4 Crewe TC Mins 19-11-19

Minutes of the meeting held on 19th November 2019

Present Cllr Buckley, Cllr Coiley Cllr Cosby, Cllr Dunlop, Cllr Faddes, Cllr Hogben, Cllr Howes, Cllr Messent, Cllr B Minshall, Cllr Morrissey, Cllr Jill Rhodes, Cllr John Rhodes, Cllr Toth and Cllr Walton.

19/4/01 To receive and consider apologies for absence

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs Flude, Houston, Keefe, Palin and Roberts.

19/4/02 To note declarations of Members’ interests

Cllr Minshall declared a pecuniary interest in relation to the payments schedule (Element Hosting) and Mayor’s allowance. Councillor Dunlop declared a pecuniary interest in relation to the Deputy Mayor’s allowance. Councillor Faddes declared an interest in item 12 (Beechmere) Councillors Walton and Howes declared a pecuniary interest in item 5 as shareholders. Councillors Cosby, Straine-Francis and John Rhodes declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 5 as season ticket holders at Crewe Alexandra F.C.

19/4/03 To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 24th September 2019

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed and signed as an accurate record.

19/4/04 Public Participation A period not exceeding 15 minutes for members of the public to ask questions or submit comments · Carrie Alltree from Crewe and District Bus Users Group invited councillors and the public to an event at Jubilee House on 6the December 2019 between 10.00 and 14.00 hrs.

· Mark Bevan Chair of Railwaymen Supporters Society explained that the Society was established as a Community Benefit Society established with a target to raise £250,000 to purchase an approximate 10% shareholding in Crewe Alexandra FC as a means to strengthen community involvement and participation in the club. · Simon Yates representing Rotary Club of Crewe and Nantwich Weaver, and a number of other organisations applauded the actions of the Town Council in supporting the Beechmere residents and its action in accepting the funds collected. He expressed concern at the delay in releasing funds to residents. He supports the proposal to distribute the money in equal shares between the residents, but could find no record of decisions to do this or to pass the money to another organisation. He asked that the money be distributed before Christmas. Members asked a number of questions of Mr Bevan, and thanked all the speakers for their contributions, and the other members of the public for attending.

19/4/05 To consider matters related to a request from the Railwaymen Supporters Club

The request was referred to Finance and Governance Committee for consideration and the Deputy Town Clerk was asked to make further inquiries about the legal basis for the Council to purchase shares, and the appropriate accounting treatment.

19/4/06 To receive a report from the Town Mayor and Deputy Mayor in relation to civic engagements attended Cllr Minshall updated members on civic engagements undertaken since the previous meeting. Cllr Dunlop provided a resume of the engagements he attended while deputising for the Mayor.

19/4/07 To receive updates from Committee Chairs in relation to meetings held since the previous Town Council meeting: · Finance and Governance (Cllr Jill Rhodes) – Not met since previous Council. Members noted that there had been no meeting. · Operations and Improvement (Cllr Messent) – Minutes of the meeting held on 8th October (Draft). Items for Council consideration, none. Members noted the minutes presented. · Marketing and Events (Cllr Cosby) – Minutes of the meeting on 22nd October (Draft). Items for Council consideration, none. Members noted the minutes presented. · Planning Committee (Cllr John Rhodes) – Minutes of the meeting on 12th November (Draft). Items for Council consideration: None Members noted the minutes presented. The Chair reported that Councillor Cosby has resigned from the Committee and new appointment will need to be made at the next Council meeting.

· Community Plan Committee (Cllr Dunlop) – Minutes (attached) of the meeting held on 4th November (Draft). Items for Council consideration: 1) Council adopts the following three Policies: i.) Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy ii.) Child Protection and Vulnerable Persons Safeguarding Policy iii.) Volunteer Policy Members noted the minutes presented and adopted the three policies.

19/4/08 To note any updates from members having attended external meetings. Members provided the following updates: There were no member updates.

19/4/09 To note, consider and approve payments since the previous meeting as set out in the schedule below. Members approved the payments.

19/4/10 To note and consider the year to date financial summary Members noted the financial update.

19/4/11 To consider an update in relation to policing in Crewe Members noted the Police update. It was agreed to ask the Police if they would.be able to attend Council meetings to report from time to time.

19/4/12 To consider matters related to the Beechmere Appeal Fund It is resolved that the amount held by the Town Council in the appeal fund on 22nd November2019 should be transferred to Your Housing as soon as possible, subject to a written agreement that all monies be distributed equally to residents living at Beechmere on Thursday 8th August 2019. Any funds received between 22nd November 2019 and January 31st 2020 are to be transferred to Your Housing for distribution on the same basis. After the end of January 2020 the Town Council will no longer collect money on behalf of the Beechmere residents.

19/4/13 It is recommended that Council considers a resolution under Section 1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 to exclude the public and representatives of the press from the meeting during the consideration of Item 14 on the grounds that matters contain sensitive information and by reason of the confidential nature of the business being transacted. It was resolved under Section 1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 to exclude the public and representatives of the press from the meeting during the consideration of Item 14 on the grounds that matters contain sensitive

information and by reason of the confidential nature of the business being transacted.

19/4/14 To consider a report from the Cheshire Association of Local Councils on personnel matters and a situation analysis

Members resolved: 1. To endorse the recommendations of the Leader and Deputy Leader to allow the Town Clerk to stand aside from his executive duties. 2. To seek advice on the possibility of a compromise agreement with the Town Clerk. 3. To authorise the Deputy Town Clerk to take such actions as are necessary in relation to recommendation 2) above. 4. To appoint DCK Accounting Solutions on the terms proposed until permanent arrangements for accounting are determined. 5. To establish a Personnel Committee with Terms of Reference and Delegation as set out in the attached appendix with 7 members. Cllrs. Jill Rhodes, Messent, Toth, Walton, Straine-Francis, Buckley were appointed to the Committee with 1 vacancy remaining.

19/4/15 To note the date of the next meeting

Members noted the date of the next meeting as Tuesday 7th January 2020.

Meeting closed: 22.00