TOWN HALL COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY, 20TH JULY 2009

Present :-   Cllr P. Allen (Chair), Cllr D. Bain, Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr J. Hart,

                 Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr J. Lynch

 

1.    Apologies for Absence

Cllr C. Lofts

 

2.    Declarations of Interest

None.

 

3.    Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

 

4.    Disabled Access at the Town Hall

The issue of disabled access at the Town Hall was discussed at the last committee meeting when it was agreed the Clerk would obtain a quotation for works to install a buzzer system on the double doors at the side of the Hall. The Clerk met with a representative of Livewire Security Systems who confirmed that an external intercom could be fitted which, when pressed, will ring a telephone inside the Hall. This will allow disabled users to alert those inside the hall of their presence should the doors be closed. New signs will be placed on the front of the building and side gate to alert users to the side entrance. The Clerk will meet this week to agree a suitable installation point for the intercom. All hirers will be notified of the new system accordingly. The cost of installation will be £272.00.

 

Proposal

Cllr Hart proposed that the TC proceeds with works to install an intercom system and signage at the side entrance of the Town Hall to enhance to disabled access;

seconded by Cllr Lynch; all in favour.

 

Cllr Godwin considers the disabled access at the Town Hall to be unsuitable. He referred to the D.D.A. (as amended in 2006) and feels the TC is not taking the pro-active and anticipatory approach stipulated in the document. This matter was discussed at length. The Chair referred to previous discussions on this matter which took place in February. The committee agreed the TC had addressed the issue of disabled access to the best of its ability considering the status of the Town Hall as a Listed Building . Barbara DiCara, Access Officer at SNC, concurred with this view on her inspection. The committee had agreed to revisit this issue in the future in accordance with outline proposals for the development of Moat Lane particularly with the view to improving the front access.

 

5.    Finance

  

a)    Cheques Issued

The Clerk distributed copies of the Cheques Issued List (cheque numbers 004449 to 004465) to committee members. Most items were ongoing, the following cheque numbers were noted:-

004449 / £135.35 &

004452 / £120.00 to Smiths Fire. The Clerk confirmed that Smiths Fire were called out on 2 separate occasions to reset the alarm as the glass had been broken on the alarm points.

004465 / £1080.00 to S.N.C. for emptying of wheelie bins. The Clerk confirmed that £180.00 of this charge will be off-set against the R/L Committee as it relates to the wheelie bin for the Recreation Ground.

 

The committee agreed for the Chair and R. F. O. to sign off the Cheques Issued List.

 

b)    Quarterly Budget Review

The Clerk distributed copies of Budget review for the 1st quarter to 30th June.

Income

Office rents – on budget

Hall hire – income from hall hire is down as predicted.

Bank Interest – income from bank interest is down as predicted.

Meeting Room Hire – income from the hire of the meeting room is down as predicted following the loss of key bookings.

 

Total Income   

2009/10 Budget   £57,306.00     Actual to 30/06/09   £16,836.95

 

Expenditure   

The Clerk confirmed that most expenditure items were on budget.

Utilities/Gas – the Clerk confirmed that the demand for £1,974.63 related to the winter period.

Business Rates – within budget.

General Maintenance – just £38.00 of the £6,000.00 budget has been spent on general maintenance.

Town Hall Decoration - £1,005.70 spent relates to the 2008/09 financial year representing the 5% retention on the decorating contract. There is still £2,000.00 remaining in the budget for the current year.

Floor fund - £2,000.00 has been allocated to the fund for replacing the Town Hall floor.

 

Expenditure

2009/10 Budget   £57,306.00     Actual to 30/06/09   £14,451.18

 

Proposal

Cllr Hart proposed that the meeting move into Closed Session; seconded by Cllr Allen;

all in favour.