132. PRESENT
Councillors:
- Mr W Service (Vice-Chair)
- Capt J Flood
- Mr L Elias
- Mr B Cooper
- Mr P Hayward
Officers:
- Mr S Carter (Deputy Town Clerk)
133. APOLOGIES
Councillors Mr R Hawlor (sick), Mrs J Murphy (personal) and Mr K Murphy (personal).
134. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Members were reminded to declare any personal or prejudicial interests on any item on the agenda in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct.
Councillor Mr W Service declared a personal interest in Minute 141 as he is a Cabinet Member for Leisure, which includes Cornerstone, at South Oxfordshire District Council.
135. MINUTES
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 28th May 2008 be approved and signed as a true and correct record.
136. It was RESOLVED to adjourn the meeting to allow DAF to address the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 11.
DIDCOT ARTS FORUM
The financial statement and expenditure forecast were circulated to members. It was explained that the Minutes had not been written by the secretary and were therefore unavailable.
DAF reported that they had sent a letter to all the arts groups in the town asking them if they wished to have a representative on the committee and advising them that there was grant money available to apply for. They were awaiting responses.
DAF also advised that they had booked The Ivy League for this December, Chas and Dave for February 2008 and Andy Abrahams for May 2008.
Based on their current expenditure forecast DAF reported that the worst case deficit would be £1,200 for 2008/09 financial year.
Councillor Mr W Service thanked DAF for their efforts and congratulated them on running such a well organised and tight ship.
It was RESOLVED to reconvene the meeting.
137. FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The financial statement for month 4 was circulated.
Councillor Mr B Cooper asked what budget heading 2167 Grant Town Arts, was used for. It was stated that the Deputy Town Clerk would find out and report back to the committee prior to the next meeting.
Note: Code 2167 Grant Town Arts has in the past been used for supporting St Giles Orchestra, Christmas Street Fair and Didcot Arts Forum.
NOTED
138. GRANT AID APPLICATIONS
(a) Sustrans
Hanson Way cycle route leaflet reprint.
It was RESOLVED to defer this application for more information as to why Sustrans were not applying for any money from the other Parish Councils that this cycle way passed through, and why they were not asking for more money from Oxford City Council.
(b) Royal British Legion (RBL)
Didcot Civic Remembrance Parade 2008.
It was noted by the committee that the Remembrance Parade was carried out by the RBL on behalf of the Town Council and that a budget had been put aside for this event of £500 under heading 2179 Remembrance Parade.
RECOMMENDED that the Council in accordance with its powers under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, grant aid £500 to the Didcot branch of the RBL for the Didcot Civic Remembrance Parade 2008, which in the opinion of the Council, is in the interest of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure.
Code 2179 - Local Government Act 1972, section 137 (Power of Local Authorities to incur expenditure for certain purposes not otherwise authorised).
(c) King's Kid's Preschool
To provide high quality pre-school education and support local families.
RECOMMENDED that the application for grant aid be declined.
(d) Didcot Christmas Street Fair
Didcot Christmas Street Fair 2008.
RECOMMENDED that a total of £600 is grant aided to Didcot Christmas Street Fair in the form of £250 sponsorship of the 12ft x 3ft advertising banners and £350 sponsorship of the A3 advertising posters, based on the condition that the Town Council features prominently on these items.
Code 2761 - Local Government Act 1972, section 145 (Power to provide entertainment).
139. LIVE AND LOCAL TOURING SCHEME
It was reported that the committee had been successful in getting its first choice pick in the touring scheme and that the Prisoner of Zenda would be performed at the Civic Hall on Friday 21st November 2008. The committee were now asked to set ticket prices and allocate a budget.
RECOMMENDED that ticket prices are set at:-
Adult advanced £7.00
Concession advanced £5.00 (Over 65s and under 16s)
Family ticket £20.00 (2 adults and 2 children
Adult on the door £8.00
Concession on the door £6.00
RECOMMENDED that £800.00 be allocated from budget heading 2161 Grants under Specific Powers, to cover the maximum cost of the show.
Please note that the cost of tickets and budget allocation will be dealt with under Standing Order 36, the delegation of urgent and routine matters, as the deadline for returning the publicity form to Live and Local is prior to the next meeting of the Council on 8th September 2008.
140. DIDCOT ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION
A report was circulated giving an update on preparations for this year's Annual Art Exhibition which was taking place on the 22nd 25th August 2008. A rota had been emailed to all the Councillors asking for volunteers to help out during the exhibition.
It was pointed out that the raffle prizes had been of a poor quality last year and when considering the type of event this is, that all efforts should be made to improve upon this.
The report was NOTED.
141. GRANT AID POLICY AND CORNERSTONE
As requested at the last meeting of this committee, a report was circulated regarding the possibility of changing the Grant Aid Policy to deal with applications where the event was taking place at Cornerstone. This followed the rejection of a previous application whereby the event was to take place at Cornerstone having previously taken place at the Civic Hall.
The report stated that any change in policy could have further implications on all venues in the town that may be viewed to be in competition with the Civic Hall. The report went on that the committee currently considers each application on a case by case basis.
Following discussion, no changes to the policy were proposed.
NOTED
142. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Didcot Ladies Afternoon Group, letter of thanks regarding recent grant award of £200.
NOTED
(b) King Alfred Drive Community Centre. letter of thanks regarding recent grant award of £1,900.
NOTED
The Meeting commenced at 6.00pm and closed at 6.44pm
Chair
