Finance Minutes 24th February 2009
Minutes of a meeting of the FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 24th day of FEBRUARY 2009at 7. 30p.m.
Present: Cllr H Smith Chair
Cllr Mrs Govier
Cllr M Harper
Cllr Mrs A Johnson
Cllr Mrs J Metcalf
Cllr R Pike
Cllr P Sanders
Cllr Mrs D Sellis Chair Properties
Cllr D Whitcomb
In Attendance: Town Clerk
Works Superintendent
Cllr Connelly DCC
One member of the press
608. MEETING OF THE PROPERTIES COMMITTEE HELD EARLIER THAT EVENING
The Chairman convened his Meeting in order to vote on the proposal recommended by the Properties Committee, that we accede to the request to allow an underlease for the Auction Rooms, and that we set aside the covenant on the use of the Auction Rooms. Members had been present during the earlier Properties Committee debate, and the press and public were still excluded. Cllr Mrs Metcalf proposed that the Properties Committee recommendation be endorsed. By 2 votes for and 5 against with one abstention the proposal was lost. The matter would go to full Council for further debate.
609. At 7.40 pm the Chairman then adjourned the Finance and General Purposes Properties meeting to allow the Properties Committee to finish their meeting.
610. At 8.05 pm the Chairman re-convened the Finance and General Purposes Committee.
611. APOLOGIES
There were apologies for absence from Cllr I Jennings and Cllr Mrs Ramsey.
612. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
Councillors were reminded to declare any personal or prejudicial interest they may have in any item to be considered at the meeting.
613. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 27th January 2009, previously circulated and adopted by Council on 3rd February 2009, were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
614. MATTERS ARISING
There were no such matters.
615. MEETING OF THE PROPERTIES COMMITTEE HELD EARLIER THAT EVENING
The Chairman of Properties informed Members that her Committee had discussed leases (on which the Finance and General Purposes Committee had already voted), revised Pannier Market charges and some work on Pixon Lane.
616. MINUTES OF THE DEVON ASSOCIATION OF PARISH COUNCILS LARGER COUNCILS SUB-COMMITTEE
Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 12th February 2009.
617. MINUTES OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd February 2009. They were encouraged to see fewer negative comments about the Council. Members decided to form a small Task and Finish Group to work with the Chamber to consider how the £10,000 we have earmarked for the first stage buy of new Christmas lights should be spent. Cllr Mrs Govier and the Market Reeve should form part of the Group, and the final make-up was deferred to full Council.
618. MINUTES OF THE TaVi DEVELOPMENT FORUM
Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 12th January 2009.
619. MINUTES OF THE TAVISTOCK TOWNSCAPE HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP
Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 21st January 2009. They noted that they had been invited to accompany Mr Mettler on a town walk-about.
620. MINUTES OF THE WDBC/TTC CONSULTATIVE LIAISON GROUP
Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 3rd December 2008.
621. GENERAL FINANCE
a. Accounts Members considered the monthly accounts for submission to the next Council Meeting, a copy of which is at Annex A. It was RECOMMENDED that they be passed for payment.
b. Outturn. Members noted the phased budget reporting system print as at 21st January 2009.
c. Guildhall Toilets . We had received the invoice for the Town Councils share to date of the Guildhall Toilets as £54,134. 67p. This was as agreed by Minute 612 (to be 1/3rd of the cost to a total sum of £200,000). We have only £47,750 earmarked in the current budget, so as Members agreed at the time the remaining £6,384. 67p and any future sums would come from our reserves.
622. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
We have to host an ATM once a year between 1st March and 1st June. Traditionally we hold the meeting in early March. This year it was scheduled for the 10th March. However, the pre-submission draft of the Core Strategy to the Local Development Framework was expected to be published in early April. This was a matter that would be of great concern to the electors, and the Council had already agreed that a public meeting to discuss the matter should be held. A suggestion that the ATM be postponed until a date later in April to allow the Core Strategy to be on the agenda was unanimously RECOMMENDED.
623. PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960
Pursuant to Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 it was RESOLVED that, because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, the public and the press leave the meeting during consideration of debtors to the Council.
624. DEBTORS
Members received a list of all those who had a debt to the Council dating from earlier than the last quarter day. Members directed that one small debt be urgently chased up and firm action taken.
625. PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSIONS TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960
RESOLVED that the public and press be re-admitted to the Meeting.
626. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN.
There was no such business.
Rising 8. 35 p.m.
Signed .. .
Dated