Dover Town Council

Minutes 23.10.07

DOVER TOWN COUNCIL


Minutes of the Meeting of the DOVER TOWN COUNCIL held in the Council Offices, Maison Dieu House, Biggin Street, Dover on Tuesday 23rd October 2007 at 6.00pm

PRESENT

The Right Worshipful the Town Mayor of Dover (Councillor R R Markham)
in the chair

Councillors

Mrs S Amos
Mrs P Brivio
R Frayne
D Hannent
Mrs S Jones
Mrs J Morgan
Mrs V Philpott C Precious
R Royston
Mrs A Smith
Mrs J Tranter
P Verrill
Mrs L Young

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Diane Smallwood, Councillor D Lloyd and Councillor G Cowan


367. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor D Hannent declared a personal and prejudicial interest in any item that may refer to Dover Rugby Club, Blackfish or RSS Ltd.

The Town Clerk declared a personal interest in item 14 Land issues.


368. MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on 26th September 2007 be approved and signed by the Chairman.


369. POLICY COMMITTEE

The Town Council received the Minutes of the meeting of the Policy Committees, held on 2nd October 2007.

RESOLVED: That Minute No’s 308 to 314 be received and that the recommendations in minute 312 (a) and (b) be adopted.

Councillor Hannent reminded the Council that the recommendations formed part of the Interreg project, and had been ongoing for over 2 years.

370. PLANNING COMMITTEE

The Town Council received the Minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committees, held on 3rd October 2007.

RESOLVED: That Minute No’s 315 to 328 be received.


371. FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The Town Council received the Minutes of the meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, held on 10th October 2007

RESOLVED: That Minute No’s 327 to 340 be received and that the recommendations in minutes 335 and 337 be adopted.

Note: an amount cannot yet be allocated to the Resolve to Recommend item under minute 335, owing to ongoing concerns involving whether there is a need for planning permission or listed building clearance.


372. TOURISM, TWINNING & CIVIC FUNCTIONS COMMITTEE

The Town Council received the Minutes of the meeting of the Tourism, Twinning & Civic Functions Committee, held on 16th October 2007.

RESOLVED: a) That Minute No’s 341 to 353 be received;

b) That the recommendation in minute 353 not be adopted, that the Committee reconsider the item and return to Council with a costed proposal.


373. TOWN AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

The Town Council received the Minutes of the meeting of the Town and Environment Committee, held
on 17th October 2007.

RESOLVED: That Minute No’s 354 to 366 be received and that the recommendations in minute number 357 be adopted.


374. SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

In accordance with Standing Order 53 the Town Council considered the Schedules of Payments by the Town Council for June, July and August 2007.

RESOLVED: That the payments made by the Town Council in September 2007 totalling £59,200.55 be approved and the schedules signed by the Chairman.


375. BUDGET OUT-TURN

The Council noted the Income and Expenditure Accounts for the year ended 30th September 2007.


376. TOWN COUNCIL REPRESENTATION AND REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS

The Council noted the written reports:

Project Development Officer concerning the Archery World Cup;

Deputy Town Clerk concerning the AGM of the Association of Charter Trustee Towns;

The Council considered the following oral reports:

Councillor Mrs J Tranter regarding Dover and District Town Centre Crime Group.

Councillor Mrs V L Philpott regarding the Festival of Dover 2008.


377. MAYORAL ENGAGEMENTS AND MAYOR’S REPORT

The Town Council noted the list of Mayoral engagements since the meeting on 26th September 2007 (handed out at the meeting) and the Mayor’s oral report.

The Mayor advised:

a) That proposals must be written. Meetings will not proceed until the clerk has the agreed proposal in writing;

b) Councillor having queries concerning reports submitted to committees by staff, should raise the matter with the author, prior to the meeting.

c) confirmation of dates: Mayor Making 2008 will be on 20 May; Transfer of Speakership from Hythe to Dover, 21 May, 2009; Speaker’s Day, 3 October 2009


378. MAYORAL EXPENSES OF OFFICE

The Town Council considered a report from Councillor RR Markham concerning the current budgets for the Mayoral Expenses of office and Mayoral Hospitality.

RESOLVED: That the Mayor’s Hospitality provision and the Mayor’s Expenses provision be increased by 50% for this financial year. The cost to be met from Town Council reserves.


379. URGENT DECISIONS

The Town Council noted urgent decision number UD07/08-062 regarding change of meeting dates.


380. OFFICE OF PORTSMEN

The Town Council considered the report by Councillor Mrs L D Young concerning the honorary title of Portsman.

RESOLVED: a) That the Council adopt the title and Honour of Portsman of Dover.

b) That a small group of Councillors from the Tourism, Twinning and Civic Functions Committee finalise the necessary criteria as drafted in the report and present findings to the next full Town Council meeting, for full adoption.

c) That provision be made in the Council’s 2008/9 budget for the cost implications arising from this proposal.






381. EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

RESOLVED: That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted it would be advisable in the public interest that the public be temporarily excluded and they be requested to withdraw.


382. STAFFING

There were no staffing issues.



383. LAND ISSUES

The Council noted the Deputy Town Clerk’s report regarding the sale of land at Edgar Road.



The meeting closed at 7.26 pm











THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL THE TOWN MAYOR
(Councillor R Markham)
CHAIRMAN