MADELEY
TOWN
COUNCIL
Annual Report 2012 – 2013
Contents
PageMembers of Madeley Town Council / 3
Reports
Chairs report – Councillor Peter Taylor / 4
Finance & General Purpose Committee Report – Councillor Rae Evans / 6
Environment Committee Report – Councillor Aaron England / 9
Leisure & Community Committee Report – Councillor Sue Taylor / 12
Accounts 2012 – 2013
Accounting Statement / 15
Income & Expenditure Account / 16
Consolidated Balance Sheet / 17
Councillor Allowances & Expenses / 18
Madeley Town Council 2012 – 2013
/ Chair of CouncilCouncillor
Peter Taylor (Lab)
(Madeley Ward)
T: 01952 684932 / / Vice Chair of Council
Councillor
Rae Evans (Lab)
(Woodside Ward)
T: 01952 380273
Members
Councillor
Sarah Biles
(Ind)
(Woodside Ward)
T: 01952 588050 / Councillor
Aaron England (Lab)
(Cuckoo Oak Ward)
T: 01952 585532 / Councillor
Arnold England (Lab)
(Woodside Ward)
T: 07896 124008 / Councillor
David Edwards (Lab)
(Woodside Ward)
T: 01952 432160
Councillor
Gill Green
(Ind)
(Madeley Ward)
T: 01952 380198 / Councillor
Kevin Guy
(Lab)
(Woodside Ward)
T: 07817 500040 / Councillor
Steve Harrington (Lab)
(Madeley Ward)
T: 01952 583082 / Councillor
Chris Higgins (Con)
(Woodside Ward)
Resigned 28.12.12.
Councillor
Janice Jones
(Lab)
(Cuckoo Oak Ward)
T: 01952 583082 / Councillor
Tom Keane
(Lab)
(Woodside Ward)
Left 29.04.13. / Councillor
Alan MacKenzie (Lab)
(Cuckoo OakWard)
T: 01952 380210 / Councillor
Max Shaw
(Ind)
(Cuckoo Oak Ward)
T: 01952 408314
Councillor
Sue Taylor
(Lab)
(Madeley Ward)
T 01952 684932 / Councillor
Paul Watling
(Lab)
(Madeley Ward)
T: 01952 684117 / Councillor
Sarah Yates
(Lab)
(Cuckoo Oak Ward)
T: 07875 155781
Madeley Town Council - AGM
Chair’s Annual report 2012/2013
Objectives of the Council
Strategic Direction – to steer and co-ordinate the work of the Committees to ensure that strategic aims are being addressed and to develop policies and procedures that will enable the organisation to function effectively as an employer, service provider and community representative.
Representation – to consult with and be accountable to the community through open communication and to advocate on behalf of the Town & its residents.
Town profile – to promote and publicise the work of the Town & the area it serves
Introduction.
The Council met on seven occasions during the year and the following report represents a small selection of the business conducted. Further details can be seen in the appropriate minutes.
Strategic Direction
Strategy for the future was reviewed in September 2012. Members considered commitments, priorities and timescales. Areas of work were allocated to the different committees for further development.
Co-operative working with Telford & Wrekin Council emerged as a theme, this was demonstrated by the Parish Environmental Team which started in July (2/3 funded by MTC & 1/3 funded by T&W) and the on-going Neighbourhood Planning. Also support & assistance was provided to T&W Councillors in administering ward co-operative funding.
Engagement of young people in the town continues to be a priority and links with the T&W youth engagement team have been re-established following their restructuring. Ideas under discussion have been a local youth council and the need for more local facilities for young people.
Community engagement generally has been developed with the adoption of a Community Engagement Strategy and with extensive consultation that took place throughout the Neighbourhood Planning Process.
Full Council also approved Partnership funding of £3,400 for the Sutton Hill Families Project and £4,325 for CAB for the provision of an Advice Link service in Madeley
Representation
AGM in May 2012 appointed members to the Council’s five committees to oversee the business of the Council. Cllr Sarah Biles was co-opted at the AGM as member for the Woodside Ward.
Cllr Chris Higgins resigned in early 2013 which created a vacancy for the Woodside Ward, to be filled by co-option.
A number of members represent the Council at other local & district wide organisations: -
CHEC Board, Friends of Rough Park, Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, Lumley Hall Management Committee, National Association of Councillors, Parish Charter Review Monitoring Group, Park Lane Centre Management Board, Severn Gorge Countryside Trust, Telford & Wrekin CVS, Telford & Wrekin Parishes Forum, South Telford Family Groups Project.
There are also internal and Council supported groups where members have a management role: -
Living History Project Management Group, Madeley Community Orchard Steering Group, Madeley Matters Editorial Board, Madeley Partnership, Madeley Pitmounds Local Nature Reserve Steering Group, Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, South Telford Rights of Way Project .
The Code of Conduct, adopted in February 2012 was ratified at a meeting in July. At the same time the procedures for investigating allegations and the Standards embodies by T&W were adopted. Disclosableinterest of members are now available to view on the T&W website
Profile
We attained ‘Quality Parish’ Status March 2012 with the presentation of certificate to the Council at the AGM in May 2012.
In August 2012, Madeley Parish Council was re assessed as an Investor in People and retained its accreditation.
In October 2012 members resolved to change the title from Parish to Town. It was felt that the new title more accurately reflected the size and status of the organisation. This was achieved with minimal cost – minor changes to the logo and website & email addresses.
Madeley Matters – continues to be popular both in terms of contributors & readership. Delivery of the newsletter continues to be problematic, it has now been decided to use a private company to ensure delivery to all households. A more expensive option but more reliable.
Websites – & also the first is to promote the work of the council and to inform on services provided. The second is to promote the area and local business.
Staff
Lorna Wright, Evening Cleaner/Caretaker retired in August 2012 after 12 years work for the Council. The new postholder, Tara Nock started in October and settled in very well. After a period of staff shortages and uncertainties during which other staff members provided cover, Jubilee House is now fully staffed and running efficiently.
The two gardeners Aubrey Jones and Dave Jones finished the season in October2012. They were unable to return in 2013 and were replaced by Emma Tilley and Daniel Nuttall who started in March and are doing very good work.
Madeley has also hosted 2 work experience placements through the Job Centre, Conor Edwards and Sharon Harris, both of whom were offered admin and meeting secretary experience. They both did very well and we hope, benefited from the experience.
Councillor Peter Taylor
Chair of Council
07/5/2013
Madeley Town Council
Finance & General Purposes Committee – Annual report 2012/13
Objectives
AssetsTo continuously improve all Council owned or managed assets and to increase the Council’s asset base.
Budget & Finance To monitor & control the council’s budget and to set a precept that balances the needs of the community against the community’s ability to pay.
Partnerships &To play an active role in regeneration projects and to work in partnership Regeneration with other organisations to achieve agreed objectives.
Introduction
The Finance and General Purposes Committee also oversees the work of the Audit Committee which is responsible for the review of key polices, such as Standing Orders and Financial Regulations, risk management, systems of internal control, and the effectiveness of internal audit.
The Committee met on 5 occasions (July, October, December, January and April) and the following report represents a small selection of the business conducted. Further details can be seen in the appropriate minutes.
Jubilee House
Room charges were reviewed and we are please to say that it was agreed that they should be held for 2012.
Jubilee House has once again been very busy with income for 2012/13 being approximately £30,000 (hirers £20,400, tenants £9,000) an increase of approx £5,000 largely due to increased usage of the 2 interview rooms which are now regularly used by various community services. Axis in Shropshire, a tenant since the building opened, outgrew the accommodation and in March 2013 moved to new premises at the Glebe Centre. We wish them luck. The Office has been re-let to No Panic (a national charity, founded in Telford and providing telephone counselling for people with anxieties & phobias.)
Access improvements were undertaken to the front of the building, with frost damaged brick work being repaired and this was followed by external redecoration of the building.
Public Conveniences
The refurbishment of the public conveniences was completed to a high standard although slightly exceeding the original tender due to the identification of additional structural works. With the help of the local police it is hoped that the small number of members of the public that have in the past damaged the facilities (at significant cost to the community) will now cease their activities.
Allotments
Our allotments remain very popular, with a waiting list for both sites. Sutton Hill Allotment Association has attracted some new members who are very active and have rejuvenated the group.
The possibility of acquiring additional land, to supplement our current two allotments, continues to be investigated however it has not been possible, so far, to find anywhere at an economically viable cost to the Council. The Council may however be prepared to consider supporting any independent group who would be willing to establish and manage new allotments in the area.
Budget & Finance
The prudent management of financial and other resources this year saw the year ending within budget and with all our assets well maintained for benefit of the community.
The External Audit was completed for year end 31 March 2012.
The external auditor’s Certificate and opinion is given:
“On the basis of our review, in our opinion the information given in the annual return is in accordance with the Audit Commission’s requirements and no matters have come to our attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met.”
Madeley Parish Council commenced the 2012/13 financial year with net assets of £283,324 of which £118,665 was earmarked reserves
The appointed date for Audit of Accounts for 2012/13 is July 22nd 2013
Budget 2013/14
There has been a significant change in funding for Parish & Town Councils. The Government has introduced a Local Council Tax Support grant to compensate for a reduced Council Tax Base – this, however, has been set at 2011/12 levels and has then been cut by 10%. In effect this means that the 2013/14 budget will be supported by a £84k grant, which cannot be relied upon in the coming years.
The Precept + Local Council Tax Support for 2013/143 (£324,255) was slightly increased from 2012/13 level in order to go a little way to cover the potential shortfalls in Government funding and to maintain services (average Council Tax £66.70pa – an increase of 2%)
Of the 13 larger Parish/Town Councils in Telford & Wrekin, Madeley Town Council ranks 7th in level of annual Council Tax charge on households, whilst this year’s increase was relatively modest compared to many of the other Councils.
In order to protect against possible reductions in our income the Council has also set itself the target of reviewing all of its services in 2013 with a view to identifying where it might be possible to make future savings or indeed where we might choose to offer reduced or different service to the community.
Financial Services
The Financial Officer continued to provide Payroll, Accountancy and Audit services for several small local community groups. These included Madeley Community Orchard Group, Our World Nursery & South Telford Family Groups. Audit and Accounting services have been provided for Age UK, Friendly Retirement Group, Madeley Partnership & Together as One – small charge levied to offset costs.
Partnerships & Regeneration
Through out the year the Town Council has supported a wide range of Community organisations. These have included:
Madeley Partnership met 4 times – looking at redundant signage & ‘decluttering’, also the issue of empty shops in Madeley.
The Partnership has extended its role as from Spring 2013. £150,000 additional funding became available for the Partnership & Town Council to use for regeneration projects in Madeley – ideas are being developed. The Partnership & Town Council have also reinstated network meetings and brought together different agencies that operate in the area to share information & identify areas of joint working to deliver services more effectively.
Support for local businesses has been offered – free advertising in a special issue of Madeley Matters & the website has an interactive map of local business in Madeley is kept up to date. There is also a local business directory covering the whole of the Madeley area.
Lumley Hall – Heritage Officer has been working with the Management Group and the Music Project to try to effect a renovation of the Music Project facilities. Plans have been drawn up & accepted and a draft leases produced to formalise tenancies prior to submitting funding applications.
Anstice Working Men’s’ Club and Fletcher Memorial have also been supported by the Heritage Officer with a view to ensuring the long term security of these important assets.
The Town Council played an active part in the Community First Funding Panel – DCLG funding available for community groups that serve Woodside. There were successful applications in 2012/13 from Telford & Wrekin Homestart, Woodside Family Groups, Friends of Rough Park, Age UK, Wesbourne Residents Fund. There is a further year’s funding available in 2013.
The lease on our street vehicle was renewed with Wrekin Housing Trust and new vehicle was delivered in March 2013 so look out for it!
We are please to say that Madeley Town Council has been able to support Telford Crisis Network Food Bank by offering Jubilee House as distribution point for the area.
Welfare Services: The Council also agreed funding to support Telford and Wrekin CAB drop-in services in the area.
Madeley Community Orchard: - The Service Level Agreement with the Council was renewed without change.
Sutton Hill Families Group: - A grant for the provision of the summer play scheme was made.
Working co-operatively with Telford and Wrekin we have now agreed to the Borough including information in Madeley Matter which we believe will be of interest to our residents.
In conclusion, this has been a year in which the Council has consolidated and brought to fruition many of its plans and had budgeted well to enable this to happen, whilst continuing to minimise the financial impact on our residents. With future changes to the way we raise our monies we are now seeking to ensure that we continue to maintain high standards of service to our communities, which we had done in the past.
Finally I would like to thank all members of the F&G Committee and the officers who have serviced the Committee, especially Malcolm Morris who continues to work tirelessly in order to ensure efficiency and accountability.
Councillor Rae Evans
Vice Chair of Council; Chair of Finance and General Purposes Committee.
MadeleyTown Council AGM Environment Committee
Annual report 2012/13
Objectives
Environment - to work in Partnership with the Local Authority to identify and implement environmental improvements and to protect community interest through an active response to planning applications.
Open Spaces - to seek involvement and influence in the management and improvement of recreational and public open spaces.
Heritage - to work with partners to promote, improve and protect the heritage of Madeley Civic Parish in general and the World Heritage Site in particular.
Introduction
During 2012/13 the committee met on five occasions during the year (June, October, November, February and April) and the following report highlights key elements of the business conducted.
The Environment Committee Chair would like to place on record thanks for the contribution made from the committee members and for the support of the Clerk, Deputy Clerk and staff for their hard work and assistance.
In addition to this report full details of the business conducted can be seen in the corresponding minutes.
Environment
The Council continues to cooperatively work with Telford & Wrekin Council raising issues of concern in the Town including key areas such as potholes, fly tipping, untidy land and cleansing to ensure that these issues are dealt with promptly and effectively.
Enhancing this working relationship, Madeley Town Council approved a Telford & Wrekin Council borough wide initiative to introduce a Parish Environmental Team.
The team consists of a full time operative along with two apprentices whose purpose is to provide an enhanced service to compliment Telford & Wrekin Council's environmental service. The team is part funded by Madeley Town Council and Telford & Wrekin Council under a five year service level agreement. This initiative is a key project for the council and demonstrates the Town Councils commitment to ensuring the environment remains a high priority for the town.
Complementing the Parish Environmental Team is the work of Telford & Wrekin Councils Public Realm Team who not only work with and provide advice to the Town Council but also have a responsibility to carry out routine inspections of residential estates and surveys of highway and environmental services covering litter bins, bus shelters, signs and street nameplates, grit bins, and untidy land.
In 2012/13, the Environment Committee approved, completed and progressed projects to improve the public realm:
- Continues to support Madeley Academy pupils’ management of primary schools litter picks as part of the Spring Clean campaign.
- Work has begun to introduce a Litter and Environmental Awareness campaign which will work in partnership with local groups and agencies.
- 'Love Where You Live' initiative to produce a series of leaflets highlighting responsibilities and resources available for the benefit of the local community, targeting key areas with identified issues and supporting other projects and campaigns.
- Continuation of the Public Information Points project– a scheme that follows Action for Market Towns survey and report in June 2011. This project is grant funded by Telford & Wrekin Council through Madeley Partnership. Progress of the scheme is delayed due to difficulties over land transfer following the redevelopment of Madeley town centre are resolved.
- Works continues towards a prohibited street declaration affecting the retail zones of Madeley in order to control street trading in the town centre and safeguard the viability of premises based trading.
- Received and considered planning applications during the year. These covered residential, business, commercial, industrial and Conservation Area proposals.
Neighbourhood Planning