Balderton Parish Council
Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee
meeting held in the Balderton Village Centre on Wednesday February 27th 2008 at
7.00pm.
PRESENT Councillors Mortimore (Chairman), Mrs Jarvis, (Vice
Chairman), Allsopp, Fletcher, Gould, Hind, Mrs Hurst, Hurst, Mrs Newstead and
Mrs Walker with Councillors Mutter and White, County Councillor Walker,
District Councillor Mrs Brooks and the Clerk.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllrs Colman, Gibson, Gosling,
Radley, Sheppard and
Miss Watson.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Cllrs Fletcher and Mrs Jarvis declared
a personal interest to minute reference 3476 – financial application from St.
Giles Sunday Youth Group.
Cheques presented were signed and wages payments approved.
3472 Budget 2008/09
Budget papers, previously circulated were discussed at some length. The order
for Fernwood’s independent parish status has been issued by the government, and
therefore the number of properties contributing to the parish rate in the
remaining parish of Balderton will fall substantially. In order to try and
minimise this financial impact upon remaining rate payers it was,
AGREED with eight votes for, two against and two abstentions
that the precept be kept
at £250,000 as last year.
Cllr White left the meeting at approximately 7.40pm.
3473 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 Project money The Grove Student Council is scheduled to meet on February
28th 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 will be attending the meeting.
2. Re Minute 3296.1 Blocked Drain The ongoing work to the Masefield Crescent
drain was noted – District Councillors present were asked to expedite this
matter with the authority to ensure the project money is spent before the end of
the financial year. Enquiries will be made with a parishioner known to have
extensive local knowledge of the village drainage system to see if playing field
drainage details are recorded or known.
3474 Planning Applications
The following planning application was considered and supported subject to any
comments detailed below:
0147 New production plant for concrete manufacturing Cemex UK, Hawton Lane
The following planning application was considered and objected to with the
following comments:
1599 Erect one three bedroom dwelling (re-submission) Land adj. 2b Main Street
Members considered that this would still have a detrimental effect upon
neighbouring properties and the access is too hazardous being close to a very
busy traffic light junction and opposite the entrance to a car park.
3475 Planning Decisions
The following planning applications have received conditional approval by the
District Council and were noted:
0023 New single storey extension 29 Kingsway
0036 Erect illuminated signs Subway, Lakeside Centre
1798 Demolish garage and erect double garage 2a Sibcy Lane
The following planning application has been refused by the District Council and
was noted:
1861 First floor extension 2a Milton Street
3476 Financial Assistance
Consideration was given to a written application for financial assistance from
the Sunday Youth Group based at St’ Giles Church. The group is looking to
purchase laptop computers to study digital photography and desktop publishing.
It was,
RECOMMENDED that a grant of £500 be made. A further possible source of funding
will also be suggested to the Group when the payment is made.
3477 Internal Audit Requirements
Approval was given to the Council’s required approach (copy details previously
circulated) for the Internal Auditor to carry out his internal audit for this
financial year. In the event of any concerns being raised by the internal
auditor it was agreed that any such issues should be referred directly and
personally to the Chairman of the Council. The need to formally carry out an
annual financial risk assessment was noted – this will be undertaken at the next
committee meeting.
3478 External Auditor
Members noted that the Audit Commission has appointed the firm ‘Clement Keys’ to
be the
newly appointed external auditor for a period of five years, commencing with the
2007/08
accounts.
3479 Correspondence/Information
The following correspondence and information was noted:
a) Details of the County Council’s plans for operating Civil Parking Enforcement
(issuing parking tickets) which comes into force on 12th May 2008.
b) The latest County Highways Briefing notices advising that Staple Lane to
Staunton roadways works are being carried out in February/March. Any routine
highway faults or issues should now be reported to the authority’s Centre in
Annesley on 0844 9808080.
c) A copy of a letter sent to the Newark Advertiser, seeking the Council’s
support, regarding the Transport to Health Service’. Though sympathetic to the
issue, members considered that this was something that some Councillors have had
involvement in with no real result and can take no further action at this time.
d) A letter of concern about ongoing problems from gangs of youths causing anti
social behaviour problems in the children’s play areas of Southfield. The play
areas are District Council owned and therefore the problems should be addressed
to that authority. A reply will be sent advising that those concerned could
raise the issues at the next Safer Neighbourhood Policing meeting on Monday
March 10th 2008 at 6.30pm in the Village Centre.
e) A copy of a letter sent to the Council’s insurance company regarding a claim
for uninsured losses following a large lakeside tree falling into his garden.
The claim has been ongoing for quite some time. Though understanding of the
situation, members considered that the matter is beyond the Council’s control on
this occasion.
3480 Future Agenda Items
Cllr Mrs Hurst reported that she had attended the Grove School to view new
educational puzzles purchased by the some of the funding given by this Council
for the NAGTY students. The school is very grateful for the contributions made
by this Council.
The meeting closed at approximately 8.15pm.