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Minutes February 2007
BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL
FINANCE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS' ROOM, TOWN HALL, BRIDGWATER
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2007 AT 2PM
PRESENT: Cllrs J Turner (Chairman), WH Munn and KF Richards
Apologies: Cllrs Moore and Needs, Parker and Mrs GJ Slocombe
58 MINUTES:
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 November 2006 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
59 MATTERS ARISING:
1. Cornhill Market - Prezzo (Min 53.1) - SDC had re-affirmed that facilities for disabled access and toilets had been provided and were satisfactory for DDA compliance, following an independent DDA audit, bearing in mind the nature of the Grade 1 listed building.
2. Ward Budget Bidding - Victoria (Min 56) - correspondence had been received from the Victoria Park Bowling Club in appreciation of the grant of £1000 for contribution to works to satisfy fire safety regulations.
60 BLAKE 350 CELEBRATIONS:
The Finance Committee had been requested to review in detail the Town Council's possible involvement in the Blake 350 celebrations and had invited Jessica Vale, the Museum's Officer, to assist their deliberations. The Museum's Officer explained the work undertaken by the Blake 350 Steering Group, amplified the correspondence to the Town Council and presented a revised programme and revised costings for the various events. In particular, a Project Co-ordinator had been appointed and funded by SDC to prepare and implement the programme. The full programme was reviewed with the revised estimated costings and Members considered the level of contribution that would be appropriate for the Town Council having regard to the approved budget for 2007/2008. Relevant elements were examined, including the inclusion within in the overall budget of a contribution to cleaning costs for both Blake Statue and the War Memorial in Kings Square.
RESOLVED:
1. That the revised programme and revised estimated costings be noted;
2. that the Town Council be recommended to sponsor funding for the items listed in the attached appendix;
3. that further information be requested on the estimated cleaning costs for the Blake Statue and the War Memorial.
61 BUDGET AND PRECEPT AND SPECIAL EXPENSES 2007/2008:
The Committee noted the approved budget and precept. In relation to the Deputy Mayor allowance, members agreed that this should be expended on certification by the Deputy Mayor.
RESOLVED:
1. That a form for certification be provided for the Deputy Mayor expenditure;
2. that the special expense figure for 2007/2008 be included for reference as soon as received.
(Note by Town Clerk: Including the revenue cost of the two cemeteries and street lighting element, together with the first year of a three year capital works memorial safety programme at the cemeteries results in a Band D figure of £12.41, giving a special expenses figure of £126973.41. With the reduction in the Town Council's precept, the consolidated figure for the precept and special expenses shows a reduction per Band D property of £2.09 from 2006/7).
62 GRANTS AND APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING:
RESOLVED: That the following decisions be put forward:-
1. Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance - no specified figure applied for - referred to Council for decision without recommendation;
2. Bridgwater Choral Society - grant of £500 for purchase of music folders;
3. Bridgwater Unitarian Chapel - grant of £2000 towards the total cost of the repairs to the street façade of the chapel;
4. Road Lane Wanderers Football Club - grant of £1000 towards kit and equipment and twinning football visit to Homberg;
5. Town Centre Management Contribution 2006/2007 - contribution of £2000, as provided in current estimates, to be accompanied by representations for early action to revive town centre partnership;
6. Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee - grant of £5000 for sponsorship of grand public firework display at St Matthews Field, as opener to 2007 Carnival Celebrations on Thursday 8 November 2007, to be accompanied with invitation to consider themed display on Admiral Blake as contribution to Blake 350 (see Minute 60 above).
63 WARD BUDGET BIDDING:
RESOLVED: That the council be recommended to carry over any balances in the individual ward grant pots into 2007/2008 and to review the carry over position in 12 month's time.
64 TOWN HALL/TRINITY HALL UPDATE:
There was still no information in relation to the future of the Town Hall and Island Site, nor any information on timescales for consultant's reports or consideration by SDC.
In relation to Trinity Hall, the Chairman and Town Clerk were meeting with the Portfolio Holder and Officers of SDC to take this forward, in the light of the Town Council's previous decisions and money placed in the estimates for 2007/2008.
65 BRISTOL ROAD CEMETERY - FENCING:
Members were pleased to note that the new fencing was now in place, with a considerable improvement to the visual amenities of the entrance to Bristol Road Cemetery.
66 FORMAL TRANSFER OF ALLOTMENT LAND IN BRIDGWATER
The Committee were advised of continuing correspondence between the Town Council's Solicitor and SDC. Issues relating to land adjoining the access way to the Bristol Road site, and to the transfer of Chilton 2, were still outstanding. Definitive answers had been sought, with the possibility that if unresolved the Town Council may need to go to law.
67 MACE BEARER - MAYOR'S MARSHALL RETIREMENT:
RESOLVED: That the action taken by the Town Clerk in conjunction with the Chairman to obtain a gift in recognition of Doug Mole's service be endorsed.
68 LOCAL AREA WORKING PANELS - SOMERSET COUNTY COUNCIL PROPOSALS:
The Town Clerk confirmed that he would be attending a meeting the following evening on the setting up and arrangements for the Local Area Working Panels proposed by the County Council.
69 CAR PARKING:
RESOLVED: That in view of the continuing difficulties a parking space be acquired for a one-year term at a cost of £450 in the Mount Street west car park.
70 BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL - APPOINTMENT OF EXTERNAL AUDITOR
The Town Clerk reported a letter from the Audit Commission advising that the Audit Commission intended to extend the appointment of Moore Stephens as auditors to cover 2006/2007. Revised fees had also been agreed for a further five-year period.
RESOLVED: That no objection be raised to the Audit Commission's proposals
The meeting finished at 3.40pm
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Signed
Chairman