July 2019 Minutes EOM
MINUTES OF THE WOODHALL SPA EXTRAORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 2ND JULY 2019 AT 3.45 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER STANHOPE AVENUE
PRESENT
Councillors: D Clarke (Chairman), J Frost, I Clarke, M Williams, T Handley, N Ford, P Jennings and R Ayling
IN ATTENDANCE
J Greer (Parish Clerk).
EXFC/1/07/19
CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
The Chairman stated the Extraordinary Meeting was called to determine if the Parish Council want to continue the process and apply for borrowing approval for the PWLB loan in support of the Jubilee Park development.
He explained that it was identified at an informal update meeting with JPWS last week that the LEADER grant element of £160,000.00 would not be confirmed until the end of July at the next round of the LEADER grant awarding meeting.
The Chairman posed the question to consider approving the process pending the LEADER firm offer.
EXFC/2/07/19
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE WITH REASON GIVEN
Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor C Marrs.
EXFC/3/07/19
DECLARATION OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2011
There were no declarations of interest.
EXFC/4/07/19
REQUESTS FROM MEMBERS FOR A DISPENSATION ON ANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
There were no requests for a dispensation on any items on the agenda.
EXFC/5/07/19
TO RECEIVE THE RESULTS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE REGARDING THE PWLB LOAN APPLICATION
The Chairman and Clerk had recounted all the responses prior to the meeting.
80.4% of the returns were in favour of the Council proceeding with the PWLB loan of £350,000.00 to be able to assist JPWS in their future plans for Jubilee Park.
19.6% of the returns did not support the loan application.
A total of 505 questionnaires were returned.
EXFC/6/07/19
TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE WHETHER TO SEEK THE APPROVAL OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HOUSING, COMMUNITIES & LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO APPLY FOR A PWLB LOAN OF £350,000.00 OVER THE BORROWING TERM OF 20 YEARS FOR THE SUPPORT OF JPWS HEALTH & FITNESS DEVELOPMENT WITH ANNUAL REPAYMENTS OF APPROXIMATELY £21,000.00 AND TO FURTHER RESOLVE THAT IT IS NOT INTENDED TO INCREASE THE COUNCIL TAX PRECEPT FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE LOAN REPAYMENTS UNLESS JPWS BECOMES INSOLVENT
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to seek the approval of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government to apply for a PWLB loan of £350,000.00 over the borrowing term of 20years for the development of the health and fitness development at Jubilee Park. The annual loan repayments will come to around £21,000.00.
It is not intended to increase the council tax precept for the purpose of the loan repayments.
The Council acknowledged that in the case of a JPWS default, and if other arrangements could not be made, that it may be necessary to raise the precept to cover the remaining loan repayments. This has been identified in the community consultation leaflet.
The Council acknowledged that the LEADER grant formal offer would not be available until the end of July and that it may be possible to submit the approval application for advance scrutiny pending the receipt of the formal offer.
It was further proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to delegate to the Chairman and Clerk to liaise with LALC and the Secretary of State’s office to determine if the borrowing approval request could be submitted pending the receipt of the LEADER grant offer.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 4.50 pm
No members of the public were present during the public forum, or throughout the rest of the meeting.