Minutes Special Meeting Town Council Policy and Resources Committee - on Monday 6 December 2010

Minutes Special Meeting Town Council Policy and Resources Committee - on Monday 6 December 2010

Wednesday, 06 April 2011 11:30

Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Okehampton Town Council Policy and Resources Committee held on Monday 6 December 2010 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Okehampton at 9.15 pm

Committee Members Present:

Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Chair)
Councillor A Raymond (Vice Chair)
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor P Vachon
Councillor M Morse (Town Mayor)
Councillor Mrs K Bickley (Chair, Planning)
Councillor A Leech (Chair, Property)

Other Members Present:        Councillor Dr M Ireland

In Attendance:            D Bent (Town Clerk)


367.    Apologies for Absence - Apologies for absence were presented on behalf of Councillors K Ball and Mrs D Smith.

368.    Deferment of Business (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.

369.    Members’ Questions - There were no questions received from Members.

370.    Budget 2011/2012 - The Clerk presented the administration and democratic budget accounts and explained the composition of the figures with the pattern repeated as previous Committee reports.  Members acknowledged the Clerk’s work on salaries and wages, amendments to other account entries which figures would be submitted to Council meeting on 4 January.  The Committee examined and noted projected expenditure including an overspend on professional fees occasioned by expenditure to S Gill, Planning Consultant.  The Clerk also explained an overspend on training fees following the appointment of A White and a concentrated training exercise on the accountancy software.  He commented PWLB loan repayment at £7,301 was the final payment of this Council’s contribution towards the swimming pool.  Members examined the estimates and made the following amendments:

Admin - Staff clothing PPE allocation £100; training fees, conference be set at £1,800 to include possible fire warden training and first aid renewal; IT software - it was recommended the office software be upgraded to Windows 7 at an approximate cost of £600, to amend the estimate provision to £1,440.

Capital - the meeting acknowledged the three PC’s in the office were old and replacement was desirable; resolved a sum of £1,500 be included to purchase three machines.  Members noted poor receipts from reserve account interest, but fixed income from government stocks.

Democratic - The meeting examined estimates and agreed to increase election expenses to £4,000, further allowance of £400 for Town Mayor’s hat, cleaning robes and Clerk’s wig with other entries per the Clerk’s figures.  With regards to grants for specific powers, Members acknowledged a level of £10,000 and confirmed that figure for estimates 2011/12 with the tourist office provision of £1,500 maintained alongside Ockment Centre and Museum figures as in previous years.  On the proposition of Councillor Raymond, seconded by Councillor Leech, it was resolved the figures as presented be endorsed, subject to amendment and accepted in principle for the financial year 2011/12.

Meeting closed 10.00 pm.




__________________________
Councillor Mrs M McDonald
Chairman