Minutes Town Council Special Parks Committee - Monday 7 December 2009
Committee Members Present:
Councillor A Raymond (Chair)
Councillor Mrs K Bickley
Councillor Ms T Edwards
Councillor C Letchford
Councillor D Weekes (Town Mayor)
Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Chair, Planning)
Councillor C Hodgson (Chair, P & R)
Councillor A Leech (Chair, Property)
Other Members Present:
Councillor M Morse
In Attendance:
D Bent (Town Clerk)
384. Apologies for Absence - Apologies for absence were presented on behalf of Councillors Mrs C Marsh, M Ireland and P Stunèll.
385. Deferment of Business (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
386. Members’ Questions - There were no questions by members regarding the workings of the Committee.
387. Budget 2010/2011 - The Clerk presented the budget for this Committee which included parks, open spaces and car parks. He explained the compilation of the document, of estimated and projected figures for 2009/10, such figures based on information extracted from the prime records and Council’s accounts. He advised that across the operations there had been huge savings in the salaries budget of approximately 5% on total with other Committee savings eg non-participation with dog fouling operation. He acknowledged Members’ efforts in reducing expenditure, but reported on identified projects for the new financial year including burial ground footpath and a contribution towards new signage for Parklands/leisure facilities.
Members examined the figures, questioned accuracy on salaries provision across the whole of the Council’s range, which figure the Clerk clarified whilst acknowledging a reduction in 2010/11 figures due to decisions by the Council, however, following discussion it was agreed to include a contingency sum of £10,000. Questions were raised over the accuracy of estimated and projected expenditure for 2009/10 and it was agreed the following amendments be made: professional fees and charges £500, transferred to tree works surgery; petrol, gas, oil projected expenditure increased to £1,200; tree surgery projected expenditure to £2,200; property repairs projected expenditure increased to £1,900; burial income increased to £1,600 with a separate entry for reserve plots in the estimate 2010/11. With regard to car parks, Members noted reasons for over expenditure due to new boards, advertising at Simmons Park etc and a projected income, but questioned the figure for projected income at this car park and agreed to reduce it to £1,900 with a provision for 2010/11 at £19,500. Members noted a series of £100 allocations for estimate 2010/11 and agreed to group these under repairs and maintenance including bus shelters, wayside seats, burial ground repairs.
The Clerk submitted a request from the park-keeper for budget consideration for equipment including a replacement tractor and loader, further provision for tree work, increased maintenance costs, purchase of a scaffold and a specific budget for bulbs etc. Members acknowledged the request for a tractor, considered the option of creating a sinking fund for its replacement and concluded to prepare a plan for the replacement in three years. Members added the sum of £400 for personal protective equipment in connection with chapter 8 training for staff. It was agreed to endorse £2,000 for some footpath improvement works at the burial ground, £2,000 as a contribution towards the Parklands sign and £5,000 towards playground equipment (Members acknowledged as a joint operation between the Hamlets and the United Charity). In conclusion, the Committee agreed to include the sum of £3,360 as a contingency fund, noted the remaining content of the estimates for 2010/11 and on the proposition of the Chairman it was resolved that the budget, as presented, subject to amendment as above, be accepted in principle for the financial year 2010/11.
Meeting closed 8.30 pm.