1. PRESENT
Councillors:
- Mr C Daukes (Mayor)
- Mr M McNulty (Deputy Mayor)
- Mrs M Davies, Ms C Newberry
- Mrs D McNulty, Mrs E Hards
- Capt J Flood, Mr T Harbour
- Miss M Gordon, Mr R Jeffreys
- Ms A O’Brien, Mr B Cooper
- Dr N Hards, Mr P Read
- Mr J Goff, Mrs M Turner
- Mr A Thompson, Mrs A Service
- Mr I Townsend
Officers:
- Mr D Stapleton (Town Clerk)
- Mr A Tubb (Deputy Town Clerk)
2. APOLOGIES
Councillor Dr D Giaretta (business)
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
There were no declarations of interests.
4. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
| 12/04/06 | SSAFA and TRAIN cheque presentations | Mayor |
| 21/04/06 | Wallingford Town Council Dinner | Mayor & Mayoress |
| 23/04/06 | Scout Group St Georges Day March and Promise Renewal | Mayor |
| 05/05/06 | Oxford Castle Heritage Project – Queen’s Visit to Oxford | Mayor & Mayoress |
5. ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR 2006-2007
The election of Councillor Mr M McNulty, Mayor Designate, as Mayor for the year 2006-2007 was confirmed, minute 621. of Council minutes dated 10th April 2006 refers.
RESOLVED that Councillor Mr M McNulty serve as Town Mayor for the year 2006-2007.
UNANIMOUSMr M McNulty signed the declaration of acceptance of Office of Mayor.
6. APPOINTMENT OF CHAPLAIN TO THE MAYOR
Since the meeting it has been confirmed that the Chaplain to the Mayor for 2006-2007 is Mrs. Jenny Loder.
7. ELECTION OF DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR 2006-2007
There were two nominations, Councillors Mr B Cooper and Mrs M Turner.
Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED that Councillor Mr B Cooper be elected Deputy Town Mayor for 2006-2007.
CARRIED8. APPOINTMENT OF LEADER AND DEPUTY LEADER
(a) Leader
There were two nominations for Leader, Councillors Mrs M Davies and Capt J Flood.
Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED that Councillor Mrs M Davies be elected Leader for 2006 - 2007.
CARRIED(b) Deputy Leader
There were two nominations for Deputy Leader, Councillors Mrs E Hards and Capt J Flood.
Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED that Councillor Mrs E Hards be elected Deputy Leader for 2006-2007.
CARRIED
9. MINUTES
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 10th April 2006 be approved and signed as a true and correct record.
UNANIMOUS
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
(a) Planning and Development Committee - 12th April 2006
RESOLVED that the report and recommendations contained therein be approved.
UNANIMOUS
(b) Environment Committee – 24th April 2006
RESOLVED that the report and recommendations contained therein be approved.
UNANIMOUS
Arising therefrom:
(i) In response to a question, it was noted that whilst the current water restrictions did not prohibit the Council from watering hanging baskets the decision to not display them this year was taken to set an example.
(c) Planning and Development Committee - 26th April 2006
RESOLVED that the report and recommendations contained therein be approved.
UNANIMOUS
11. FINANCIAL STATEMENT
(a) RESOLVED that, the payments of bills for May 2006 amounting to £15,537.07 be authorised for payment.
UNANIMOUS
(b) RESOLVED that the payments of bills made since the last Full Council meeting on 10th April 2006 amounting to £24,340.36 be authorised.
UNANIMOUS
(c) RESOLVED that the payments of bills made by direct payment, manual cheque, direct debit or Standing Order since the last meeting of Council on 10th April 2006 amounting to £28,275.31 be authorised.
UNANIMOUS
Arising therefrom:
(i) In response to a question, it was confirmed that the rugby trousers (a name given to the type of trouser) were purchased for the pavilion cleaner;
(ii) in response to a question, it was confirmed that the ‘eco sacks’ purchased from South Oxfordshire District Council were on a sale or return basis as the scheme was changing in June.
12. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO STANDING COMMITTEES
RESOLVED that the following appointments be agreed for 2006-2007, appointments of Chairs and Vice-Chairs are subject to election at the first meeting of each committee:
Finance and General Purposes |
Arts & Grants |
Environment |
Planning & Development |
Personnel & Administration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chair: Dr D Giaretta |
Chair: Mrs E Hards |
Chair: Mr P Read |
Chair: Dr N Hards |
Chair: Mrs M Davies |
Vice-Chair: Mr B Cooper |
Vice-Chair: Mr I Townsend |
Vice-Chair: Mr J Goff |
Vice-Chair: Mrs D McNulty |
Vice-Chair: Mrs E Hards |
Mr M McNulty Mrs E Hards Capt J Flood Ms A O’Brien Mrs A Service Leader of the Council (Ex-Officio) |
Mr J Goff Mr C Daukes Mr T Harbour Leader of the Council (Ex-Officio) Chair of F&GP (Ex-Officio) |
Miss M Gordon Mr R Jeffreys Mrs M Turner Mr A Thompson Leader of the Council (Ex-Officio) Chair of F&GP (Ex-Officio) |
Miss M Gordon Capt J Flood Mrs A Service Mrs M Turner Leader of the Council (Ex-Officio) |
Mr P Read Capt J Flood Mr C Daukes Chair of F&GP (Ex-Officio) |
UNANIMOUS
13. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE DIDCOT DYNAMO WORKING GROUP
RESOLVED that Councillors Mrs D McNulty, Mrs E Hards, Mr B Cooper, Mr C Daukes and Ms C Newberry be appointed to the Didcot Dynamo Working Group.
UNANIMOUS
14. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE DIDCOT CIVIC HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLVED that Councillors Mrs D McNulty, Dr N Hards, Mr J Goff, Mrs M Turner and Capt J Flood be appointed to the Didcot Civic Hall Management Committee.
UNANIMOUS
15. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES SUB-COMMITTEE (REVIEW OF STANDING ORDERS)
RESOLVED that Councillors Mrs M Davies, Mrs E Hards, Dr N Hards, Dr D Giaretta, Capt J Flood, Mr A Thompson and Mr C Daukes be appointed to the Finance and General Purposes Sub-Committee to review Standing Orders.
UNANIMOUS
16. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO OTHER BODIES
(i) Didcot Chamber of Commerce
There were two nominations, Councillors Mrs M Davies and Mrs M Turner.
Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED that Councillor Mrs M Davies be appointed to represent Didcot Town Council on the Chamber of Commerce.
CARRIED
(ii) Didcot Integrated Transport Strategy
There were two nominations, Councillors Mrs M Davies and Mr A Thompson.
Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED that Councillor Mrs M Davies be appointed to represent Didcot Town Council on the Didcot Integrated Transport Strategy Group.
CARRIED
(iii) UK AEA Liaison Committee
There were two nominations, Councillors Dr D Giaretta and Mr C Daukes.
Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED that Councillor Dr D Giaretta be appointed to represent the Town Council on the UK AEA Liaison Committee.
CARRIED
(iv) Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils
There were three nominations for two places, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor Capt J Flood.
It was noted that in previous years the Mayor and Deputy Mayor had represented the Council on the Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils.
Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor continue to represent the Council on the Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils.
CARRIED
(v) Other
RESOLVED that the following appointments be agreed:
- Fleet Meadow Community Hall Association – Councillor Dr D Giaretta
- Didcot Leisure Centre – Councillor Mr A Thompson
- Didcot Arts and Community Association – Councillor Mr I Townsend
- Citizens Advice Bureau – Councillor Mrs D McNulty
- Didcot Volunteer Centre – Councillor Mr P Read
- Power Station Liaison Committee (2) – Councillors Dr N Hards and Mr J Goff
- Ladygrove Fishing Association (2) – Councillors Dr N Hards and Mr R Jeffreys
- Didcot Community Safety Group – Councillor Mrs M Davies (Noted that the Town Clerk also attends)
- Didcot Youth Centre Management Committee – Councillor Miss M Gordon
- King Alfred Drive Community Centre – Councillor Mrs D McNulty
- Ladygrove Community Centre Management Committee (3) - Mr M Pendlebury and Councillor Ms C Newberry, 1 Vacancy
- Twinning Association – Councillor Mr J Goff
- Hagbourne Charities (2) – Councillors Dr N Hards and Mrs D McNulty
UNANIMOUS
Clerks Note:
Councillor Mrs A Service indicated a willingness to serve on the Ladygrove Community Centre Management Committee to fill the vacant post, subject to agreement at the next Council meeting.
17. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Oxfordshire Highways – Oxfordshire County Council
Funding for Transport Schemes in 2006-2011.
RESOLVED that the Clerk respond to the letter from Oxfordshire Highways about funding for transport schemes in 2006-2011.
UNANIMOUS
(b) Oxfordshire Highways – Jacobs Babtie
Surfacing works on the A417 between Ardington and West Hendred commencing 8th May for 2 weeks.
NOTED
(c) The Lyons Inquiry into Local Government
Published 8th May 2006, Sir Michael Lyons latest report (around 90 pages) on the future role and function of local government. Available online at www.lyonsinquiry.org, copy for loan available from the office.
NOTED
18. QUESTIONS TO THE LEADER
(a) Mrs E Hards asked the Leader if a letter of congratulations should be sent to Bessie Thorn following her Help the Aged Living Legends award received at a presentation with the Queen.
In response the Leader agreed and asked the Clerk to write a letter of congratulation.
(b) Mrs D McNulty asked the Leader if she was aware of the recent success of Didcot Town Football Club and whether a letter could be sent on behalf of the Council congratulating the team on their promotion to the Southern League.
In response the Leader agreed that the Clerk should contact the club and enquire about any celebrations that are planned; and whether the Council could assist in anyway. It was noted that the Council was very proud of the football club’s achievements which had lifted the profile of the town.
The Meeting commenced at 7.30 pm and closed at 8.29pm
Mayor
