Finance Minutes 29th April 2008
Minutes of a meeting of the FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 29th day of APRIL 2008 at 7 20 p.m.
Present: Cllr H Smith Chair
Cllr Mrs M Govier Chair Properties
Cllr Harper
Cllr I C Jennings
Cllr Mrs A Johnson Town Mayor
Cllr Mrs J Metcalf
Cllr R Pike
Cllr P Sanders
Cllr W Sellis
In Attendance: Town Clerk
Works Superintendent
Cllr Connelly DCC
One member of the press
712. APOLOGIES
There were apologies for absence from Cllr D Whitcomb and Cllr Mrs Ramsey.
713. 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
714. MINUTES
The minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 26th February 2008, previously circulated and adopted by Council on 4th March 2008, were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
715. MATTERS ARISING
There were no such matters.
716. MEETING OF THE PROPERTIES COMMITTEE HELD EARLIER THAT EVENING
Cllr Mrs Govier reported that the following matter with a financial content had been debated by the Properties Committee:
a. The agreement to give the Robey Trust a licence to cross Pixon Lane. Cllr Sanders felt that any legal cost should be borne by the Trust as the tenant. After some debate it was RECOMMENDED that all the users of Pixon Lane be contacted to see what exactly was needed. A standard agreement could be drawn up and costs be shared. Any non-commercial organisation could apply for grants to offset the legal costs. The Clerk was directed to reply to the Trust accordingly.
717. MINUTES OF THE STAFFING SUB-COMMITTEE
Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 16th April 2008 presented by Cllr Sanders.
718. MINUTES OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING
Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 7th April 2008. Cllr Sanders spoke of the situation regarding ‘A’ boards, and the ability for shopkeepers to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to display advertising according to the law if necessary. Concerning minute 8.41 they queried the report of fee charging plans for on-street parking and asked that WDBC be contacted for the truth.
719. MINUTES OF THE TaVi DEVELOPMENT FORUM
Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 13th March 2008. Members again commented on the many abbreviations used.
720. 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. Internal Audit. Members deputed the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Committee to meet at the earliest possible date with the two contenders interested in providing IA services to the Council.
c. Final Outturn 2007/2008 and Rollovers. Members were given a spreadsheet showing the final outturn for cost codes. Some projects had been committed but not commenced or completed by the end of the financial year, and Members RECOMMENDED that the following sums be ‘rolled-over’ into the 2008/09 budget.
Project Budget 07/08 Spent 07/08 Roll-Over
1. Court Gate Cottage 10,000 0 10,000
2. Duke Street Fire Precautions 30,000 2,277 27,723
3. Tree Survey and Work 19,400 13,007 6,393
4. Cemetery Hard Standing 15,000 5,783 9,217
5. Play Park Equipment 53,060 13,596 39,464
6. Paths Maintenance Cemetery 72,098 0 72,098
7. Meadows Lights 40,000 0 40,000
8. TaVi grant 5,000 734 4,266
244,558 35,397 209,161
Members asked that the original draft budget agreed in November 2007 be used for future reports. Variances up or down could be reported as such.
d. Grants. TASS had put in a request for a £1,000 grant towards the purchase of a mini-bus. Members had a policy of agreeing grant applications during the budget setting, with an ability to hear ‘emergency’ applications at other times. They had £1,500 available in the grants budget to last for this financial year. Recognising the importance of the TASS service they RECOMMENDED nem con to make the £1,000 grant requested.
721. SURVEY ON RURAL GATEWAY
Plasterdown Parish Council wished to undertake a survey to get parishioners views on the Gateway. They wished to include Whitchurch and asked Members permission so to do. A draft of the survey form was tabled. They wondered if Tavistock Town Council would like to undertake the survey of their parishioners in Whitchurch? Alternatively, if the Town Council did not wish to undertake the work Members were asked to agree to Plasterdown doing it and being given a small grant (£100) to defray the expense incurred. Members felt that the survey would have little impact on DCC, but RECOMMENDED that the survey go ahead, with the Town Council being kept informed of the findings, and granted £100 to defray the expenses.
722. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN.
The Chairman informed Members of the Lion’s decision not to hold the Balloon Fiesta this year, and that the £5,000 budgeted for underwriting the event would now not be required.
Rising 8. 10 p.m.
Signed………..………………….
Dated……………………………