FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

15^th April  2008 at 7.30.p.m.

1.          Apologies

            Present: Cllr Gist [in the Chair], Cllr Mrs M Coakley, Cllr Mrs Gold, Cllr Mrs H Jones, Cllr Mrs Winfindale [Portreeve & Mayor], Cllr Mrs S Nettle , Cllr Ellard, Cllr Green, Cllr Long, Cllr Lumley, Cllr Thomas

            Officer:  Lynda Small CEO

            Members of the Public:  None

2.         Minutes

              The minutes of the meeting of 18^th March were approved as a correct record of proceedings and were duly signed with the amendment that Cllr Gold was present.

3.       Clerk’s Report

             a)  Update on Designation Orders.   The Clerk reported on the difficulties with the different sized posts in the town, it may be necessary to buy some brackets. Some surplus ones had been obtained from Liskeard.

             b) Update on insurance, Corporate Manslaughter & Homicide. The insurance company had notified us that there was now cover for defence costs for up to £5 million.

             c) Mud Lane. The Clerk had received complaints about youths driving cars along Mud Lane and she had contacted Chris Hariades who had stated that he was waiting for bollards to be installed and he was aware of a muddy area which the contractors would have to rectify.

4.         Information & Issues for Decision

a) Office, software programmes and licences. Report on alternatives for town hall booking system. The Clerk explained what a web based town hall booking system could achieve without using Access, however there was cost implications. Town Hall Committee to discuss the booking system and what they would need and Clerk to survey other Councils to see what they used for a finance package. It was felt that the finance programme needed to be reviewed but that this might be left until the new Clerk was in place.

b) Boundary Commission, response on review. The current proposals is for 125 to 135 wards. At present Callington is with Southill and Linkinhorne as a two member ward. Another option is for Callington to be with Calstock but again this would split parishes between ward members. It was proposed by Cllr Gist, seconded by Cllr Winfindale and unanimously agreed that the recommendation would be:-

if 100 wards                              One Councillor for Callington

if 120 wards                              2 Cllrs for Callington & Callington with Southill

if 130 wards                              Two councillors for Callington

It to be emphasised that with the SPP policy dramatically increasing the numbers of dwellings in the town there should be flexibility.

c) Abatement of Pension, as correspondence circulated. Dealt with in closed session.

d) Callington News, Kitty Benge was prepared to take over the position of editor from August. It was resolved to accept this offer with the Portreeve and Clerk checking the copy.

Delivery. Chair, Portreeve and Clerk to talk to applicants and make a decision.

e) Mural and other leaflets, requirement for reprinting. There was a budget of £500 for this but there was also £500 promised for the Kit Hill leaflet. Cllr Gold would make enquiries and the Clerk would also check funding.

f) Land registration, as attached information. The Clerk to make enquiries about the cost of registering  some of the land.

g) Brendon & Huggins Charity, requirement for another Trustee [doesn't have to be a Councillor]. Cllr Green volunteered to be a Trustee.

5.         Financial Report

             a) Approval of payments.  It was resolved to make all payments with the exception of cheque number 6702.

            Cllr Gold, Winfindale, Cllr M Coakley, Cllr Lumley declared a personal interest in item iv) and did not participate or vote. Cllr Long declared a prejudicial interest in iii) and a personal interest in iv and left the room for item b.

             b) Donation requests.

                        i) Caradon Social Club for the Disabled. It was agreed to donate £50, proposed by Cllr Nettle, seconded by Cllr Thomas, and unanimously agreed.

                        ii) Prim-Raf. It was agreed to donate £50 upion receipt of accounts, proposed by Cllr Winfindale, seconded by Cllr Thomas, and unanimously agreed. They would be informed that funding for extended services was available.

                        iii) Callington Football Club. It was agreed to donate £50, proposed by Cllr Thomas, seconded by Cllr Lumley, and carried by a narrow majority.

                        iv) Carnival Committee. It was agreed to donate £100, proposed by Cllr Gist, seconded by Cllr Thomas, and unanimously agreed by those who could vote.

             d) Finance programme and training. Mentioned above with programmes in 4a.

6.       Chairman’s Matters Urgent items at the Chairman's discretion that do not require a decision. 

            a) Land ownership in Callington. Information was forward and it was felt that Councillors should study the maps provided and consider the implications.

            b) Caradon & District Road Safety Group Committee, Cllr Thomas explained that Caradon were hoping to set up a Committee, Clerk to contact Pat Gormley.

           c) Resolution for the exclusion of the Public according to statute (Local Government Act 1972 Section 100 (3)A as amended 1985) on the grounds that confidential information relating to staff would be disclosed. Proposed by Cllr Gist, seconded by Cllr Long  and unanimously agreed.

a) Payment of salaries. It was proposed by Cllr Long, seconded by Cllr Ellard and unanimously agreed to pay on the 28^th of the month or if this is a weekend or bank holiday, the nearest working day before. This to date from 28^th August 2008.

b)  Pensions. It was decided to consult NALC on this matter.

There being no further business the meeting was declared closed at 8.55.pm