Finance Minutes 24th July 2007
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 JULY 2007 at 7.20 p.m.
Present:
Cllr Mrs J Ramsey - Chair
Cllr Mrs M Govier - Chair Properties
Cllr M Harper
Cllr Mrs A Johnson - Town Mayor
Cllr Mrs J Metcalf
Cllr R Pike Dep - Town Mayor
Cllr P Sanders
Cllr H Smith
In Attendance:
Town Clerk
Works Superintendent
Cllr Connelly DCC
One member of the press
135. APOLOGIES
There were apologies for absence from Cllr I C Jennings and Cllr D Whitcomb.
136. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 26th June 2007, previously circulated and adopted by Council on 3rd July 2007 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
137. MATTERS ARISING
a. Banners. Minute 447 referred. After consultations and site meetings DCC officers have reported that the light columns around Bedford Square and Plymouth Road are not of a standard design, and are less strong than normal. They are of mild steel construction and therefore unable to support the additional loading that could be imposed by banners of the type proposed. Any additional loading to these columns could also mean they become structurally unsound, and that is a risk they cannot take. Members noted the DCC decision not to allow the erection of banners on those columns.
138. MEETING OF THE PROPERTIES COMMITTEE HELD EARLIER THAT EVENING
The Chairman of Properties reported that the following recommendations with a financial impact had been made:
a. Rent a unit to provide additional Depot space, £6,600 a year. To also investigate a purpose built Depot Facility on Pixon lane open space. Members RECOMMENDED nem con to enter into this lease.
b. To consider the renting out of land on Pixon lane to allow DCC to build youth related community buildings. Further details to follow after on-site meetings. Our surveyors will be asked to estimate probable rental figures.
c. To withdraw the free car parking facility given to the police on Guildhall Square car park in response to their actions concerning Goose Fair. This could bring in an extra £10,920 a year parking fees.
As a result of recommendations a and b, a full conceptual plan for Pixon Lane open space to be prepared and submitted to the Forward Planning, Policy and Programme Sub-committee. Members should also work out the future role of the works force to ensure that any purpose built Depot facility was totally fit for that role.
139. 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 received a copy of the first quarter outturn for information.
140. ALCOHOL EXCLUSION ZONE MEETING
Members were informed that a meeting of representatives from DCC, the Police, the Licenced Victuallers Association, WDBC, Tavistock Forward and TTC had been held on the 17th July to re-open discussions about a alcohol exclusion zone in the centre of Tavistock. The minutes would be circulated when available. The Police believe such a ban would be a tremendous help to them, and they are now in a position to enforce such a ban. DCC youth workers agreed that under 18’s would welcome such a ban, and it was up to the Town Council to request that West Devon Borough Council implement such a ban. Any exclusions could be moderated to allow freedom on certain special days (Goose Fair, Dickensian night for example). The timeframe could be 6 to 8 weeks from any such request, and public meetings to debate the issue were not a legal requirement. Members received an introductory brief from the Community Safety Committee together with a first draft zone map. The Properties Committee had also considered this matter, and their Chairman summed up the problem which involved groups of 18 to 25 year olds drinking excessively during the day in public places, and leaving dangerous and objectionable litter. Members were concerned at the possible set-up costs, as there were indications that the Borough Council would not contribute, and were worried about any on-going costs. The Clerk was asked to find out such details from other town councils who had implemented such bans. There were also worries that the police might run out of resources and submit bills for enforcing the ban. The matter was deferred to full Council for a decision hoping that more facts would be available.
141. TAVISTOCK WOMEN RETAILERS (TWR) GROUP
Members noted a letter from the local TWR requesting help with their financial administration. The General Office would be asked to act as their treasurers if Members agreed to commit the officer time. Members felt that such an arrangement would be an unwelcome precedent setter, and other such commercial groups would be able to ask for similar help. To agree would put the Council in an invidious position, and such assistance was not the role of a Town Council. By 6 votes for with one abstention Members RECOMMENDED that the Council decline the request.
142. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN.
There was no such business.
Rising 8.00 p.m.