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Minutes for the Statting, Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting held Thursday 3 September 2015 6.30pm

PRESENT:   

North Ward:   
Councillor P S Christie
Councillor T Johns (Substitute for Councillor D Howell)
Councillor P J Pester (Town Mayor)

South Ward:   
Councillor D G Brenton (Chairman)
Councillor A T Inch
Councillor R Wootton

IN ATTENDANCE:   
Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)

037   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor D Howell (South Ward (Outer), Personal), Councillor S G Inch (South Ward, Personal), and Councillor M Langmead (East Ward, Personal).

038   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND ANY REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

No declarations of Interest were received at this point in the meeting.

039   PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION OF 15 MINUTES DURATION

There was no public participation.

040   MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 23 July 2015 were approved and signed as a correct record

(Vote – For:  5,  Against: 0, Abstention: 1)

041   CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS

•     The Town Clerk advised that The Bideford Town Street Sweeper had been involved in a motorcycle accident and was currently signed off from work by the Doctor until 13 September.  It was agreed that a card would be sent with the good wishes of the Council.

042   ACCOUNTS

Members received the list of payments.
   
Proposed by Councillor  Johns, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the list of payments is approved.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)
   
043   MANOR COURT PRESENTMENTS 

Presentment Number 3.

“That McColls windows overlooking Jubilee Square are untidy and an eye sore to the newly renovated Jubilee Square which was largely funded by the Town Council. That the owners are contacted and asked to consider that photo vinyl images of Bideford could be placed on the outside of the windows to make the square more attractive to the people of Bideford and our visitors?”

Members noted that a photographic display is currently being put up in the windows overlooking Jubilee Square and so it was felt that no further action is required at this time.

Presentment Number 4.

“That the Town Council prepares a list of properties and areas and presents to the Tidy Town committee to pursue and monitor including rubbish and chewing gum.”

The Town Clerk has requested the file from Torridge District Council and some information has been emailed to Councillor A Inch.  Councillor Christie advised that there is also a paper file containing additional information, and the Town Clerk was asked to request this from Mr J Walter at TDC.

Presentment Number 5.

“That a feasibility study be conducted to investigate the cost, location and general desirability of a bandstand in Victoria Park.  To consider adapting the existing Fort and utilise income from 106 agreements to finance the project.”

The Town Clerk advised that the Town Band had replied to say they would be interested in learning more about the possibility of a portable bandstand.  Members discussed whether storage may be a difficulty with a portable bandstand.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the National Association for Town Bands is contacted and asked about their experience of portable bandstands.  Further information and costings to be compiled.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)
Councillor Christie asked the Town Clerk to find out if the Octagon is still being stored at Gas Lane, and it was agreed that she would check.

044   PROJECT UPDATE

Cycle Hoops

The Town Clerk advised that she had contacted Devon County Council to order the hoops and advised them of the planned locations.  The officer responsible for the provision of cycle hoops has advised however that he doesn’t believe the location outside the park is appropriate for 12 hoops.  He feels they will not be used due to lack of visibility from the park and the lack of an immediate entrance into the park.  He has suggested that a temporary rack is trialled before installing a permanent set of racks.  He is however happy with the Prospect Place location.  The DCC Travel Officer has offered to assist with the services survey for the areas where the hoops are planned. 

Councillor Johns advised that he had asked Torridge District Council to provide some costings for removing the fencing at Victoria Park and reinstating the railings.  Members discussed deferring the cycle hoops until the visibility from Victoria Park is improved.

Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the cycle hoop project is deferred.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

Councillor Christie advised that Torridge District Council are looking for a new scheme for the skateboard park and it may be possible to build some cycle hoops into this.  The Town Clerk was ask to contact Mr J Jarroudi about this possibility.

Underbridge Lighting

DS Electrical has been granted a licence by Devon County Council to proceed with the refurbishment of the lighting. This is scheduled to take place overnight from the 14 – 17 September 2015.

Refurbishment of Christmas Lighting Infrastructure

DS Electrical has delivered a letter on behalf of the Town Council to each business in the High Street who will be affected by the refurbishment of the lighting infrastructure advising the process that will take place and how individual permissions will be sought should their property be affected.

Matting for War Memorial

The Town Clerk advised that the risk assessments and method statements were complete and the matting would be laid the second week of September, once the Park becomes less busy.

Football Club Lights

Councillor Christie advised, and several Members concurred, that there was currently an issue with the Ladies’ and Youth teams not being permitted to use the lights at the Football Club.  The Town Clerk was asked to write to the Chairman of the Football Club to clarify this situation.

045   PARISH COUNCILS’ BILL SURVEY

Members considered and the Parish Councils’ Bill Survey. 

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That The Town Clerk circulates the survey to each Town Councillor, asking them to complete the survey individually, and then collate a response from the results.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

046   GRANT CONDITION – BURTON ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM

Members gave consideration to the removal of the grant condition stipulated in Minute No. 130 pertaining to the establishment of the Burton Art Gallery and Museum.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the condition stipulated in SFGP Minute 130 is removed.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

047    PORT MEMORIAL HIRE AGREEMENT

Members gave consideration to the proposed hire agreement application form for events taking place at the Port Memorial.

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the hire agreement application form for events taking place at the Port Memorial is approved.

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

048   LIVING WAGE FOUNDATION

Members gave consideration to the following Notice of Motion and information subsequently received from DALC and the Living Wage Foundation:

“To make sure all Bideford Town Council staff are paid a living wage then become accredited with the Living Wage Foundation, generate procurement policy in line with the principles championed by the Foundation and encourage local councils and employers to become involved.”

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That all employees are paid at or above the living wage with effect from 1 October 2015.

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That when Companies/organisations are engaged by Bideford Town Council for work or services, preference will be given to those who confirm that they pay a living wage to all their employees.

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

049   PICNIC TABLES FOR VICTORIA PARK

Notice of Motion: Councillor D Bushby:
To provide 2 x picnic tables in Victoria Park at the request of the Bideford Town Partnership.
Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That this item is deferred as Councillor Bushby is not present at the meeting.

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

    CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS TO BE TAKEN IN PART II

Proposed by Councillor Brenton, 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; the tenants / traders were instructed to withdraw.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

     PART II (CLOSED SESSION)

050   FLORAL PLANTERS AND CIVIC FLORAL DISPLAYS

Proposed by Councillor Inch seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Moreton Nurseries are offered the three year contract for the Floral Planters and Manor Court Civic Display.

(Vote: For: 6,  Against: 0, )


051   EMPLOYMENT ISSUES

STAFF APPRAISALS

Members noted the contents of the Staff Appraisal for the Town Clerk’s Assistant.

There is a confidential minute associated with this agenda item. 

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 7.15 pm.


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