Minutes Town Council Special Policy and Resources Committee - Monday 7 December 2009
Committee Members Present:
Councillor C Hodgson (Chair)
Councillor M Morse (Vice Chair)
Councillor Ms T Edwards
Councillor C Letchford
Councillor D Weekes (Town Mayor)
Councillor A Raymond (Chair, Parks)
Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Chair, Planning)
Councillor A Leech (Chair, Property)
Other Members Present:
In Attendance:
D Bent (Town Clerk)
392. Apologies for Absence - Apologies for absence were presented on behalf of Councillors Mrs K Bickley, Mrs C Marsh, P Vachon.
393. Deferment of Business (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
394. Members’ Questions - There were no questions received from Members.
395. Budget 2010/2011 - The Clerk presented the administration and democratic budget accounts and explained the composition of the figures. The Chairman invited Members to consider succession planning ie training for new staff with due provision, maybe the option of work experience for local schools to give back to the community. He acknowledged the salaries allocation had been examined at previous meetings and noted allocation would be re-examined for projected figures for 2009/10 and estimates for 2010/11. He questioned projected expenditure of telephones at £2,247 and following discussion it was agreed this be increased to £2,860 with provision at £3,000 for 2010/11 (telephone contract to be examined with a view to researching alternatives). Members further agreed that advertising estimate for 2010/11 be increased to £900. Staff clothing etc, it was agreed no provision be made in the new financial year. Members questioned IT software and the type of contract held with the option for Councillor Raymond to investigate the Council’s total IT system and option to replace both hardware and software; it was agreed that capital IT equipment be increased to £1,000 for the new year. Members noted very low interest received from deposit accounts and the option of an insurance refund if no claims were lodged in the current financial year. The meeting examined the option of attending Okehampton Show and in view of lack of interest, it was agreed to not attend, estimate 2010/11 zero. Members questioned the sufficiency of the Mayor’s allowance at £1,544 for the new year, noted previous reviews and on the proposition of the Chairman, it was agreed to set this at £2,000 for the financial year 2010/11, civic clothing be increased to £500 for the provision of a new wig for the Clerk, hat for the Mayor and dry cleaning for the robes. The Clerk advised of Councillor training involved in the acquisition of Quality Council renewal and Members agreed a figure of £650, miscellaneous expenses to be removed, the Clerk invited Members to allocate a figure for grants under specific powers, Members concluded £10,000. In conclusion, the Chairman asked that budgets be sorted by the next Committee meeting.
Meeting closed 9.55 pm.