Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall on Thursday 7 September 2023 at 6.30 pm
PRESENT:
North Ward:
Councillor D Bushby (Chairman)
Councillor P Christie
East Ward:
Councillors J Gubb
Councillor J Hellyer (substitute for Councillor Mrs L Hellyer)
South Ward
Councillor P Lawrence
Councillor S Inch
Councillor R Clarke (substitute for Councillor McKenzie)
West Ward
Councillor C Hawkins
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr P Swan (Town Clerk)
26. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillors Mrs L Hellyer and J McKenzie. (East Ward – personal).
27. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND ANY REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Councillor Mrs Gubb advised that her husband is fulfilling the role of Seasonal Worker Item 36.
Councillor Bushby advised personal interest Item 34. (Club Chairman).
Councillor S Inch asked why the former Deputy Mayor was present at the meeting and the Town Clerk explained that this needed to be resolved upon in the next Town Council Meeting.
28. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION OF 15 MINUTES DURATION
There were no members of the Public present.
29. MINUTES
Proposed by Councillor Lawrence and seconded by Councillor Christie, the minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2023 were approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote – For: 8, Against: 0)
30. CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
No items were raised.
31. ACCOUNTS
a. Members received the list of payments.
Proposed by Councillor Bushby seconded by Councillor Christie and
RESOLVED: That the draft list of payments is approved.
(Vote – For: 8, Against: 0)
b. CONCLUSION OF THE AUDIT FROM PK LITTLEJOHNS
Members considered the conclusion of the audit from PK Littlejohns report.
Proposed by Councillor Lawerence, seconded by Councillor Bushby and
RESOLVED: That the conclusion of the audit from PK Littlejohns report for the period 1 April 2022– 31 March 2023 is approved.
(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)
32. MANOR COURT ORCHARD PRESENTMENT
Members considered the proposal for an alternative site for the Manor Court (Orchard) Presentment.
Councillor Bushby suggested that the open area at Chudleigh Fort may provide an ideal area as no play area is present due to the steep inclination of the site.
Councillor Christie suggested that the Bridge Trust owned a piece of land adjacent to Northdown Road accessed via Maine Close which would be suitable for the site.
It was proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded by Councillor Clarke and
RESOLVED: To utilise the Bridge Trust land to fulfil the Manor Court Orchard Presentment.
(Vote – For: 8, Against: 0)
33. GRANT FORM 2023-24
Members agreed that no change was necessary for the grant criteria / application form 2023 / 2024.
34. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY BUFFET
Members considered the provision of a buffet following the Remembrance Sunday Parade and Church Service
It was agreed to proceed with the Remembrance Day Buffet at the same venue as the prior year.
It was proposed by Councillor s Inch, seconded by Councillor Mrs Gubb and
RESOLVED: That the Remembrance Day Buffet is held at the Conservative Club following the Parade and Church Service.
(Vote – For: 8, Against: 0)
35. FLORAL DISPLAYS 2024
Councillor J Hellyer asked when the last time a comparative quote had been requested and ouncillor Bushby advised that it had been several years ago and that there were few contractors locally that could perform to the scale and volume.
It was proposed to proceed with the enclosed quotation by Councillor Bushby, seconded and Councillor Ms Clarke and
RESOLVED: That the floral display quotation for 2024, submitted by Merry Harriers is accepted.
(Vote – For: 8, Against: 0)
36. MAINTENANCE OPERATIVES
Members received and noted the update on the tasks undertaken by the Maintenance Operatives.
Councillor Bushby advised the charge for Evans Transport was for a Manor Court Presentment.
The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.54 pm.
