Services A-Z
Minutes of the Finance and Properties Committee - 8th February 2021
Minutes of the Virtual TEAMS meeting of Finance and Properties on 8th February 2021 at 7p.m
PRESENT
The Chairman, Councillor Dolton, Councillors Beauchamp, Cattermole, Harris, Kidley and Whelan The Town Clerk, Paula Lopez
Responsible Finance Officer, Michelle Taylor
Senior Officer and Minute Taker: Barbara Atkins
Member of the Public
TO ADVISE THOSE IN ATTENDANCE OF THE PROTOCOL FOR THE MEETING
Councillor Dolton reminded Members of the format and protocol for the meeting.
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillor Holford. Councillor Wilder was not present.
ADMISSION OF THE PUBLIC
It was Proposed by Councillor Kidley, Seconded by Councillor Beauchamp and
RESOLVED THAT in accordance with Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, as amended by Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items and that the papers relating to these items remain confidential on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public’s interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted:-
- Agenda item 14 – Confidential Minutes
- Agenda item 15 – Aged Debtors
- Agenda Item 16 – 10 St Martins Street
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
A Councillor with voting rights who has a disclosable pecuniary interest or another interest as set out in our Council’s Standing Orders Code of Conduct (Item 13) in a matter being considered at a meeting is subject to statutory limitations or restrictions under code of conduct and his right to participate and vote on the matter (guidelines are available at the meeting and all Councillors have received a copy prior to the meeting) Information for each Member was available at the meeting.
There were no declarations of interests.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – NOTIFIED AND IMPROMPTU (Total 15 Minutes)
There were no members of the public who wished to speak.
VARIATION OF ORDER OF BUSINESS
There was no variation of order of business.
MINUTES
It was Proposed Councillor Beauchamp, Seconded by Councillor Whelan and
RESOLVED: THAT the Minutes of the Finance and Properties Meeting held on the 30th November 2020 on Pages 208 – 211 of the Minute Book, copy circulated to members be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
BILLS SCHEDULES
Here Councillor Cattermole arrived on line
Members discussed the Bill Schedules for October, November and December 2020 which had been sent out in advance of the meeting. The Responsible Finance Officer answered questions from Councillors Harris and Whelan.
It was Proposed by Councillor Harris, Seconded by Councillor Kidley and
RESOLVED: THAT the Bill Schedules for October, November and December 2020 be received and the action of The Responsible Finance Officer in paying same is confirmed.
QUARTER 3 ACCOUNTS UP TO AND INCLUDING DECEMBER 2020
Members reviewed the Quarter 3 Accounts which had been sent out in advance of the meeting.
It was Proposed by Councillor Whelan, Seconded by Councillor Harris and
RESOLVED: THAT the Quarter 3 Accounts ending the 31st December 2020, copy attached to the Minute Book be received and approved.
COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY (CIL)
The Responsible Finance Officer had sent out in advance of the meeting a summary of the Community Infrastructure payments that have been received. Miss Taylor (RFO) also advised that a link to SODC’s website showing CIL allocation had also been circulated to all Councillors. A small amount of the CIL money has been used for the Town Hall’s condition survey.
INVESTMENT POLICY
Members considered and approved recommending the amended investment policy to Full Council for adoption.
It was Proposed by Councillor Dolton, Seconded by Councillor Harris and
RECOMMENDED: THAT the investment policy is taken to Full Council for adoption.
PROPERTY ISSUES
Wigod Way Wallingford Family Centre – The Town Clerk reported that Members had received a copy of the estimate for the repairs to the loose plaster in the main hall. The original architects and builders had visited the centre and it did not appear that there was an inherent problem more a case of repairing the loose plaster. Councillor Whelan asked why the Town Council was paying and the Town Clerk responded that the building was owned by the Town Council therefore they had to pay for the fabric of the building.
Riverside Subsidence – The Town Clerk reported that due to flooding the contractor had been unable to advise on the damage or provide an estimate for any repairs that may be required. This item was deferred and may need to go to Full Council.
PROPERTY ISSUES WORKING PARTY
The Town Clerk reported that it had been suggested that the Property Issues Working Party should meet again. Councillor Harris stated that he had been working with the Town Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer to better understand the problems that the Town Council faced with its properties and that he would suggest that the Town Council has a 2 to 5 year repairs and maintenance schedule in order to improve its property portfolio. A dilapidation report was likely to cost in the region of £2,000 to £5,000 and Councillor Harris suggested that all old property leases should be reviewed and that although the properties were insured for rebuilding costs perhaps the Town council should look at the capital value of the properties and treat them as an investment.
Councillor Dolton stated that Councillor Harris had some good points but the first step was to call a meeting of the working party which feeds into the Finance and Properties Committee/Full Council. Councillors Beauchamp and Harris expressed interest in joining the working party and the Town Clerk stated that she would call a meeting.
