Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, 19 January 2010 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
PRESENT: Cllrs R Brook, C Rimmer, A Tribe, K Waites, N Wilson
IN ATTENDANCE: Hazel Chowcat, Clerk to the Council
1461 Election of Chair
Following the death of Cllr Tony Barlow, it was necessary to elect a new Chair. It was proposed by Cllr Tribe and seconded by Cllr Rimmer that Cllr Brook be nominated. There being no further nominations:
RESOLVED that Cllr Brook be elected unopposed.
1462 Cllr Tony Barlow
A minute’s silence was held in memory of Cllr Tony Barlow.
1463 Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
1464 Open Session
No matters were raised by members of the public.
1465 Apologies for absence
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted from Cllrs M Barlow, M Mills, G Turner and S Wild.
RESOLVED that the reasons for absence submitted by all the above Councillors be accepted as valid reasons.
1466 Admission of the Public
RESOLVED that there were no items requiring the exclusion of the press and public.
1467 Minutes
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2009 be received.
1468 Society of Local Council Clerks Practitioners’ Conference 26-28 February
RESOLVED to approve the attendance of the Clerk at the SLCC conference at a cost of £195.
1468 Red Telephone Boxes
RESOLVED that the Parish Council register an interest in adopting the four telephone boxes which are located in Conservation Areas (1. On the Green Pco, Lower Cumberworth, 2. O/S Wakefield Road, Denby Dale, 3. Pco Cumberworth Road, Skelmanthorpe, 4. Denby Lane/Gunthwaite Lane, Upper Denby).
RESOLVED that local residents be consulted about the possible use of these telephone boxes as follows: Box 1 through the Cumberworth Community Association; Box 2 through leaflets to be put in local shops; Box 3 through the Skelmanthorpe Community Action Group; Box 4 through the Denby Parish Community Action Group.
RESOLVED that the Clerk investigate what other financial commitments, in particular insurance, would be required.
1469 Budget
The Clerk submitted a draft budget for 2010-2011. Members discussed whether to set aside £28,000 in the budget earmarked as reserves for future projects and whether to combine the small grants budget, the community grant aid budget and the green initiative under one heading. It was understood that the Council needed to clarify its guidelines for grant awards and the Clerk reported that she was working on a revised grant policy which would be presented to the March meeting of the Committee.
RESOLVED that the final budget be agreed at the March meeting of the Committee.
RESOLVED that in line with Council policy, it be recommended to the Council that the precept be increased by the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index announced in January, namely 2.9%
1470 Orders for Payment
RESOLVED that Orders for Payment Nos 506 totalling £3,940.56 and 507 totalling £1,447 be approved.
1471 Date of Next Meeting
RESOLVED that the next meeting be held on 16 March 2010 starting at 7pm.
Signed……………………………..……
CHAIR
