- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S. Burke, Councillor E. Wackrow and Councillor R. Worthy
- URGENT LATE ITEM
The Chairman advised that he had agreed to consider an urgent late item under Property Portfolio;
- Water damage to showers at the Pavilion.
The reason for urgency was;
- To enable repairs to be carried out as soon as possible.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
- MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17 OCTOBER 2007
The minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2007 were signed as a true and accurate record.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17 OCTOBER 2007
Letchmore Heath – Highways were looking into the feasibility of erecting the signs, however, cost may be a significant factor.
Estate Agents’ Fees – The expenditure against budget should be correct in November’s figures, however, there would be an underspend as the budget had been set using the previous agent’s fees.
- PROPERTY PORTFOLIO
The Pavilion, Phillimore Recreation Ground – The Clerk advised that the shower floor in the Home Team room had collapsed, fortunately without injury to the player whose foot went through the floor. A builder had been called in under emergency powers following consultation with the Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee. Work had commenced in removing the floor, tiles and walls. It appeared that a shower had been leaking behind the wall which had caused rot to the floor joists and supporting wall beams. The Clerk advised that she would be submitting a claim to the Council’s insurers. A quote for £12,000 had been submitted, with a request for an up front deposit. A further quote for the Away Team room had also been submitted. Members considered the quote high but RESOLVED that it be accepted it for emergency work and a cheque for the up front payment signed, however, in future no payments in advance would be made for building work. The Clerk was requested to obtain further quotations for work to the Away Team showers.(Action: Clerk)
- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND BUDGET REPORTS
The financial statements to October 2007 were noted. It was noted that N.F.U. had treated each case of vandalism to the Youth Club as a separate claim and therefore deducted the policy excess 4 times from the Council’s claim. A letter had been sent to the insurers querying this action.
- REQUEST FOR S.137 FUNDING FROM STRIFE
Members considered the request from Stop the Rail Freight Exchange (STRiFE). The Council had already considered the planning application and objected to it. It was considered that STRiFE were representing the views of the Parish Council at the Planning Inquiry and RECOMMENDED that a grant of £1,000 be made to STRiFE. (Action: Clerk)
- QUOTATIONS TO UPGRADE THE TELEPHONE SYSTEM
Members considered the Report of Officers and noted that Company A had submitted a revised quotation. In view of other planned and unplanned expenditure in the current and next financial years, Members RESOLVED that an upgrade to the telephone system be progressed after 2009.
- WEBSITE
Members considered the report of officers regarding a suggestion by the Council’s webmaster that the site be made more accessible. The cost for this development would be around £500. Members RESOLVED that £500 be put in the budget for 2008/09 to upgrade the Council’s website. (Action: Clerk)
- DRAFT BUDGETS 2008/09
Members considered the draft Administration and General Budgets for 2008/09. Member requested that 5300 Salaries be increased by £3,000, 5528 IT Equipment & maintenance be reduced by £1,000 and purchase of the Facilities Package be removed, 5540 Councillor and Staff Training be reduced by £300 and 5710 be increased by 2% not 3.9%.
The draft budget would be brought back to the next meeting of the Committee for further consideration. (Action: Clerk)
- APPOINTMENT OF NEW CLERK
Members were advised that the post had been advertised with a closing date of 26th November 2007, interviews by the Recruitment Sub Committee on 11th December 2007 with appointment confirmed at Council on 18th December 2007.
- CONCESSIONARY DAY AT CHRISTMAS
Members RESOLVED that staff be granted a concessionary day on 31st December 2007. It was noted that the Council’s Offices would close in the afternoon of 24th December with staff taking annual leave on 27th and 28th December. Grounds staff would provide a skeleton service at the Recreation Ground and would take annual leave if not at work on 27th & 28th December.
- DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting was scheduled for 8pm on 5 December 2007.
- EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED that the following items were confidential as defined in the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 and the press and public be excluded from the meeting.
- Use of land at the rear of the War Memorial
- USE OF LAND AT THE REAR OF THE WAR MEMORIAL
Members noted the letter addressed to the Chairman regarding the process used in discussing the potential use of the land. Members regretted that the third party felt aggrieved by the decision making process. The Council had tried to accommodate his suggestions as and when they arose but as the Council had not dealt with potential development of its land before it had tried to behave as openly as possible whilst formulating policies and decisions at formal level which appeared to have caused confusion.
Whilst the Council appreciated that use of the site might be advantageous, priorities for other sites in the Parish meant that disposal of this site would not be progressed in the near future. (Action: Clerk)
