15 January 2013 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Thame Town Council held on 15 January 2013 at 7.30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall

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Present:

Cllr D W Bretherton, D G Butler, N G Champken-Woods (Town Mayor), N M Dixon, M L Dyer,  A Gunn, V F Humphries, P Lambert (Deputy Mayor), D A Laver, J Matelot Green and M Welply.

Officers

Mrs H Stewart, Town Clerk

Mrs A Oughton, Committee Services Officer

 
1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Dodds (SODC), Fickling (other meeting) and Stiles (unwell).

 
2 Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

 
3 Public Participation

There were no applications to address the Council.

 
4 Notices of Motion

There were no notices of motion.

 
5 Questions

There were no questions.

 
6 Minutes

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 December 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

Minute No. 8 – Clarification on the criteria for eligibility to apply for co-option as a councillor had been sought and it was confirmed that eligibility was the same as that for a candidate standing for election.

Minute No. 15 – A letter had been sent to SODC and it was confirmed no verbal or written response had been received.

 
7 Budget and Precept for 2013-2014

The proposed budget figures for 2013-14 were made available to members and discussed.

The introduction of the new Council Tax Support scheme and its impact on local councils had made the budget process more complicated this year.  A transition grant from Central Government to ease the effect of the new scheme had been given to the local billing authority, SODC, to distribute to local councils.  However, this was voluntary and not known how permanent it would be in terms of existence and amount.

After some discussion Members felt any shortfall in precept funding of budgetary requirements would be extremely difficult to rectify in future years and a precept should be set that provided a sustainable budget.

RESOLVED:

i)     That the budget for 2013-14 be agreed.

ii)    That a precept of £503,045 be raised for 2013-14.

 
The meeting concluded at 8.05pm

 

Signed …………………………….

Chairman, 5 February 2013