Councillors J K G Allen, D M Beith, D W Donaldson, A B Douglas, H Bettison, P Herdman, E I Hunter, AH Murray, G O’Connell, R J Patterson, J A Robertson, A S Rogerson, D S Stewart, T J Tyler, P S Watts
232.
1. Declaration of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
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233.
2. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors J A Davidson, BPG Gibson, W F Grant, AG Houghton, JG Hutchinson, RE Hutchinson, RT Pearson, JD Peggs, FI Simpson, JE Smith, J Waterhouse, R J D Watkin and D Wilson.
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234.
3. Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 9th August 2007.
DECISION: To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 9th August 2007, Minutes 157 to 174 and pages 1 – 9.
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235.
4. Mayor’s Communications
a) Mayoress’s Golf Charity Day
The Mayor passed on the Mayoress’s thanks to all those who had organised, donated to or participated in the annual Mayoress’s Golf Charity Day at Goswick, which had raised a record sum of £3,850 towards chemotherapy services at Berwick Infirmary.
b) Visit to Haan, Germany, 21-23 September
The Mayor and the Mayoress had spent the weekend in Haan on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the twinning arrangement between Haan and Berwick-upon-Tweed. The Mayor outlined concerns from Haan that contact between the towns, and particularly between their respective High Schools, had decreased, and was pleased that there was to be representation from Berwick Community High School at the Civic Reception to be held for visitors from Haan that evening.
c) Other Events
The Mayor reported that he attended the following events since the June meeting of the Council:
• Lunch aboard the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII), 17th September
• Tynedale Heritage Trail, 26th September
The Mayor also gave Members notice of the following events:
• Alan Snell Show at the Maltings in aid of the Mayoress’s Charity, tickets available from the Maltings Box Office – 3rd October
• Rearranged Council Meeting – 8th October
• Special Council Meeting re Large Scale Voluntary Transfer – 22nd October
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236.
5. Accounts 2006/07
Councillor Beith highlighted the fact that almost £1.3million from Council house rents and £1.5million in capital was paid by the Council to central government in 2006/07. The Head of Finance (Accountancy and Audit) explained that under the arrangements which regulate the Council’s ability to use money raised from its Council houses, a proportion of money’s received must be paid to central government and are not available for investment in the Borough’s housing stock.
Decisions: (i) To agree the accounts; and
(ii) to welcome the report on the accounts from the Council’s External Auditors.
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237.
6. Questions:
No questions had been received for consideration under this item.
