UPTON BY CHESTER & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL

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

Present:         

Cllr Theresa Bartliff,  Cllr John Butler, Cllr David Capstick, Cllr David Evans,

Cllr Jean Evans, Cllr Patricia Lott, Cllr Paul Lowry, Cllr Bryan Smith

and Cllr Liz Squire.

 

1.                  APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from and Cllr Gerald Grant.

 

2.         ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN FOR ENSUING YEAR:

It was proposed by Cllr Bryan Smith and seconded by Cllr David Capstick that Cllr

David Evans be elected Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.

Resolved:       that Cllr David Evans be elected Chairman of the Committee for the ensing year.

 

3.        DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

No declarations of interest were received.  

 

4.         FINANCIAL POSITION SO FAR:

The Clerk reported on the financial position  so far.

Resolved:       that the report be noted.

 

5.         SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS:

As the list of subscriptions and donations was not made available by the Clerk, Members agreed that this item be discussed at the next meeting.

 

6.         INTERNAL AUDITOR:      

The Clerk reported on the current appointment of internal auditor.

Resolved:       that the internal auditor be retained for the following year.

 

7.        FINANCIAL OFFICER DUTIES:

Resolved:                   that no amendments be made to the current Financial Officer duties.

 

8.       FINANCIAL REGULATIONS:

Resolved:                   that the no amendments be made to the current Financial Regulations.

 

9.       CLERKS MILEAGE RATE:

Resolved:                   that the Clerk continue to be paid at the NALC rate.

 

10.      CLERKS OFFICE EXPENSES:

Members discussed the recent rise in household fuel costs and considered increasing

the amount paid to the Clerk for the use of her home as an office.

Resolved:                   that this matter be considered at the next meeting.

11.        GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CONTRACT:

The Clerk reported that the current maintenance contract had one year left to run.  Cllr

John Butler asked if the maintenance contract could be extended to include the area to

the side of the bus shelter in Upton Lane, by the Golf Club as the County Council had

not done anything g about it.  The Clerk asked if the contract could be extended to

include moss treatment once a year on the tennis courts.

Resolved:                   (a)        that the Clerk contact the County Council to request that they attend to the area to the side of the bus shelter.

                                    (b)        that the Clerk arrange for the moss treatment to be added to the maintenance contract.

 

12.       INSURANCE:

Resolved:                   that the Parish Council use the current insurers

 

13.       BUDGET FIGURES FOR 2009/2010:

Members considered the budget figures for 2009/2010.  Members were informed that the double rating grant of £10,000 that was received this year would be unavailable

from the new authority.  The Clerk reported that there would be some upfront costs for the Pavilion project such as planning applications and quantity surveyor fees.

 

The Clerk also informed Members that she had arranged for an electrician to check the Pavilion building,  following problems with plugs and sockets.  The electrician had

informed her that the electrics were safe although they did not meet current standards and should be replaced for the longer term.  The electrician also advised that a circuit

breaker system costing £416 should be installed in the meantime to provide further safety due to the problems of the roof letting in water.  The Clerk also reported that she

had obtained a second opinion and  advice on the pavilion roof and had been informed that it was indeed beyond repair and could only be completely re-roofed which would

cost between £12,000 to £15,000.

 

Members considered the installation of a circuit breaker system on the grounds of health and safety.  Cllr John Butler reminded Members that the Parish Council had

already taken a decision that the pavilion should be rebuilt and not refurbished and that he felt no large sums of money, i.e. for a new roof, should be spent on the building.

 

Resolved:                   that the Clerk arrange for a circuit breaker system to be be installed into the pavilion.

 

Recommended:          that the attached draft budget figures be put to the Parish Council.

 

 

14.       DATE FOR NEXT MEETING:

 

Resolved:       that this be set for 7pm on Monday 12th January 2009.