Danbury Parish Council

 

RESOURCES COMMITTEE

 

Minutes of the Meeting held on 25 October 2006 at the Parish Office

 

Present:  Councillors: D. Whiteing (Chairman)

                                                J. Brooks  ( Vice Chairman)

                                                S. Berlyn

                                                D. Hawkins

                                                D. Powell

                                                M. Wood (ex officio)

 

In attendance:      Clerk to Parish Council

 

Public Question Time  There were no members of the public present.

 

63  Apologies for absence

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs Ron Matthews and John Thomson.

 

64 Declarations of Interest

None were declared.

 

65  Minutes of the Meeting held on 19th September, 2006

Cllr S Berlyn was present at the meeting and should be deleted from apologies for absence.

RESOLVED  that the Minutes of 19th September, 2006 with the above alteration be approved and signed as a correct record. 

 

66  Financial Information  for October, 2006

66.1 Approval of payments for October, 2006

The Clerk circulated payments until 25th October, 2006  this is shown as Appendix I.

Members agreed the payments.

The Clerk requested guidance on the following items:

·         The contractor employed by the Parish Council for bus shelter cleaning does not hold public liability insurance.

·         How much did the Council wish to donate to the Poppy Appeal.

·         A request had been received from the Groundsman for a drill for assisting with the installation of the litter bins.   

RESOLVED:  a) that the payments for August until 25th October, 2006 be approved.

b) that the Clerk write to the contractor and ask company to obtain Public Liability Insurance.

c) that a donation of  £25.00 including payment for the Poppy Cross from Chairman’s Allowance be paid.

d) that the Chairman of Facilities investigate the Groundsman’s request for the drill.

 

66.2 Reconciliation sheet to 30th September, 2006.

Balances at bank including Petty Cash were checked by Cllr D Powell all balances matched.  See Appendix II.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

66.3 Receipts until 30th September, 2006

The Clerk circulated an up-to-date list of receipts. See Appendix III.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

66.4 Debtors more than 3 months

It was reported that the Cricket still had not paid their invoice. Members were aware that they may find difficulty paying their invoice.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

66.5 Budgets as at 30.9.2006

The Clerk advised the Committee that the budgets had been revised further for the budget setting process and to use the sheets circulated with the draft budget figure for Resources.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

66.6 Earmarked Reserves as at 30.9.2006 and Council Reserves

Earmarked Reserves were circulated as at 30.9.2006 were circulated See Appendix IV.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

66.7 Draft Resources Budget 2007 – 2008

Alterations to the Draft Budget were made and are shown as Appendix IV to be submitted to Precept Request Meeting at Resources on 22nd November, 2006.

A request was made from the Chairman of the Council to ascertain how much Public Works Loan could be obtained for the amount of £5728  as one of the loans would complete during the next financial year.

RESOLVED:  that a) this sheet becomes part of the Precept request to be discussed further at the Meeting of Resources on 22nd November, 2006.

b) The Clerk ascertains how much Public Works Loan can be obtained for £5728. sixth monthly payments over 25 years.

 

Parish Office Upgrade

67. Hearing Loop

The Clerk had contacted the two firms who previously quoted for the work.  Only one quotation was still current which had been held at the same price of £1065.00 plus VAT plus loop cable of 24 linear metres with jack at each end £25.00 plus VAT.  The firm had asked whether Parish Council require a radio microphone or tie clip or hand held. Members agreed to a Radio Microphone with table stand. Payment for this item to be taken from Reserves.

 

RESOLVED: that Parish Council purchase the Hearing Loop for the sum of £1065.00 plus VAT from RNID Products together with a Radio Microphone with table stand. The monies were to be taken from Reserves.

 

68  Information Technology

The Clerk had arranged for a demonstration of a Digital Projector on Wednesday 8th November, 2006 at 11.00 a.m. at the Parish Office.

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 (Subsequently the date has been changed to Wednesday 15th November, 2006 at 11.00 a. m.)

 

69  Freedom of Information Act

69.1 Document Retention Policy - Further to Minute 106 Planning Committee held on 25th September, 2006  it was agreed that paper records of planning applications, including plans should continue to be retained for 5 years.”

This had been inserted into the Document Retention Policy.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

69.2 Document Retention Policy

Members agreed the Document Retention Policy as submitted see Appendix V

 

RESOLVED: that the Document Retention Policy be adopted.

 

70 Insurance

70.1 Fire Risk Assessment

A Fire Risk Assessment had been completed for the Parish Office and Robins Nest.

The grill on the window had been altered so that there was an additional method of escape from the Parish Office.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

70.2 Risk Assessments

The Clerk had checked with the Records Office and they were not able to keep risk assessments.  Concerns were also raised over scanning documents.  A request was made to purchase a further fire proof cabinet within next year budget.  Members did not put monies aside in the budget at the present time.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

71 Requests for Additional Funding from Facilities Committee

Diesel Tank

Chelmsford Borough Council had agreed to pay for the Engineer’s visit and assessment of the site.

The quotation had now been received in the sum of £1885.00 plus VAT from Westcar for the concrete base. The Parish Council was advised to have installation of the base completed by the same Company who had originally built Robins Nest as they were aware of the problems on the site.  This amount took all the monies earmarked for this project .  The tank and the electrical connection still will be left to pay for. Another £2,000 will be required to cover the project.

 

Members decided to ask Facilities to find this sum of money from their budget.  If there were any difficulties to come back to Resources.

 

RESOLVED: that the order for the concrete base is placed for the sum of £1885.00 plus VAT to be taken from Facilities Budget.

 

72 EALC Training and Conferences

Conference Day Tuesday 28th November, 2006 Conference Day 9.30 a. m. –  3.30 p.m. – the Clerk  requested to attend. Cost £35.00

Chairman's Day Modules 5 & 6 Tuesday 31st October 10.00 a. m. – 4 p.m. Cost £50.00

Roles and Responsibilities Thursday 2nd November, 2006 9.30 a. m. – 12noon  Cost £30.00

Law and Procedures  Wednesday 22nd November, 2006 9.30 a. m. – 3.30p.m. Cost £50.00

Affordable Rural Housing – Time to Make a Move Wednesday 8th November, 2006 9.30 a. m. – 3.30 p.m.

 

RESOLVED: that a) the Clerk attend the Conference Day at a cost of £35.00 from the Resources training Budget

b) Anyone wishing to attend any of the other courses to inform the Clerk.

 

73 Community Evening

Members nominated the Clerk to the Parish Council to attend.

 

RESOLVED:  that the Clerk attend Chelmsford Borough Council’s Community Evening on Wednesday 24th January, 2007.

 

74 Cookie for Cure 2007

Information regarding the campaign had been circulated to Members. World Leprosy Week would take place (21st – 28th January, 2007)

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

75 Disposal of Bates Trailer

Members agreed to dispose of the Bateson 2 wheel trailer.  Members put a reserve on the price to accept for the trailer.

 

RESOLVED: that the trailer be advertised for sale.

 

76 Urgent Request from DCA

The CCTV Camera to rear of Sports and Social Centre was not registering in the dark.  It had been suggested to return the camera to the Company if the Infra red was not working.  The Police had suggested PIR lighting to the are a.    A further request was made that the four lights already placed on the building should be lowered and an additional light installed near the CCTV Camer a.   Each light costs £141.00 plus VAT making a total of £705.00 there had only £250.00 in the lighting budget.  CBC Planning Department had been informed of the request as the Sports and Social Centre was in the Conservation Are a.

 

RESOLVED:  that this item be deferred to Facilities Committee on 8th November, 2006 

 

77 Asbestos Surveys

The Clerk checked with the Health and Safety Executive it cannot just be assumed that a building does not contain Asbestos.  Further documentation was circulated with the Agend a.  

 

RESOLVED: that this item be deferred to next Resources Committee on 22nd November, 2006.

 

78 Hydraulic Lift Table

Further to Minute 61 Resources Committee held on 19th September, 2006

The Hydraulic Lift Table had  been researched  with advice from the Groundsman.  It will take 300kg in weight at a trade price of £395.00 plus £25.00 for delivery plus VAT.  A request was made to purchase item from the FAC Supp & M repairs. A small sack barrow has already been purchased.

 

RESOLVED that this item be taken to Facilities Committee on 8th November, 2006.

 

79 “Treasure Chest” Publication February 2007

Members agreed to continue to place a free advertisement in this magazine.

 

RESOLVED: that the information be noted.

 

80 Matters for Report 

No Matters for Report.

 

81 Exclusion of Press and Public

RESOLVED: that pursuant to S.1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the meeting be not now open to the public and press for the following items of business and they were instructed to withdraw.

 

82 Staff 

82.1 Job description Groundsman

82.2 Additional Help

These items were deferred to the next meeting.

 

RESOLVED: that these items are placed on next Agenda and moved nearer the beginning.

 

83 Dates of meetings in 2006

22nd November, 2006 and Tuesday 19th December, 2006   

 

Business having been concluded, the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.10 pm.