Finance Minutes 10th September 2012

MINUTES of the Meeting of the FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
held at The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich
on Monday, 10 September 2012 at 7pm

Present:
Councillors, Gibbins, Day, Thompson and Todd

In the Chair:
Councillor Double

Clerk:
Mrs Michelle Townsend

Also present:
Cllr Brown and Fowler

F16/12 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllrs McLeod, Calver, Thurlow and I Henderson

F17/12 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
None

F18/12 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Finance and General Purposes meeting held on 25th June 2012 (previously circulated) be approved by the Committee and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

F19/12 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Council Website – Clerk gave update on progress of the new HTC website. Members felt the new website allowed for easier navigation, but still required further enhancements.
RESOLVED: Cllr Double and Cllr Fowler to liaise with Clerk and webmaster to move this project forward and launch new website.
Hill School Site – Clerk gave update of urgent action taken so far and decisions made regarding footpath and ramp and notified members of the additional cost for lighting to ensure that the ramp is adequately lit.

F20/12 TENDRING OLDER PERSONS CRUCIAL CREW PARTNERSHIP
RESOLVED: to grant £100 s137 grant funding

F21/12 PUTTING GREENS
Members reviewed the report from NPS and felt that the comparables were not relevant and that these facilities are currently run at a loss
RESOLVED: Clerk to write to NPS and provide details of costs incurred along with income and that Harwich Town Council would not expect to pay anymore than £1000.
It was decided to discuss additional opportunities for leisure use and cost of purchasing croquet equipment, once a decision has been finalised regarding the rent.

F22/12 UPDATE ON GUILDHALL DISABLED ACCESS
Members reviewed the amended costings and will look at reviewing finances.
RESOLVED: Clerk to review accounts with a view to gaining a higher investment yield.
FURTHER RESOLVED: Clerk to contact ECC to make inquires regarding funding that may be available for this project.

F23/12 CLOSURE OF GUILDHALL
The following dates were agreed by members for closure of the Guildhall over the Christmas period:
25th and 26th Dec and 1st Jan – Bank Holidays
27th and 28th Dec – extra statutory days
24th Dec and 31st Dec – granted discretionary days

F24/12 MATTERS RECEIVED IN THE POST OR ITEMS RAISED BY MEMBERS

• Members noted the letter of thanks from The Harwich Festival.
• Flood Memorial Garden – Councillor Double informed the committee that members of the public have raised issues with the management and upkeep of the Flood Memorial Garden.
  RESOLVED: Clerk to write to Harwich Community Primary School asking for full details of what has been carried out so far, costs incurred, confirmation of remaining grant funds, completion date of project and who is responsible for maintaining the site.

F25/12 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee will be held on Tuesday 4th December 2012, at The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich at 7pm.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.27pm