Balderton Parish Council
Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes
Committee meeting held in the Balderton Village Centre on Wednesday September
19th 2007 at 7.00pm.
PRESENT Councillors Mortimore (Chairman), Mrs Jarvis, (Vice Chairman), Allsopp,
Fletcher, Gibson, Hind, Mrs Hurst, Hurst, Mrs Newstead, Sheppard and
Miss Watson with the Clerk.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllrs Colman, Radley and Mrs Walker
and County Councillor Walker
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Cllrs Fletcher and Mrs Jarvis declared personal
interests to minute reference 3443 - St.Giles Church. Cllr Sheppard declared a
personal interest to minute reference 3445a – Boundary Sound Radio.
Cheques presented were signed and wages payments approved.
3434 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 3423 Financial Assistance The Grove School has advised that the
cost to have the Council’s name on both sides of the new school minibus is £750
for one year. Members considered that this was too expensive and the offer will
not be taken up.
2. Re Minute 3429 Identity Cards Members considered that the £50 cost to produce
the cards was reasonable and it was,
RECOMMENDED with ten votes for and 1 against that Identity Cards be obtained for
Councillors.
3435 Planning Applications
The following planning application was considered and approved subject to any
comments detailed below:
0880 Replacement conservatory 6 Jericho Road
3436 Planning Decision
The following planning application has received conditional approval and was
noted:
1152 Single storey extension 1 Marquis Avenue
3437 Fernwood Issues
Discussion took place regarding pedestrian safety in the Fernwood vicinity along
Great North Road towards the A1 Claypole junction. Cllr Mrs Hurst had prepared a
report about accident figures in the area. Concerns were expressed regarding the
impact of the new Business Park there with a suggestion that the developer
should be made to make a significant contribution to improve pedestrian safety
in the area. Cllr Hurst spoke of the need to take proactive action to try and
ease other problem areas in the village.
It was, RECOMMENDED that a small working party be
formed to identify all the problem areas in the village and report back to
committee.
Copies of Cllr Mrs Hurst’s report will be circulated to all members.
Consideration was given to the reply from the District Council that it is
intended to long term lease the new Community Centre on Fernwood to the Fernwood
Parish Council once formed. Members expressed surprise at the reply which still
does not address the financial implications and issues in the event of Fernwood
not being granted parish status.
3438 Town Council
Members considered a report compiled by the Chairman regarding the option to
name the Council, Balderton Town Council. This would not necessitate the village
‘becoming’ a town. Balderton is one of the large councils as listed in the
District Council rates book with an obligation to publish its spending
breakdown. Members considered on balance that there would be benefits, respect
and greater recognition by being a Town Council.
It was, RECOMMENDED that the Council give full
and favourable consideration to the proposal. Copies of Cllr Mortimore’s report
will be circulated.
3439 Revised Code of Conduct
Members noted the requirement to adopt the Revised Code of Conduct which
replaces the
old one on October 1st 2007. Cllr Allsopp advised the committee that the revised
code has been deemed to be illegal, it restricts councillor’s rights to being
present at any hearing of the Standards Board, breaches Human Rights and should
not be voluntarily adopted.
It was unanimously, RECOMMENDED that the Council
do not voluntarily adopt the Revised Code.
3440 Annual Review of the Effectiveness of Internal Audit
Members discussed the requirement of audited bodies to carry out an annual
review of the effectiveness of Internal Audit arrangements for the Council.
Members considered it appropriate that the review be carried out by the Finance
and General Purpose Committee who directly oversee all financial matters before
formal approval by full Council.
An interim report, ideally half way through the financial year by the appointed
Internal Auditor was deemed to be beneficial and will be requested. The option
to re-appoint the Internal Auditor was also discussed but members considered
that the present arrangements are satisfactory and members are assured of the
current Internal Auditor’s independence.
3441 Financial Regulations
Members considered and discussed the Regulations as advised at the last Internal
Audit.
It was considered appropriate that the following amendments be approved:
a) Regulation No. 3.4 – the amount of money the Clerk is authorised to spend in
emergencies ,be increased from £2000 to £5000.
b) Regulation 11b.1 – works above £2000 shall be invited for tender, be
increased from £2000 to £5000.
c) Regulation 11b.2 – executive power for the Chairmen together with the Clerk,
be increased from £2000 to £5000.
These recommendations require full Council approval before adoption.
3442 Expenditure
Approval was given to the following expenditure which had been approved during
the summer recess by the Council Chairman and Amenities Committee Chairman:
a) £7100 for a replacement Kubota tractor (the old one no longer met safety
requirements and was in need of extensive repairs).
b) Approximately £1000 Barrister costs, as advised by the Councils solicitors,
for specialised professional advice relating to the ongoing VAT issue on the new
Centre.
3443 Financial Assistance
Consideration was given to an application for financial assistance from St.Giles
Church towards the cost of resurfacing some of the paths in the Churchyard. The
Church estimates that the cost will be approximately £4400 to carry out the
work.
It was, RECOMMENDED that a grant of £400 be paid to the Church.
3444 Budget 2008/09
Initial consideration was given to budgetary requirements for 2008/09. The
Auditor has advised that the Council must put a provision in the budget to pay
the disputed VAT bill resulting from the new Centre if not resolved.
Discussions are ongoing with the VAT office and every effort will be made to
resolve the situation before the time of fixing the budget. Committee ‘running
cost’ estimates were circulated – these are still very much in the draft stage
owing to staffing uncertainties. Members were urged to give full consideration
to the budget.
3445 Correspondence/Information
The following correspondence and information was noted:
a) A request from local radio station Boundary Sound for a letter of support
from the Council to help them obtain a full time community licence from Ofcom.
It was, RECOMMENDED with seven votes for and two
against that a letter of support be sent.
b) Notice that a planning application has been withdrawn - no.0802 Reserved
matters to erect 13 dwellings on land at Main Street.
c) Notice that the County Council are holding the annual local pension fund
meeting on Friday October 5th 2007.
d) Information from the District Council that the authority is still pursing the
option to hard surface the public footpath from Mead Way to Mount Road and
install street lighting there. Enquiries are ongoing with the County Council.
The District Council requested a note of support from this Council for the
proposed work – this has been submitted.
e) Information from the District Council regarding proposed changes to Private
Sewers responsibilities, likely to come into force from April 2010.
f) A copy of the Nottinghamshire Police Authority Annual Policing Policy
2007/08.
g) Details from the County Council regarding the Post Office Ltd’s review to
implement the closure of 2500 branches nationally. Councils are encouraged to
submit views about local closures and liaise with the County Council. The
District Council has already submitted comments.
h) Details of training courses for Councillors run by the Notts RCC and N.A.L.C.
i) Notice of a Parish/District Community Safety Liaison Group meeting at Kelham
Hall on Monday October 29th 2007 at 7.00pm.
j) County Council publication – The Casualty Report 2006 – road accidents and
casualties in Nottinghamshire, stating that there were 42 casualties in
Balderton , 5 of which were ‘Killed or Seriously Injured’.
3446 Future Agenda Items
1. Cllr Mrs Hurst advised that she had attended a meeting with Cllr Mrs Jarvis
on Monday September 17th 2007 of a Local Transport Group to try and secure a bus
service to the new health centre on Lowfield Lane. There is a possibility of the
whole bus service in Balderton being reviewed.
The meeting closed at approximately 8.30pm.