Minutes Town Council Policy and Resources Committee - Monday 23 February 2009
Minutes of the Okehampton Town Council Policy and Resources Committee Meeting held on Monday 23 February 2009 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Okehampton at 7.00 pm
Committee Members Present:
Councillor C Letchford (Chair)
Councillor M Morse (Vice Chair)
Councillor Mrs M McDonald
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor H A Pirwany
Councillor Mrs K Bickley (Mayor)
Councillor P Stunèll (Chair, Parks)
Councillor D Weekes (Chair, Property)
Other Members Present:
In Attendance:
D Bent (Town Clerk)
Declaration of Interest - Councillor Mrs Marsh declared an interest in agenda item 7(i) Grant Aid - Okement Rivers Group. Councillor Letchford declared an interest in agenda items 7(i) and (ii) Grant Aid - Okement Rivers Group and Okehampton Simmons Bowling Club.
527. Apologies for Absence - There were no apologies for absence.
528. Deferment of Business (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
529. Members’ Questions - There were no questions from Members.
530. Minutes - The minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 26 January 2009 were approved and signed following the proposition of Councillor Stunèll, seconded by Councillor Morse.
531. Matters Arising -
531.1 Rural Services Network/Community - The Town Clerk advised that following this Council’s subscription to this network he regularly received email correspondence and advised that anything relevant to Okehampton would be reported.
532. Finances - The Chairman presented the financial report of the Council’s position as at 31 January 2009. He reported that due amendments had been carried out, grants allocation agreed and clarified current outstanding debts. On the proposition of Councillor Mrs Marsh, seconded by Councillor Weekes, it was resolved that the accounts be noted.
533. Grant Aid - Applications for financial assistance were presented from the following organisations:
(i) Okement Rivers Improvement Group - an application was submitted for funding towards enhancement of an area of land adjacent to the confluence of the East and West Okement Rivers to the rear of Lidl’s shop, together with the installation of a viewing deck over the river. Members acknowledged the work of this organisation, application for grant funds from other sources and the potential use of this viewing platform and on the proposition of Councillor Mrs Bickley, seconded by Councillor Morse, it was resolved that a grant of £500 be awarded.
NB Councillors Letchford and Mrs Marsh requested it be recorded that they abstained from voting.
(ii) Okehampton Simmons Bowling Club - An application for funding towards maintenance and drainage work to the green was submitted. Members acknowledged that this was a town asset used by the public and on the proposition of Councillor Stunèll, seconded by Councillor Weekes, it was resolved that a grant of £1,000 be awarded. Councillor Letchford requested it be minuted he abstained from voting on this request.
(iii) Okehampton Rugby Football Club - Councillors Weekes and Mrs Bickley declared an interest. An application was submitted for a grant towards the club’s five-year development plan. The Committee acknowledged the magnitude of the project, £200,000+, but specifically an application for funding towards urgent ground maintenance works; Members were also anxious that this application, if approved, may apply to other sports clubs across the town. Following discussion and on the proposition of Councillor Weekes, seconded by Councillor Mrs Bickley, it was resolved that a grant of £1,000 be awarded.
534. Electricity Accounts - Charter Hall/Market Hall - The Town Clerk advised that Merlin Cinemas had engaged consultants to negotiate electricity charges for all their sites from E-ON Electricity. He reported some confusion with that company and the cinema relating to the provision of electricity, invoices issued and payments made to which he, together with M Wreford, was currently researching. He advised as a gesture of goodwill, E-ON had forwarded a cheque for £100 compensation and he concluded that he would report his findings to the next meeting.
535. Standards Board for England Satisfaction with Advice and Guidance Research 2009 - The Standards Board for England invited the Town Clerk plus a Member of the Council to complete this survey; agreed accordingly with Councillor Leech completing the documentation.
536. SLCC - The Clerk reported on the content of this conference in Nottingham and suggested it was insufficient for this Council’s needs; agreed to not attend.
537. Okehampton Bus Services - The Chairman advised of alterations to bus services including the lost 06.00 Exeter to Okehampton and the replacement of a second service from 06.55 to Exeter.
538. Royal Garden Party - It was agreed to nominate Councillor H A Pirwany into a ballot for attendance at a Royal Garden Party.
539. Members’ Reports -
(i) Devon Association of Parish Councils 12 February 2009 - The minutes of this meeting were circulated and noted.
(ii) Devon Heartlands Community Forum - Members noted the availability of the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February in the Clerk’s office.
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 Letchford, seconded by Councillor Stunèll, 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 a particular employee of the authority.
540. Staffing Issues
It was resolved to come out of part 2, move back into part 1 and ratify all decisions taken in part 2.
Meeting closed 7.55 pm.