a bench seat to protect those waiting for a taxi from the elements.  He advised that there was now surplus funding in the project budget as the Festoon lighting would not be going ahead and it was also unlikely that the Pollyfield footpath would come to fruition.
 
Members considered the space in the area and the proximity of the cycle way.  Councillor McKenzie offered to seek advice from the Highways Officer on the best position for the shelter and how this could be achieved.
 
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor McGeough, and
 
RESOLVED: That this project is supported and the advice of the Highways Officer is sought on how to achieve the provision of a bus shelter in this location.
 
(Vote For: 9, Against: 0) 
 
072. MEMBERSHIP OF THE INTERVIEW PANEL
 
Members considered the membership of the interview panel for the candidates for the position of Town Clerk.
 
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor  McGeough and  
 
RESOLVED: That Councillors Bushby, Mrs Gubb, Christie, S Inch will make up the interview panel.  The Town Clerk will be present in an advisory capacity and Councillor Hawkins will be a reserve panel member. 
 
Members agreed that a buffet lunch should be served on both interview days, with all Councillors invited to meet the candidates.
 
(Vote For: 9, Against: 0)
 
073.  MAINTENANCE OPERATIVES
 
Members received an update on the tasks undertaken by the Maintenance Operatives and noted the report.  
 
074. PART II CLOSED SESSION
 
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Mrs Gubb 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)
 
075. STAFFING MATTERS
 
There is a confidential Minute associated with this item. 
 
076. Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Mrs Gubb 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 6.55pm.
 
Table of Accounts for approval presented at the SFGP Meeting 1 December 2022
 


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