Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Town Hall on Thursday 10 February 2022 at 6.30 pm
PRESENT:
North Ward:
Councillor D Bushby (Chairman)
Councillor P S Christie
South Ward:
Councillor S Inch (substitute for Cllr J McKenzie)
Councillor Mrs S Langford (substitute for Cllr Mrs Gubb).
Councillor P J Lawrence
East Ward:
Councillor Mrs R Craigie
West Ward:
Councillor D Ratcliff
Councillor Mrs K Corfe
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)
103. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor Mrs J Gubb (East Ward – illness).
Councillor J McKenzie (East Ward – personal).
104. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND ANY REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
There were no declarations of interest.
105. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION OF 15 MINUTES DURATION
No Members of the public were present at the meeting.
106. MINUTES
Proposed by Councillor Ratcliff and seconded by Councillor Lawrence, the minutes of the meeting held on 06 January 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote – For: 8, Against: 0)
107. CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
The Town Clerk advised that The Macebearer had requested funding support towards the Guild of Mace Bearers reception that she will be hosting in the Town Hall in March. This has been placed on the SFGP agenda for next week, but the Town Clerk asked for an indication of support, which was received.
108. ACCOUNTS
a. Members received the list of payments.
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Ratcliff and
RESOLVED: That the draft list of payments is approved.
(Vote – For: 8, Against: 0)
b. STATEMENT OF INTERNAL CONTROL
Members reviewed and approved the Council’s Statement of Internal Control for the Financial year 2021 – 2022.
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Ratcliff and
RESOLVED: That the Council’s Statement of Internal Control for the Financial year 2021 – 2022 is approved.
(Vote – For: 8, Against: 0)
c. RISK MANAGEMENT PAPER
Members reviewed the Council’s Risk Management Paper.
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Ratcliff and
RESOLVED: That the Council’s Risk Management Paper is approved.
(Vote – For: 8, Against: 0)
d. FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
Members reviewed the Council’s Financial Regulations
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Ratcliff and
RECOMMENDED: That the Council’s Financial Regulations are approved.
(Vote – For: 8, Against: 0)
109. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY PARADE FORMAT CONSULTATION
Members considered the wording for the public consultation on the format of the Remembrance Sunday Parade. Following discussion, the following wording was agreed.
The future format of the Remembrance Sunday Parade in Bideford
Following a formal complaint, Bideford Town Council has been asked to reconsider the current arrangements for Remembrance Sunday in Bideford.
The Town Council currently process, from the Town Hall to Victoria Park for the Remembrance Sunday Ceremony at the War Memorial. The procession is led by the Youth Pipe Band, Town Crier and Mayor’s Cadet followed by the Mayor and Mayoress, Town Clerk, Chaplain, Councillors and representatives from Instow and Chivenor, the Police, Fire Service and Chairman of Torridge District Council. All participants wear either Town Council gowns or uniform as appropriate.
Following the service at Victoria Park, the Civic Party currently leave the park in advance of the Parade and are led by the Youth Pipe Band to the Dais situated on the Quay, where the Mayor takes the salute.
The Veterans then lead the parade, headed up by the Town Band, and followed by cadets and local organisations. They parade along the Quay, where they pass by the Mayor and Civic Party, who are standing by the Dais, ready to take the salute.
We invite your views on how you would like to see the Remembrance Sunday Parade changed (if at all), bearing in mind that the final decision will be made by Bideford Town Council. Please contact the Council with your views and suggestions on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by letter to the Town Hall, Bridge Street, Bideford, EX39 2HS. Please include your name and address with your correspondence.
Proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded by Councillor Lawrence and
RESOLVED: That the above wording is circulated via the Link magazine, the web site and social media.
(Vote – For: 8, Against: 0)
110. SPRING PARTY IN THE PANNIER MARKET
Members considered the request from South West Event Management to transfer the funds allocated to the New Year’s Eve Party to the spring Party in the Pannier Market.
Proposed by Councillor Lawrence, seconded by Councillor Mrs Langford and
RESOLVED: That the funds allocated to the New Year’s Eve Party are transferred to the spring Party in the Pannier Market.
(Vote: For: 8, Against: 0)
111. MAINTENANCE OPERATIVES
Members received an update on the tasks undertaken by the Maintenance Operatives.
Councillor Christie suggested that as the Maintenance Team are continuing to check and clear the Marland walkway for dog mess each Monday, dog bags are provided and tied to the fence and the school is asked whether the children would like to produce an anti-fouling poster, which could be displayed in the vicinity.
112. PART II CLOSED SESSION
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, 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: 8, Against: 0)
113. STAFFING MATTERS
There is a confidential Minute associated with this item.
114. Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Inch and
RESOLVED: That the meeting returns to Standing Orders.
(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 7.15 pm.