MINUTES OF THE POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 6th APRIL 2021
The meeting was held remotely using Zoom software.
PRESENT: Cllrs. Beck (in the Chair), Fairweather, Fletcher, Gilbert, Smith and Warne.
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.
110/20: Internal finance check:
Cllr. Beck confirmed that the internal finance check had been completed and everything was in order.
111/20: Authorisation of payments made after the March meeting:
A list of payments totalling £14,201.54 made after the March meeting, is filed with these minutes.
112/20: Transfers of monies between accounts:
The Clerk confirmed that no transfers had been necessary
113/20: Invoices for Payment:
A list of payments to be made in April had been circulated for approval, a copy of which is filed with these minutes. It was proposed by Cllr. Beck, seconded by Cllr. Gilbert and agreed to approve the payments as presented.
These included:
Policy and Resources £8,185.82
Properties & Burial Grounds £ 657.52
Environmental Management £1,354.28
Total £10,197.62
Two members are required to log in to the account and authorise the payments following adoption of the minutes on Thursday evening.
114/20: Community Centres/Medical Centre:
Cllr. Smith advised the Option Agreement for the St. George’s Hall had finally been signed and was delivered to the solicitor in Tenterden. The valuation on the existing hall has been completed in line with Charity Commission requirements. A meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening for the St. George’s Committee to agree on the internal specification. Fernham Homes now have a new three-year option on the land and it is expected their application would be submitted in the near future. It is expected that a public meeting will be held to explain proposals to parishioners.
115/20: Virtual Meetings:
Members discussed the recent government announcement not to extend the legislation allowing remote meetings after 6th May. As the Vestry Hall and Council Chamber are both being used by KCC for the Covid Testing Centre, it was agreed the Clerk would contact the Church Office to see if it would be possible to hire the Church for Council meetings, until such time as remote meetings are permitted or the Vestry Hall is available again.
116/20: Public Toilets:
Linda Page had emailed the Clerk to advise she had spoken to the landlord of the White Horse regarding the lack of public toilet facilities in Cranbrook. Apparently, he was not against the suggestion that the pub toilets could be used by people other than their customers. Some years ago, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council had offered local businesses an incentive to allow their facilities to be used by the general public. It was agreed the Clerk would confirm the offer with the landlord and if genuine, would put him in touch with the Environmental Health Department at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
Cllrs Fletcher and Gilbert also agreed to follow up the suggestion of speaking to Four Jays to investigate the possibility of hiring temporary toilet cubicles and siting them in the Carriers Road parking spaces.
117/20: Staffing:
Cllr. Fletcher advised the Clerks had received their annual appraisals.
Cllr. Gilbert reported the Caretakers appraisals had not yet been completed, he was hoping that some of the issues identified during the recent inspection of Vestry Hall Cottage could be resolved before their appraisals are undertaken.
118/20: Grant Applications:
a) Cranbrook Town Music Festival
An application for funding of £2,000 had been received.
Members agreed they would like to support the event, Cllr. Beck proposed the grant be awarded in full, this was seconded by Cllr. Fairweather and agreed.
b) Cranbrook Town Market:
An application for funding of £3,000 had been received for an event to be held on the Ball Field. It was scheduled for 1st August and would include a Classic Car Show, Dog Show and Food & Drink Festival. Members again agreed, they would like to support the event to give parishioners something to look forward to. Cllr. Beck proposed the grant be awarded in full, this was seconded by Cllr. Fairweather and agreed.
Members asked that the organisers check their insurance would cover them if a further lockdown is brought in and the events have to be cancelled. It was also suggested they speak to Val Mummery regarding the insurance cover for the Town’s other annual events. It was hoped that any profits made would be used to fund the events in future years.
119/20: Items for Information:
No items were raised.
