0036/16 PRESENT HADLEY AND LEEGOMERY PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of a meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on the 24 th May 2016, commencing at 7.00 p.m. Councillors K Minchin, W McClements (Chairman), G Moore, F Sloan, R Sloan, J Smart (Vice- Chairman), P Smart, M Smith, P Thompson, and A Twyford In attendance: Clerk to the Council, J Brumwell 037/16 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE No apologies had been received. 038/16 PRESENTATION GOOD2GREAT (PRIDE IN YOUR HIGH STREET) The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow the Committee to receive a presentation by Mr Johnny Themans of Good2Great, the retail consultants engaged by Telford and Wrekin Council as part of the Pride In Your High Street initative. This followed the familiarisation visit by Mrs Sally Themans of Good2Great on Friday 20 th May 2016 at which Mrs Themans was shown around the High Street area by Cllrs G Moore, J Smart and P Smart.and the Clerk. Mr Themans explained the role of Good2Great as part of the Pride In Your High Street initative and the types of support that would be available to retailers in the Hadley High Street area as part of the Good2Great project. The Committee asked Mr Themans how the project would be delivered in Hadley given the difference between its High Street area and that of towns such as Oakengates and Wellington. Mr Themans said that the type of support and the way in which it was delivered would be tailored to the needs of the High Street retailers in each of the project areas. The Committee asked Mr Themans if it would be possible for Councillors to attend training sessions being delivered to retailers in order to see the type of support available. Mr Themans welcomed the suggestion and said he would be glad to see Councillors engaging with the project. The Committee thanked Mr Themans for attending the meeting and for his presentation and wished him and his team every success with the project. The Chairman re-convened the meeting. 039/16 DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS (a) Dispensations none. (b) Declarations none. 040/16 MINUTES OF LAST MEETING Matters arising from the Minutes: Cllr R Sloan was asked if a meeting regarding the Peregrine Way development had been arranged; Cllr Sloan reported that he was currently attempting to arrange the meeting. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Borough Ecology Officer to gain additional information on the impact on the eco-system of Apley Woods of the proposed development at Peregrine Way. RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 th April 2016 are confirmed and signed by the Chairman. 1
041/16 BUDGET MONITORING The Committee reviewed a budget comparison report in respect of the Council s budget for 2016/17. The Vice-Chairman reported that the Youth Club at Hadley Methodist Church that was funded by the Parish Council had ceased to operate. RESOLVED to retain the current budget heading and provision pending future requests for funding. PLANNING APPLICATIONS 042/16 Applications for consideration RESOLVED that the under-mentioned applications are dealt with as follows: 1. TWC/2016/0396 replacement of 8no. wooden windows and 1no. wooden door with 8no. UPVC windows and 1no. composite door, 7 Ice House Close, Apley, Telford: no objection. 2. TWC/2016/0420 erection of a two storey side extension, 104 Millstream Way, Leegomery, Telford: no objection. 043/16 Permissions granted (for information only) NOTED that Telford & Wrekin Council has granted permission in respect of the following: 1. TWC/2016/0251 erection of a part first floor and two storey side extension and single storey rear extension, 16 Woodpecker Close, Leegomery, Telford. 2. TWC/2016/0264 erection of side and rear extensions, rear entrance porch, raising of floor levels and internal alterations (Full Planning Application), The Kings Head, High Street, Hadley, Telford. 3. TWC/2016/0265 Erection of side and rear extensions, rear entrance porch, raising of floor levels and internal alterations (Listed Building Application), The Kings Head, High Street, Hadley, Telford. 4. TWC/2016/0281 sever ivy growth, remove epicormics growth from stem, remove deadwood and reduce the longest limbs on the west and east sides to a 3.5m radius of 1no. Common Lime tree, 29 Sulby Drive, Apley, Telford. GRANTS The Committee noted that the budget provision for grants for 2016/17 is 5,000.00, 350.00 of which had been spent leaving a balance of 4,650.00. 044/16 Applications for consideration RESOLVED (a) that the following grants are made: G01/16 Ironbridge Brass Band Festival 50.00 G03/16 Hope House Children s Hospices 500.00 (b) that applications by Haybridge Volunteer Social Club and Hadley Lunch and Social Club are deferred until the applicants submit their most recent audited accounts or balance sheet; (c) that the current Grants Policy should be reviewed.at the earliest opportunity with particular reference to financial criteria and evidence required to be supplied in support of grant applications. The Clerk will report at the next meeting of the Council. 2
045/16 CEMETERY GATES The Committee considered a report containing a range of designs for replacement gates for Hadley Cemetery. RESOLVED to authorise the Clerk to obtain detailed specifications and quotes for three designs for replacement gates (two wooden gate designs and one metal) and report back to the Committee once these have been obtained so that a final decision can be made. 046/16 ADOPTION OF A BALANCING POND AT HADLEY PARK WEST The Committee considered a report detailing an offer from Miller Homes Ltd for the Parish Council to adopt an balancing pond forming part of a Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme at Hadley Park West. RESOLVED that the Council would not adopt the balancing pond at Hadley Park West. 047/16 PARISH ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM UPDATE REPORT The Committee received an update on the work of the Parish Environmental Team from the Clerk. The bench for the corner of Union Street is on order and should be installed shortly. The PET were currently not required at Shawbirch Island and would therefore be re-tasked to carry out increased weeding on Britannia Way. A proposal to install fencing on the Village Green in the area behind the War Memorial and along the boundary with 1 Manse Road would be dealt with under the next agenda item. It had been confirmed by officers from TWS that Telford and Wrekin Council are continuing to give instructions for grass on the area of private land in front of the shops on Haybridge Road to be cut by TWS. The Committee instructed the Clerk to write to Telford and Wrekin Council to ascertain the reason for this. 048/16 PROPOSED FENCE HADLEY VILLAGE GREEN The Committee considered a report containing details of the proposal to erect a fence on the area of the Village Green behind the War Memorial to reduce anti-social behaviour. The council is empowered to take such action under the provisions of section 31 of the Local Government and Rating Act 1997. RESOLVED that the Clerk is authorised to proceed within the agreed budget of 1,200.00. 049/16 INVESTMENT POLICY FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPENSATION SCHEME The Committee considered a report detailing changes to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme extending protection under the Scheme to smaller local councils, up to a maximum of 75,000.00 deposited with any financial institution. RECOMMENDED: 1) That the Parish Council should reduce its deposit with Nationwide Building Society to 75,000.00 i.e. the maximum deposit guaranteed under the Scheme; 2) That the balance of the existing Nationwide Building Society account should be deposited with a suitable financial institution i.e. 75,000.00 (the maximum deposit guaranteed under the Scheme); 3) That 75,000.00 from the existing Santander Business Savings account should be deposited with a suitable financial institution. The Clerk is authorised to identify suitable financial institutions and report to the Committee with recommendations. 3
050/16 CEMETERY REGULATION NOTICE FOR DISPLAY The Committee approved a notice for display at the cemetery containing amendments to the Cemetery Regulations. 051/16 YOUTH ZONE TRIP The Committee considered a report detailing arrangements for a visit by the Youth Zone youth project to The Edge outdoor recreation centre at Much Wenlock. RESOLVED that the Youth Engagement Officer is authorised to make all necessary arrangements for the trip within an authorised budget of 700.00. FINANCIAL REPORT - PAYMENT AUTHORISATIONS AND APPROVALS 052/16 EXPENDITURE FOR RATIFICATION RESOLVED that expenditure incurred on behalf of the Council under the terms of Financial Regulation 4.1 as detailed below is ratified: Amount Details 92.00 U Mhatab refund of Hire Fees, CFCC 280.50 D H A Moore Internal Audit fee (Local Government Act 1972, s112) 88.54 C W T Jones CFCC bar floor repairs 73.92 Officer s Expenses Youth Zone supplies (MPB) (Local Government Act 1972, s145) 10.49 Officer s Expenses cemetery maintenance supplies (CCH) (Local Government Act 1972, s214(6)) 17.00 Reliable Reflections CFCC window cleaning 50.00 Officer s Expenses CFCC keys (CH) 44.94 Officer s Expenses CFCC bedding plants (GL) 422.00 Telford and Wrekin Council grave-digging charges (Local Government Act 1972, s214(6)) 300.00 Telford and Wrekin Services Ltd St. George s Day bunting (Local Government Act 1972, s145) 96.42 PP Electrical Services (Shropshire) Ltd CFCC electrical works 49.99 Potts C M reimburse payment of anti-virus software (Local Government Act 1972, s111) 053/16 PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL Matters arising: The Clerk reported that the television originally donated to the Youth Zone project for use with a games console had not been used for more than a year. The Committee reviewed a list of payments to be made. Councillor M Smith had verified against invoices etc. the cheques to be drawn and payment instructions to be signed. RESOLVED that (1) the drawing of cheques numbered 022813 to 022824,, payment of direct debits in favour of Neopost Ltd., TalkTalk Business, WEX Europe Services (UK) Ltd., and Titan Telecom, all payments totaling 9,390.83, is authorised; 4
(2) that the Television Licence should not be renewed. The Clerk was instructed to take the necessary steps to cancel the licence before its expiry; and (3) Councillors W McClements and P Smart, and the Clerk, are authorised to sign the respective payment instructions and cheques. The meeting closed at 8.50 p.m. Chairman, 21 st June 2016 5