Meeting documents

Baldock and District Committee
Monday, 14th November, 2011 7.30 pm


Date:	Monday, 12th September, 2011	Time:	7.30pm	Place:	Baldock Community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock

PRESENT:	Councillor M.R.M. Muir(Vice-Chairman), Councillor S.K. Jarvis, Councillor Marilyn Kirkland and Councillor I.J. Knighton.
IN ATTENDANCE:	Ashley Hawkins (Community Development Officer) Susanne Gow (Committee and Member Services Officer)
ALSO PRESENT:

Item	Description/Resolution	Status	Action
PART I
21	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from the Chairman, Councillor A.D. Young and from Councillor M. E. Weeks, who was attending an engagement in his role as Chairman of the North Hertfordshire District Council.	Noted
22	MINUTES Data/Baldock and District Committee/201111141930/Agenda/Minutes RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 July 2011 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman, subject to the inclusion of Councillor Marilyn Kirkland with the other Members who had declared a personal interest in Minute 17, all of them being members of the Baldock Community Centre Management Board.	Agreed
23	NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business raised at this meeting.	Noted
24	CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) In the absence of the Chairman, Councillor A. D. Young, the Vice-Chairman, Councillor M. R. M. Muir chaired this meeting of the Baldock and District Committee; (2) He welcomed Members of the Committee and officers to the meeting; (3) The Chairman announced that at the next meeting of the North Herts Highways Partnership-Joint Member Panel on 31 October 2011, the subject of Herts County Council Locality budgets would be raised. All North Herts District Councillors were invited to attend the meeting; (4) The Chairman reminded Members that declarations of interest in respect of any business set out in the agenda should be declared as either a prejudicial or a personal interest and they were required to notify the Chairman of the nature of any interest declared. Members declaring a prejudicial interest were to leave the room and not seek to influence the decision during that particular item. He proposed that Declarations of Interest should be made at the start of each relevant item on the Agenda.	Noted
25	PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was no public participation at the meeting.	Noted
26	CHAMPION NEWS AND FINANCE REPORT Report Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5 The Community Development Officer (CDO) for Baldock and District presented the report of the Head of Policy and Community Services and updated his report as follows: Balstock Family Fun Day The CDO gave a verbal update, confirming that the Fun Day was well advertised in the villages surrounding Baldock as well as in the town. This resulted in much better attendance than in 2010. No problems had arisen. Markets Farmers Markets were doing well and the Wednesday Market was now growing, with new stalls selling clothing, Indian cuisine and a fish man attending. Membership Scheme and Baldock Network Group Organisations in Ashwell and Baldock had signed up to the Membership Scheme. It was thought that consideration should be given as to what the villages could get out of the Scheme. Baldock Youth Council Several young people had started back at the meetings, but more recruits were needed. This would result in better communication between young people in Baldock and the villages. B'Fest - Be UR SELF 2011 The CDO stressed that due to the appalling weather on the day, figures were well down on last years, which proved extremely disappointing to all those who had worked hard to organise the event and to make it a success. Nightingale Park - Community Safety Project This project resulted in an extremely popular facility, which was well-used by the local young people. Signage in Ashwell Regarding the possibility of new signage for Ashwell, this will be looked at again by Councillor Stuart Pile, Herts County Council Portfolio Holder for Transportation and the Environment. Baldock Half Marathon Councillor Michael Muir declared a personal interest in this item as he is a Governor of Hartsfield JMI School. Organisation of the Baldock Half Marathon is going well and possible dates for this event are either Sunday 18 March or Sunday 25 March 2012. Start and finish will be at Hartsfield JMI School and the local Scouts and Guides will be delegated to marshal the water points. FUNDING DECISIONS Future of the Baldock Memoranda of Understanding Councillor Marilyn Kirkland declared an interest in the Baldock Town Twinning Association as a member and also in the Baldock Festival as she is on the Committee. It was commented that Ashwell Museum was formerly covered by North Herts District Council. The MoUs for Baldock Rotary Club and the Baldock Town Partnership were both new. The CDO was asked to request an update on the activities of all the organisations with MoUs listed in Appendix 5, at the meeting for the judgement on monies. Fast Track Grant This was awarded in the sum of Â£500 from all Wards in the usual split, to assist with the cost of publicising the Balstock Family Fun Day. North Herts Village of the Year 2012 Funding of Â£50 from the Ward Member Development budget of both Arbury and Weston & Sandon was requested to support the North Herts Village of the Year category as part of the overall Hertfordshire Village of the Year competition. The Committee requested that the CDO ask the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) to attend a future Baldock and District Committee Meeting and give an overview of what they do. The Committee discussed the JMP responses to the Highway Schemes previously proposed by the Baldock and District Committee. The Chairman thanked the Community Development Officer for his report and for his efforts on behalf of the people of Baldock and the surrounding District. RESOLVED: 1) That the budgetary expenditure, balances and carry forwards from the Development Budgets be noted; 2) That the Committee comment on the JMP responses to the Highway Schemes proposed by the Baldock and District Committee; 3) That the Committee and the respective Rural Ward Members consider a financial commitment of Â£50 from each of their Ward Development Budgets in support of the 2012 North Herts Village of the Year competition; 4) That the Committee notes the comments regarding the Memoranda of Understanding as detailed in point 4.2 of the Community Development Officer's report, discuss them and advise accordingly. REASONS FOR DECISIONS: 1) To ensure that the Baldock and District Committee are kept informed of the work of the Community Development Officer; 2) This report is intended simply to inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation, assists in the effective financial management of the Baldock and District Committee's budget and ensures actions are performed within the Authority's Financial Regulations and the guidance in the grants procedure; 3) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; 4) The allocation of funds will improve the services provided by local organisations and groups that are available and accessed by members of the community.	Agreed

Published on Friday, 7th October, 2011

7.57 p.m.