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TOWN
COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY
9TH MARCH 2009
Present:-
Cllr C Stanger (Chair), Cllr P. Allen,
Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr J. Godwin
Cllr D. Linney, Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr A Maycock, Cllr H. Wright, Cllr
D Yates
1.
Apologies
Cllr
J Hart, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr J Lynch, Cllr R. Mills
Cllr
D Dallyn – S. N. C.
2.
Declarations of Interest
None
3.
Open to the Public
No
members of the public present
4.
Town Mayor's Items
Cllr
Stanger reported he had attended the opening of Mr G Barbour's new
premises in Northampton . He reminded the Councillors of his Civic
Ball on 14th March 2009 .
5.
Report back from a representative of South Northamptonshire
Council
No
representatives of South Northamptonshire Council were present at
the meeting
6.
Report back from Cllr R Bromwich, Northamptonshire
County Council
Cllr
Bromwich reported on the consultation meeting to set the budget.
There
were 417 responses on line regarding the 3.9% budget increase.
There
is 2.8 million unallocated money and the scrutiny panel made suggestions.
i.e.
£100,000 to help older people in care
£200,000
for the youth agenda
£50,000
safeguarding children
£50,000
Reinstate the music school.
Cllr
Lofts expressed concern on the help for elderly people which is
historically under funded. Cllr Bromwich expressed the importance
of working with the voluntary sector and answered questions regarding
education and funding issues.
7.
Minutes of Meetings
Resources/Planning
Committe 9th February 2009
Town
Council
9th February 2009
Town
Hall Committee
16th February 2009
Recreation
/ Leisure Committe 16th February 2009
Resources/Planning
Committee 23rd February 2009
Amendment
to Minute 09/02/027 (5)
To
read Cllr Lynch not Cllr Lofts requested a copy of the constitution
to establish the membership of the committee
Proposal
Cllr
D Linney proposed the Chairman sign the minutes of the meetings;
Seconded
by Cllr Allen, All in favour.
8.
Matters arising from the Minutes
No
matters arising from the Town Council meeting of 9th February, 2009
9.
Report back from the Chairman of the :-
Resources
/ Planning Committee
Cllr
Lofts had no matters to report
Town
Hall Committee
Licence
to assign the lease for Office 4, Town Hall
Proposal
Clrl
Allen proposed the Town Mayor, Cllr C Stanger, and the Deputy Mayor,
Cllr C Lofts,
sign
the Licences to assign the lease to Berry and Co.
seconded
by Cllr Maycock, All in favour.
Recreation
/ Leisure Committee
Cllr
Dryden reported that the new slide had been installed on the Recreation
Ground.
The
Community Centre re-opened on 2 nd March.
There
had been fire damage to the large swing on the Recreation Ground.
The Clerk had notified the insurance company.
Cllr
Godwin reported that one of the external lights was not working.
Clerk to contact the electrician.
Cemetery
Committee
Cllr
Wright had no matters to report.
There
will be site meeting at the chapel in April to discuss refurbishment
works.
Allotment
Working Group
Cllr
Maycock reported that the Annual meeting was scheduled for Wednesday
11 th March, 2009
10.
Report back from Local Bodies
Cllr
Lofts reported on the successful litter pick at Belle Baulk arranged
by Nick Holder.
Nick
is working with David Reed on the new wildlife committee set up
when the Water Meadows came into the ownership of South Northants
Council.
11.
Towcester Partnership
Vacancy
for a Town Council representative on the Tourism Committee
Cllr
D Yates agreed to sit on the tourism committee
12.
Standing orders and Chairmanship
Request from Cllr J Godwin to discuss Council
proposals
Cllr
Godwin put forward his views on Chairmanship and proposals. He considered
that Chairman should be able to propose a motion as there was no
act to prevent them from doing so. The Clerk referred to N. A. L.
C. Standing orders and Chairmanship.
(All
members had received a copy prior to the meeting) the Council had
always adhered by these Standing Orders
The
main point was that the Chairman could not remain impartial if he
proposed a motion.
Cllr
Godwin disagreed with the logic of this explanation and Cllr Wright
supported Cllr Godwin.
Cllr
Allen, Cllr Lofts and Cllr Linney agreed that the Chairman should
remain impartial as his position could be untenable if he used his
casting vote on his own proposal.
Cllr
Stanger supported this view.
Proposal
Cllr
Allen proposed that the Council stay with the customary practice
of impartiality
by
not allowing the Chairman to propose a motion
Seconded
by Cllr D Linney
5
in favour
2
Against
1
Abstain.
Cllr
Wright asked why there was no A.O.B on the Council's agendas. The
Clerk confirmed that it is not lawful to make a substantive decision
on business bought up under this heading. It is a requirement that
business to be transacted at a meeting must be specified on the
agenda if a decision is required.
13.
Casual vacancy for Brook ward
Correspondence
from the South Northants Council to co-opt a replacement Councillor
for Brook Ward. The Clerk confirmed that an article had been included
in the Crier.
14.
Correspondence
a)
St Lawrence Church – Easter 2009 Services
b)
Town and Parish Standard Newsletter Issue 4
c)
South Northants Alzeimer's Society – January 2009 newsletter
d)
N.C.C. Bus service contract renewal
All
duly noted.
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