Monthly Meeting of the Council - 9th June 2008, Minutes

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53. PRESENT

Councillors:

Officers:

54. APOLOGIES

Councillors Mrs J Murphy (personal), Dr D Giaretta (personal), Mr R Hawlor (personal), Mrs M Davies (personal), Mr W Service (personal), Mrs M Turner (personal) and Mr B Griffiths (personal).

55. 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.

(a) Councillor Mrs L Hood declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute 57(c), of the Arts and Grants Committee 28th May 2008, as she is the Chair of the Didcot Arts Forum (DAF).

(b) The Mayor, Councillor Mr T Harbour, declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute 59(b), the report detailing payments made by BACS, manual cheque, direct debit and Standing Order since the last Council meeting on the 12th May 2008, as it includes Mayoral Allowance.

56. MINUTES

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 12th May 2008 be approved and signed as a true and correct record, with the following amendment:

Minute 11, Mayor's Announcement - delete Saturday 3/5/08, Bicester Charity Dinner.

10. ADOPTION AND AGREEMENT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The Mayor made reference to a note that had been tabled detailing that the title of Minute 22 Personnel and Administration Committee 19th May 2008, Minute 32 of Planning and Development Committee 21st May 2008 and Minute 43 of Arts and Grants Committee 28th may 2008, should all have read 'ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR 2008/2009' and not 'ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR 2007/2008'. He went on that these amendments would go to the next meeting of each of these committees as it is there that the accuracy of Minutes is dealt with.

(a) Personnel and Administration Committee - 19th May 2008

RESOLVED that the report and recommendations continued therein be approved.

(b) Planning and Development Committee - 21st May 2008

Referring to Minute 39(e) and 39(g) of the Planning and Development Minutes, Councillor MRs E hards asked if the responses would be referred back to the committee before being sent out?

Councillor Capt J Flood responded by stating that they would be.

It was noted that Minute 39(f) was to be referred to the Major Issues Working Group.

Councillor Mr B Cooper asked who was on the Major Issues Working Group?

Councillor Capt J Flood confirmed that he and Councillors Mrs M Davies and Mrs M Turner were on the Major Issues Working Group, along with Mr D Stapleton, the Town Clerk.

RESOLVED that, with the added amendment to refer the Thames Water, Water Resources Management Plan consultation to the Major Issues Working Group, the report and recommendations contained therein be approved.

Councillor Mrs L Hood left the meeting for the next item.

(c) Arts and Grants Committee - 28th May 2008

Councillor Mrs E Hards asked whether committee advised St Giles Orchestra to approach DAF for funding?

Councillor Capt J Flood responded by stating that previously the Town Council had funded the orchestra whilst appearing at the Civic Hall. The Orchestra had now moved to another venue, and seeing as that venue was taking a share of the profit, the committee felt that this application should not be grant aided.

With regard to Minute 49(b), the grant award for the King Alfred Drive Community Centre, it was noted that this award would come out of budget heading 2172 and not 2161 as stated.

RESOLVED that, subject to the above amendment, the report and recommendations contained therein be approved.

Councillor Mrs L Hood returned to the meeting.

58. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

12/5/08

Monday 7.30pm

Mayor Making Dinner

Mayor & Mayoress

14/5/08

Wednesday 7pm

Election of Mayor of Abingdon

Mayor & Mayoress
15/5/08 Thursday 6pm Election of new Chairman of SODC Mayor & Mayoress
18/5/08 Sunday 11am Henley Civic Service Mayor & Mayoress
18/5/08 Sunday 3pm Didcot Civic Service, Methodist Church Mayor & Mayoress
20/5/08 Tuesday 7.30pm Annual Review of Girlguiding Oxfordshire Mayor & Mayoress
21/5/08 Wednesday 6pm Society Event, Abingdon Airfield Mayor & Mayoress
23/5/08 Friday 7.30pm Re-launch of Milton Hill House Mayor & Mayoress
26/5/08 Monday 3-5pm Thong Rangers Fun Day, Marlborough Club Mayor & Mayoress
26/5/08 Monday 8-9pm Thong Rangers Charity Auction, Marlborough Club Mayor
30/5/08 Friday evening Pre ball drinks and 2410 ATC Spring Ball Mayor & Mayoress
6/6/08 Friday 2pm Official opening of Willowcroft Community School Mayor & Mayoress
7/6/08 Saturday 11am Fun Day, Loyd Rec Mayor & Mayoress

59. FINANCIAL STATEMENT

(a) RESOLVED that the cheque run payments for 15th May 2008 amounting to £10,184.56, and 28th May 2008 amounting to £12.309.04 be authorised.

In response to a question, it was confirmed that Burton Trading Ltd are based in Abingdon, and that local traders are used when available.

The Mayor, Councillor Mr T Harbour, left the meeting for the next item.

In the absence of the Mayor and Deputy mayor, a Chair was elected for the next item.
There was one nomination, Councillor Capt J Flood.
Upon being put to the vote it was:

RESOLVED that Capt J Flood act as Chair for the next item.

(b) RESOLVED that payments made by BACS, direct debit, manual cheque and Standing Order since the last meeting of the Council on 12th May 2008 amounting to £32,282.56 be authorised.

The Mayor, Councillor Mr T Harbour, returned to the meeting and took the Chair.

60. ANNUAL RETURN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2008

It was reported that as part of the Audit and Accounts Regulations, the Council was required to complete and annual return. A copy of the return for year ended 31st March 2008 was circulated to all members.

RESOLVED that the Statement of Accounts on the Annual Return for the year ended 31st March 2008 be approved.

RESOLVED that the Annual Governance Statement, where questions 1 to 8 are answered yes, be approved.

61. CORRESPONDENCE

(a) CrossCountry Trains

Further response stating that with the impact on end-to-end journey times, in line with past consultation with oxfordshire County Council and South Oxfordshire District Council as well as the fact the CrossCountry trains can be boarded at Oxford and Reading, there was no current justification to reinstate the stopping service at Didcot Parkway Station.

62. QUESTIONS TO THE LEADER

(a) Referring to the recent article in the Didcot Herald regarding the naming of the Town Square, Councillor Mrs E Hards asked the Leader how many votes had been cast, when the closing date was and would it be referred back to committee once the vote was closed?

The Leader stated that these questions would be responded to in writing.

(b) Councillor Mrs A Service asked the leader that in light of the recent flooding once more on the Ladygrove estate, whether the Town Council could ask about upgrading the sewerage pump on the estate to prevent this from happening in the future?

The Leader responded by stating that he could see no reason why not.

(c) Referring to the letter from CrossCountry Trains, Councillor Mr B Cooper asked the Leader if there was anything more that could be done to reinstate the CrossCountry service at Didcot Parkway Station?

The Leader responded by stating that there was not much further that could be done but that the Town Council would write again in the future.

The Meeting commenced at 6.00pm and closed at 6.40 pm

Mayor

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