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Finance & General Purposes Committee Minutes

12th February 2007

PRESENT:

• Cllr R Morgan (Chairman)
• Cllrs W Buskin
• Mrs S Jones
• J Meakin
• R Parry
• Mrs Partridge-Hogbin
• J Pigott
• J Seward

In Attendance

Cllr L Garner

APOLOGIES:

Cllrs Farlow, Knight

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

Mrs Cotterall referred to the problem of water running from West Cliff Terrace to the Chine which overflows across the path, presenting a considerable hazard in cold weather.

The Clerk was requested to refer to EDDC.

461/06APOLOGIES

Apologies were accepted and approved.

462/06DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Mrs Partridge-Hogbin declared a personal interest in Correspondence items (e) and (f) road closures for Seaton Carnival Club, being a member of the Carnival Club committee.

463/06MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting held on 8th January 2007 were approved, subject to an amendment to note the conditions on which provision was made in the budget towards the appointment of a Project Manager for the Visitor Centre. These were:

a) Seaton must be fully involved in all groups making decisions on the Seaton Visitor Centre;

b) That the governance and management of the Visitor Centre proposed by Locum applies only after market testing has been undertaken;

c) That the next steps must be the undertaking of market testing

464/06TO NOTE AND APPROVE THE MONTHLY SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

The monthly schedule of payments was noted and approved.

465/06TO NOTE THE BUDGET AND BANK BALANCES TO DATE

The budget and bank balances to date were noted.

466/06TO CONSIDER APPLICATION BY ROSPA TO UNDERTAKE ANNUAL INSPECTION OF CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA

It was agreed to approve that the inspection be undertaken by Digley Associates Ltd at a cost of £40, and not ROSPA.

467/06TO CONSIDER CONTINUATION OF COUNCIL’S MONTHLY SURGERIES

It was agreed to continue the monthly surgeries for residents for a further 6 months, to be reviewed again at the end of that period.

468/06TO CONSIDER PROPOSAL BY TRIP TO RUN A 4 WEEK SUMMER SERVICE IN SEATON

Details of the proposal to run a “Shopmobility” service in Seaton for one day a week for four weeks during the summer had been circulated. Members were fully supportive of this scheme and requested to Clerk to pass their thanks to TRIP and suggest that the dates for the service be arranged by them.

469/06 TO NOTE DATE FOR MEETINGS BETWEEN TOWN COUNCILS AND EDDC

It was noted that the next meeting between the town councils and EDDC was due to take place at the Knowle on 20th June. The Clerk was requested to seek an item on the agenda relating to planning decisions. Members were asked to advise her of any other items they would like to be considered for the agenda.

470/06TO APPROVE CLERK’S ATTENDANCE AT LCC CONFERENCE FOR PRACTITIONERS

The Clerk advised that the course previously approved had been cancelled, hence she was seeking approval for an alternative course to take place on 2nd and 3rd March. This request was approved.

471/06TO CONSIDER REQUEST FOR GRANT AID FROM SEATON & DISTRICT CLUB FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

It was Resolved that a grant of £100 be made to the Seaton & District Club for the Visually Impaired.

It was agreed to consider awarding grant aid to Age Concern at the next Council meeting.

472/06TO DISCUSS COUNCIL’S ROLE IN THE TOWN’S CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

The Clerk advised that she had been approached by Torbay Lighting to enquire whether their services were required for Christmas 2007. They would only, however, deal with the Town Council. Members agreed that the provision of Christmas lights should be supported by the traders and community, and not be funded solely by the Town Council. The Clerk was therefore asked to write to all organisations in the town inviting them to comment on the proposal to form a Christmas lights committee. This was to be brought back to the April Council meeting and depending on the response, would be discussed further.

473/06TO APPROVE PROCEEDING WITH UPGRADE TO FOOTPATH 2 FROM ST. GREGORY’S CHURCH

The Clerk reminded Members that it had been agreed to review this project before the end of the financial year. She said that Seaton Phoenix had indicated their support of this project in principle, and the Church Wardens had also promised to contribute.

It was Resolved to undertake this work and the Clerk was requested in advise Gardencare accordingly.

474/06CORRESPONDENCE

a) Mr Tony Hill – various

The following responses were agreed:

i) the depression in the road off Jubilee Gardens to be advised to DCC

ii) The Clerk advised that the town clock was now chiming

iii) The Clerk advised that the new lighting columns would not be extending along the West Walk

iv) The Clerk advised that the problem of overflowing bins was due to the regular street cleaner’s absence. This problem was now resolved

v) Debris from work to the cliffs at Old Beer Road to be advised to EDDC

vi) Clerk to write to FW Woolworths to request they clean their building

vii) Cllr Garner to seek further information on the structural condition of the Look Out

b) CCD Training Courses

The Clerk was requested to book Cllrs Seward and Morgan on the course entitled “Sustaining Your Hall” scheduled for 2nd March, and book two places on the course entitled “Involving All” scheduled for 22nd May

c) Mrs Landick x 2 – various matters

These letters, sent to EDDC, were noted

d) Campaign for Sustainable Communities Bill

The Clerk was requested to seek Hugo Swire’s support

e) EDDC – Road Closure Order, 26th August, Seaton Carnival Committee Approved

It was noted that following representations to EDDC by the Town Council and the Carnival Club chairman, Seaton Commerce’s application to hold a street fair on 27th August had been refused.

Cllr Buskin was asked by Cllr Garner to explain why he had criticised his fellow councillors in the press article on Seaton Commerce’s application. Cllr Buskin replied that he had been misquoted.

Members agreed to suspend Standing Orders to enable Alex Alexander of ‘View from Seaton’, to respond. Mr Alexander said that the quotation contained in the article was correct.

All Members expressed their disappointment that a fellow councillor should make comments that discredited the considerable work undertaken by the Council

f) EDDC – road closure 1 September, Seaton Carnival Committee Approved

g) EDDC – road closure, 11th March Grizzly

It was noted that because of the Napoli incident, the date of the Grizzly had been postponed until September.

The Meeting closed at 8.45 pm

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