MINUTES OF THE POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 2021
PRESENT: Cllrs. Fletcher (in the Chair), Gilbert, Hatcher, Kings and Warne.
APOLOGIES: Cllrs. Beck and Smith.
Declaration of Interests, Dispensations and Predetermination:
Members are required to declare any interests, dispensations or predetermination on items on this agenda in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct. Members are reminded that changes to the Register of Interests should be notified to the Clerk.
33/21: Internal finance check:
Cllr. Beck had confirmed prior to the meeting, that the internal finance check had been completed and everything was in order.
34/21: Authorisation of payments made after the August meeting:
A list of payments totalling £16,170.34 made after the August meeting, is filed with these minutes.
35/21: Transfers of monies between accounts:
No transfers had been necessary.
36/21: Invoices for Payment:
A list of payments to be made in September had been circulated for approval, a copy of which is filed with these minutes. It was proposed by Cllr. Fletcher, seconded by Cllr. Gilbert and agreed to approve the payments as presented.
These included:
Policy and Resources £24,093.45
Properties & Burial Grounds £ 3,106.45
Environmental Management £ 421.91
General Funding £ 115.50
Total £27,737.31
The Clerk confirmed to Cllr. Kings that she had not yet received an invoice from Crane Fencing. Members agreed the invoice could be paid on receipt. Cllr. Kings would chase the supplier to provide the invoice.
Two members are required to log in to the account and authorise the payments following adoption of the minutes on Thursday evening.
37/21: Community Centres/Medical Centre:
Cllr. Fletcher advised that one of the GP’s has come forward to help with the specification required for the Medical Centre. He has a meeting scheduled with them the first week of October.
Cllr. Hatcher advised that members of the Economic & Community Committee had discussed the possibility of including a Tourism Office in the Community Centre.
Cllr. Warne reported that Age Concern would no longer be providing a wheelchair service for parishioners. It had been proposed that the existing supply of wheelchairs be donated to various recipients. They had asked if the Parish Council would like one of the wheelchairs. Cllr. Fletcher proposed the offer be gratefully accepted; this was seconded by Cllr. Gilbert and agreed. Cllr. Warne advised we would need to show due diligence in keeping the wheelchair in good condition and fit for use.
38/21: Social Media Policy:
In light of the Council’s decision to create a Facebook presence, a Social Media Policy had been created and circulated to the Committee. Cllr. Warne suggested that the policy should include who the administrators of any social media sites would be? The Chairman of Economic & Community and the Clerks are set up as administrators for the newly created Facebook page.
With this minor amendment added to the policy, it was proposed by Cllr. Hatcher, seconded by Cllr. Warne and agreed to accept the policy as presented. A copy of which is filed with these minutes.
39/21: Public Toilet Provision:
Cllr. Gilbert had spoken to some of the landowners and retailers in Carriers Road regarding the siting of temporary public toilets. He had met with considerable resistance to the idea, so we will need to consider finding an alternative location.
40/21: Cyber security:
It was agreed to defer this item to the next Policy & Resources Committee meeting.
41/21: Rural/Market Town Group Annual Membership:
We had received free trial membership of the Rural /Market Town Group for the past year. Cllrs. Fletcher and Hatcher had attended several very interesting and informative seminars provided by the organisation. We were now being asked if we wished to continue our membership at a cost of £130 per annum. Cllr. Fletcher proposed we continue as members; this was seconded by Cllr. Hatcher and agreed.
42/21: Staffing:
Nothing to report.
43/21: Grant Applications:
No applications had been received.
44/21: Items for Information:
Cllr. Fletcher advised Phil Mummery’s Memorial Service was taking place on the 4th October at 4pm in St. Dunstan’s Church, for anyone wishing to attend.
