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Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on Thursday 16 February 2017 at 6.30 pm

PRESENT:
   
North Ward:   
Councillor D Bushby
Councillor P S Christie
Councillor P J Pester
Councillor D McGeough

South Ward:   
Councillor S G Inch (Chairman)
Councillor R Wootton

South (Outer) Ward:   
Councillor D Howell (Town Mayor)

East Ward:   
Councillor Mrs R Craigie (Deputising for Cllr. D G Brenton)
Councillor M Langmead

IN ATTENDANCE:   
Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)

108   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor D G Brenton, South Ward (Personal).

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

Councillor Inch declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 8 (Relative named in the Unique Events proposal).

110   PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION OF 15 MINUTES DURATION

No members of the public were present at the meeting.

111   MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 January 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record. 

(Vote – For: 7, Against: 0, Abstentions: 2)

112   CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS

The Town Clerk advised that an alternative quote has now been found for servicing the drum clock at the High Street, which is more competitively priced. She advised that it would be more cost effective to service the church and town clock together – although currently two different companies service the clocks.  She was asked to liaise with St Marys to see if it will be possible for the same company to service both clocks.

Councillor Christie asked that the public are invited to the meeting scheduled for next week with Dr Alison Diamond and that it is not held in private.  The rest of the Committee agreed with the request and it was decided to postpone the meeting scheduled for Tuesday 21st February with a view to re-organising it as a public meeting.

113   ACCOUNTS

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

RESOLVED:  That the draft list of payments is approved.

(Vote – For:  9 , Against: 0)

b.    INTERNAL FINANCE INSPECTOR’S REPORT

Members considered the Internal Finance Inspector’s report.

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Internal Finance Inspector’s Report for the period 1 October – 31 December 2016 is accepted.

(Vote For: 9, Against: 0)

Members thanked Councillor Bushby for his work as Internal Finance Inspector.

c.    Members reviewed and approved the Council’s Statement of Internal Control for the Financial year 2016 – 2017.

Proposed by Councillor Howell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Council’s Statement of Internal Control for the Financial year 2016 – 2017 is approved.

(Vote For: 9, Against: 0)

d.    Members reviewed and approved the Council’s Risk Management Paper for the Financial year 2016 – 2017.

Proposed by Councillor Howell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Council’s Risk Management Paper for the Financial year 2016 – 2017 is approved.

(Vote For: 9, Against: 0)

114   PROJECT UPDATE

•     Kingsley Wall

The Town Clerk advised that Torridge District Council had agreed to the operatives paining Kingsley Wall grey.  She had met with Julian Roskilly and the Maintenance Operatives and Mr Roskilly had agreed a mobile works operation.  The Town Clerk will now need to purchase the appropriate Chapter 8 signage.  Councillor Bushby suggested that the Operatives may be able to pressure wash the wall from the Football Club side.  It was agreed that The Town Clerk should ask Torridge District Council for a contribution towards the paint.

It was proposed by Councillor Mrs Craigie, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That The Town Clerk writes to Torridge District Council  and asks for a contribution of £500 towards the paint.

(Vote For: 9,  Against: 0)

•     Coastguard’s Office – Jubilee Square

Councillor Howell advised that he had spoken with Mr Waite and that it should be possible to rent the Coastguard’s office for a reasonable cost. The office will be used to house an interactive sign showcasing what facilities are available in Bideford.  It will also provide a storage area within the town, and a base from which to hold Councillor engagement events with the public.

•     New office accommodation

The Town Clerk advised that the Maintenance Operatives are currently decorating the upstairs offices.  She has had one quotation for new carpet tiles and is awaiting a second and will order the carpet on the basis of the best price.  She asked permission to buy the two computers required from this year’s remaining IT budget.  Councillor Langmead asked for a copy of the minutes documenting when the move to the upstairs offices had been agreed as he did not recall this having been authorised.  The Town Clerk agreed to furnish him with a copy of the relevant minutes.

It was proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That The Town Clerk purchases two new computers from the 2016/2017 IT budget. She will enquire with Torridge District Council ‘s IT department  whether they are able to purchase computers at a discounted rate on our behalf.

(Vote For: 8,  Against: 1)

115   BIDEFORD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

a.    Members received the resignation of the Christmas Committee from the organisation of the Christmas light switch on event.

Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That a letter of thanks is sent to Mr Sparrey of DS Electrical for having organised the Christmas Light Switch on over the last ten years.

(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)

b.    Members received the proposals received from Community Groups who wish to take over the organisation of the Christmas Light Switch-on.

Members discussed the advantages and disadvantages of each proposal.   Councillor McGeough proposed that Unique Events be asked to organise the Christmas Light Switch on, but was not seconded.  Councillor Howell proposed that Lucy Lowe’s team be asked to organise the event and was seconded by Councillor Mrs Craigie.  However, the discussion moved forward to the benefits of a presentation from each group rather than just considering the written proposals and a vote was not taken.

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That both the groups who have put forward a proposal  for organising the Christmas Light switch-on are asked to attend the next SFGP meeting in order to present and discuss their proposal.  Each group is to be invited to wait outside the meeting until called in to present their proposal.

(Vote – For: 6 , Against: 1, abstentions: 2)

116   CHRISTMAS LIGHTS BRACKETS PULL TESTING

Members gave consideration to the information circulated to Members prior to the meeting on pull testing the brackets holding the Christmas Lights.  The Town Clerk advised that on having spoken to other Town Councils the advice was to carry out the testing before the Christmas period if possible.  Mr Roskilly  has agreed to advise The Town Clerk on traffic movement requirements

Proposed by Councillor McGeough, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the quotation for Pull Testing the Christmas Light brackets received from Oast Engineering Examinations Ltd is accepted.

(Vote – For:  8, Against: 0, abstention 1)

117   SS FRESHSPRING

Members considered the request for a letter of support for the SS Freshspring.

Proposed by Councillor Christie seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Town Clerk writes a letter of support for the SS Freshspring to assist with their Heritage Lottery bid.

(Vote – For: 8 , Against: 0, Abstention:1)

118   BRIDGE CENTRE GRANT

Members received and noted the information circulated to Members prior to the meeting from Dr Bowser.

119   COMMUNITY CENTRE

Members received the information circulated to Members prior to the meeting from Torridge District Council regarding the provision of a Community Centre at the Redrow/Bloor Site.

Councillor Christie advised that he had spoken with Torridge District Council about the plans for this area, and it had been agreed that the developer would install a MUGA and play area.  The Town Clerk advised that an area would also be left for the possible provision of a community centre at a later date.

120   FORD WOODS – ARBORICULTURAL WORK

Members considered the fixed price quotations for the work required at Ford Woods.
 
Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and 

RESOLVED:  That Hooper Tree Surgeons are engaged to undertake the arboricultural work in Ford Woods.

(Vote For: 8, Against: 1)

121   FORD WOODS – UNREGISTERED WOODLAND

Members considered the information circulated to Members prior to the meeting. The Town Clerk suggested that if Bellway agree to the works required on the land, perhaps The Town Council could adopt the area as it does form one approach to the woodland.
 
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and 

RECOMMENDED:  That if Bellway make a contribution of £10,000 towards the current and future arboricultural work required on that strip of land Bideford Town Council will adopt this area.

(Vote For: 8, Against: 1)

122   PORT MEMORIAL

Members considered the request by The Bideford Bike Show to use the Port Memorial, and whether a damage deposit should be charged.

After consideration of the application, Members felt they would not like to see the area populated by gazeebos during the show as this would spoil the look of such an attractive open area.  They felt it should remain open as a place for people to gather  and sit down.  Members were very clear that motorbikes could not be permitted in this area due to the risk of damage to the coloured paving.

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and 

RESOLVED:  That the request to use the Port Memorial for the erection of gazebos during the Bideford Bike Show is refused and that a letter is sent to the organisers making it clear that bikes should not be put on the Port Memorial area.

(Vote For: 7,  Against: 1, Abstentions: 1)

123   MAINTENANCE OPERATIVES

Members received an update on the tasks undertaken by the Maintenance Operatives.

The Town Clerk advised that she had received a request from Councillor McKenzie for the Maintenance Operatives to clear the green waste that had been fly tipped at the Heathfield estate garages.  She asked if anyone knew if this land was private, and if Members wished them to undertake this task.  Councillor Howell suggested she check with Westward Housing, whether it is their responsibility, and if it is, to ask Westward to clear the area in the first instance.  Councillor Bushby agreed with this course of action, but asked that if the situation was not rectified quickly, for the Maintenance Operatives to undertake the work.
 
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and 

RESOLVED:  That The Town Clerk ascertains in the first instance whether the area of fly tipping is owned by Westward Housing and if it is, to ask Westward to clear the area.  Should the situation not be rectified quite quickly then the Maintenance Operatives should be asked to undertake the work.

(Vote For:  8, Against: 1) 

Following the vote, Councillor Langmead advised that the area was privately owned and that the Town Clerk should be concerned for the safety of the Maintenance Operatives if they undertook this work.  The Town Clerk advised that she would not place the staff in any danger and would liaise with Torridge District Council on the safety of the Maintenance Operatives.

124   STAFF TRAINING

Members received details of a weed spraying course for one of the Maintenance Operatives.
 
Proposed by Councillor  Inch, seconded and 

RESOLVED:  That A Curtis attends the weed spraying course.

(Vote For: 8 , Against: 0,  Abstention: 1)

The Town Clerk advised that both operatives would need to undertake a manual handing update in the near future and that she was looking for such a course.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 8.01 pm.


 

 

 


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