Tuxford Parish Council

TUXFORD TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the Finance & Services Committee held on Tuesday 11 October 2016 in The Old Grammar School at 7.00pm

Present Councillors Richards (Vice Chairman, Finance & Services), Nicholls, Bett, Phillips and Taylor.

Also present Mrs Lisa Hill (Clerk) and Martin Pottinger (Chargehand Handyman).

FS48/1617 - Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Moulds and Atkins and these were accepted.

FS49/1617 - Declarations of Interest

There were no new declarations of interest.

FS50/1617 - Minutes of the last meeting held on 13 September 2016.

The Minutes of the last meeting held on 13 September 2016 were accepted as a true and accurate record. The Minutes were signed by Councillor Richards.

FS51/1617 – Matters arising from the Minutes

FS51.1 Minute FS13.01 - the Clerk reported that Bassetlaw District Council (BDC) had surveyed the village hall playing field and Mr Richard Blagg from BDC had discussed with the Clerk the practicalities and costs of installing a camera at this site. The cost of installation, which would need to be met by Tuxford Town Council, was estimated at approximately £11,500. However, there was grant funding available from Nottinghamshire County Council’s (NCC) ‘Supporting Local Communities’ (SLC) fund. This £500,000 capital fund, which replaced the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), is designed to help communities deliver projects that will offer environmental, economic and community benefits. The Clerk would submit an application to this fund for CCTV camera and street furniture. The Clerk reported that BDC had indicated that at some point int the future there may be a charge for monitoring the CCTV system. Action – Clerk.

FS51.2Minute FS13.03 - Cllr Richards reported that he had been unable to contact Mr Robin Summers regarding the repairs to the height barrier. The clerk suggested that an alternative contractor should be found. After discussion it was Resolved: to approach Hutchinson Engineering to repair the barrier. Action – Clerk.

FS51.3 Minute F17 - the Clerk reported that the telephone box had been installed at the Primary School and had been well received by staff and children. However, there were concerns regarding fingers being trapped in the hinge side of the door and therefore the handymen had shut the door and locked it.

1 The handyman reminded the Clerk that the school had agreed to pay for the concrete base that the telephone box is installed upon. Action – Clerk.

FS51.4Minute FS33/1617 – the Clerk reported that the blocked drains on Lincoln Road had not been attended to by NCC. This issue would be reported to Environmental Health. Action – Clerk.

FS51.5 Minute FS46/1617 – the Clerk reported that the cemetery field rent had been paid.

FS52/1617 Financial monitoring and invoices for approval

FS52.1 The Clerk circulated copies of the monthly financial monitoring sheet that monitored actual versus budgeted expenditure for each budget head were circulated. The sheet covered the first six months of the 2016/17 financial year and showed that total expenditure was over-budget. The reasons for the variances between budget and actual expenditure were explained (see Agenda Item 5.1).

FS52.2 The Clerk circulated copies of the income and expenditure sheet to 30 September 2016 (see Agenda Item 5.2).

FS52.3 Invoices shown in Agenda Item 5.3 for October 2016 were presented to the Committee. It was Resolved: that all the invoices should be paid. Action – Clerk.

FS53/1617 Purchase of pedestrian street sweeping machine

The Clerk reported that three machines had been tested by the handymen and that the Little Wonder Pro Vac – Self propelled 9hp Honda engine with intake hose was the preferred machine at a cost of £2,499. It was Resolved: to recommend to full Council to purchase this machine. Action – Clerk.

FS54/1617 Glass recycling provision in Tuxford The Clerk reported that The Fountain had complained that the glass recycling banks on their land were being over-used since the glass recycling banks at The Sun Inn had been removed. The Clerk had informed The Fountain that the Council did not own land which provided a suitable site for recycling banks and relied on the goodwill of private land-owners. It was suggested that the possibility that Lodge Lane may have a suitable site should be investigated. Action – Clerk.

FS55/1617 Town maintenance and equipment

The Chargehand Handyman reported that all equipment was working. The Clerk reported that a new pair of loppers for tree maintenance and a step ladder were required. These would be ordered shortly. Action – Clerk.

The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 7.40pm.