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RESOURCES / PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2009 Present: Cllr J. Hart (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr D. Linney, Cllr A. Maycock, Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr D. Yates
1. Apologies for Absence Cllr M. Blake, Cllr R. Mills, Cllr A. Wardle
2. Declarations of Interest None.
3. Open to the Public No members of the public were present.
4. PLANNING
a) Decisions No decisions had been received. Cllr Lofts confirmed his attendance of the SNC Development Control Committee Meeting discussing the application for change of use at 120 Watling Street, Towcester where he reiterated the observations of the Town Council’s RP committee that the change of use would result in the loss of a prime retail unit. The application had originally been recommended for refusal by SNC Officers; on arriving at the meeting Cllr Lofts found that this had altered and SNC Officers were recommending the application be approved. The primary reason for this change was based on confirmation from the applicant that they would try to secure the end user from Costa Coffee, Café Nero, Starbucks, Pret-a-Manger or Coffee Republic. The eventual opening times for the premises were set at 8am – 7pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 7pm on Sundays. The Development Control Committee approved the application for change of use.
b) Amendments No amended applications were received.
c) Applications S/2009/1101/FUL 6 Watling Street East, Towcester Four car parking spaces The committee gave its support to the application.
S/2009/1136/FUL 7 Cooper Close, Towcester Conversion of garage to habitable room The committee proposed that the application be objected on the grounds of loss of parking.
For information only:-
S/2009/1094/ADD 94 Watling Street, Towcester Residential development for 3 units.
S/2009/0156/P Tesco Store, Old Tiffield Road, Towcester Revised road lining.
Noted.
5. Northamptonshire County Council Highway Representative Annual Day Conference
Correspondence from NCC confirms that the Highway Representative Annual Day Conference will take place from 11am – 3pm on Wednesday 9th December at The Sargeant Memorial Hall, Brafield-on-the-Green. Anyone interested in attending was asked to notify the Clerk.
6. Cheques Issued
The Clerk distributed copies of the Cheques Issued List (cheque numbers 009312 to 009346). Most items were ongoing, the following cheques were highlighted:- 009312 / £1138.22 to Paxton Brown – Surveyor fees for the Cemetery Chapel tender 009315 / £29.00 to NCALC – Course fees for Cllr C. Dryden 009316 / £25.00 to The Royal British Legion – Donation for the TC Remembrance Service wreath
Proposal Cllr John proposed that the payment to the Royal British Legion be authorised under Section 137; seconded by Cllr Lofts; all in favour.
009326 / £11542.00 to Monster Play Equipment – New play equipment for the Recreation Ground 009331 / £2000.00 to Playcom – To provide wet pour surfacing for the new play equipment 009333 / £1677.59 to D. J. Hutchings – Repairs to the roof of the Community Centre 009338 / £5672.00 to D & S Pannell – Painting of street furniture and play equipment 009345 / £34.50 to D. Isaacs – Reimbursement for Christmas cards for Town Crier deliverers
Proposal Cllr Johns proposed that the Cheques Issued List be signed by the Chair and R. F. O.; seconded by Cllr Stanger; all in favour.
7. Towcester Partnership Request for Funding
The Towcester Partnership has submitted a request to the TC for increased funding of £5,000 for the 2010 / 11 financial year. The TC currently awards an annual grant of £2,000, a reduced rent for Office 8, free use of the Committee Room and TC photocopier. The Clerk calculated the TC contribution to be approximately £4,000 in total. The Resources/Planning Committee requested a breakdown of their accounts plus a projection of its income/expenditure for 2010 / 11. A copy of the accounts was forwarded to committee members prior to the meeting. It was noted that the increased expenditure was due to a significant rise in salaries from £28,000 to £38,000 per annum. Funding from SNC, TC and NEL detailed in the projected income is not guaranteed and needs to be applied for. Cllr Johns queried the increase in salaries. Cllr Lofts advised that the Project Manager position was originally advertised on the basis of the funds available; it is possibly felt that this should be increased in accordance with the additional works undertaken. Cllr Johns referred to works carried out by the Partnership under its separate organisation, the South Northants Bus Co. and queried why it had not charged out its services at a rate that would cover salary expenses. He queried the submission of a spreadsheet to support the request and why no detailed explanation had been given. Cllr Allen pointed out the TC has made a considerable contribution to the Partnership over the years and reminded the committee that the money comes from Council Tax payers. He would have great difficulty explaining why the TC would increase its grant to a non-elected body providing non-statutory services. Cllr Stanger considered that Partnership would not expect to receive the full £5,000.
Proposal Cllr Stanger proposed the TC increase its grant to the Towcester Partnership to £3,500 for the 2010 / 11 financial year; seconded by Cllr Yates
Cllr Allen requested a recorded vote on the proposal:-
For Against Abstained
Cllr Stanger Cllr Johns Cllr Lofts Cllr Yates Cllr Maycock Cllr Linney Cllr Allen
Proposal not carried; the grant to The Towcester Partnership to remain at £2,000.00.
8. Draft Budgets 2010 / 11 A copy of the budgets was forwarded to committee members prior to the meeting; the Clerk went through the budget proposals for each committee:- GENERAL ACCOUNT Salaries - Increased by 1% Annual meeting - Increased from £1096 to £1350 for additional expenditure for flower arrangements. Grants to local bodies - £1000.00 had been allocated. The committee discussed the allocation and the surplus amount of £950.00 in 2009/10 budgets for the voluntary car scheme. It was agreed to omit £1000.00 allocated in 2010/11 budgets. Towcester Partnership - £2000.00 had been previously agreed and allocated in the draft budgets. Cllr Johns asked for further clarification from the Partnership to reconsider its request for additional funding Contingency fund - £10,000 had been allocated in the budgets and the Clerk suggested this could be reduced due to the closure of Moat lane toilets. The committee discussed the merits of the contingency funds and agreed to maintain the fund at £10,000
Total Income £9,831.00 / Total Expenditure £123,769.00 / Precept £113,938.00
RECREATION/LEISURE COMMITTEE
Income NCC Mowing / Footpath grant - £2145.00 budgeted National Savings Interest Account - £1153.00 budgeted The Clerk confirmed that £4800.00 was taken from the investment account for maintenance of Belle Baulk and Alchester Court. These areas were taken over by the TC part way through the year and so not included in the budget.
Expenditure Wages – 1% increase budgeted on all wages. Mowing / Footpath maintenance - £35993.00 budgeted. £4,800.00 of this sum will be taken from the Section 106 funds for Alchester Court / Belle Baulk. The Clerk confirmed the mowing contract is due to go out to tender for next year. The current contractor, Cartwright Landscapes, has advised there would be no increase for the 2010 / 11 financial year. Window Box / Christmas Tree Schemes - £10582.00 budgeted Equipment Maintenance / Repairs - £4,200.00 budgeted New equipment - £20000.00 budgeted ROSPA inspection – 3% increase budgeted to £720.00 Health & Safety Inspections - £5200.00 budgeted Painting – no budget set for painting of equipment as these works have recently been completed Graffiti removal - £500.00 budgeted Seats – supply and repair - £500.00 budgeted Litter bins - £685.00 budgeted Tree surgery – budget increased by £250.00 to £5500.00 Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park - £1,000 carried forward from 2009/2010 Dog Bins Emptying - £10771.00 budgeted Repairs - £500.00 budgeted New bins - £1000.00 budgeted Cleaning - £1271 budgeted Towcester Youth & Community Centre - £1000.00 Paths – 2nd tranch of £5500.00 budgeted to replace the paths around Recreation Ground
Total Income £9,639.00 / Total Expenditure £124,892.00 / Precept £115,253.00
TOWN HALL COMMITTEE Income Office rents - £23,800 budgeted. The income from office rents is down due to the vacation of Office 10. The Clerk anticipates this office will be difficult to re-let. Independent Case Management, new tenants of Office 6, expressed an interest in leasing Office 10 at a reduced rent. This may need to be revisited late if a new tenant is now found. Hall hire - £16,210 budgeted. The income from hall hire has significantly reduced due to a number of cancellations and lost bookings. On this basis it was agreed that hire charges will not increase for the 2010/11 financial year. Meeting Room hire - £150.00 budgeted. The Clerk confirmed that most hire of the meeting room is by non-paying local groups, i.e. The Museum Trust. Investment Account - £23,390 is held in the Town Hall floor fund. Expenditure Wages - £10539.00 budgeted. A 1% increase on all cleaning/caretaking wages. Photocopier rental - £1248.00 budgeted. An increase has been budgeted for the new colour photocopier. Photocopier charges - £400.00 budgeted. The Clerk confirmed that a record other users making colour copies will be kept in future. It may be necessary to charge for use of the machine. Initial Textiles – 3% increase budgeted. Floor Protection Dust Mats – 3% increase budgeted. Telephone and fax – 3% increase budgeted. Soap dispensers – 3% increase budgeted. Hall heating fund - £1,000 allocated to the fund. Utilities – An increase of 5% budgeted on gas, electricity and water rates. Town Hall insurance – 5% increase budgeted. General maintenance - £5,000.00 budgeted. Town Hall decoration - £2,000.00 budgeted to build up a fund for future redecoration. Town Hall floor fund – no additional funds allocated. Electrical works - £250.00 budgeted Equipment - £5,000.00 budgeted for the installation of a hearing loop and sound system Kitchen - £8,000 budgeted for upgrade of the kitchen.
Total Income £40,398.00 / Total Expenditure £61,360.00 / Precept £20,962.00 CEMETERY COMMITTEE & ALLOTMENTS Income Cemetery fees - £5125.00 budgeted. The Clerk confirmed the income from fees is down due to a reduction in burials and the pre-purchase of plots. Lodge rent – no increase. £6,600 budgeted.
Expenditure Grave Digging - £3200.00 budgeted Cemetery maintenance - £13,200 budgeted; an increase of 2.5% in accordance with the current contract. NNDR – 5% increase budgeted Lodge maintenance/repairs - £1500.00 budgeted. Cemetery chapel - £3896.00 budgeted for Public Works Loan repayments. The Clerk confirmed that this figure was included when preparing the budget as she was unsure until this evening when the loan would be drawn. The committee has proposed to draw the loan on 31st March 2010; the Clerk recommended that this sum be earmarked for the next financial year to provide additional contingency. Mowers & Maintenance - Fuel - £500.00 budgeted. - Service/Repairs - £350.00 budgeted. Tree Surgery - £250.00 budgeted. Railings maintenance - £275.00 budgeted. Memorial Stone Repairs – The Clerk confirmed that £1,200.00 will be carried forward from the current year’s budget. It was agreed not to budget any additional monies until the next phase of repairs has been agreed. Provision for path - £12822.00 budgeted for new tar, spray and chip pathways with new borders. The Clerk confirmed that the bottom path near to the new garden of rest is particularly poor. The committee suggested the Clerk ask the contractor whether the path works can be carried out in 2 phases with works to replace the bottom path being completed early in the next financial year and the top paths following the works to the Cemetery Chapel.
Total Income £16,870.00 / Total Expenditure £39,184.00 / Precept £22,314.00
Cllr Lofts proposed that the £3,896.00 budgeted for the Public Works Loan repayments for 2009/10 be transferred to the General Account contingency; all agreed,
ALLOTMENT ACCOUNT
Income Cemetery Allotment fees - £35.00 Malthouse Court Allotment fees - £445.00
Expenditure Tree Surgery - £375.00 budgeted. Skips - £175.00 budgeted. Annual rent for site - £500.00
Total Income £480.00 / Total Expenditure £1,045.00 / Precept £565.00
TOTAL INCOME £77,218.00 / TOTAL EXPENDITURE £350,250.00 / PRECEPT £273,032.00
The Clerk confirmed the precept of £273,032.00 for the 2010/11 financial year. This represents an increase of 1.98% on the 2009/10 financial year. Proposal Cllr Stanger proposed that the precept of £273,032.00 for the 2010/11 financial year be recommended to Full Council; seconded by Cllr Allen; all in favour.
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