Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor A. James.

Resolved that the apology 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.

Manor To approve and sign the minutes of the Manor House & Riverside Centre Committee held on 18 October 2023.

Members considered the minutes of the Manor House & Riverside Centre Committee meeting held on 18 October 2023.

Resolved that the minutes of the Manor House & Riverside Centre Committee meeting held on 18 October 2023 be approved and signed as a correct and accurate record.

To receive and note an update from the Town Clerk.

The Town Clerk advised that:

·         The carpet fitting in rooms 4A and B scheduled for Friday, 10 November had been cancelled and was now scheduled for 17 November,

·         An electrician would be attending on Thursday, 16 November to install a temporary light in the Town Clerk’s office to enable the room to be brought back into use, and

·         South West Water had installed water saving devices on all water outlets in the Manor House and Riverside Centre as a free service for businesses and it was hoped this would reduce water consumption.

Resolved that the report be noted.

To note that listed building consent permission for a replacement conservatory at the Manor House has been received from the planning authority for works to commence within 3 years of the date of the permission, and following the approved plans as part of the application.

The Chair advised the Committee that formal planning permission had been obtained for the replacement conservatory, and that works begin before the expiry of three years from the date of the permission (3 November 2023) and in accordance with the application form and approved plans, and documents.

Following questions, the Town Clerk confirmed that the application included powder coated aluminium covers to the external roof woodwork, and he would seek confirmation that there would be no loss of floor space in the new construction.

The Committee further added it would be prudent to await the outcome of the external maintenance tenders to ascertain levels of funding and movements between ear marked reserves that might be required, prior to construction taking place.

Resolved that the report be noted.

To receive an update on the dry rot remedial works and note the closing accounts of the works.

Members received an update of the account of works which showed works coming in on budget with a small number of outstanding items.

Resolved that the update be noted.

To receive and note the condition report, and ensuing actions.

The Town Clerk advised members that the temporary plasterboard ceiling and light had now been fitted to the office enabling the room to come back into use.

The Council had been provided with a condition report from Lincrusta, a company who could go on to make a copy of the moulding in the Mayor’s Parlour to replicate in the Town Clerk’s office.

Following discussion, it was

Resolved that

(a)    That Lincrusta be asked to provide a quotation for the remedial to include:

(b)   A listed building consent application be submitted to the planning authority for a plasterboard ceiling with exact replicate decorative finish applied over the top,

(c)    Once received, the quotation be considered in conjunction with the others received from the Council’s Surveyor and a contractor be appointed to manage the works.

To commence discussions on budget considerations for the 2024/25 financial year and make recommendations to the Budget Task & Finish Group.

The Committee considered the budget requirements of the Manor House, and Riverside Centre for the financial year 2024/25 before making recommendations to the budget task and finish group.

Resolved that

(a)    the committee’s recommendations be made to the budget task and finish group as part of the 2024/25 budget considerations; and

(b)   a Caretaking and Cleaning Task & Finish Group be established with Councillors Hardy, Heath, and Pyne forming the group.