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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 22nd AUGUST 2007
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 22nd AUGUST 2007 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE TOWN HALL, GREAT WESTERN HOUSE, 9 DEVON SQUARE, NEWTON ABBOT
PRESENT Councillor D Corney-Walker (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs D. Watts (Vice-Chairman)
Councillors Mrs C. Bunday
H.L.J. Cole
C. Davieson
Mrs A. Fry
Miss J. Fry
M. Hocking
D. Howe
Mrs G. Leeper
K. Lewis
Mrs S. Maddicott
C. Parker
K. Purchase
A. Vizor
In attendance:
Representatives of the Press: Emma Pearcy – Herald Express
Lindsey Sill – Mid Devon Advertiser
170. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Mrs G Gaskell and R. Leeper together with the Mayor, Councillor K Smith.
171. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee held on 4th July, together with the adjourned meeting held on 11th July 2007 were received and signed as correct records.
172. INTERESTS
Nil.
173. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Nil.
174. RICHARD YOUNGER-ROSS MP
Mr Richard Younger-Ross MP for Teignbridge had planned to attend the meeting to address members, however, due to illness he had tendered his apologies.
175. ACCOUNTS PAID SINCE THE LAST MEETING
(a) Accounts paid since the last Meeting
The Committee noted the accounts for the month of July 2007 together with the balance sheet as set out at 31st July 2007.
31st July 2007
Opening Balance Business Call Account/Current Acc £65,166.73
ADD Misc. Income £ 6,077.20
TOTAL INCOME £ 71,243.93
LESS: Expenditure £26,429.73
TOTAL EXPENDITURE £26,429.73
BALANCE 31st July 2007
Business Call & Current Account: £44,814.20
Balances as at 31st July 2007
Current Account 100.00
Business Call Account 44,714.20
Treasury Account 50,000.00
Petty Cash Account 75.17
Total Reserves £94,889.37
Alliance & Leicester 170,000.00 (Reinvested to 30.11.07 – interest accruing £4,983.03)
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Total: £264,889.37
(b) Other financial matters
An invoice received from TDC for the sum of £8,505.38 in connection with the Town Council elections in May 2007 was approved for payment.
Arising from consideration of the invoice a Member queried the cost of hiring a hall for the Milber Ward Election which appeared to have cost twice as much as the hire of halls in the other wards. The Clerk confirmed that he had taken the matter up with Teignbridge District Council when it had been confirmed that the actual hire of the hall was £300 (the Council being responsible for 50% of the cost).
176. STRATEGIC WORKING PARTY
1. The Committee received report of Strategic Working Party held on 18th July 2007 (previously circulated);
2. Consideration was given to the Committee’s priorities for the next three years as requested by the Strategic Working Party for inclusion in the Core Strategy. It was noted that the next meeting of the Strategic Working Party is scheduled for 5th September 2007.
(a) Britain In Bloom - Reference was made to the need to ensure there were sufficient funds available for Britain In Bloom 2008. The Clerk reminded the Committee that at the Activities Committee meeting held on 15th August it was agreed that the budget for 2007 be rolled over and be available for 2008.
The Chairman of the Britain In Bloom Sub-Committee, Councillor David Howe, explained that he and the Clerk had met with a representative of Teignbridge DC to discuss its plans for changes to future planting in Newton Abbot. He explained that there were only minor changes planned which involved a mix of sustainable planting and bedding plants. He went on to express the view that although both Teignbridge and the Britain In Bloom Judges favoured sustainable planting the Council should continue with what it considers both visitors and residents preferred.
(b) Christmas Tree – Members made reference to the possibility of reintroducing a Christmas tree into the Town. It was noted that provision had been made to locate a tree near to St Leonard’s Tower and that Devon County Council had been requested to ensure this was retained as part of the town centre enhancements.
177. REVIEW OF POLLING DISTRICTS, POLLING PLACES AND POLLING STATIONS
(a) The Committee gave consideration to a request by Teignbridge District Council to comment upon the District Council’s existing arrangements for polling districts and polling places (previously circulated).
It was agreed that Teignbridge DC be informed that the Council required consideration to be given to the following:-
Wards General – there was considerable disparity between ward sizes and numbers of electors, boundaries were considered to be illogical all of which caused problems for electors.
College Ward – although there were two polling stations in the Ward they were not in the most logical or convenient locations. Consider using the Scout Hut rather than the Wolborough Primary School.
Bushell Ward – as with College, there were two stations but they were too far apart. Consider an additional station, perhaps at the Community Centre.
Counting – request consideration be given to counts for Newton Abbot town wards being held in the town i.e. at Forde House as in the past. Also, counting staff need to be adequately trained.
Parish Boundary – the Council suggests that a review of the parish boundaries is well overdue.
(b) Arising from the above, it was noted further consultation will be carried out on any proposed changes.
178. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS
Newton Abbot & District Community Plan
Councillor K Lewis as Chairman of the Community Plan, reported on discussions that had taken place at the Steering Group meeting held on 26th July 2007.
He explained that there had been considerable progress made in the past six weeks, to the credit of the new Co-ordinator. He expected a preliminary Plan to be produced within the next three months. It was noted that the next meeting would be held on 27th September.
179. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Teignbridge Urban Aid Fund – Project Approvals for 2007/8. The Committee noted with pleasure confirmation that the Teignbridge Urban Aid Fund 2007/8 had awarded £2,000 to the Council as a contribution to its Christmas Illuminations Project.
(b) The Role of Quality Councils in Teignbridge. The Committee was invited to appoint a representative to attend a meeting with the Town Clerk organised by Teignbridge District Council to be held at Forde House on 31st October 2007. The meeting was to discuss the relevance of Quality Status and explore the possible opportunities afforded through the Local Government White Paper ‘Strong and Prosperous Communities’. It was agreed Councillor Mrs D Watts accompany the Clerk to the meeting.
(c) Town Centre Enhancements – Devon County Council. The Clerk reported correspondence from Devon County Council confirming that the planned town centre pedestrianisation and improvement works had commenced on 20th August 2007. Phase I (Lower East Street, Bank Street, Highweek Street (part) and Market Street (part)) was planned to be completed by 17th November 2007. The Clerk to contact Devon County Council to ensure the works would not interfere with the erection of the Christmas illuminations.
(d) Register of Electors 2008. The Committee noted a request from Teignbridge DC to publicise the electoral canvass of electors for 2008 which had commenced from 22nd August 2007. Clerk to request further posters to place on notice boards throughout the town.
(e) Dog Control Orders. The Committee gave consideration to a request from Teignbridge District Council for the Council’s comments on the possibility of making orders banning or controlling dogs in parks in the Teignbridge area.
Arising from consideration of the request it was agreed that:-
i. Teignbridge District Council be informed that Newton Abbot Town Council was not in favour of banning dogs from parks in the Teignbridge area. However, it requests that sufficient dog bins be made available throughout Newton Abbot; the bins should be emptied at appropriate intervals; the Dog Warden is encouraged to be more vigilant; dog owners be educated to be more responsible and Teignbridge District Council notes that Newton Abbot Town Council supports a return to Dog Licensing;
ii. The Clerk write to the National Trust with a copy to Mr P Woolner requesting that dog bins be provided along the Lemon Valley Path through Bradley Woods in view of its popularity with dog walkers and the scarcity of existing dog bins.
180. LATE CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Newton Abbot Market – Official Opening. The Clerk reported a letter from Teignbridge District Council inviting Members to attend the official opening of the newly refurbished Newton Abbot Market. Unfortunately, at the time of the meeting the final date had yet to be confirmed.
(b) Society of Local Council Clerks – South West Regional Conference – Plymouth 4th October 2007. The Committee nominated Councillors D Howe and K Lewis together with the Town Clerk to attend the SLCC South West Regional Conference.
(c) New Toilets at Cricketfield Road Car Park. The Committee noted that the contract for the new toilets would start on the 3rd or 10th September 2007 with an intended completion date of mid January 2008.
181. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Wednesday 10th October 2007.
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Chairman