DRAFT

 

New Alresford Town Council

Meeting of Full Town Council

Held at the Alresford Recreation Centre

7.30pm Thursday 14th January, 2010

Page

108

Present

Cllrs. Middleton (Chair), Cattle, Evans, Gentry, B .Jeffs, Luckham, Mansfield, Phillips, Power, Yeldham. 

 

County/City

Cllr. E. Jeffs (City), Cllr. S. Cook (City)

 

Press

None

 

Apologises

Cllr. Read,  City Cllr. Porter

 

889

Dispensation for Absence

Resolution:  To approve an attendance dispensation for Cllr. Jonathan Read due to his temporary work secondment to India.  Proposed: Cllr. Cattle  Seconded: Cllr. Mansfield  (AGREED)

 

890

Declarations of Interest on Agenda Items - The following personal (not prejudicial) interests were declared:- Cllr. Gentry declared an interest in respect of the purchase of a coffee vending machine (Item 902.1)and also the payment of £30.14 made by him in respect of credit card purchase of NATC web software (Item 897.1)  Cllr. Phillips declared an interest in CAB (Item 897.5).   Cllr. B. Jeffs declared an interest in the Community Centre Grant (Item 897.4). 

 

891

Minutes of the meeting held on 26th November, 2009

Resolution: To approve the Minutes of 26th November, 2009 as true and accurate.

Proposed: Cllr. Power  Seconded: Cllr. Cattle (AGREED)

 

891.1

Actions Carried Forward:- All actions are in hand. 

 

892

Chairman’s Statement:  Brian Champion had offered to ferry members of the community during the inclement weather.   Telephone number obtained by contacting the town office.  The Chairman reported on his participation in a media interview relating to the problems Alresford were encountering during the inclement weather.

 

893

District and County Councillor’s Report (Cllr. E. Jeff’s and Cllr. J. Porter prepared written reports)

Cllr. S. Cook gave a verbal report on the following matters:-  A WCC major development which had experienced financial difficulties.  The NATC CPO project.  He also confirmed that it was the responsibility of HCC to clear streets during inclement weather.

 

894

Police Report - PSCO Steven Hull reported the following:-  Alresford had a new Sergeant  Mandy Smith who would be replacing Wayne Curzon.  Alresford police would be in a position to monitor speeding more effectively upon completion of the station’s lazer gun training.  From November to date the following crimes had been reported within the Alresford area.  24 criminal damage reports, 13 thefts and 32 rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour reports.

 

895

Climate Change:-  Cathy Swann gave a report updating the Council of the activities and programs of the Greening Campaign.  Council agreed for the ARC to be given an energy audit.  Cathy Swann to liaise with the Clerk in respect of this matter. 

CS/SK

896

Public Participation                                         Meeting adjourned

Mr. P. Brown requested a grit bin be located in Arle Gardens.

Council stated they were looking at grit bin locations later in the meeting and would be looking to locate more grit bins throughout  Alresford.                 Meeting reconvened

 

897

Finance 

 

897.1

 

 

Payments Resolution: To approve payments for November of £23,339.49 and December of £17,936.25   Proposed: Cllr. Power  Seconded: Cllr. Evans (AGREED). 

The payment queries were as follows:- 

The payment by Cllr. Gentry of £30.14 - This was for office website software where the purchase required payment to be made by credit card, Cllr. Gentry had declared a personal interest in this payment. 

The Jazz Entertainment payment of £240 - NATC were the recipients of the Jazz grant and therefore made all expenditure connected to this activity. 

The Bridger Alarm payment of £228.85 - This was a one off cost incurred to reconnect red-care.       

 

897.2

Budget Year to Date - It was reported that the refreshment facility was breaking even.  The Christmas takings were not as high as anticipated.  Remedies were being sought to reduce the refreshment bar’s salary expenditure.  Included in the refreshment figures were specific bar utility costs incurred  for items such as chillers.  Excluded from the bar figures was function room income.  The overall figures for 2009/10 predict £20k to be put to reserves at year end and the 2010/11 reserve level was on target to meet Audit recommendations. 

 

897.3

Precept 10/11  Resolution:  To approve a 2010/11 precept of £245,000.

Proposed:  Cllr.  Gentry  Seconded:  Cllr. Power (PASSED BY A MAJORITY VOTE)

 

897.4

Insurance Resolution:  To increase the insurance by £650 per annum to cover additional items.

Proposed: Cllr. Gentry Seconded: Cllr. B. Jeffs (AGREED).

The 09/10 payment will be pro rata of the annual cost.

SB

897.5

Grants  Resolution:  To approve a grant of £1,800 to the Alresford District Community Centre for stonework repairs. Proposed: Cllr. Gentry  Seconded: Cllr. Cattle (AGREED)

SB

897.6

CAB

With the closure of the Alresford CAB out reach service this month is was decided to arrange a meeting with CAB to review their long term position in respect of Alresford out reach surgery.  Council considered that alternative solutions were needed to ensure continuation of this service. The Town Trust had pledged £500 to CAB on the condition that a long term plan was produced.  City Cllrs. were asked to investigate WCC policy in respect of the WCC funding of CAB within parishes. 

SK

898

Allotment Costs - Cllr. Cattle to ask Mr. Smith for a scope of work for the allotment clearance to ensure quote stability. 

JC

899

Stratton Bates Pavilion - The working party to produce a design brief and report back upon completion. 

MP

900

Grit Bins - A complete list of grit bin requests to be compiled for consideration at the Environment Committee.  Cllr. Porter pledges to match funding in respect of additional grit bins.  Neighbourhood consensus must be given to the location of these bins prior to purchase or installation.

ENV

901

 Traffic Wardens - Part of the SEEDA grant in respect of the car park would go towards the funding of Traffic wardens.  This resulted is no charge being incurred for this service this financial year.  WCC reported Alresford received daily warden cover of 4 hrs and that the issue of tickets had risen.  The service was not visible in Broad Street where it was required but was being directed at the Car Park.  WCC to be asked to focus traffic wardens on the town centre where the demand was needed. 

RG/SK

902

Alresford Recreation Centre

 

902.1

Coffee Vending Machine Resolution:  To purchase a coffee vending machine at a cost of £1,195. Proposed: Cllr. Evans Seconded: Cllr. Cattle (AGREED)

SB

902.2

18-21 Party Events. Resolution: To approve the following additional criteria be followed in respect of parties booked for and on behalf of 18-21 year olds. 

(1) No person under 18 to attend the party and organiser to take the responsibility of checking the age of all attendees.

(2) Damage deposit of £500 to be charged at the time of booking.

(3) All additional staffing costs to be borne by the organiser.

(4)  Licence holder to have the authority to veto the booking.

Proposed: Cllr. Evans Seconded:  Cllr.B.Jeffs Evans (AGREED). 

ARC

902.3

ARC Heating  Clerk to investigate whether the heating in the new extension meets the required calculated level.  Studio 4 to be asked for original estimate given by BSA Regal.

SK

903

Outside Bodies

 

903.1

Town Trust Minutes of meeting attached.

 

903.2

Alresford and District Partnership - There was a good feedback on the Sun Hill survey.

 

903.3

Alresford Society  - The Society was promoting a discussion of shared space as an evolutionary rather than an revolutionary process this would involve a reduction in signage and street furniture, for example.

 

904

Meetings and Time Sensitive Items

 

904.1

Post Office Relocation Clerk to arrange a public meeting in respect of the Post Office relocating to the Co-op.  The Post Office to be asked for a speaker to attend the meeting.

SK

904.2

Calendar of Meeting 2010 -2011.  Resolution: To approve the 2010/11 calendar Schedule.  Proposed Cllr. Power  Seconded: Cllr. Evans(AGREED).  

 

904.3

Next Meeting: To be held at 7.30pm on Thursday, 11th February, 2010 at Alresford Recreation Centre

 

905

Exempt Business:  Resolution:-  To exclude public and Press in accordance with Public Bodies

 (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 and Local Government Act 1972 S.100A.  To discuss ARC staffing.

Proposed Cllr. Middleton  Seconded: Cllr. Gentry (AGREED).  

 

 

Meeting Closed 9.15

 

 

 

 

 

Chairman’s Signature…………………………………….Date…………………….