AMPTHILL TOWN COUNCIL

REPORT OF THE FINANCE, POLICY AND

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE MEETING

held in the Council Chamber at the Council Offices 66 Dunstable Street, Ampthill on

Wednesday 6^th January 2010 at 8.30 pm

Report no 05/09

Present: Cllrs R Holden (Chairman), Mrs S Bacon, Mrs P Foster, G Pascal, M Smith,    G Summerfield, R Tebbutt, Mrs M Wilson, Mrs M Wright and the Clerk.

1. 1.      To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllrs P Eversley and R A D Chappell due the snow and icy conditions and Cllr P Duckett (another commitment).

1. 2.      Period of Public Participation.

There were no members of the public present.

1. 3.      To receive and record declarations of interest, whether personal or prejudicial.

There were no interests declared.

1. 4.      To consider looking at "signposting", information distribution and awareness in the centre of Ampthill to improve visitor experience.         Cllr R Tebbutt

This item was withdrawn to be placed onto a later agenda.

1. 5.      To seek clarification on the future availability of the two leaflets formerly published and distributed by MBDC.      Cllr R Tebbutt

This item was withdrawn to be placed onto a later agenda.

1. 6.      To consider improving distribution of all four Ampthill leaflets around the town and local area, and their availability on the ATC Ampthill info website.-  Cllr R Tebbutt

This item was withdrawn to be placed onto a later agenda.

1. 7.      To seek a convenient date for the Finance Policy Working Group to meet to discuss Committee Structures.

Members discussed this matter and it was:

Recommended that the meeting be scheduled for Wednesday 10^th February at 7.00pm.

1. 8.      To review residents parking in Town Council office car park    

Some local residents are becoming aggressive when being asked to remove their vehicles from the car park during the hours of 8.30am and 6.00pm. This is placing our staff under thereat of being verbally abused. The Clerk asked Members to consider introducing a permit that could be issued to neighbouring properties or some other means of parking control.  It would be beneficial if residents are to be reminded that this is a privilege and not a right.

Recommended that:

i)          A letter be sent to all neighbouring properties to advise of the parking restrictions in the Town Council car park and asking for these to be observed as the car park is required for official business. It is also to be advised that the Cheshire Homes bus must be allowed direct access to the disabled parking space on a Sunday.

ii)         If it is found that these restrictions are not being observed then the Town Council will have no alternative than to review resident parking in this private area. 

1. 9.      To consider the purchase of IRIS Payroll package for the sum of £269 to run alongside the new Financial Director accounts package.

IRIS Payroll

After the Council agreeing to change over to the Financial Director the Clerk has been looking at different payroll packages to run alongside it.

Iris Payroll is the 2^nd largest payroll package supplier after SAGE in the country and has been in existence for over 30yrs. It is a robust system with a good reputation and is accredited by the Inland Revenue.

The package for 11-20 employees is available for the sum of £269.00 for a twelve month licence, within this is a free local rate support line and any upgrades or updates are provided at no extra cost. The price in the second year will reduce.

The Council has been offered a month’s free use to run alongside the SAGE payroll system in order that on 1^st April the system will be live to take the figures for the new tax year.

      Recommended that the Clerk orders the IRIS payroll package.

An additional urgent item was added to the agenda by Cllr G Summerfield which had been supported by five Councillors as per Standing Orders; Mrs P Foster, Mrs M Wilson, Mrs M Wright, R Tebbutt and R Holden.

10.  Salting of areas in the town

With the onset of the snow and ice areas of the town are becoming difficult to gain access to.

Recommended that:

i)                    The Clerk instructs the Park Staff to keep the pathways around the Town Centre salted, along with the Football Club entrance and the Sands Car Park.

ii)                  A salt spreader is to be purchased from County Supplies at the cost of £155.

iii)                Cllr G Summerfield is to arrange for the salt bins to be refilled and request further salt bins at his meeting with Basil Jackson (Central Bedfordshire).

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00pm.

        CHAIRMAN                                                                  DATED