Meeting of the Finance
Committee of the
Present:
Cllr John Butler, Cllr David Capstick, Cllr
Jean Evans, Cllr David Evans,
Cllr Gerald Grant, Cllr Peter Griffiths, Cllr
Gill Jordan, Cllr Patricia Lott
and Cllr Bryan
Smith
1.
APOLOGIES:
Apologies
were received from Cllr Theresa Bartliff and Cllr Liz
Squire.
2.
CHAIRMAN:
It
was proposed by Cllr Jean Evans and seconded by Cllr David Capstick
that Cllr Gerald Grant be elected Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing
year. No other nominations were
received.
Resolved: that Cllr Gerald Grant be elected Chairman of the
Committee for the ensuing year.
3.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
No
declarations of interest were received.
4.
FINANCIAL POSITION SO FAR:
Members
considered the financial position so far based on the spreadsheet and the
information given by the Clerk. The
Clerk informed Members of the following:
An increase in the amount of public
use of the tennis courts
An increase in the amount of costs
for water as due to billing problems some of last
years costs were carried into this year.
An increase in
planting on open spaces due to having to pay for daffodil bulbs to be planted.
Higher electricity costs due to rise
in fuel prices generally.
Audit costs would be doubled due to
income and expenditure exceeding £100,000 this financial year.
Resolved: that the report be noted.
5. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS:
The
Clerk reported that the following subscriptions and donations were currently
paid by the Parish Council:
Cheshire Association of
PC’s £908.00
Best Kept Village Fee £ 43.00
Village Quiz £ 20.00
6. INTERNAL AUDIT BY MEMBERS:
Members
discussed which two Members should undertake an audit of the Council’s accounts
and minute books. Cllr Gerald Grant told
Members that he was happy to continue to do so.
No other Members indicated a wish to do this.
Resolved: that Cllr Gerald Grant be appointed to audit the accounts and
that the other Member be decided at the next Parish Council meeting.
7. INTERNAL AUDIT BY MRS OWEN:
Resolved: that Mrs Owen continue to audit the Parish Council’s
accounts prior to full audit for a fee of £75.
8. FINANCIAL OFFICER DUTIES:
Resoved: that the duties remain the same.
9. FINANCIAL REGUALTIONS:
Resolved: that these remain the same.
10. CLERKS MILEAGE RATE:
Resolved: that the Clerk continue to be paid at the NALC rate for casual
car user.
11. CLERKS OFFICE EXPENSES:
Resolved: that the Clerk continue to be paid £600 per year towards heat,
light and computer expenses.
12. GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CONTRACT:
The
Clerk reported that the current grounds maintenance contract was in force until
2010. Members discussed the maintenance
problems around the War Memorial. Cllr
Jean Evans suggested that herself and the Clerk
arrange a meeting with the City Council to discuss the problems.
Resolved: (a) that the
Grounds Maintenance contract continue.
(b) that Cllr Jean
Evans and the Clerk arrange a meeting with the City Council.
13. INSURANCE:
The
Clerk reported that the cost for Insurance was likely to rise next year due to
the claims that had been made recently.
Members discussed other alternatives.
Resolved: that the Clerk obtain other quotations for insurance before
the next Finance Committee meeting.
14. BUDGET FIGURES FOR 2007/08:
Members
considered the draft budget figures
for 2007/08. Cllr Peter Griffitths asked if the amount for the village sign be removed
and that the amount for planting be increased to £600. Members discussed the
reduction on this year’s budget of the amount for contingencies and felt that
this should be increased for next year.
Members
discussed the possible refurbishment of the Pavilion in the future. Cllr Jean Evans asked if Members could
consider ways of reducing energy costs to run the Pavilion both immediately and
also within any future development.
Members also discussed the proposed erection of a flagpole. The Clerk reported that the current position
of the stand for the flagpole might possibly be where the Pavilion would be
extended. Cllr John Butler informed
Members that he felt that the erection of a flagpole should be delayed until
the proposals for the Pavilion were finalised.
Resolved: that Members be asked to consider ways of reducing
energy costs at the Pavilion.
15. DATE FOR NEXT MEETING:
Resolved: that this be set for