NEWPORT (Shropshire) TOWN COUNCIL DRAFT UNTIL SIGNED AT SUBSEQUENT MEETING MINUTES OF A MEETING held on Wednesday 11th March 2020 at The Guildhall, High Street, Newport PRESENT: Cllrs: Peter Scott – Town Mayor Susan Bailey Lyn Fowler Nick Garvey Jeremy Good Bill Harper Tom King Alan Lloyd Tim Nelson Sarah Syrda Thomas Janke IN ATTENDANCE: Sheila Atkinson –Town Clerk (CiLCA) Louise Tunks - RFO (CiLCA) TC/201/19-20 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Received from: Cllr Perry – work obligation. TC/202/19-20 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST - none TC/203/19-20 PUBLIC SESSION A Newport resident identified as living in the North Ward spoke regarding the lack of provision for adult sports pitches in the Town, stating that when she first arrived in Newport some 13 years ago there had been 3 adult football pitches available, now there is only one, which results in the fact that clubs, for both the younger generation and the adult football playing population, all now have to travel and incur additional costs for the use of grounds. The resident empathised it was not just about Newport Town FC, there are other clubs including Nova Boys and a very popular Girls and Women's Football Club. The new pitch is greatly needed, but much emphasis was specified on the fact that any new football pitch provision should take into account the very real need for it to be fit for the future and the long term sustainability for all adult football in Newport. TC/204/19-20 Sport Pitch proposal from TWC Derek Owen from Telford & Wrekin Council provided Members with further information and the background regarding a proposal from the Borough Council to Newport Town Council to take on ownership, which is very necessary in providing and securing ongoing maintenance provision for the football pitch. The pitch is to be provided on land adjacent to Burton Borough School which is part of the planning obligation required of Persimmons Homes. Following discussion and a Questions & Answers session undertaken by Mr Owen, Members agreed that more detailed information is required, and that a greater understanding of the long-term undertaking with cost implications and any staffing resource needs to be fully investigated. Cllrs were encouraged and should direct their own specific questions in e-mail format to Mr Owen. Members concluded that another meeting is necessary to discuss this issue before any decision is made, and RESOLVED that an extra ordinary meeting would be arranged, prior to the scheduled April Town Council meeting, with the sole purpose to discuss this item, and provide any recommendations to take the proposal forward. TC/205/19-20 PREVIOUS MINUTES The Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 12th February 2020 were approved as a true record, and were duly signed by Cllr Scott. TC/206/19-20 ANNOUNCEMENTS Members received the following announcements: a. The Town Mayor carried out the following engagements in February: - ENGAGEMENT DATE Opening of the Chinese New Year event 02/02/2020 Haberdashers’ Adams Debating Competition 11/02/2020 The HUB Café Opening 12/02/2020 Bridgenorth Civic Service 16/02/2020 b. Cllr Scott reminded Members of the Mayors Charity Barn Dance scheduled for 2nd May at Harper Adams Student Bar; ticket, are still available, and it is anticipated to be fun event. c. Members noted correspondence, forwarded from MP Mark Prichard, from Arriva Midlands regarding the 519 bus route, which despite concerted efforts, monetary subsidy by some local parish councils and the Newport Regeneration Partnership, as well as vigorous marketing by bus users groups from Telford & Shrewsbury along with the bus company to grow patronage levels that could sustain the operation, the removal of the Saturday service ceased on 21st December 2019 due to its financial loss and lack of patronage. d. Members were informed that the Town Council have been offered an award of £500 from the Telford & Wrekin VE & VJ Celebration Fund, to be used toward the provision of bunting. Members were pleased with the outcome and instructed to Clerk to informally accept the offer. e. Members noted e-mail correspondence from Mr Rodney Pitt organiser of the Newport Charter Fair, informing that following a number of discussions with a range of people the organisers have, with much regret, decided to cancel this year’s event scheduled for the Bank Holiday weekend of 8th -10th May to coincide with the VE & VJ celebrations. However, it is intended that the St. Nicholas Christmas Fair on the night of the Town Council’s Christmas switch-on event will go ahead as planned. f. Members received an overview and suggested protocol of how the core business of the council would continue following the issue of government’s general advice for employers on what to do if Covid-19 becomes more widespread and directly affects the work-place. - 2 - The Government may introduce further measures if the virus becomes an epidemic. Members noted that if the situation worsens a suggested plan for immediate action can be implemented to continue the core business of the council. FINANCE TC/207/19-20 Financial Reports Members RESOLVED to approve the February finance statement and the payments therein: - Revenue Fund balance b’fwd (31 Jan) 291,916.35 Less: Payments chq No’s (208 to 221) 5,892.42 Out of Meeting Payments - chq No’s (222 to 226) 1,263.58 Direct Debits 12,747.14 Xfer to managed funds - Plus: Xfer from managed funds - Receipts 21,234.79 Revenue Balance c’fwd (31 Jan) 293,248.00 Ear Marked Reserves balance b’fwd (29 Feb ) 149,889.19 Receipts/expenditure - Ear Marked Reserves balance c’fwd (29 Feb) 149,889.19 Managed Funds balance b’fwd (1 Feb) 3,006.87 Payments - Receipts - Managed Funds balance c’fwd (29 Feb) 3,006.87 Total Balance in Hand (29 Feb) 446,144.06 Investments held as asset: £100,000.00 CCLA Property Fund TC/208/19-20 Cheque Signing Members RESOLVED to authorise a list of cheques for payment numbered 227 to 237 (total £33,873.48) to be signed by Cllrs Janke & Scott. The cheques will form part of the revenue payments in the March financial statement to be presented next month. TC/209/19-20 Bank Reconciliation a. Members confirmed that the balances presented in the January 2020 finance statement have been reconciled against the bank statements and the salary payments verified by Councillor Harper prior to the meeting. b. Members nominated Councillor Lloyd to undertake a reconciliation of the February finance statement and salary payments. - 3 - GRANT FUNDING TC/210/19-20 General & Special Grants Members considered the following Grant Funding requests from organisations and societies. The Town Mayor and Clerk had assessed each application providing a brief description and recommendations on each application. Associated correspondence from applicants was provided to all Cllrs prior to the meeting. Members RESOLVED to award the following funds:- a. VE- Day Grant Funding - Special fund (£2,000) identified to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE day Minute TC/188/19-20 refers to be paid in F/Y 2020/21 1. Royal British Legion – Woman’s’ Section Costs for the provision of entertainment & food, Bugler and Bagpipe musicians and Union Flags. The intention is to provide most of the suggested nationally timed events as suggested by the Pageant Master during the weekend of 8th 10th May which include the “Cry for Peace”, a toast to the fallen, playing of bagpipes and bugle etc. There will be a parade on Sunday and a 40’s style tea-dance. Members RESOLVED to Grant £1,000 as requested. 2. 2nd Church Aston Scout Group Costs towards Food & Entertainment towards a “Street Party” for children of the group to remind of the events in 1945. Members considered this application, acknowledging that it does not fit the criteria set for this special grant funding award, as it is not within the four wards of Newport, it is a Church Aston group and the event is to be held in the CA village hall. However, Members conceded that as the scouting organisation is specifically aimed at the younger generation, and as a group, may enrol children from the four wards of Newport, Members felt that an exception could be made, in the spirit of bring communities together on this special commemoration of the marking the end of the war in Europe 75 years ago. Members RESOLVED they would match any financial contribution made from Church Aston Parish Council toward the “ “Scouts Street Party” up to £150.00. b. Seed Funding & Grants General 3. Food Share Project - A Newport venue has been established and is operating from the Navy Club. This is a climate change waste project which is seeking a seed funding grant for the setting up of this project within the T&W area. They are currently operating in Shropshire under the umbrella organisation Connect Aid CiC running regular food share tables collecting food waste from local stores, to distribute out in the local community to save it from incineration or going to animal feed. Members were provided with a list of specific identified items and equipment with indicative costs. Members RESOLVED toward £300.00 to provide items to help with the Newport project. 4. Gnosall & Newport Lions – are seeking help toward the cost of providing the free Prostate Testing event which is held annually in Newport at the Cosy Hall. The Town Council previously supported the testing event in December 2012 with a sum of £395. Members RESOLVED to support this worthwhile PSA testing initiative to aid with screening for prostate cancer with an award of £300.00.