Agenda item

To receive and approve the list of payments for February 2024.

The Councillors were asked to look at the list of payments which were provided with the agenda. The Clerk opened the floor to see if any councillors had any questions regarding the payments list.

Cllr Atkins asked what ‘Add Blue’ is. The Clerk explained that we buy this as something to add to the van, due to it being Diesel, which helps it run more effectively. 

Cllr Atkins also questioned why we are buying circuit breakers. The Clerk explained that when it comes to circuits, you need to buy the same brand to replace the parts you need rather than buying a whole new breaker.

Cllr Phipps questioned the £5k on drains. This was part of the planning permission for the drains to be surveyed for the land at the bottom.

Cllr Phipps wanted to know the running cost to heat the Orangery. The Clerk explained there is a sub-meter for the gas usage of the Orangery.

Cllr Phipps then wanted to know if there is a grant to help towards this. The Clerk said unfortunately not. There is an agreement between Teignmouth Town Council and the Orangery, where they carry out the main gardening inside the Orangery, and Teignmouth Town Council do all the maintenance work for the building. The Orangery have no means to pay for the building or the maintenance of the building. Although, the current agreement does need updating.

Cllr Phipps also enquired about the insurance. The Clerk explained that the Town Council paid for the works from the vandalism straight out as it was more cost effective this way.

Cllr Chasteau asked why so much heat is needed for the Orangery. The Clerk explained this is due to the types of exotic plants that are kept within certain temperatures to maintain the plants.

Cllr Jackman had a few queries regarding the payments list. The first being the £55.53 that was spent on British Gas. The Clerk explained this is for the dehumidifier that is used in the workshop behind the Orangery.

Cllr Jackman questioned the payment for the smoke detector and why it was so much. The Clerk explained the council decided to have wireless detectors around the building that all work together. The price includes the smoke detector, the programming and the labour.

Cllr Jackman then asked what the Travis Perkins payment was for. It was explained that, when the risk assessment was done for the building, one of the risks that was highlighted was someone falling into the moat that surrounds most of the building. The fence from Travis Perkins is to help reduce this risk.

Cllr Jackman asked why 3,732.59 was spent on memorial benches and if this was just for one bench. The Clerk explained this was for the replacement of up to ten benches. They are made from a type of wood that does not need any treatment, therefore saving the council more money in the long run.

Cllr Jackman queried why there are so many Amazon payments, and why items have not been sourced from the local town. The Clerk explained we try and use local where we can for certain things but the process when buying something locally requires having to get a quote from three different places. If we were to do this in town, it would cost the council more money once you take into consideration sending someone into town, going to the three different shops, getting a price and making sure they have the correct item in stock. Whereas if this is done online, it is more efficient and saves the council more money.

Cllr Jackman wanted to know about the cost of the trees (check to see which company it was). The Clerk explained that is the price for five trees. Two at Bitton House, one at the Methodist Church, one at St James’ Church and another one at St Michael’s Church.

Proposed by Lloyd
Seconded by Phipps
Carried unanimously