PRESENT

Councillor D E Bailey

Councillor D Boast

Councillor A M Cooper

Councillor D Dix

Councillor Mrs S M Geater

Councillor C Ginger

Councillor P Harle

Councillor T Hawkins

Councillor Mrs L Hill

Councillor J N Last BEM

Councillor Mrs S Levermore

Councillor S O’Reilly

Councillor Ms M A Woolf

1. Election of Chairman

It was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Boast that Cllr Last be appointed Chairman for 2020/2021. With no further nominations it was agreed that Cllr Last be elected. Cllr Last thanked councillors for their support.

2. Apologies

No apologies received.

3. Chairman’s Report for 2019/2020 (Cllr Hill)

The Chairman’s report will be published in the next newsletter. Cllr Hill said it had been a privilege to hold the position of Chairman for the past year and thanked Cllr Last for his support. She also thanked councillors and the Clerk, Deputy Clerk and Assets Officer for their guidance and continued support. Cllr Last thanked her on behalf of Leiston Town Council.

4. Appointment of Vice-Chairman

It was proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Geater and agreed that Cllr Cooper be elected Vice Chairman.

5. Composition of Working Parties and Representation on Other Bodies

Members gave their preferences as to which Committees, Working Parties or Organisations requiring a representative from the Council that they wished to be involved with for the coming year. The Clerk noted the new compositions for the coming year and asked members to look at the completed list, attached to these minutes, to ensure all their wishes had been encapsulated.

6. Signatories for Cheques

It was agreed the current signatories for Town Council cheques should remain the same to include any two of the following councillors: Cllr Ginger, Cllr Geater, Cllr Cooper, Cllr Boast and Cllr Hill, in addition to the Town Clerk (or Deputy Clerk).

7. Appoint member to be responsible for verifying bank reconciliations in accordance with Finance Order 2.2

It was agreed that Cllr Levermore retains the responsibilities required by Order 2.2.

8. To approve use of variable Direct Debits in respect of all utilities, software contracts, NEST pensions, rates and photocopier hire for further two years

It was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed that current bills signed up to direct debit contracts continue for a further two years

9. To approve the continued use of BACS transfer for all wages, salaries, pensions and Film Company Invoices for further two years

It was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed that BACS payments be used for all wages, salaries, pensions and film company invoices for a further two years and, due to the recent Coronavirus situation, to continue using BACS for all payments, where possible, for the foreseeable future and to amend Standing Orders as appropriate in due course.

10. Loan of Artefacts

Cllr Cooper and Cllr Hawkins declared an interest. The Clerk reported that various artefacts, including a working model steam tractor in a glass case, a wooden model steam lorry, a Garrett bust on a plinth, a collection of Garrett hats and a trunk, were on loan at the Long Shop Steam Museum. He further reported that the School Bell from the former Church of England Elementary School in Waterloo Avenue was similarly on loan at Leiston Primary School. It was proposed by Cllr Boast, seconded by Cllr Bailey and agreed that these loans should continue.

There being no more business the meeting closed at 8.00pm

Chairman _______________________________

Dated _______________________________