135.PRESENT
Councillors:
- Mr B Cooper (Mayor)
- Mr T Harbour(Deputy Mayor)
- Mrs M Davies
- Capt J Flood
- Mr G Collier
- Mr W Service
- Mr J Goff
- Mr C Daukes
- Mr A Thompson
- Mrs L Hood
- Mr L Elias
- Mrs A Service
- Mr B Griffiths
- Mrs M Turner
- Mr P Hayward
- Mr R Hawlor
- Mrs J Murphy
- Mrs S Crowther
Officers:
- Mr D Stapleton (Town Clerk)
- Mr S Carter (Deputy Town Clerk)
136.APOLOGIES
Councillors Dr D Giaretta (work), Mr K Murphy (work) Mr P Hayward (holiday) and Mrs M Flood (holiday).
137.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 Mrs J Murphy declared a prejudicial interest in Minute 141(a) as she is company secretary of Total Pest Control.
Councillor Mr T Harbour declared a personal interest in Minute 141(b) as he is a member of Willowbrook Leisure Centre.
Councillor and Mayor Bernard Cooper declared a prejudicial interest in minute 141(c), as the payments included the Mayor’s allowance.
138.MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 11th June 2007 be approved and signed as a true and correct record.
139.Adoption and agreement of Committee reports and recommendations
(a) Environment Committee – 18th June 2007
RESOLVED that the report and recommendations contained therein be approved.
(b) Planning and Development Committee – 20th June 2007
RESOLVED that the report and recommendations contained therein be approved.
(c) Finance and General Purposes Committee – 2nd July 2007
- Item 117 – Fair Trade Status of Didcot
RESOLVED that Councillor J Goff be the representative on the Didcot Fairtrade Group.
- Item 122 – Providing and Funding a PCSO
RESOLVED that this item be referred back to committee.
RESOLVED that with the above amendments, the reports and recommendations contained therein be approved.
(d) Planning and Development Committee – 4th July 2007
RESOLVED that the report and recommendations contained therein be approved.
140.MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
13/6/07 |
Wed 7pm |
Scouting AGM, Ladygrove Park School |
Mayor |
19/6/07 |
Tues 7.15 for 7.45pm |
An Evening at Dorchester Abbey |
Mayor & Mayoress |
20/6/07 |
Wed 8pm |
AGM, DACA, Northbourne Centre |
Mayor |
21/6/07 |
Thurs 7.30pm |
AGM Didcot – Meylan Twinning Association |
Mayor |
22/6/07 |
Fri 6.30 – 8.30pm |
Harwell Annual Reception, Chilton Primary School |
Mayor |
29/6/07 |
Fri 8.15pm |
Presentation of Junior Fishing Prizes, Ladygrove Lakes |
Mayor |
1/7/07 |
Sun 11am |
Presentation of Prizes – 5 mile race and Fun Run |
Mayor |
Deputy Mayors Announcements
22/6/07 |
Fri 7.45pm |
Reception at Blenheim Palace |
Deputy Mayor & Mayoress |
24/6/07 |
Sun 11.15am |
Civic Service, Croydon |
Deputy Mayor |
141. FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Councillor Mrs J Murphy left the meeting.
(a) RESOLVED that the payments of cheques for July 2007 amounting to £17,133.58 be authorised for payment.
Councillor Mrs J Murphy returned to the meeting.
Councillor Mr B Cooper left the meeting and Councillor T Harbour chaired the meeting for the next item.
(b) RESOLVED that payments made by BACS, manual cheque, direct debit or Standing Order since the last meeting of the Council on 11th June 2007 amounting to £32,239.13 be authorised.
Councillor Mr B Cooper returned to the meeting.
(c) RESOLVED that the payments of cheques for 28th June 2008 amounting to £11,770.84 be authorised for payment.
142. POLITICAL BALANCE ON COMMITTEES
Following advice of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) about the Political Balance on Committees in accordance with Standing Order 30(c), it was reported under Standing Order 36(d) that the Political Balance in the Finance and General Purposes Committee had been amended to 5 Conservative Group Members and 2 Labour Group Members. The Political Balance on the Planning and Development Committee had been amended to 5 Conservative Group Members and 1 Labour Group Member.
This action has been taken under Standing Order 36 as the advice had been received after Council on 11th June 2007 and before the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting on 2nd July 2007.
The membership of the Finance and General Purposes Committee and the Planning and Development Committee was amended to read:
| Finance and General Purposes | Planning and Development |
|---|---|
| Mr P Hayward | Mrs M Flood |
| Mrs L Hood | Mrs A Service |
| Mrs J Murphy | Mr J Goff |
| Mr T Harbour | Mrs M Turner |
| Mr R Hawlor | Mrs S Crowther |
| Dr D Giaretta | Mr L Elias |
| Mrs M Davies |
Plus the leader of the Council ex officio on both Committees.
NOTED
143.CORRESPONDENCE
TRAIN
June 2007 Newsletter
NOTED
National Association of Local Councils (NALC)
Nomination for membership of the NALC Local Councils Committee 2007/2008
NOTED
144.QUESTIONS TO THE LEADER
(a) Mrs Davies asked the leader if he was aware that his recent actions, in sending an email which contained words that she found to be racist, have impacted on Didcot Town Council's ability to be seen to carry out its statutory duties to promote equality, equity and good relations between persons of different racial groups?
The Leader responded by stating that the email contained a well known and widely available poem, which is not racist and is often used in an anti-racist context.
The Meeting commenced at 7.30pm and closed at 8.25pm
Mayor
