Minutes 13th July 2009

Minutes of the Full Council Meeting of Madeley Parish Council held on Monday, July 13th 2009, at Jubilee House, High, Street Madeley, commencing at 7.00pm.

Present:

• Councillors:
  D Davies (Chair).
  J Jones (Vice-Chair).
  R Allan.
  B Duce.
  D Edwards.
  E Evans.
  G Green.
  C Higgins.
  A MacKenzie.
  M Shaw.
  DP Taylor.
  S Taylor.
• Clerk to the Council, Deputy Clerk.

09/23. Apologies.

• Councillor S Harrington - Health - Accepted.
  Councillor E Swift - Holiday - Accepted.
  Councillor M Swift - Holiday - Accepted.
• Absent - Councillor A England.

09/24. Declarations of Interest

There were none.

09/25. Remarks from the Chair.

There were none.

09/26. Public Discussion.

There were no members of the public present.

09/27. Minutes.

Resolved: that the minutes of the extraordinary Meeting of Madeley Parish Council held on Monday, June 29th 2009 be confirmed and approved for signature.

09/28. Committee Reports.

28.1 Environment Committee.

Councillor DP Taylor presented the report of the Environment Committee meeting held on June 22nd 2009 for information.
Noted.

28.2 Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Councillor J Jones presented the report of the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting held on July 6th 2009 for information.
Noted.

09/29. Budget and Finance.

29.1 Expenditure.

29.1.1 Expenditure Approval.

To approve expenditure transactions.

The Responsible Finance Officer presented the Expenditure Transactions Approval List report together with current Financial Summary for the period to June 2009. Noted.

Resolved: that the expenditure transactions recorded be confirmed and approved for payment.

29.1.2 Financial Summary.

To note balances.

The Responsible Finance Officer presented the Financial Summary - Cashbook report for the period April - June 2009 for information. The Financial Summary - Cashbook report is a Receipts and Payment report showing opening and closing bank balances and total receipts and total payments (for each committee) for the period.

29.1.3 Financial Budget Comparison Report.

To note actual monies received and spent compared to 2008/09 budget.

The Responsible Finance Officer presented the Financial Comparison Report for the period to June 2009. Noted.

09/30. Strategic Direction

To steer and co-ordinate the work of the committees and to ensure the strategic aims are being addressed. To develop policies that will enable the organisation to function effectively as an employer, service provider and community representative.

Councillors reviewed the Business Plan report on objectives for Strategic Direction (Appendix A). Noted.

• Regeneration - Sutton Hill.
• A briefing meeting with Telford and Wrekin Council, Regeneration Officer, for Cuckoo Oak Ward Members and Officers has been sought.
• Regeneration - Woodside.
• Information was sought on the status of Phase Three regeneration of Woodside.

It was noted that too little information was forthcoming from the Principal Authority and that there was little evidence of planned development. A wider appraisal was required. It is recorded that the Local Development Framework, South Telford Area Action Plan (Development Plan Document) is not due until 2010.

30.1 Strategy Review.

Councillors agreed the date for annual Strategy Review as September 12th 2009 (to be held at Jubilee House, High, Street Madeley, commencing at 10.00am).

The Clerk to the Council advised that the purpose was to review the Stategic Aims of Council and its Committees in order to clarify objectives and focus activities.

30.2 Dignity at Work Policy

The Clerk to the Council presented the Dignity at Work Policy (Appendix B) for review and endorsement.

The Clerk to the Council assured Councillors that this was a practical, working, document that should cover eventualities.

Resolved: that the Dignity at Work Policy be approved.

30.3 Equality and Diversity Policy

The Clerk to the Council presented the Equality and Diversity Policy (Appendix C) for review and endorsement.

Resolved: that the Equality and Diversity Policy be approved.

09/31. Representation:

To ensure that the council has high quality representation on the outside bodies as appropriate to its legal responsibilities, position within the community and areas of focus.

Councillors reviewed the Business Plan report on objectives for Representation (Appendix A). Noted.

South Telford Locality Management.

A meeting involving Chairs of Parish Councils and Ward Members was held with the South Telford Partnership in February 2009 but difficulty remained in both identifying and establishing a role.

A further meeting is scheduled for July 23rd 2009.

Note: South Telford Cluster Agreement provides for quarterly meetings.

31.1 Representatives on Outside Bodies - Reports

31.1.1 Telford and Wrekin Council - Borough Towns Initiative (01.05.09)

It was originally designated for Dawley, Donnington, Hadley, Madeley, Newport, Oakengates, and Wellington. The Borough Towns Initiative now covers Dawley, Ironbridge, Madeley, Newport, Oakengates and Wellington.

31.1.2 Telford and Wrekin Community Volunteer Service (CVS) (20.05.09)

Notes of the Voluntary and Community Forum meeting were circulated to Councillors for information.

It was noted that Telford and Wrekin CVS was moving its Headquarters from Meeting Point House, Telford Town Centre, to Lightmoor.

31.1.3 World Heritage Site Strategy Group (20.05.09)

No report was presented

31.1.4 Crucial Crew (01.07.09)

Councillor J Jones attended a session of Crucial Crew within the two-week programme of presentations and activities. The event continues to involve and impress.

31.1.5 Telford and Wrekin CVS - Senior Citizens Forum (13.07.09)

Councillor D Edwards, Management Committee Member, advised that the Senior Citizens Forum had published a report and recommendations on Living with Dementia (2008).

The Forum meeting received a presentation on the Central Telford Area Action Plan, and contributed to debate on Leisure facilities for senior citizens.

09/32. Profile:

To promote and publicise the work of the council, and the area it serves and so raise the profile of the parish. To consult with and be accountable to the community through open communication and to advocate on behalf of Madeley Parish and its residents.

Councillors reviewed the Business Plan report on objectives for Profile (Appendix A). Noted.

The Madeley Website

The Clerk reported the Webmaster's progress towards re-publication of the website to the highest accessibility standards for users with impairments. The site is being tested with the assistance of user group in partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council, Sensory Impairment Team.

Councillors requested that their appreciation be conveyed.

32.1 Investors in People Review

The Clerk had circulated an explanatory note on The Investors in People review scheduled for July 30th 2009. Noted.

09/33. Correspondence

33.1 Telford and Wrekin Sports Advisory Council

Request for consideration of nomination of representative to membership of Telford and Wrekin Sports Advisory Council, which provides a forum for local Sports Clubs.
Resolved: that, subject to further information and availability, Councillor C Higgins be nominated.

09/34.Information

There was none.

09/35. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of Madeley Parish Council will be held on Monday, September 7th 2009 at Jubilee House, Madeley, commencing 7.00pm.

There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting closed at 7.55pm.