Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee
Held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on Thursday 5 January 2012 at 4.00 pm
PRESENT:
North Ward:
Councillor Mrs M P Fulford
South Ward:
Councillor A T Inch
Councillor S G Inch
Councillor T J Johns (Town Mayor)
Councillor P J Pester
South Ward (Outer)
Councillor A T Powell
East Ward:
Councillor S E L Clarke OBE (Chairman)
Councillor M Langmead (Substitute for P Davies)
Councillor R Vanstone
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)
Councillor Mrs E A Brenton
Councillor D G Brenton
Councillor D C Fulford
089 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor Mrs P Davies (East Ward – illness))
090 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Councillors Brenton and Mrs Brenton declared a personal interest in agenda item 6.
091 MINUTES – STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2011 were approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0, Abstention: 1)
(Councillor Vanstone arrived at the meeting)
092 CHAIRMAN
The Chairman/Town Clerk updated Members on the following issue:
The grievance report was received today and the Grievance Panel were asked to stay behind after the meeting to agree a date to consider the report and grievance.
093 CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS TO BE TAKEN IN PART II
Proposed by Councillor Vanstone, 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 two items.
(Vote – For: 7, Against: 0)
(Councillor Johns arrived at the meeting)
094 EMPLOYMENT MATTER
The Town Clerk briefed the Committee on a potential employment matter which would require swift action should any employment claim be made against the Council. The Town Clerk asked that a procedure be put in place to facilitate the timely response which may be required.
(Councillor Mrs Fulford arrived at the meeting).
a. Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and
RESOLVED: That should a claim be made against the Council, the Town Clerk will act in conjunction with the Chairman of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee and refer the matter to South West Provincial Employers for further advice. The course of action to be taken following receipt of this advice will be decided by the Town Clerk in conjunction with the Chairman of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee. However, if the recommended course of action to be taken is unclear or requires further discussion, an Extra-ordinary Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Meeting will be convened in order for this decision to be made.
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
095 GRIEVANCE FINDINGS
b. There was a discussion regarding the procedure for reporting the findings of the Grievance Panel.
c. Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the Grievance Panel be delegated the authority to uphold or not to uphold the grievance currently being investigated. The findings of the Panel will be reported back to the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee, so that any necessary action can be taken.
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
096 RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
Proposed by Councillor A T Inch, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the open session be resumed.
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
097 GRANTS RECEIVE OUTSIDE OF THE USUAL PROCESS
There was a discussion regarding how grants should be processed if received outside the usual grant process. It was agreed that a Notice of Motion will be put to Full Council by a Member, with a view to reviewing the current grant criteria and process. In addition to this, proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That a contingency amount will be placed in the budget for grants received outside the usual grant period. These will be considered by the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee, although the decision as to whether an emergency grant is made may be adjourned to a time following that meeting to allow for fact finding and consideration.
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
098 DFAFT BUDGET FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2012/2013
The Town Clerk presented the ‘Draft’ Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2012/2013. Following discussion and amendments to the figures presented a final draft copy was agreed which is attached and forms part of these Minutes.
Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That the Council approves the budget and a Precept in the sum of £365,733.00 to be submitted to Torridge District Council in respect of the Financial Year commencing 2012 and that the Council’s reserves remain at £100,000.00.
(Vote – For: 5, Against: 4)
The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 5.30 pm.
Signature of Town Mayor: …………………………………. Date: ……………………........
Signature of Chairman: …………………………………….. Date: ………………………....