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Minutes of an Extraordinary Meeting of HAWKINGE PARISH COUNCIL held on 15th November 2006 in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm 

Present: Cllr. Callahan (Chairman)

Cllrs. Avery, Hodgson, Punnett, Smith and Trice 


In attendance: Mrs Hardy (Clerk) 


Apologies: Cllrs. Brisley, Hogben and Heasman 


The purpose of the meeting was to consider the Council’s draft budget for 2007/08 and to fix the precept on Shepway District Council for 2007/08. 


378 Declarations of Interest

Cllr. Callahan declared a personal interest in the Community Centre and the Neighbourhood Partnership (member of the HNP Board) Cllr. Smith declared a prejudicial interest in the Neighbourhood Partnership (member of the HNP Board) Cllr. Trice declared a personal interest in the Sports Association (Secretary) Cllr. Hodgson declared a personal interest in the Community Centre (Trustee) and the Sports Association (PC representative). 


379 Budget 2007/08

Cllr. Avery had prepared a budget based on a draft budget written by the Clerk for the Finance Group.

The Chairman said two important decisions had to be taken before the precept could be fixed. The present Clerk would retire on 31st March 2007. 

(i) Does the Council want to employ a full-time Clerk? 

(ii) Does the Council wish to hire office accommodation at the Hawkinge Partnership Community office?

Councillors agreed that in a few years time Hawkinge would be a town rather than a village and the Council will have to provide a lot of services. A full time Clerk will be needed. 

It was Resolved that in principle the Parish Council will employ a full time Clerk from 31st March 2007.

(prop. Cllr. Avery, sec. Cllr. Hodgson) Votes: all in favour 


Cllr. Avery said he had been told that the Council could hire accommodation in the Partnership office for the Clerk. Ms Jenny Hannah was present at the meeting and confirmed that an offer could be put in writing for the Council.

It was Resolved that in principle the Parish Council would hire office accommodation in the Partnership office. (prop. Cllr. Hodgson sec. Cllr. Avery) Votes For 4 Against 0 Abstention 1 

(Cllr. Smith left the room while the above discussion took place) 


The Chairman opened the meeting so that Ms Jenny Hannah could speak to the Council about the cost of advertising the post. She offered to help the Council to produce a job description and advertisement and later with the interviews. The Council will ask a member of the Personnel Department at SDC to be present at the interviews. 


Councillors discussed the budget in detail and some amendments were made. The main concern was that the Council has no reserve at the present time and this must be gradually built up again. 


380 Precept

The budget expenditure having been agreed councillors discussed the precept

The Council tax base will not be known for another month. Working on last year’s figure of 2,335.18 an increase in the precept to £60,000 would mean an increase for Band D households of £8.35 – Total £25.69. This figure will be lower due to the increased number of households in 2006 and it is in line with other parishes in Shepway of a similar size.

It was Resolved that Hawkinge Parish Council set the precept on Shepway District Council at £60,000 for the year 2007/08.

(prop. Cllr. Avery, sec. Cllr. Punnett) Votes: For 5 Against 0 Abstention 1 


The meeting closed at 8.50 pm