Minutes of a meeting of the GENERAL PURPOSE/FINANCE COMMITTEE, Arlesey Town Council held in the Village Hall, Arlesey on Tuesday 15 November 2011.  

PRESENT:       

            Cllrs:    N Daniels (Chairman)                                M Rainbow

C Howitt                                                  Mrs J Rencontre

                        Ms T Osborne                                          D West

                        D Page                                                    A White

Also present:   Mrs L Rowe (Assistant Clerk) and nine members of the public.  

48 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Mrs H Frost. 

49 MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

No declarations of personal or prejudicial interest were received           

50 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

There was no public participation 

51 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the minutes of the General Purpose & Finance Committee meeting held on the 18 October 2011.  

It was RESOLVED 

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 October 2011 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a true record. 

52 MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising from the previous meeting. 

53 GENERAL PURPOSE/FINANCE COMMITTEE BUDGETS FOR 2012/2013

The Chairman said that this was the second draft of the General Purpose & Finance Committee’s proposed budgets for 2012/2013 with projected spending to 31 March 2012. The budget estimates will be presented for approval at the Town Council meeting on 6 December 2011 and be finalised for the precept approval at the next meeting on 3 January 2012. 

It was RESOLVED

to recommend to the Town Council meeting on 6 December 2011 the General Purpose & Finance Committee’s Precept of £119,750 for 2012/2013 be approved 

54 FEES AND CHARGES FOR 2012/2013

Members considered the fees for the hire of the Resource Centre for 2012/2013. It was agreed to recommend to the Town Council that the fees for the hire of Resource Centre be increased by 3% for 2012/2013.                                                                                    

It was RESOLVED

to recommend to the Town Council that the fees for the hire of the Resource Centre be increased by 3% for 2012/2013 

55 PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES REVIEW

The Chairman reported that he had looked at the proposed boundary changes made by the Boundary Commission for England and the alternative proposal by Central Bedfordshire Council in more detail. He proposed that the Town Council should respond to the Boundary Commission’s consultation with comments in favour of the Central Bedfordshire Council’s submission regarding the Parliamentary Boundary Review.

It was RESOLVED

to respond to the Boundary Commission’s consultation on the Parliamentary Boundary Review with comments in favour of the Central Bedfordshire’s Council’s alternative submission 

56 CORRESPONDENCE – THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

           The Chairman informed Members that correspondence had been received from The Royal British Legion notifying the Town Council of the contact and Branch Officer changes made at their AGM held on 27 October 2011. He read the reply made by the Town Clerk informing the Royal British Legion that the Town Council had agreed to give a donation of £100 to their organisation this was in addition to the purchase by Members of the Wreath for the Remembrance Service.

It was AGREED to note this information   

57 CORRESPONDENCE – ELECTION COSTS

            The Chairman read the correspondence received from Central Bedfordshire Council informing the Town Council of the charges levied for the uncontested elections held in May 2011, this payment is in the schedule presented to Members tonight.

It was AGREED to note this information 

58 ST PETER’S CHURCH ARLESEY

           The Chairman informed Members that an invitation had been received from St Peters Church Arlesey to participate in the Christmas Tree Festival being held on 10 and 11 December 2011. Cllr White volunteered to decorate a tree for the festival and if any other members wished to help they would be more than welcome.

             It was RESOLVED

            that Cllr White would decorate a tree on behalf of the Town Council for the Christmas Tree Festival being held at St Peter’s Church on 10 and 11 December 2011 

59  CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL

           Members had received an update on Central Bedfordshire Council’s budget and Council Tax setting process for 2012/2013. The draft budget options for consultation will be announced at the Executive meeting on Tuesday 6 December. Residents and stakeholders will be invited to comment on these options during December and January. Members suggested that comment forms should be made available in the Resource Centre.

It was AGREED to note this information

60 STREET TRADING CONSENT

The Chairman read out to Members the three applications for Street Trading Consent received from Central Bedfordshire Council for comments from Council by 23 and 25 November 2011. Members had no objections to the applications provided that any rubbish that may be generated by the trader was cleared up and removed.

It was RESOLVED

that the Town Council had no objections to the three applications for Street Trading Consent provided that any rubbish that may be generated by the trader was cleared up and removed 

61 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

A schedule of the October/November accounts due for payment were presented to Members for approval 

                                    Staff month 8 – Town Centre                                       174.52

                                    Staff month 8                                                          4,643.64                 

                                    PAYE/NIC month 8                                                 1,344.68           

Superannuation month 8                                             972.24

4thenet                         Internet                                                                        20.41

Victim Support              Grant                                                                         100.00

Safelincs                       Fire extinguisher for the vehicle                                      33.75

Royal British Legion       Donation                                                                    100.00

Herts CC                       Stationery TC                                                               56.46 

Total                             Petrol for equipment                                                        2.61

Abacus                         Photocopier October                                                     46.32

Abacus                         Ink cartridge TC                                                          148.80

CBC                             Library cards RC                                                           27.51

AR Worboys                 Stotfold Road/underpass                                              210.00

Stamps Direct               Ink pad RC                                                                    6.46

M Rainbow                    Cuts 14 & 15 verges                                                   800.00

CBC                             Election costs May 2011                                            154.18

G Wiggs                       Internal audit                                                             120.00

Ernest Doe                   Protective clothing                                                       23.95 

DEPOSITS REPAID     

St Peter’s Church         Return of deposit                                                        100.00 

A Lewis                       Return of deposit                                                          50.00

It was RESOLVED 

that these accounts be paid                     

                                                                                                                                        CHAIRMAN