523. PRESENT
Councillors:
- Mr G Collier (Vice-Chair)
- Mr P Hayward
- Mrs S Crowther
- Capt J Flood
- Mr B Service (for Mr T Harbour)
- Mrs M Davies (for Dr D Giaretta)
- Mrs M Turner (for Mr C Daukes)
Officers:
- Mr S Carter (Deputy Town Clerk)
524. APOLOGIES
Councillor Mr B Griffiths (work), Mr T Harbour (personal), Mr C Daukes (personal) and Dr D Giaretta (personal).
525. 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 and prejudicial interest in Minute 529(f) as he is a member of the Royal British Legion.
526. MINUTES
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 21st January 2008 be approved and signed as a true and correct record.
527. It was RESOLVED to adjourn the meeting to allow DAF to address the committee in accordance with Standing Order 11.
DIDCOT ARTS FORUM (DAF)
The minutes of the DAF meeting held on 23rd January 2008, financial statement and expenditure forecast were circulated. It was noted that the latest account information had not been provided prior to the meeting and was tabled at the meeting.
DAF reported that they had a number of upcoming events booked including performances by The Giffords, The Ivy League and a comedian. They also confirmed that they had booked Chaz and Dave to play in February 2009 at the Civic Hall. The recent 60’s night with Mike Pender’s Searchers created a profit of approximately £1,200 and it was hoped that this money could be used towards getting a bigger and better band.
The Committee stated that DAF were doing well in putting on these events and that they had obviously built up a loyal fan base.
It was RESOLVED to reconvene the meeting.
RESOLVED that the £1,200 profit from the recent 60’s concert with Mike Pender’s Searchers be retained by DAF for use at a similar event.
528. FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The financial statement for month 12 was circulated. There were no matters arising.
NOTED
529. GRANT AID APPLICATIONS
(a) Didcot Boys Football Club
Travel and entry to the Gothia Cup, 2008, Gothenburg, Sweden
RESOLVED that the Council grant aid £250 to Didcot Boys Football Club for travel and entry into the Gothia Cup which in the opinion of the Council, is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure.
Code 2761 – Local Government Act 1972, section 137 (Power of Local Authorities to incur expenditure for certain purposes not otherwise authorised).
(b) South Oxfordshire Ryder-Cheshire Volunteers
Swimming group for disabled people aged 16 and over.
RESOLVED that the Council grant aid £500 to the South Oxfordshire Ryder-Cheshire Volunteers for their swimming group that is held weekly at the Didcot Wave.
Code 2161 – Local Government Act 1976, section 19 (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Power to contribute towards the expenses of another local authority or non profit making organisation in providing such recreational facilities.
(c) 1st Didcot Downs Guides
Overseas Summer Camp
RESOLVED to defer making a decision on this application for grant aid as not all the information had been received.
(d) Didcot Ladies Afternoon Group (DLAG)
Room hire and insurance for their ongoing meetings.
RESOLVED that the Council grant aid £200 to be paid directly to the Civic Hall, as a contribution to the hall hire costs for the Didcot Ladies Afternoon Group.
Code 2161 – Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, section 19 (Power to provide and equip premises for social and recreational purposes)
RESOLVED to review the policy regarding grant applications requesting contributions to hall hire and provide a report accordingly.
(e) Girlguiding Didcot
Purchase of a new lease of 99 years from South Oxfordshire District Council.
RESOLVED that the Council grant aid £1,000 for the purchase of a new lease for 99 years, on the condition that it is only paid once the other £9,000 funding has been secured.
Code 2161 – Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, section 19 (Power to provide and equip premises for the use of clubs having athletic, social or recreational objects, and to contribute towards the expenses of another local authority or voluntary organisation in providing such facilities)
Councillor Mr W Service left the meeting for the next item.
(f) Didcot Branch of the Royal British Legion
A year’s hire of the Civic Hall for branch meetings.
RESOLVED that the Council grant aid £330 to be paid directly to the Civic Hall for the cost of hiring the hall for branch meetings which in the opinion of the Council, is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure.
Code 2761 – Local Government Act 1972, section 137 (Power of Local Authorities to incur expenditure for certain purposes not otherwise authorised).
Councillor Mr W Service returned to the meeting.
(g) Didcot Volunteer Centre
Ongoing charitable work of Didcot Volunteer Centre.
RESOLVED that the Council grant aid £250 to Didcot Volunteer Centre for their ongoing charity work which in the opinion of the Council, is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure.
Code 2761 – Local Government Act 1972, section 137 (Power of Local Authorities to incur expenditure for certain purposes not otherwise authorised).
(h) The Didcot and District Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
Contribution towards the running costs of Didcot CAB for 2008/2009 financial year.
RESOLVED that the Council grant aid £16,900 (£9,283 directly and £7,617 to cover rent) towards the running costs of the Didcot and District CAB for the financial year 2008/2009.
Code 2164 – Local Government Act 1972, section 142 (Power to provide information and advice)
530. REQUEST TO FUND A BOOK ABOUT DIDCOT’S WAR HEROES FROM WORLD WAR ONE AND WORLD WAR TWO
A report was circulated explaining how Didcot resident, Mr Richard Polley, had written a book regarding Didcot’s war heroes from World War One and World War Two. It specifically focused on those names that are detailed on Didcot’s war memorial in Britwell Road but also featured other residents who served and died during the World Wars. The report detailed three quotes for printing 500 A4 copies of the book that Mr Polley had obtained, and recommended that Nuffield Press with their quote of £1,650 (excluding VAT) be chosen should the committee decide to fund the printing. It was noted that this would be in accordance with Financial Regulations 50(b) (i).
The report also explained that there was £2,219.20 in reserves from the sale of past books that could be used to cover the printing costs.
RESOLVED that the Town Council pay for the printing of 500 copies from Nuffield Press at a cost of £1,650 of Mr Polley’s book entitled ‘Didcot’s War Heroes Remembered’, and that Didcot Town Council have the first charge on income from the sales. Income received would go back into reserves.
Members remarked that this was a great initiative and that the Council was grateful to Mr Polley for the book.
531. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Oxfordshire Association for the Blind – letter detailing how the recent grant of £500 was spent
NOTED
(b) TRAIN – letter of thanks regarding recent grant for detached youth worker
NOTED
The Meeting commenced at 7.30 pm and closed at 8.35 pm
Chair
