UPTON BY CHESTER & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL

Meeting of the Finance Committee of the Upton by Chester & District Parish Council held on Thursday 17th January 2008 at the Pavilion, Wealstone Lane.

 

Present:         

Cllr Gerald Grant (Chairman), Cllr Theresa Bartliff,  Cllr John Butler

Cllr David Capstick, Cllr David Evans, Cllr Jean Evans, Cllr Peter Griffiths,

Cllr Patricia Lott, Cllr Bryan Smith and Cllr Liz Squire.

 

1.                  APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from and Cllr Gill Jordan

 

2.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

No declarations of interest were received.  

 

3.         FINANCIAL POSITION SO FAR:

The Clerk reported that there had been an increase of £5,500 on income and also a reduction of £6,500 on expenditure and that this resulted in a carry forward for next year’s budget of £15,000

 

Resolved:       that the report be noted.

 

4.         CHARGES FOR PAVILION FACILITIES:

Members discussed the charges for tennis, bowling, football and fire of the pavilion.  A number of minor changes were made for 2008/09.  Members discussed discounts for regular use and suggested that a reduction of 20% be given for bookings for the Pavilion of 10 sessions or more paid in advance.

 

Recommended:          (a)        that the attached list of charges be used from 1 April

2008.

                                    (b)        that the 20% discount be given on Pavilion bookings.

 

5.         CONTRIBUTION FROM PARISH COUNCIL FUNDS FOR PAVILION PROJECT:

The Chairman reminded Members that there had been a previous resolution made that

the Parish Council contribute £50,000 to the project and that although this figure may be

recouped at a later date there was a need to raise this money to enable activities such

as undertaking consultation, planning fees, architects fess and legal fees.  Some

Members were concerned about the amount of money that was required and were

concerned that the project may not go ahead.  Cllr Jean Evans told Members that the

Parish Council needed to ensure that there was sufficient money available to progress

the project, but that costs would be kept to a minimum until any final decision to go

ahead.  Cllr David Evans reported that if the project went ahead up front costs would

be needed and that if the project did not go ahead then money would be needed to

repair and refurbish the Pavilion.

 

Cllr John Butler asked if the Clerk could request likely amount of up front costs from Dr Martin Carey.

 

The Chairman reported that there were various ways of securing the £50,000 as follows:

            a.         Increase the precept in one year

            b.         Increase the precept over two years

            c.         Obtain a loan.

 

The Clerk reminded Members that if next year’s precept was to be kept the same as the

current year there would be a surplus amount of £22,000 which could be used towards

the project.  She also advised that once this amount was used then the Parish Council

could apply for a loan but that it would have to apply for at least £50,000 as anything

less than this amount would have to be raised by precept.  The Chairman reported that a

loan sanction would be required before the Parish Council could apply for a loan and

the Clerk reported to Members on the likely costs of having a loan of £50,000. 

 

Cllr John Butler moved that the Parish Council contribute the surplus amount of £22,000 to the project and obtain a loan for a further £50,000 is necessary.  Cllr Jean Evans seconded the motion. 

 

Resolved:       (a)        that Members unanimously agreed to use the £22,000 surplus

amount for the project and to obtain a loan of £50,000 at a later date if necessary.

                        (b)        that the Clerk request up front costings from Dr Martin Carey.

(c)        that the Clerk commence the application for a loan sanction in case a loan is needed.

 

6.        BUDGET FIGURES FOR 2008/09:

Members discussed the budget figures for 2008/09.

 

Recommended:          that the attached figures be put to the Parish Council at its next meeting.

 

14.       DATE FOR NEXT MEETING:

 

Resolved:       that this be set at a later date.