St. Florence Notebook - Community Council Meeting - 11th December 2006 Relationship between St Florence Community Council and Community Association Discussion took place at the St Florence Community Council between community councillors and the County Councillor, Malcolm Calver, when the Council Chairman Mrs Evans stated at the meeting that the community association was a sub committee of the community council. Both councillors Wolveson and Nixen agreed that that is how the arrangement has been formulated with the association having its own constitution. Cllr Calver was concerned regarding these statements, as a sub committee of the community council would be accountable to a committee of the council. Usually a committee of the council would consist of councillors given a specific task and would report back to the council who would made decisions based upon their recommendations. Both Cllrs Wolveson and Evans then revealed that they were members of the association. Cllr Calver felt that there should not be a crossing relationship between the two bodies and there was a clear need for interests to be declared and recorded. Precept Discussion The subject of the precept was raised and Cllr Nixen proposed that it should be increased by 2.5% whilst Cllr Wolveson proposed by 5%. Councillors felt that they needed more money to run the council but no discussion took place on specific items that they thought would need the additional money. Cllr Wolveson stated that it would only cost householders an extra £l.00 Cllr Calver queried what was the state of the council finances at present and was advised that the council had very little in its account. He queried other accounts, such as the Village Hall which the council controlled and was advised they were nothing to do with setting the precept. Declarations of Interest on discussions at council meetings. Councillors were asked by Cllr Calver on several occasions to declare what their interest was when a subject was raised or being discussed as per rules governing council meetings. Councillors disclosed their interest but remained in place and on several occasions continued to take part in discussions even when that interest was a member of their family carrying out work for the community council on a financial basis. Website Comments The procedure that councillors must adopt is clearly set out in their Standing Orders of the Council and that is "when an interest becomes apparent a councillor must declare an interest, disclose the nature of the interest and then withdraw from the meeting". Back to Listings