Balderton Town Council

Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting held in the Balderton Village Centre on Wednesday December 12th 2007 at 7.00pm.

PRESENT Councillors Mortimore (Chairman), Mrs Jarvis, (Vice Chairman), Gibson, Gould, Hind, Mrs Hurst, Hurst, Mrs Newstead, Radley, Miss Watson and Mrs Walker.
with County Councillor Walker, a representative of the press and the Clerk.

APOLOGIES were received from Cllrs Colman and Sheppard
Councillor Colman had requested a further leave of absence for three months on ill health grounds. Members approved the request, again sending well wishes to him for improved health.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None were made.

Cheques presented were signed and wages payments approved.

3457 Clerk/Chairman’s Update
A printed update of ongoing matters was circulated and noted. The update is published
with the minutes. The following items were discussed from the update:
1. Re Minute 3296.1 Blocked drain The District Council work was scheduled to commence on the Masefield Crescent drain in November 2007 but no progress report has been received. The issue will be expedited.
2. Re Project money The Grove Student Council is scheduled to meet on January 17th 2008 where consideration will be given to alternative projects for the £10,000 presently committed by this Council for a BMX/skateboard ramp. Cllr Radley offered to liaise with the Student Council, if it is their wish, to discuss the issue and try to find alternative options.

3458 Planning Application
The following planning application was considered and approved subject to any comments detailed below:
1732 Convert house to 7 apartments 14 Barnby Crossing

3459 Planning Decision
The following planning application has received conditional approval and was noted:
1534 Extension and new pitched roof 7 Wordsworth Drive

Cllr Allsopp joined the meeting at approximately 7.15pm.

3460 Internal Audit
Members noted receipt of previously circulated copies of the Internal Auditor’s Interim Report following the request made by the committee. The Auditor’s concern was noted for the ongoing issue of the allocated £10,000 for a skateboard project which has been an earmarked fund for some years, but the matter is progressing (as per minute 3457.2 above).
Copies of the amended Financial Regulation as previously agreed were circulated to all committee members.

3461 Street Name
Consideration was given to a written request for a street on Fernwood to be named after a lady who had tragically lost her life in a recent road traffic accident. Mrs Carmelita Verluz had worked at Balderton Hospital for some thirty years including the remaining medical unit on the former hospital site. Almost all the street names suggested for the development have had association with the hospital and no objections were raised to this suggestion. The name ‘Carmelita’ will be submitted to the developers on the next request for street names, and a letter confirming this will be sent to the family.

3462 Fernwood Parish
Members noted that the application for Fernwood to gain independent parish status has been initially approved by the government. If the appropriate Order is granted in time this will mean that an election will be held in May 2008, for both Fernwood’s new Council and Balderton’s remaining Council of fifteen members.

The necessity for Balderton to have an election was not known locally beforehand – this cannot be challenged, it is mandatory. The estimated cost for an election in Balderton, if contested, is £7000.

3463 Budget 2008/09
Owing to the imminent expected confirmation of Fernwood being granted independent parish status next year, the Council has been awarded an extended timescale for setting the Precept requirement for 2008/09 until Febraury/March 2008. The financial implications, from both the loss of households in the village, and election costs will almost certainly affect the rates and must be taken into account when budget discussions take place after the New Year. Other outstanding issues may also be confirmed by February/March – including the ongoing V.A.T. repayment matter from the Centre build and the possible Heron Way land sale.

3464 Correspondence/Information
The following correspondence and information was noted:

a) A copy of the District Council Standards Committee agenda for a meeting held on Wednesday December 12th 2007 at 10am.
b) A request from residents for a ’No Through Road’ or “Cul-de-sac”- sign to be installed at the Church Lane junction. Lorries try to cut through the Lane to get to the A1 from Main Street, only to find they have to turn round, causing damage to grassed frontages to properties. A request for this has been made before to the Highways Department. County Councillor Walker advised that this issue is being considered by the authority.
c) Notice that the local government pay rate increase for 2007/08 has been nationally agreed at 2.47%. Pay arrears for staff have been calculated and awarded.
d) An invitation for the Chairman or representative to attend the Newark Choral Society concert at Barnby Gate Methodist Church on Saturday December 22nd 2007 at 7.30pm.
e) Notice of the amount collected in the Poppy Box left at the Village Centre by the
Balderton British Legion in the build up to Remembrance Sunday on November 11th.

Cllr Fletcher joined the meeting at approximately 7.35pm.

3465 Future Agenda Items

Cllr Hurst advised members that the Road Safety Sub Committee had held a site meeting with the Head Teacher, governor and parent representatives at Chuter Ede Primary School at a peak time when traffic congestion is at its worst. Those present had considered that the Sub Committee’s proposals were the best way forward. More detailed plans and proposals will now be prepared in readiness for submission to the County and District Councils.

Cllr Hurst also raised a concern regarding the future Safer Neighbourhood Meetings. He understood that future meetings may prevent public and press participation. County Councillor Walker denied this, stating that the situation would be clarified at the next meeting scheduled for January 14th 2008.

Cllr Radley reported that he had attended, along with several councillors, the Grove School presentation day. The students are a credit to the school and the village.

The meeting closed at approximately 7.40pm.

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