Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Dawson, Goodman- Bradbury, Heath, M. James, and J. Petherick.

Resolved that the apologies be noted.

There was no Part II.

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 20^th July 2023.

Members considered the minutes of the Finance & General Purposes Committee held on20^th July 2023.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th July 2023 be 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;

A regular Helping Dawlish face-to-face meet up occurred yesterday at the Manor House. 10 organisations were represented, and the format was information sharing and talking through potential solutions to local issues. Next meet up is scheduled for early November. Organisations in HD have asked to provide short information pieces for a flyer to raise awareness of the groups and how they can help in the cost-of-living crisis. The printing to be funded through the Council. Organisations agreed to make short videos to share on social media to raise their profiles. One common theme was that several of the organisations need to recruit more volunteers and trustees.

Helping Dawlish will be represented at the Teignbridge CVS led Cost of Living roadshow event at the Pavilions in Teignmouth on the 9^th October 2023.

Assist Teignbridge and Dawlish Community Transport were involved in discussions today with Cash Access UK around community involvement and how to reach the most vulnerable in relation to the banking hub. This was a meeting also involving the Chamber of Trade, the MP and the Events, projects and Tourism Officer looking at possible sites. The Council is acting as the co-ordinating point for information and Cash Access UK will be in contact with more community organsiations as the plans for the hub progresses. Sites for a free to use cash point provided by Cash Access UK in Dawlish Warren are under active consideration.

Dawlish Community Larder – the Fareshare contract (which the Council has paid for from set aside funding and donations) comes to an end mid- October and will be renewed for 3 months while further work is done on alternatives by ROC Dawlish. The larder will independently be seeking funding for its part time food waste coordinator (previously funded by a supermarket grant which is coming to an end).

Resolved that the update be noted and the Chairman passed on his thanks to the Events, Projects and Toursim Officer for providing the written report.

To review and note the Community Grant Scheme budget 2023-2024 to date.

Members reviewed the Community Grant Scheme budget 2023-2024 to date.

Resolved unanimously that the Community Grant Scheme budget be noted.

To consider a small grant application from Dawlish Lawn Tennis Club for £250.00.

At this juncture, the Committee agreed to suspend Standing Orders to enable the public to address the meeting.

There was one member of the public that wanted to speak regarding the smaller grant application for Dawlish Lawn Tennis Club. They explained what the grant was for and answered further questions from the Councillors.

Standing Orders were reinstated upon completion of public participation time.

Resolved that the smaller grant application of £250.00 to Dawlish Lawn Tennis Club be approved.

To consider a large grant application from The Dark River Music Festival for £5000.00.    

At this juncture, the Committee agreed to suspend Standing Orders to enable the public to address the meeting.

There were two members of the public that wanted to speak regarding the larger grant application for The Dark River Music Festival. They explained what the grant was for and answered further questions from the Councillors.

Standing Orders were reinstated upon completion of public participation time.

It was proposed that half of the grant be promised now but to be payable later on with the potential for the other half of the grant to be awarded when the group come back with more information on their expenditure at a later date.

Resolved that a promise of £2500, to be payable at a later date, be awarded now with the potential for the rest of the grant to be awarded once the group has come back with more information on their expenditure at a later date.

The Committee is asked to nominate two Councillors to accept an invitation from Dawlish Indoor Bowls Association to visit the club to see the works that have been done so far with the grant money awarded by the Council in February 2023 and suggest 2 or 3 suitable dates and times to do so.

The Committee considered the request from Dawlish Indoor Bowls Association to visit the site to see the works that have been done so far as a result of their Community Grant.

Resolved that Councillors Graham Ellis, and Littlewood would accept the request from Dawlish Indoor Bowls Association.

To appoint up to four members of the Finance & General Purposes Committee to the Budget Task & Finish Group, plus ex-officio members (attendance optional).

Resolved that Councillors Littlewood, Weatherhead, and Wrigley be appointed to the Budget Task and Finish Group. Councillor L.Petherick nominated Councillor Heath to be asked to join the working group as the fourth member.

To note that £700,000 from the NatWest reserve accounts have been transferred to the Council’s CCLA account on the 20^th September as previously resolved by this Committee.

Resolved that the update be noted.

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

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

Councillor Dawson joined the meeting at 20.09.

Resolved unanimously that the reports be approved.