Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee
Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee
held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on
Thursday 14 June 2012 at 5.30 pm
PRESENT:
North Ward:
Councillor Mrs A E Brenton
Councillor D C Fulford
Councillor Mrs M P Fulford
South Ward:
Councillor S G Inch (Town Mayor)
Councillor P J Pester (Chairman)
East Ward:
Councillor S E L Clarke OBE
Councillor R Vanstone
Councillor M Langmead (Substitute for AT Inch)
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)
Councillor D G Brenton
017 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor Mrs Davies (East Ward - Personal)
Councillor A T Inch (South Ward - Work Commitments )
018 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
There were no declarations of interest.
019 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION
No members of the public were present at the meeting.
020 MINUTES
A correction to the list of those present was advised. Councillor A T Inch should have been shown as representing South Ward, not North Ward.
The minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 17 May were approved and adopted as a correct record.
(Vote – For: 7, Against: 0)
(Councillor Vanstone arrived at the meeting).
021 CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
The invoice for the Jubilee celebrations arrived following the print of the accounts sheet which will be approved as the next item.
The Chairman detailed the invoice and advised that it will be added to the accounts sheet that will form part of these minutes (PV number 114)
022 ACCOUNTS
Clarification was requested and provided regarding PV 103 and 114.
Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the list of payments be approved.
(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)
023 RENEWAL OF GOLD BANDS AND PLAQUES ON FLORAL PLANTERS
The Town Clerk presented the committee with the quotation for the renewal of the gold bands and crests used on the planters. She advised that
if it is decided to renew these, the sum may cause the budget set aside for planters to be slightly exceeded. Members requested that clarification
be sought on who would apply the gold bands and crests, and if there would be a cost implication, and also information of the current condition of the planters.
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Brenton, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the Council defers the decision to the next meeting pending clarification of any additional costs involved and the condition of the planters.
Any refurbishment should be undertaken during the winter months.
(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)
024 MANOR COURT
The updated actions taken on the Manor Court Presentments for 2012 were discussed and the following supplementary actions proposed:
Presentment 1.
Improvements to the Quay such as the cleaning of the inserts, and for better publicity given to the Heritage Inserts.
The planting of beds already in situ and the statue of Charles Kingsley to be restored and cleaned.
The Town Clerk will ask Mr Waite, Torridge District Council, for permission to clean the Kingsley Statue, and, following this, employ a specialist cleaner
to be paid for from the regeneration budget.
Councillor Fulford proposed and was seconded and it was unanimously resolved that the Pine-Coffin Statue be cleaned at the same time.
Presentment 4.
Lighting, dog and litter bins in the vicinity of Devonshire Park and Grenville Ridge.
Councillor Mrs Boyle has provided the quote she received from SSE Contracting in Barnstaple for providing lighting around the Westcroft playing field walk way.
The sum amounted to £20,090.08 plus VAT which exceeds the amount she has available. The Town Clerk was asked to contact her, and ascertain whether she still
has money available for this project and, if so, could the Town Council make up the shortfall in funds? Members discussed the possibility of re-siting
the dog bin which is currently next to Pines Nursery; Councillor Inch agreed to take this up with Torridge District Council. It was also agreed that Torridge
would be asked to empty this bin on a more frequent basis.
Presentment 8.
War Memorial
It was reported that a Jubilee memorial tree has been planted where people generally stand for the Remembrance Day Service which will cause difficulties.
Councillor Clarke advised that he should have a further update on relocating the Memorial for the next meeting.
Proposed by Councillor Clarke, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the Council take the required steps to action the presentments.
(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)
025 FIRST AID PROVISION FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE
(Councillor D Brenton declared a personal interest (Chairman, St Johns).
Councillor Clarke updated Members on correspondence between himself and the Red Cross, in which they have given an assurance that they are able to provide
the necessary cover for New Year’s Eve. Advice has also been taken from Mrs K Mead at Devon & Cornwall Constabulary who has recommended a method of rating
the risk for New Year’s Eve (from the HSE Purple Guide) and her suggested level of cover. This has also been scored by the Town Clerk/Councillor Clarke
at a level of 30, and the Red Cross are confident they can provide this cover. Councillor Clarke felt that by employing the Red Cross, the event would not
tie up the resources of South West Ambulance Service in one place for the whole evening, and they would therefore be able to provide better cover for the whole
area whilst effectively doubling the medical provision for the event.
Councillor Brenton suggested that St Johns be contacted for a quote and was willing to obtain this on behalf of the Council.
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Brenton, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the final decision on first aid provision is taken by Full Council on Thursday 21 June.
(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)
026 CHRISTMAS CAR PARKING
The Town Clerk provided Members with a copy of last year’s Christmas Parking charges. She has been told that these would be broadly similar for this year,
although the Torridge Officer would want to review the figures once the dates are known. Councillor Brenton advised that he sits on the HATOC Committee for
Torridge District Council and he has suggested that the County Council provide free on street parking, at the same time as the Town Council. There was
discussion as to the best time and dates for free parking.
Proposed by Councillor Pester , seconded and
RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk writes to the Chamber of Commerce advising that the Town Council is minded to fund 3 days free parking (after 10.00 am),
and ask what their preferred days would be. She should also ascertain what day they think the Town Council should request for the free day provided by
Torridge District Council.
(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)
027 CHAPTER 8 TRAINING FOR HANDYMAN
Training is available for the Handyman at a cost of £65.00 plus travelling expenses. This would allow him to work in proximity to the road, and
perhaps also assist with parades.
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Brenton, seconded and
RESOLVED: That Chapter 8 Training for the Handyman is approved.
(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)
028 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
The Community Engagement Strategy was discussed and some slight amendments made.
Proposed by Councillor Vanstone, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the Community Engagement Strategy is adopted
(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 6.35pm.
Signature of Town Mayor: …………………………………. Date: ……………………........
Signature of Chairman: …………………………………….. Date: ………………………....
