Monthly Meeting of the Council - 12th January 2009, Minutes

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348. PRESENT

Councillors:

Officers:

349. APOLOGIES

Councillors Mrs J Murphy (personal), Dr D Giaretta (personal), Mrs S Crowther (personal), Mr W Service (personal), Mrs A Service (personal), Mr G Collier (sick), Mr B Griffiths (work), Mr R Hawlor (personal), Mr P Hayward (sick), Mr K Murphy (personal) and Mrs M Turner (personal).

350. 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

351. MINUTES

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8th December 2008 be approved and signed as a true and correct record.

(a) Referring to Minute 326(a) Councillor Mrs E Hards stated that publicising it in the Dynamo was okay as was having it available on the website. But neither would be much use when flooding happened. She asked that the issue of how to make the Flood Plan available to residents be put on the next agenda of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Clerks Note: The publiciation/availalbility of the Flood Plan is on the Finance and General Purposes Agenda for 26th January 2009.

(b) Referring to Minute 333(a) Councillor Mrs M Davies asked what the process was to be for discussing the future of The One Stop Shop and whether it would be through the Finance and General Purposes Committee or some other process?

The Leader responded that it would be through the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Clerks Note: The funding for The One Stop Shop is on the Finance and General Purposes Agenda for 26th January 2009.

352. ADOPTION AND AGREEMENT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

(a) Planning and Development Committee – 10th December 2008

Referring to the number of apologies that had been received for this Planning committee meeting which has delegated authority on planning applications, and that there were no substitutes, resulting in some decisions being taken by only three members; Councillor Mrs M Davies asked whether the Conservative members sought substitutes if they could not attend?

It was confirmed by the Town Clerk that an email would be sent out reminding members that if they are unable to attend meetings they should seek a substitute to stand in for them.

RESOLVED that the report and recommendations contained therein be approved.

(b) Planning and Development Committee – 7th January 2009

RESOLVED that the report and recommendations contained therein be approved

353. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

10/12/2008

Wednesday evening

Carol Service, Wantage

Mayor & Mayoress

11/12/2008

Thursday 7.15pm

Annual Carol Concert, Didcot Civic Hall

Mayor & Mayoress
12/12/2008 Friday evening ATC Ball Mayor & Mayoress
12/12/2008 Friday evening Ivy League Mayor & Moyoress
16/12/2008 Tuesday 7.30pm ATC Annual Review Mayor
18/12/2008 Thursday evening John Eldridge Awards Mayor & Mayoress
25/12/2008 Thursday 10.15am The Meadows and Carol Service Mayor & Mayoress
25/12/2008 Thursday 11.15am Didcot Hospital Mayor & Mayoress
2/1/2009 Friday Visit to Didcot Hospital patient for 103rd birthday Mayor & Mayoress

The Mayor reported that the Town Council had received three letters congratulating and thanking the Council for their efforts in co-organising and hosting the Welcome Home Parade for 821 Squadron of 11 EOD RLC.

354. FINANCIAL STATEMENT

(a) RESOLVED that the cheque run payment 17th December 2008 amounting to £4,146.42 be authorised.

(b) RESOLVED that the list of all payments made between 1st December and 31st December 2008 including wages amounting to £38,788.98 be authorised.

355. CORRESPONDENCE

(a) Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils

Training event – How to be a better Councillor, 2nd March 2009, Didcot Civic Hall. An introduction for new Councillors and a refresher for more experienced Councillors.

(b) Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils

Training event – Chairmanship, 16th March 2009, Didcot Civic Hall. Aimed at Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mayor and Deputy Mayor this course aims to help them perform their role effectively and responsibly.

(c) Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils

Training event – Local Government and Local Councils, 2nd April 2009, Didcot Civic Hall. An introduction for Councillors and Clerks on roles and responsibilities, law and procedure.

(d) Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils

Training event – Getting to Grips with Finance, 3rd July 2009, Didcot Civic Hall. An update on financial responsibilities and procedures.

(e) Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils

Training event – Effective Responses to Planning Applications, 20th October 2009, Didcot Civic Hall. Aimed at Planning Committee members or those intending to sit on the Planning Committee this is a General overview of how parish councils fit into the planning system.

Clerk’s Note: Members are asked to contact the Deputy Town Clerk for further information or if they wish to attend any of the above OALC training courses.

356. QUESTIONS TO THE LEADER

(a) With reference to a survey carried out on the Civic Hall approximately two years ago which highlighted the need for work to be carried out on the floor of the main hall to prevent it from breaking up, Councillor Mrs M Davies asked The Leader whether he would be investigating a solution to this problem?

The Leader responded by saying that the survey Councillor Davies was referring too was on the agenda for the next meeting of the Civic Hall Project Working Group and would be discussed then.

(b) Referring to the recent sudden death of East Hagbourne Parish Councillor Monica Lawson who was one of the main driving forces behind the village’s bid for a new pavilion, Councillor Mrs M Davies asked whether the Council would write expressing its deepest sympathies?

The Leader responded by stating that it was very sad to hear of the death of Mrs Lawson and asked the Clerk to write to East Hagbourne Parish Council passing on the Town Council’s condolences.

The Meeting commenced at 7.30pm and closed at 7.55pm


Mayor

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