Minutes Town Council Policy and Resources Committee - Monday 25 October 2010
Minutes Town Council Policy and Resources Committee - Monday 25 October 2010
Wednesday, 06 April 2011 11:19
Minutes of the Okehampton Town Council Policy and Resources Committee Meeting held on Monday 25 October 2010 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Okehampton at 7.00 pm
Council Members Present:
Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Chair)
Councillor A Raymond (Vice Chair)
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor M Morse (Town Mayor)
Councillor Mrs K Bickley (Chair, Planning)
Councillor A Leech (Chair, Property)
Other Members Present:
Councillor K Ball
Councillor M Davies
Councillor Mrs D Smith
In Attendance: D Bent (Town Clerk)
Declarations of Interest: The following Members declared an interest on the agenda items identified -
Councillor Mrs M McDonald agenda item 7.2 Okehampton Youth Chorus;
Councillor M Morse agenda item 7.4 Puzzle Tree Day Service;
Councillor M Davies agenda item 7.3 Home Start Okehampton.
282. Apologies for Absence - There were no apologies for absence.
283. Deferment of Business (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
284. Members’ Questions - Councillor Davies questioned this Council’s policy relating to attendance of the circus in Simmons Park in relation to tender process or alternative agreement; to be discussed at the Parks Committee.
285. Minutes - The minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 27 September 2010 were approved and signed on the proposition of Councillor A Leech, seconded by Councillor M Morse.
286. Matters Arising -
286.1 Twinning Link with a Ghana Township - The Clerk reported on minimal response from organisations following a second request in support of this link and further reported Okehampton Primary School were interested in pursuing the link with Ghana and organisations in the town which were interested; it was agreed to transfer this role to the school.
286.2 Devon County Council - Members were reminded of a public meeting by the leader of Devon County Council, J Hart, on public spending on Thursday 25 November 2010 at 6.30 pm in the Charter Hall.
287. Finances - The financial report of the Council’s position as at 30 September 2010 was circulated. Members examined the entries, noted income and expenditure analysis per committee, noted activities in accordance with budget provision and noted the figures. With regard to outstanding accounts, the Clerk advised that a cheque had been received from Coleman in settlement of accounts and, despite reminders, the putting club fee was outstanding, Clerk to pursue. (Post meeting memo - funds received 25 October 2010.) As an addendum, the Clerk advised of Mayor’s allowance expenditure of £973 at 30 September against budget provision of £2,000; full report to be submitted at the end of the Mayoral year. On the proposition of Councillor Leech, seconded by Councillor Mrs Marsh, it was resolved the accounts be noted.
288. Grant Aid - Applications for financial assistance were received from the following organisations.
(i) Young Devon - Young Carers’ Project - An application from this project sought funding towards the costs of providing respite care for young carers; the application referenced 25 Okehampton registered carers and advised any funding received would be used to pay for trips for these people.
Members questioned contribution from other town councils served by this group or other organisations and it was agreed they be asked to comment on applications to other town councils or groups and organisations.
(ii) Okehampton Youth Chorus - The application was for funding for the hire of venues for rehearsal and research costs for song writing. Members acknowledged this was an off-shoot of Wren Trust held at the Baptist Church, noted the benefits and on the proposition of Councillor Raymond, seconded by Councillor Morse, it was resolved a grant of £100 be awarded.
(iii) Home Start Okehampton - An application sought funding towards the cost of a Christmas party for the families supported. It was established approximately 20 families were involved and on the proposition of Councillor Leech, seconded by Councillor Mrs Bickley, it was resolved a grant of £100 be awarded.
(iv) Puzzle Tree Day Service - This application sought funding towards the cost of hiring the local cinema to show a film identifying the needs of people with communication difficulties. Members recognised the value of this work and on the proposition of Councillor Mrs Marsh, seconded by Councillor Leech, it was resolved a grant of £100 be awarded.
(v) Okehampton Fairtrade Group - This application sought funding to promote and support events dedicated to gaining Fairtrade town status for Okehampton. Members considered the application was vague, but to assist in their fundraising on the proposition of Councillor Raymond, seconded by Councillor Mrs Marsh, it was resolved the organisation be granted free use of the Charter Hall for a coffee morning whilst contacting Destination Okehampton for an opportunity to link with that group to promote Fairtrade status.
289. Budget Funding - Tourist Information Centre - The Chair advised the Borough Council had requested release of a grant of £1,500 for the financial year 2011 to support this operation. Members acknowledged a budget provision of £1,500 and on the proposition of Councillor Mrs Bickley, seconded by Councillor Leech, it was resolved funds be released.
290. NALC - Legal Briefing Standards Framework - Members noted the Localism Bill due before parliament in November would abolish the Standards Regime applicable to Councillors in England and to replace it with a new operation to protect and strengthen local Councillors’ positions; noted.
291. Staffing Meeting - The notes of the meeting held on 24 September 2010 were acknowledged without comment.
292. Members’ Reports - The following reports were submitted relating to Members’ attending other organisations on behalf of the Council.
(i) West Devon/Okehampton Consultative Liaison Group - Members noted the availability of the minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2010 in the Clerk’s office.
(ii) Heartlands 6 October 2010 - The meeting noted a petition from a community action group was circulating the town in connection with the Core Strategy process, but was not endorsed by Devon Heartlands Community Forum.
(iii) Okehampton College - It was reported the new building/skills centre would open after half-term and be a valuable asset to the College. Councillor Leech also referred to discussion on federation/academies for Okehampton and concluded on excellent exam results following the GCSE’s.
(iv) Councillor Mrs Marsh, as Devon County Councillor, advised funding had been received for the Play Builder scheme and details would be released shortly. Councillor Mrs Marsh also advised from within her allocated funds, street lighting units would be erected on the entrance road to the Air Training Cadet/Army Cadet barracks. Members thanked her for this gesture.
Councillor Mrs Marsh reported that Devon County Council had resolved to introduce pay and display for on-street parking over a number of town centre streets in Okehampton at a date to be determined. She explained the mechanics of fees, enforcement and reasons including turnover of parking spaces in the town centre. Members questioned consultation on this exercise, which committee had addressed it and why the Chamber of Trade or the Town Council had not been invited to comment. The Committee challenged the decision, lack of consultation, considered it a retrograde step in this economic climate and assumed it was too late to challenge the decision. Councillor Mrs Marsh advised of the procedure followed by County in introducing this system and invited the Council to address the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport, Councillor Stuart Hughes and on the proposition of Councillor Morse, seconded by Councillor Leech, it was resolved accordingly.
Councillor Mrs Bickley questioned the installation of signage on Upcott Hill to which Councillor Mrs Marsh replied these would be supplied from her County Council budget; thanks were offered to Councillor Mrs Marsh for her prompt action. She was thanked for her 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 A Leech, seconded by Councillor A Raymond, 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.
293. Staff Structure
It was resolved to come out of part 2, move back into part 1 and ratify all decisions taken in part 2, proposed by Councillor Mrs K Bickley, seconded by Councillor A Raymond.
Meeting closed at 8.30 pm.
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Councillor Mrs M McDonald
Chairman