Minutes Town Council - Monday 4 January 2010
Members Present:
Councillor D Weekes (Town Mayor)
Councillor Mrs K Bickley
Councillor Ms T Edwards
Councillor C Hodgson
Councillor Dr M Ireland
Councillor A Leech
Councillor C Letchford
Councillor Mrs M McDonald
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor M Morse
Councillor A Raymond
Councillor Mrs D Smith
Councillor P Stunèll
Councillor P Vachon
In Attendance:
D Bent (Town Clerk)
C Horwell ) representing North Dartmoor Search
D Shorthouse ) and Rescue Team
Before proceeding with business, prayers were offered by Revd D Pike.
Revd Pike gave a short report of the activities of CTIO in the town. He reported on Ministers’ weekly meetings, the week of Christian unity with specific activities relating to churches across the town eg All Saints Church Hall improvements, street life pastors’ activities in the town, Inspiration Church freedom course. No reports from Fairplace or New Life due to work commitments. He wished to thank Councillor Mrs Bickley, as former Mayor, for work on the Food Bank, which project was still ongoing plus £30,000 raised for redevelopment of that church; Members noted.
441. Apologies for Absence - There were no apologies for absence.
442. Deferment of Business - (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
443. North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Councillors M Ireland and P Vachon declared an interest.
Mrs C Horwell and D Shorthouse attended the meeting and presented a report on the need for a new centre in Okehampton. Mr Shorthouse referred to the history of the team, services to the community as an emergency rescue operation plus safety cover on social events eg Edwardian Evening. He stated it was part of the LRF (local resilience forum). He explained the current lease expired in premises owned by Nat West Bank at 2012, a new unit was required for storage of vehicles, office and training facilities. He explained they offered a service 24 hours, 7 days, all year and required a base near the north moor and store for 3 vehicles plus sufficient parking close to the A30. They were looking for land or freehold to construct a purpose built centre or convert existing buildings, maybe a joint venture with another organisation. He saw their role continuing to serve the community with help on regional incidents working with emergency services and now sought help from the community through architects, builders, planners with local knowledge of land availability and offered to create public/private partnership with private capital for match funding.
Members noted the requirements, offered alternative possible locations for researches eg Police Station, St John Ambulance Station, the Army Camp, Air Cadet Forces, Mill Road, industrial units etc which were noted to be pursued. Mrs Horwell further acknowledged assistance from the RDA and, in conclusion, looked for support from the Council on planning or funding streams. The Mayor wished to thank the team and advised this Council would continue to support.
444. West Devon Borough Council - Councillor Mrs Marsh offered no report, but invited questions on the Borough Council’s activities.
445. Devon County Council - Councillor Mrs Marsh reported Devon Highways Committee was scrutinising its budget for the new financial year to maintain existing funding or make savings. Councillor Mrs Bickley questioned feedback on the implementation of homeless strategy of young people in Okehampton as this was now the responsibility of Devon County Social Services. Councillor Marsh advised it was being monitored, however there were difficulties in funding on the youth service and accommodation.
446. Adoption of Minutes of Committees and to Receive Questions from Members Thereon -
446.1 Policy and Resources Committee - Councillor Hodgson invited Council to adopt the minutes of the meetings of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 19 October and 23 November 2009. Councillor Hodgson proposed, Councillor Morse seconded and there being no questions or amendments the minutes were resolved unanimously.
446.2 Planning Committee - Councillor Mrs McDonald invited Council to adopt the minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 5 October, 26 October, 9 November, 23 November and 14 December 2009. Councillor Mrs McDonald proposed, Councillor Ireland seconded and there being no questions or amendments, was resolved unanimously.
446.3 Parks Committee - Councillor Raymond invited Council to adopt the minutes of the Parks Committee meeting held on 26 October 2009. Councillor Raymond proposed, Councillor Mrs Marsh seconded and there being no amendments, was resolved unanimously.
446.4 Property Committee - Councillor Leech invited the Council to adopt the minutes of the Property Committee meetings held on 5 October and 9 November 2009. On the proposition of Councillor Leech, seconded by Councillor Hodgson and there being no amendments, was resolved unanimously.
447. Full Council Meeting Minutes - Members received the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 2 November 2009 and the special meeting held on 23 November 2009 which were approved, signed and adopted on the proposition of the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Leech.
448. Matters Arising - There were no matters arising.
449. Budget 2010/11 - The Clerk advised that arising from the Budget Committee meetings, he had amended all estimated figures for the financial year 2010/11 and carried forward those figures to a summary sheet which produced an estimated net expenditure of £215,649 or suggested precept figure. He explained using a tax base of £2,354.77 on that estimate, the Band D equivalent cost would be £91.58 per house for 2010/11. However, the capital works included in the estimates could be removed to reduce this precept figure. Alternatively, to maintain the existing precept figure of £205,201 that would reduce the average D Band property charge to £87.14. He further referenced the financial statement issued to Members which advised of projected year end balances and reserves.
Councillor Hodgson reminded Members the precept had been held at £205,000 for two years, he was concerned over local government review and the general economic climate with budget cuts and urged Members to not add to this. He referenced a very healthy reserve balance, in excess of the auditor’s requirements and suggested savings could be made across the Council’s budgeted activities. Councillor Letchford suggested that the precept be not increased and the Council could carry out its activities without reducing the budget estimates by using reserves. He suggested that if the projected figures were incorrect, the reserves may be reduced to £175,000 which was still an acceptable balance. Members acknowledged the Council’s business operations and potential, further noted an allowance in the figures to accommodate increase in energy charges, acknowledged a reluctance to use reserves, but could review this at the next budget. Following debate and on the proposition of Councillor Hodgson, seconded by Councillor Leech, it was resolved that a precept figure of £205,201 be made on the town of Okehampton with reserve funds used to balance the budget estimates.
450. Local Government Review - Members acknowledged correspondence from the Boundary Committee for England relating to the structural review of Devon and a recommendation that Devon County become one single unitary authority. The Clerk reported the Secretary of State now had to make a decision on one of several options:
a) to implement the original ie Exeter City Council’s proposal with or without modification;
b) to implement the alternative proposal with or without modification ie one single unitary authority;
c) to take no action.
Council was invited to make comment.
Members noted fears over costs and escalating costs for unitary authority as demonstrated by Cornwall unitary, further acknowledge savings made by shared services through district councils across Devon and were concerned that no two unitary authorities appeared to act with the same standards in England. On the proposition of the Mayor, duly seconded, it was resolved that this Council repeat its previous objections that the status quo be maintained.
451. Okehampton United Charity Trustee Retirement - The Clerk advised this Council had advertised and invited written applications for the appointment of a new trustee to this charity. Two written applications had been received from A Fisher of Church Meadow and Mrs M Vick of Station Road. Members examined the documentation and on a show of hands, it was resolved that A Fisher be appointed trustee to the charity.
452. Devon Heartlands Community Forum Project - The Clerk advised he had attempted to identify the role of Heartlands in the delivery of a community board for Okehampton based on the county local government review proposals, but without success. A report from Heartlands referred to the Community Engagement Project which Members acknowledged worked well, Councillor Mrs Marsh acknowledged that Heartlands had received funding for the delivery of an engagement project, but other topics were discussed in an open forum for anyone to attend and to engage with the community as Heartlands was an inclusive organisation originating from Market and Coastal Towns Initiative. The meeting acknowledged the role of Heartlands and on the proposition of Councillor Ireland, seconded by Councillor Hodgson, it was resolved that representatives from Heartlands be invited to attend the meeting to report on their role.
453. Devon and Cornwall Constabulary - A letter from Inspector Hammond advised and reported on policing in Okehampton and surrounds. He reported this was one of the largest policing sectors in the country and one of the safest with very little crime. He referenced PACT (partners and communities together) a project they were currently working on and would discuss with the community in the new year. He reported the number of police officers in West Devon was at its highest level for a number of years with additional posts to free up officers from office work. Members noted the letter with little reference to Okehampton.
454. Register of Councillors’ Interests - Members received a reminder about amendments to the register.
455. Members’ Reports - There were no reports from Members attending other organisations.
456. Civic Diary Report - The Town Mayor offered a nil report.
PART TWO
ITEMS WHICH MAY BE TAKEN IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC ON THE GROUND THAT EXEMPT INFORMATION MAY BE DISCLOSED (if any).
The Committee is recommended to pass the following resolution:-
“On the proposition of Councillor Hodgson, seconded by Councillor Mrs Marsh, it was resolved that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the Meeting for the undermentioned item of business on the grounds that exempt information may be disclosed as defined in the paragraph given below from Part I of Schedule 12(A) to the Act”
Paragraph 1 - Information relating to employees of the authority.
457. Staff Issues Employment Policies
It was resolved to come out of part 2 on the proposition of Councillor Leech, seconded by Councillor Morse, move back into part 1 and ratify all decisions taken in part 2.
458. Annual Town Assembly - Councillor Hodgson requested re-scheduling of the Annual Town Assembly to accommodate a personal matter. On the proposition of the Mayor it was resolved that the Planning Committee be transferred to 22 March followed by Policy and Resources and the Annual Town Assembly held on 15 March.
Meeting closed 8.35 pm.
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