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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 19 April 2012 at 5.30 pm

PRESENT:
South Ward:

Councillor S G Inch
Councillor T J Johns (Town Mayor)
Councillor P J Pester

East Ward:

Councillor S E L Clarke OBE  (Chairman)
Councillor M L Langmead (Substitute for A T Inch)
Councillor R Vanstone

IN ATTENDANCE:   

Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)

141 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor Mrs P Davies (East Ward – Personal)
Councillor A T Inch ( North Ward – Work)
Councillor Mrs M P Fulford (North Ward – Leave)
Councillor A T Powell (South Outer Ward – Personal)

142 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Councillors Langmead and Pester declared a personal interest in agenda item 12 (Put forward one of the nominees).

143 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION OF 15 MINUTES DURATION

No members of the public were present.

144 MINUTES

The minutes of the Extra-ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 12 April were approved and adopted as a correct record

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0, Abstentions: 1)

145 CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS

The Town Clerk explained that the Royal College of Arms had been contacted and advice taken on the correct format for the Town Flag, and showed a diagram to members.  The current flag is faded and displays neither the up to date crest, nor the town colours and will need to be re-designed for the Jubilee Square project.  The specifications for a new design will be given to our graphic designer who will produce a drawing for approval by Council.

146 ACCOUNTS

a.The payments list was discussed.

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the list of payments be approved

(Vote For: 5, Against: 0)

b.The Internal Finance Inspector’s Report for the period 1 January – 31 March 2012 was presented to the Committee.

Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the lnternal Finance Inspector’s Report for the period for the period 1 January – 31 March 2012 be approved and adopted.

(Vote For: 5, Against: 0)

(Councillor Vanstone joined the meeting).

147 NEW YEAR’S EVE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE

Members gave consideration to reducing the amount of grant paid to this Committee by £1,000 and for the Town Council to pay for the medical provision required on New Year’s Eve directly.

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the grant to this committee be reduced by £1000.00 and the Town Council pay for medical provision

(Vote For:6 , Against: 0)

148 MANOR COURT

The Manor Court Presentments for 2012 were discussed and the following course of action proposed.

Presentment 1. The provision of hanging baskets from the Long Bridge

It was agreed that at letter would be sent to Devon County Council asking if they could action this presentment.

Presentment 2. Improved public toilet provision Brunswick Wharf

It was agreed that at letter would be sent to Mr P Quincy, Torridge District Council enquiring about the progress to Brunswick Wharf and asking if this presentment could be considered as part of their development.

Presentment 3. A localised and simplified on-line applications process of bus passes.

It was agreed that this presentment is outside the remit of the Town Council but that a letter would be sent to Devon County Council informing them of the presentment and enquiry if this is something for which they currently have provision, and if not, if it is a service they could consider providing.

Presentment 4. Lighting, dog and litter bins in the vicinity of Devonshire Park and Grenville Ridge.

It was agreed that the Town Clerk would check with Councillor Mrs Boyle regarding the provision of lighting in these areas, as the committee are aware that she has already done some investigation, and that a clear up of this area would be placed on the handyman’s list, for action once a new handyman is employed.

Presentment 5. Public footway from Londonderry Estate in a westward direction to parish boundary.

It was agreed that at letter would be sent to Torridge District Council asking for this request to be included within the 106 agreement for the development which is currently scheduled for this area.

Presentment 6. Improved access for pedestrians and cyclists from Mines Road on to Manteo Way.

It was agreed that at letter would be sent to Devon County Council/Mr Roskilly/Councillor Robinson asking if they could action this presentment.  Torridge District Council will also be asked to resite the dog bin if and when the ramp is moved.

Presentment 7. Free parking

This presentment is outside the remit of the Town Council.  A letter will be sent to the proposer of the presentment informing them of this fact.

Presentment 8. War Memorial

It was agreed that Councillors Clarke and Inch will make a site visit to assess the possible relocation.  The item should be carried forward to the next agenda.  Councillor Clarke will investigate the cost of a new memorial, and it was suggested Chivenor may also be a good contact point.  The Town Clerk will speak with Torridge to ascertain whether there would be any restrictions to moving the memorial.  It was agreed that if it does become feasible to move the memorial, a public consultation will be conducted before any move is made.

Proposed by Councillor Vanstone, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Council take the required steps to action the presentments

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

149 THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES (MEMBERS’ ALLOWANCES) (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 2003

The Town Clerk issued the Members with details of the proposed allowances for Members for the financial year 2012/13.

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the allowances for Member’s remain at the current level of £888 per annum and £2,500 (Mayor’s allowance).

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

150 DIGITAL CAMERA

The Town Clerk explained how the purchase of a Digital Camera would enhance the Council’s ability to produce the Bideford Newsletter, the Council website and to the Town Guide.

Proposed by Councillor Inch , seconded and

RESOLVED: That the Council purchase a digital camera with a ceiling price of £350

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

151 HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE PROVISION IN TORRIDGE

The Town Clerk presented the Committee with a consultation letter and sought the views of the Committee on a response concerning hackney carriages and private hire vehicles in Bideford.

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Town Clerk respond to the letter and say Bideford Town Councils feels that the taxi provision in Torridge is adequate.

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

152 MOTION TO MOVE TO PART II

Proposed by Councillor Pester, 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 following items.

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

153 PART II (Closed Session)

THE CITIZEN’S AWARD

The Members discussed the four nominations received for the Citizen’s Award

Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Citizen’s Award be given to Mr Basil Pidgeon.

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

154 DEPUTY TOWN CLERK

The Members discussed the Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) payment for the Deputy Town Clerk

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the payment is approved.

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.20 pm.

Signature of Town Mayor:  ………………………………….  Date:  ……………………........

Signature of Chairman:  ……………………………………..  Date:  ………………………....

 


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