Finance Committee Nov 2011

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE OF KINVER PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT 95 HIGH STREET, KINVER ON WEDNESDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2011

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Councillor D Light (Chairman), BR Edwards (Vice-Chairman),

Councillors: Mrs M Rogers, Mrs ED Ray, Mr D Hadlington, Mrs R Davis (Ex Officio), HH Williams, MR Davies, and JK Hall*.

* Arrived during item 5.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 An apology of absence was received from Cllr J Cutler.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor D Light declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in relation to the Mini Bus and Luncheon Club grant applications.

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 27TH JULY 2011

The minutes of the meeting held on 27th July 2011 were approved and signed as a true record of that meeting with the following exceptions:-

Cllr MR Davies appears on members present and this should be removed as his apologies were received.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

None were reported.

5. BUDGET COMPARISON AND TO RECEIVE FORMALLY THE ACCOUNTS FOR APRIL – OCTOBER 2011

The Budget Comparison table is attached as appendix 1 to these minutes, the figures were reviewed and the following items were noted:-

Income

14 – Burial Fees – It was noted that to date the burial fees were quite low, and this may have an impact on the overall income at the end of the year.

15 – Toilets – As above income is down for the time of year, but there is still 5 months further income to be received.

Expenditure

50/5 Gas and Electric

The bills to date are for the summer months, so there will be a lot more expenditure to the end of the financial year (which will include the price increases that we have been notified of).

56 – Internal Grants – This appears over budget but it is the payment for Daneford and Jubilee Gardens, they cannot be paid for directly from the bond that was held in the Alliance and Leicester as we only have the facility to transfer funds to a nominated bank account, then issue a cheque from the Current Account.

57 – Christmas Lights – there is still some expenditure to come for these lights i.e Christmas trees, the electricity is normally charged in arrears by 12 months so the charge for 2011 Christmas will come after the 1st April 2012.

It was noted next year we may need to replace some of the long runs of lights, but they will be inspected as they are brought down in January. Some of the boxes have been repaired this year, and there may be some minor alterations next year. The Clerk informed members that some of the boxes have been disconnected by the County Council when repairing the street lights. It was Resolved that the Clerk write to the County and remind them not to disconnect the approved boxes.

56 – Car Park rental

The invoice has been received and paid for the Methodist Church car park.

 The Committee after reviewing the above figures to Recommend to the Parish Council that the figures as set out in Appendix 2 be accepted as a true record of the financial records.

6. TO SET A BUDGET FOR 2012/13

A budget request had been received from the Burial Grounds Committee to increase the fees for 2012/13 by 5%. If this was agreed it would not have an impact on the budget as set as appendix 3 as the burial fees are an unknown quantity and the figure would remain the same as this year, but we may receive more income than planned during the year if the fees were increased.

It was agreed to recommend to the Parish Council that the fees for 2012/13 for Comber Ridge Burial Ground are increased by 5%. On a vote this was carried.

The Clerk informed members that she had looked at the income and expenditure over the past year and tried to put together a realistic budget. There were 4 options of budget, ranging from no salary increase for staff to 2% as at this stage it is unknown if salaries will increase. This does not affect the proposed level of precept or income. The budget is set out as appendix 3 to these minutes.

It was proposed by Cllr BR Edwards and seconded by Cllr Mrs M Rogers that the precept for 2012/13 is kept at its current level of £144709 and the other income and expenditure as it is set out as option 1 (appendix 3) to these minutes is accepted. If a salary increase is agreed nationally then either options 2-4 would be used to take this into account. On a vote this was unanimous.

7 AUDIT REVIEW OF THE PETTY CASH FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2010

The Petty cash sheets for the above months are attached as appendix 4 to these minutes. This was noted.

8. TO DISCUSS THE COSTS FOR TREE FELLING FOR JUBILLEE GARDENS

The Clerk informed members that a large tree has died on the above Gardens and for safety reasons needs to be felled. Steve Dores of the District Council has given his permission for this work to be undertaken.

Two quotes have been obtained one for £360 and one for £550.

It was agreed that the tree be felled for the cost of £360 and be funded from the Internal Grants Budget head. On a vote this was carried.

9. REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT EXTERNALLY:-

The Committee reviewed the requests individually:-

The Clerk circulated the application forms for members to look at and collected them back in after the meeting.

Friends of Kinver Open Spaces – Request for £600

Members felt that they required further information on the costings and bench designs before making a decision on this application. Also they asked that the Clerk suggest that they look at applying to other bodies for grants. If anyone contacts the Parish Office to donate a bench their details could be passed to the FKOS Group.

Edgecliff Foundation (PTA) – New seating for Lecture Theatre – Request for £2500

It was agreed to recommend a grant for £500, this is only to be used for the lecture theatre seating, not for any other purpose.

Victim Support / Kinver Cricket Club – TBA

The above applications were not received in time for this meeting.

Councillor D Light left the meeting for the following item.

Kinver Luncheon Club – request for £500

It was agreed to recommend a grant of £250 to the Parish Council.

Mini bus for the elderly (red bus) – request for £500

It was agreed to recommend giving the full grant requested of £500 to the Parish Council.

Councillor D Light returned to the meeting.

10. TO DISCUSS REPAIR COSTS FOR THE FLASHCAM AT THE PLAY AREA

The Clerk reported that the cost for the repair to the Flashcam would be £800 +VAT. Members felt concerned over the effectiveness of the camera and asked that the Clerk investigate alternative cameras and report back to the next meeting. Specifically looking at the cameras used by the District Council.

11. ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

Play Area Camera

12. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

Wednesday 8th February 2012 at 7.00pm

13. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PARISH COUNCIL

It was Resolved to Recommend to the Parish Council that:-

• the accounts as set as appendix 2 to these minutes be accepted.

• the precept for 2012/13 is kept at its current level of £144709 and the other income and expenditure as it is set out as option 1 (appendix 3) to these minutes is accepted. If a salary increase is agreed nationally then either options 2-4 would be used to take this into account.

• the following grants are given funded from the External Grants Budget Head:-

Edgecliff Foundation (PTA) – £500 this is only to be used for the lecture theatre seating, not for any other purpose.

Kinver Luncheon Club – £250

Mini bus for the elderly (red bus) – £500

• the fees for 2012/13 for Comber Ridge Burial Ground are increased by 5%.

Appendices Click here

 Appendix 1 to the minutes of the F&GP Meeting held on the 16th November 2011

 Appendix 2 to the minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee of the 16th November 2011

 Appendix 3 to the minutes of the F&GP Meeting held on the 16th November 2011

Appendix 4 to the minutes of the F&GP Meeting held on the 16th November 2011

 

Chairman

Cllr E Rachel Davis
Tel (office): (01384)873878
Tel (home): (01384) 877441

Email: kinverparish@btconnect.com

Clerk

Mrs. J. Spaull,

Tel: (01384) 873878

Email: kinverparish@btconnect.com