Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, 11 March 2008 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
PRESENT: Cllrs J A Barlow (Chair), M Barlow, J E Birdsall, J C Birdsall, R Brook, M Mills, E Shaw, A Stimson, G Turner, N Wilson
478 Open Session
No members of the public were present.
479 Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence were received from Cllr C Rimmer. It was RESOLVED that the reason for absence from the above councillor be accepted as valid.
480 Declarations of Councillors’ Interests
There were no declarations of interest.
481 Admission of the Public
It was RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded for item 8.1 Internal Audit, since it includes matters relating to staffing terms and conditions.
482 Minutes
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2008 be received.
483 West Yorkshire Pension Fund
The Clerk reported that following the 2007 actuarial valuation, the West Yorkshire Pension Fund had advised the council that its contribution rates for the next three years commencing 1 April 2008 would be: Year 2008/09 – 19.2%; Year 2009/10 – 19.6%, Year 2020/11 – 19.9%. It was RESOLVED that the new rates be approved.
484 Insurance Renewal
The Clerk reported that the council’s insurance was due for renewal on 1 April 2008, but that the current insurers, Zurich Municipal had indicated following an enquiry by the Clerk, that they were running late in issuing renewal notices this year, but that they should be issued before the renewal date. The Clerk further reported that she was seeking a second quote from Aon. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk accept whichever quote was the most advantageous and report back to the full council to allow members to confirm approval. Members raised a number of questions about the Council’s insurance cover: details about indemnity insurance, whether councillors are covered by an equivalent of parliamentary privilege, when the chain of office is due to be re-valued for insurance purposes. It was RESOLVED that further information be sought and the matters discussed at the next meeting. Members also discussed the possibility of purchasing a more sturdy chain than that currently used for the ‘lady’s badge’ and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk obtain a quote.
485 Risk Assessment
The Clerk a draft risk assessment but proposed that the council should purchase specialised software designed for Parish and Town Councils to enable speedy identification of and scoring of risks. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk purchase the software and produce a revised risk assessment for the year 2008/2009.
486 External Audit
The Clerk reported that the Audit Commission had again appointed Mazars as the Council’s external auditors. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
487 Orders for Payment
It was RESOLVED that Orders for Payment No. 469 totalling £225.06 be approved.
488 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 17 June 2008 starting at 7.30pm.
489 Exclusion of the Press and Public
It was RESOLVED in terms of Schedule 12, Local Government Act 1972 the following items are likely to disclose exempt information relating to contractual matters and it is therefore RESOLVED that pursuant to the provisions of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, the press and public be excluded.
490 Internal Audit
The Clerk drew the committee’s attention to the forthcoming audit. It was RESOLVED that the Staffing Sub Committee meet to review staffing of the office.
Signed……………………………..……
CHAIR