Finance Mins 5 Oct 2011

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 5th October 2011 at 7.30pm

Reportno 02/11

Present: Cllrs Mrs S Bacon (Chairman), M Blair, Mrs P Foster, Mrs S Hinkin, R Tebbutt,      S Whittaker and the Deputy Clerk. Cllrs Mrs M Wilson and Mrs A M Wright were also present.

Also Present: Tony Lock and Bupinder Panesar from Supernova LED Lighting Ltd.

  1. 1.                  To receive apologies for absence.

None received.

  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 declarations made.

  1. 4.         Clerk’s Report – Appendix ‘A

The Clerk had provided a report as appended to these minutes highlighting changes in employment law in respect of The Bribery Act 2010.

The Bribery Act came into force on 1st July 2011 and the Act repealed the common law offences of bribery and embraces and creates new statutory offences.

It was suggested that members of the Committee consider the report and make any amendments by 12th October so that the matter can be included on the full council agenda for adoption.

Members were also asked to consider drawing up a Code of Conduct for employees that would refer to dealing with contractors, sub contractors and suppliers. It could also deal with rules regarding the acceptance of hospitality and gifts.

Recommended: That any amendments are reported to the Clerk before 12th October and the full Council consider the adoption of the policy.

 5.         To receive a presentation from Supernova LED Lighting Ltd

Mr Lock and Mr Panesar made a presentation to the meeting regarding a new style of street lighting and brought along a demonstration model of a lamp light and also a fluorescent strip light.

Supernova is a locally based company specialising in LED lighting. The directors of the company stated that LED lighting is the most energy efficient light source available and uses 85% less energy and last 30 times longer than filament lamps.

The company were keen to highlight the benefits of LED lighting for Ampthill’s street lamps:

·         Minimum 50,000 hours maintenance free

·         Mimics natural daylight

·         Light is much more focused thereby reducing light pollution

·         Cheaper installation costs as they require less copper and wiring

·         Shock resistant

·         Lamp outer casing is plastic

·         No hazardous materials

Members then went onto ask questions with the following information being obtained:

·         Payback savings could be achieved within the first few years depending on individual council’s requirements

·         Cost of new lighting depends on how many lights a council will purchase, however based on a £500 single light there would be saved costs within the first year and the unit would have a 15 year life span saving on long term maintenance costs.

·         The traditional black wall lanterns in the town centre could be modified to take an LED fitting in the existing casing

·         CCTV images would be enhanced by LED lighting

·         Supernova are working with new developers

·         It was suggested that Supernova make contact with Central Bedfordshire Council as they maintain our lighting stock.

Mr Lock and Mr Panesar were thanked for their informative presentation and then left the meeting.

  1. 6.         To consider installing protective posts outside the Town Centre public toilet doors

It was reported that although the two toilet doors have back checkers and a slow close fitted on them they can be blown back with force in high winds so protective posts at each of the door opening points would improve safety. Plastic bollards are being used as a temporary measure in the interim.

Recommended: That

  1. a)      Protective posts are fitted at the door opening points.
  2. b)      The Deputy Town Clerk to investigate with Cllr S Whittaker additional low height barriers for either ends of the toilet door area.
  3. c)      The Deputy Town Clerk to check whether the doors can be hung on the opposite hinge, against wind direction, without affecting disabled access.

 7.         To discuss ideas around Street Cleaning

Members discussed whether there were enough litter bins located in the town centre and if additional bins may be required.

Litter in the town centre car park is very prevalent at times and the Mayor offered to discuss this with the Waitrose store manager at a forthcoming meeting.

Recommended: That the Ampthill Community Safety Group is asked if they could assist with a count of litter bins in the town centre and identify them on a map.

 8.         To discuss options on whether the Town Council can share Britannia Parking with Waitrose for problems of parking in the rest of the town

Vinci, under agreement with Central Bedfordshire Council carry out parking enforcement in the town. However, the Town Council do not feel that enough visits are being made or at the times needed.

It would be beneficial to discuss with Central Bedfordshire Council a review of the parking enforcement arrangements when the contract with Vinci expires. In the meantime the Town Council would be interested to learn if it were possible to introduce additional parking enforcement through the services of Britannia.

The meeting were pleased to learn that Central Bedfordshire Council has purchased a new mobile enforcement vehicle which has been equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipment which will allow a Penalty Charge Notice to be issued for vehicles that park on yellow lines.

Recommended: That

  1. a)      The Town Clerk contacts David Bowie at Central Bedfordshire Council to enquire about using the services of Britannia for extra parking enforcement.
  2. b)      The Mayor to raise this matter during discussions with the Waitrose store manager.
  3. c)      The Automatic Number Plate Recognition initiative be publicised in Around the Pump.
  1. 9.         To consider a date for a Financial Working Group to look at the 2012/2013 estimates

            The Deputy Clerk advised that a meeting would be required in October or early November at the latest to start the initial drawing up of the estimates for consideration by the whole council.

Recommended: That the Mayor, Deputy Mayors, Vice Chairman of Parks and the Town Clerk meet at the Town Council offices on Monday 7th November 2011 at6.30pm.

  1. 10.       To discuss the financial cost of the Pride in Ampthill awards scheme

It was expected that the funding of awards would be achieved through local sponsorship and possibly through Waitrose’s community matters green token scheme. The Town Council do not want to be providing the funding for the awards.

Recommended: That the Pride in Ampthill group discuss the proposed funding of the awards.

 11.       To consider information from Unitary Trust Bank on the way forward that this bank can provide to the Council in terms of making BACS payments

The Town Council’s financial regulations require that two signatories authorise all payments. Unitary Trust Bank specialise in providing services designed to meet Councils banking needs and therefore members were asked to consider whether they would be interested in exploring this banks services further.

Recommended: That the Town Clerk makes enquiries with our existing bank to see what services they may be able to offer that are tailored to Council’s specifically.

  1. 12.       To receive a notice that Waverley Commercial Limited have sold the freehold of land at Oxlet House, Bedford Street

A legal notice had been received advising the Town Council that Waverley Commercial Ltd had sold the freehold of land at Oxlet House (shops and flats), Bedford Street to W A G Gibb Limited Pension Fund who are now the new owners as from 23rd June 2011.

                        Recommended: That the above be noted.

  1. 13.       Exclusion of Press and Public

Cllr R Tebbutt made the following motion:

“That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted relating to staffing and financial issues is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be temporarily excluded and that they are instructed to withdraw”.

Minute nos. 14, 15, 16 and 17 are appended for members only.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.30pm.

CHAIRMAN