Town Council meet round-up

Councillors in Whitchurch have voted to approve membership of the Shropshire Association of Local Councils (SALC), which provides expert advice for councillors and town clerks across the county.

The membership was confirmed at last week’s full town council meeting despite initial objections from Councillor Alan Chesters, who chairs the finance the committee, as he felt access to SALC was limited to just the mayor and the town clerk, which is currently Cllr Tony Neville and Nicola Young.

Cllr Chesters added: “I’ve no objection to getting advice because we’re not experts but we have a human resources company who can give us expert advice.

“I’m also aware that SALC advice has to be disseminated to councillors, but we haven’t received it.”

However, deputy mayor Cllr Bev Duffy, who chaired the meeting in Cllr Neville’s continued absence, added: “I have had advice from SALC and I know that other councillors have.

“This is to ensure that we have professional procedural advice.”

Cllr Andy Hall put forward a motion that protocols should be in place to all members to have access and this was approved.

Membership will cost the council £1,844.02.

Meanwhile, the council has also agreed to review the grants process for the 2019/20 financial year.

The recent process led to some groups missing out on grants or not submitting an application in time.

Cllr John Sinnott said: “When we first started doing the grants, it was difficult to find projects that we wanted to give money for. By that I mean we want to contribute to projects, not to their running costs.”

Cllr Simon Hamlyn agreed with Cllr Sinnott, stating he thought it should be clearer on what people can apply for.

However, Cllr Chesters queried the need for a review and/or change to the current system, including that the grants application process becomes a twice-yearly process.

He said: “Is the present system not working? Have we had a complaint?

“I am slightly bemused by a desire to want a change. Once yearly is enough – you always get people who miss the boat but it’s advertised a lot before the grants are due.”

A proposal to reconsider the application process after a review was passed.

In other items, the monthly accounts were passed while new fees for Whitchurch cemetery and also signed a completed lease for Whitchurch Heritage Centre in St Mary’s Street.

Minutes for committee meetings were also passed by councillors.