Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Dawson, Graham- Ellis, J. Petherick, L. Petherick, and Wrigley.

Resolved that the apologies be noted.

Resolved that the agenda between Parts I and II be agreed to.

To declare any disclosable interests relating to the forthcoming items of business (if any).

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive and consider requests for dispensation (if any).

There were no dispensations.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Finance & General Purposes Committee held on 29^th June 2023.

Members considered the minutes of the Finance & General Purposes Committee held on29^th June 2023.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th June 2023be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct and accurate record.

To consider what actions, if any, the Town Council can take in relation to the cost of living crisis, at this time.

The Events, Projects and Tourism Officer submitted a written report with the following updates;

Cost of living: 1000 cost of living leaflets had been distributed within the Parish and some had been retained for the Teignbridge CVS cost of living event which is due to be held in Teignmouth for the public on Monday 9^th October.

Helping Dawlish: A face- to -face meeting is being held on the 26^th July to bring as many of the organisations together as possible to discuss the way ahead for the winter. The website and Facebook pages continue to be updated and used.

The Town Clerk updated the Committee on news regarding the closure of the Teignmouth branch of Lloyds bank on the 15^th April 2024. He advised that it was planned to establish a banking hub implemented by Link Network in Teignmouth. As the Council had recently agreed to support the Chamber of Trade in establishing a banking hub in Dawlish, he was awaiting more information as to whether two banking hubs can be set up in such close proximity and would report back to the Committee as and when further information is available.

Resolved that the update be noted.

To receive and note the Quarter 1 budget monitoring report, detailing income and expenditure against budget from 1 April to 30 June 2023. 

Members considered the Quarter 1 Budget Monitoring Report. It was suggested that the report should be accompanied by a current list of EMR’s in the future.

Resolved that the Quarter 1 Budget Monitoring Report be noted and that a list of EMR’s will accompany the Budget Monitoring Reports going forward.

To receive, consider and approve the reports for invoices paid, direct debits paid, and income received for May and June 2023.

Members present received and considered the report of invoices paid, direct debits and income received for May and June 2023.

Resolved unanimously that the reports be approved.

The Committee is recommended to approve the following resolution:

“That in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting for the duration of the following items on the basis that the information to be disclosed would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.”

Members resolved the following resolution:

That in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting for the duration of the following items on the basis that the information to be disclosed would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

To review and note any outstanding debtors over a time period of two months or more.

Members were given an update of the three outstanding debtors over a time period of two months or more. It was noted that one of the debtors had been reported to the Council before but the other two were usually reliable at making payments and that the disruption with the Manor House closures had likely caused issues with getting invoices to them and that these two debtors were likely to be resolved before the next meeting.

It was further suggested that the newly established bad debts policy should be circulated to all hirers.

Resolved that the Debtor’s Aged Account Balances be noted.