Halstead Town Council

HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSE COMMITTEE 14th November 2006 Held at The Mill House The Causeway, Halstead CO9 1ET

Membership:

Councillor D Hume	Chairman	Present
Councillor M Gage	Vice Chairman	Present
Councillor Mrs H Catley		Present
Councillor Mrs K Little		Present 8.10pm
Councillor Mrs G A McCoyd		Present
Councillor Mrs J A Pell		Present
Councillor Mrs J Wilson		Apologies

Also in attendance:   Councillor Mrs B A Gage

                                  Councillor T Middleton

                                  Ben Attenborough, Halstead Gazette

                                  Mr P Tetley, Town Clerk, HTC

                                  Mandy Howard, Finance Officer, HTC

                                  Mrs S Goodwin, Minute Clerk

33.       Apologies for Absence

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Mrs J Wilson.

34.       Declaration of Interests

To declare any ‘personal' or ‘personal and prejudicial' interests relating to items on the agenda having regard to paragraphs 7 to 11 inclusive of Part 2 of the Code of Conduct for  Members and having taken appropriate advice (where necessary) before the meeting.

Councillor Mrs J A Pell declared a personal interest in item 5 all planning applications as a Braintree District Councillor and item 12 as Courier.

Councillor Mrs H Catley declared a personal interest in item 5 all planning applications as a Braintree District Councillor.

Councillor M Gage declared a personal interest in item 5 all planning applications as a Braintree District Councillor.

35.       Public Question Time

There were no members of the public present.

36.       Minutes

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 13^th July 2006 previously circulated, were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

37.       PLANNING

The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor Mrs G McCoyd took the chair for the planning items:

06/02111/FUL - Land between 68 & 54 Trinity Road, Halstead - Erection of three bedroomed detached dwelling.  Members object on the grounds of overcrowding and overdevelopment of the site.

06/02113/COU - 5-7 Market Hill - Change of use of existing first floor and roof void levels to form residential accommodation.  Members had no comment.

06/02167/ADV - 5 High Street - Display of externally illuminated projecting advertisement.  Members had no comment.

38.       REFERRALS FROM AMENIITIES COMMITTEE 

            None.                                                                                            

39.       FINANCIAL MONITORING

Members received the comparison for income and expenditure for the months April - October 2006 and total income and expenditure for 05/06.  The position to date is looking comfortable with a projected income in excess of expenditure. The following additional items of expenditure were noted:

Repairs to Holy Trinity Church Wall

Repayment of Loan.

Town Clerk

A Member referred to payments withheld for repairs to the Queens Hall and it was requested that an additional item is placed on the Council agenda for the following week.

40.       MONTHLY PERFORMANCE

Members noted the report. Bookings for the Queens Hall have increased 109%, Mill House bookings have increased and income from the car parks is up 17%. 

41.       CAR PARK MONTHLY ANALYSIS

Town Clerk

Members noted the report.  Ticket sales have fluctuated but the general trend is up and longer stay tickets of £5 are increasing. It was agreed that car park analysis figures should be available to the Town Centre Strategy Group.

42.       INTERIM INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT

            Noted.

43.       BUDGET AND PRECEPT 2007/8

Members noted the report of the Budget Seminar meeting 31^st October 2006 and overview of the proposed baseline budget of £262,005 for 2007/8.  This baseline budget shows a proposed reduction in expenditure and a slight increase in income.  The Budget Working Group suggests no change in charges for car park and allotments but an increase in the charge for senior citizens outings to £5.50 per person per trip and the hourly rate for the Queens Hall by £1 except for commercial hirers who should pay a new rate of £30 per hour.  It was noted that regular bookers receive a negotiated discount in order to encourage and retain their business.  Members noted that if the same level of precept as the current year is retained the budget would be as follows:

            Income                                                119,325

            Parish Support Grant                            15,324

            Precept                                               170,394

TOTAL INCOME                                               305,043

Less baseline budget                                     262,005

                                                                         43,038

There is now opportunity to look at investing long term in the Council's assets by setting aside the pot of £43,038 to be managed on a project basis.

Proposed by Councillor M Gage

Seconded by Councillor Mrs J Pell

RECOMMENDATION:

That

(i)         The baseline budget of £262,005 is accepted.

(ii)        The £43,038 is used for asset improvement of the Allotments, Car parks, Queens Hall, Closed Churchyards, Courtauld Sports Ground and Mill House to be managed on a project basis by the Town Clerk, Finance Officer and one or two Councillors.

            (iii)       The level of Precept is retained at £170,394.

Discussion then took place on car park charges within the town.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs J Pell

Seconded by Councillor Mrs G McCoyd

RECOMMENDATION:

That car park charges remain unchanged.

43.       SENIOR CITIZENS CHRISTMAS PARTIES

It was noted that response to requests for donations from local shops had been very poor and a grant up to £1,000 to cover additional costs not covered by raffles and donations was requested.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs J Pell

Seconded by Councillor Mrs H Catley

RECOMMENDATION:

That a grant of up to £1,000 be made to the Senior Citizens Christmas Parties 2006.

44.       EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

            The following resolution was proposed and seconded:

RESOLVED:  That pursuant to the provisions of section 1(2) of the Admission to Meetings Act 1960, in view of the next items to be conducted, the press and public be excluded from the meeting.

Councillor Mrs K Jackson joined the meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.15pm