Minutes Town Council Policy and Resources Committee - Monday 27 April 2009
Committee Members Present:
Councillor C Letchford (Chair)
Councillor Mrs M McDonald
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor H A Pirwany
Councillor A Raymond
Councillor Mrs K Bickley (Mayor)
Councillor P Stunèll (Chair, Parks)
Councillor D Weekes (Chair, Property)
Other Members Present:
In Attendance:
D Bent (Town Clerk)
643. Apologies for Absence - Apologies for absence were presented on behalf of Councillors Hodgson and Morse.
644. Deferment of Business (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
645. Members’ Questions - There were no questions from Members.
646. Minutes - The minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 23 March 2009 were approved and signed following the proposition of Councillor Raymond, seconded by Councillor Mrs Bickley.
647. Matters Arising -
647.1 Procedure - The Clerk referred to a suggestion from K Donaghue (Wells City Clerk) that the Council apply legislation from the 1960 Act relating to Public Bodies Admission to Meetings. He reported that the 1972 LGA applied to principal councils, however this also covered local councils and he invited the Council to continue adhering to the currently adopted procedure. On the proposition of the Chairman it was resolved accordingly.
648. Finances - The Chairman presented the financial report of the Council’s position as at 31 March 2009 which he reported was subject to RBS year end closedown. Members noted the report and awaited developments from the accountants.
The Chairman presented an analysis of the finances as at 31 March 2009. He explained budget expenditure per the precept was £205,179, with an actual spend of £188,080 plus earmarked reserves of £23,000, totalling £211,080. This resulted in an overspend of £5,900 and he offered reasons for that eg utilities increased costs, elections, less income from the Lower Market Hall, however there were some savings or increased income eg Waitrose car park, non-expenditure on town signs. Members acknowledged a diminished interest on investments and noted the overall position subject to confirmation by RBS.
649. Grant Aid - There were no applications for financial assistance.
650. WPS Insurance - A letter from this company agreed to an extension of a three-year long-term agreement with no increase to the rates charged with any premium increase as a result of increased sums insured. The letter advised of a minimal revised annual premium plus a low claims rebate due and a further saving in the motor policy insurance; Members noted the letter.
651. Power of Well Being/Sustainable Communities Act - The Clerk presented a report identifying a request from the Minister for Communities and Local Government for local authorities to put forward proposals for implementing this Act. The gist being that local authorities were encouraged to ask the government to authorise activities to enhance local sustainability by improving economic, social or environmental well-being of the area. He reported the Borough Council would be the vehicle to pursue actions and the Chief Executive offered a number of options with the Committee invited to select for submission to this process. Following debate, the following items were identified.
Competition Law changed to allow more local procurement, particularly from the larger public centre organisations - caveat: unintended consequences of the legislative changes.
Government incentive for land owners to sell land for community purposes without financial loss, with an emphasis on the availability and use of small parcels of land for affordable housing development.
Promotion of Dartmoor Railway.
652. Civic Dinner - The Chairman presented an income and expenditure account for this event which showed an excess expenditure of £481. He advised of budget provision and on the proposition of Councillor Stunèll, seconded by Councillor Weekes, it was resolved that the figures be accepted and noted.
653. Red Lion Yard Bye-Laws - The Clerk reported that following a meeting with representatives of Red Lion Yard, he had investigated introducing bye-laws to control this area. A response from the Home Office advised that, as this was private property, bye-laws could not be introduced; Mr McPhie of the Yard had been informed. Members acknowledged the difficulties in enforcing bye-laws, looked at options for the control of antisocial behaviour in Red Lion Yard including CCTV and a greater police presence, which topics would be discussed with the police at the Council meeting on 5 May.
It was agreed that residents and representatives from Red Lion Yard be invited to observe the discussion on policing in Okehampton at the Council meeting.
654. Members’ Reports -
(i) Devon Heartlands Community Forum - The Chairman advised of the availability of the minutes of the meeting held on 1 April 2009 in the Town Clerk’s office.
(ii) G10 Group Meeting - Members noted the availability of the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2009 in the Clerk’s office.
(iii) DAPC - Councillor Pirwany reported on his attendance at the County meeting held on 23 April 2009 at which local government review was examined with representatives of the Boundary Commission. Councillor Pirwany referred to constrained responses by the Commissioners with little information on the proposals relating to unitary authority for Devon, but with an appeal to object or comment on the proposals by 15 May 2009.
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 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 a particular employee of the authority.
655. Staffing Issues -
655.1
655.2 Policies
It was resolved to come out of part 2, move back into part 1 and ratify all decisions taken in part 2.
Councillor Letchford wished to thank Members for their support during his chairmanship. In response Councillor Mrs Marsh, on behalf of the Committee, wished to thank Councillor Letchford for his work and guidance through difficult times and wished him best wishes for good health.
Meeting closed 8.35 pm.