MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING 30th OCTOBER 2018
AT THE READING ROOM, BUXTED
Present: Cllrs Roberts (Chairman), Blandford, Rose and Illingworth. Also in attendance: Cllr Hoggan, Cllr Wells, Clerks to the Parish Council: Beccy Macklen and Claudine Feltham
Members of the public present: None
- Apologies for absence:
Cllrs McQuarrie and Johnson were not present at this meeting
- Declarations of members’ interests in respect of items on this agenda.
Cllr Wells declared a personal interest as Chairman of the Horticultural Society (grant applications).
Cllr Illingworth declared a personal interest as a member PCC.
- Review and approval of the Minutes of the last finance committee meeting held on 9th June 2018.
The minutes were approved and signed as a true record.
- Consideration of creating a Highways budget – Cllr Illingworth
There is an EMR for Traffic Management – which currently is set at £6,000, and within the precept for 2019-2020 suggested budget of £5,000 for Highways.
Cllr Illingworth agreed that the above figures were sufficient for Highways.
- Review of half year financial report (1.4.18 to 30.09.18).
£101,011 was the precept requested and received from WDC during the financial year 1st April 2018 to 31st March 2019.
Overall the expenditure during the first 6 months is broadly as budgeted.
- Consideration of budget proposals for 2019-2020.
Increase and decreases of note:
A budget of £1500 for an increase in salary and associated costs.
We previously budgeted £3,500 for publications, but feel this would be not necessary in 2019-2020.
Have increased the highways budget by £1000.
We have a new grant application procedure and so the grants for 2019-2020 have already been considered by full council. This gives an increase of £1200 on what was awarded in 2018-2019.
We have budgeted an increase of £1200 in maintenance costs for the Reading Room.
- Consideration of precept request for 2019-2020.
The current earmarked and general reserves were considered. The question over the amount of the precept increase was discussed in depth. The finance committee agreed that a 2% increase (£2,020) would be appropriate and which would mean a precept request of £103,031. This will be suggested and ratified at full council in November 2018.
- Risk Assessment – Cllr Roberts
Cllr Roberts explained the risk assessment and the finance committee discussed items included.
Cllr Illingworth suggested council resignations could be added to the Risk Assessment.
Cllr Wells created a version of the risk assessment which Cllr Roberts will consider.
This will be reviewed at the next meeting.
- Any other matters properly notified
Meeting closed at 2019 hours.