BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 13th MAY 2003
PRESENT: Councillor Ron Buzzard ( Town Mayor) - in the chair
Councillors: James Anderson, Peter Arnold, Deborah Biss, Joseph Booth, Melvyne Cluskey, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Les Dorey, Colin England, Anna Hingston, Russell Horsley, Peter Leahy, Peter Makin, John Nelson, Mick Nelson, Mark Robertson, Martin Tomlinson and Dick Watson
The meeting commenced with an appropriate reading from the New Testament by Canon Robert Parsons who then led the Council in prayer.
- APOLOGIES
- AGENDA CHANGES
The Town Clerk said that at item 12 it would be necessary to deal with the change of cheque signatories, and the imminent visit of a party from Pawtucket.
- MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON 14th MAY 2002
The minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Council held on 14th May 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.
- ANNUAL REPORT
In introducing the annual report for the preceding year the Town Clerk referred to the importance the Council attached to working in partnership with other organisations to maximise the benefit of its limited financial resources and to ensure that the grassroots voice was heard as widely as possible. The report was received.
- BUDGET AND PRECEPT 2003/2004 - DRAFT ACCOUNTS 2002/2003
The precept for 2003/04 was £222,000. Additional sources of income totalled £33,600 bringing the Council's total estimated income for the year to £255,600. Expenditure was estimated to be £253,450 leaving a contingency of £2,150. The draft accounts for the year just ended showed a balance carried forward of £49,374.
The two sets of papers were received and noted.
- THE MAURICE HEELY AWARD
The Mayor spoke of the beneficial impact the Drop Inn Centre had had on the lives of young people in Belper over the last three of four years. He then presented the shield, certificate and cheque for £400 for services to the young people of Belper to Inspector Arnie Hicklin and Ms Andrea Fox.
- ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR
John Nelson thanked the Mayor and Mayoress for all their work during their year of office in promoting the Town and participating in the activities of so many of Belper's organisations.
In return the Mayor thanked his colleagues who were no longer on the Council for their significant contributions over the last four years, and hoped that the incoming administration would continue to serve Belper in the same way.
He then paid tribute to the staff and in particular the Mayor's Secretary Mrs Elaine Hibbert, who he presented with a gift to commemorate his year of office.
Councillor John Nelson then nominated Councillor James Anderson as Mayor for the ensuing municipal year. He was duly elected and the chain of office was exchanged. In his speech of acceptance the Mayor thanked the Council for the very great honour it had bestowed on him and said he would do his very best to serve the people of Belper.
- ELECTION OF DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR
Councillor Alan Cox nominated Councillor Peter Arnold as Deputy Mayor for the forthcoming municipal year. He was duly elected.
- MAYOR'S ALLOWANCE 2003/2004
The Mayor's allowance was confirmed as £2,000 for the coming year. This amount had been provided for in the budget.
- MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES 2003/2004
The Schedule of proposed appointments and membership of committees and working parties for the ensuing here year, which had been tabled, was agreed.
- MEMBERSHIP OF OUTSIDE BODIES 2003/2004
The Schedule of proposed appointments and membership of one outside bodies, which also had been tabled, was agreed. It was noted that there were several appointments still to be made and these would be dealt with at the next meeting of the Council.
- DATES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS 2003/2004
The proposed date of Council meetings for the ensuing year were agreed. A further Schedule showing the proposed dates for committee and working party meetings would be presented to the next meeting of the Council.
- BANKING ARRANGEMENTS
In order to change the Council's signatories on cheques it is necessary to pass the following resolutions -
H S B C Bank
That HSBC Bank plc be requested to continue an account in the name of the Council and the bank is authorised to:-
- Pay all cheques and other instructions for payment signed on behalf of the Council by any two, other than the Town Clerk, as listed separately, whether any account of the Council is in debit or credit.
- Deliver any item held on behalf of the Council by the Bank in safe keeping against the written receipt or instructions of any of those listed.
- Accept any one of those listed as fully empowered to act on behalf of the Council in any other transaction with the Bank.
- Furthermore the Council agrees that any debt incurred to the Bank under this authority shall in the absence of written agreement with the Bank to the contrary be repayable on demand.
- The Town Clerk ( the proper officer) is authorised to supply the bank as and when necessary with lists of persons authorised to sign, give receipts and act on behalf of the Council and that the Bank may rely upon such lists.
- that these resolutions be communicated to the Bank and remain in force until changed by a resolution of the Council and a copy, certified by the Town Clerk (chief executive and proper officer) is received by the Bank. It should be noted that for the Bank's purposes the Town Clerk fulfils the role of both chief executive and proper officer.
The Co-operative Bank
It was resolved that
- the Co-operative Bank plc shall continue as our bankers.
- the Bank shall be authorised to honour all cheques and all other documents made or accepted on our behalf even if such payment causes any accounts to be overdrawn or increase any existing overdraft provided that such documents are signed by any two of the four signatures listed separately in accordance with the specimen signatures as shown.
- the Bank shall act on all specimen signatures in accordance with any instruction, notice, request or other document in writing concerning our account (including the opening of new accounts) affairs or property.
- the Bank shall be sent a copy of any future resolutions which affect the terms of the above resolutions.
- the Bank shall be sent a copy of any changes in our rules, standing orders, financial regulations or by-laws.
- the Bank shall be notified in writing of any change of members.
- the Bank shall be notified in writing of any change of councillors authorised to sign on its behalf.
The Bank shall otherwise continue to operate our accounts in accordance with the mandate.
It is certified that these resolutions have been recorded in the minutes in full and signed by the Mayor and the specimen signatures shown separately are correct.
- CIVIC RECEPTION
Twelve visitors from Pawtucket would be visiting the Borough between May 24th and 28th and the Borough Council had asked if it would be possible to have a civic reception for the party in Belper. It was agreed that the Council should host a reception and that the arrangements should be agreed between the leader, Councillor John Nelson, and the Town Clerk.