Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
PRESENT: Cllrs J A Barlow (Chair) M Barlow, P Calpin, M Mills, C Rimmer, E Shaw, A Tribe, G Turner, S Wild
IN ATTENDANCE: Hazel Chowcat, Clerk to the Council
1046 Open Session
No members of the public were present.
1047 Declaration of councillors’ interests
Cllr Tribe declared a personal interest in Item 8: Application by Birdsedge Village Hall for Funding.
1048 Apologies for absence
Cllr Brook had tendered his apologies and it was RESOLVED that the reason for absence submitted by Cllr Brook be accepted as valid.
1049 Admission of the Public
It was RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded for item 9, since it includes matters relating to staffing terms and conditions.
1050 Minutes
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2008 be received.
1051 Internal Audit
It was RESOLVED that Torevell Dent Ltd be approved as the Internal Auditor for 2009-2010.
1052 Insurance
The Clerk reported that the insurance premium renewal had been received from Zurich Municipal for £1023.34 (£974.61 plus 5% insurance premium tax of £48.73). However, she reported that she had requested that a revised renewal be issued to a) take account of the fact that the civic regalia had been revalued and b) that the fidelity insurance be increased to the amount of the precept. The Clerk further reported that she had checked with YLCA and confirmed that it was not necessary to seek alternative quotes for insurance every year. It was RESOLVED that the clerk proceed to renew the insurance with Zurich Municipal.
1053 Review of Risk Assessment
The Clerk reported that she had not had time to review the Council’s risk assessment but she pointed out one area which required further investigation, namely the issue of making payments by electronic transfer. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk contact the Bank to establish what security facilities it offered for making payments by transfer.
1054 Financial Regulations
The Clerk submitted revised financial regulations which had been revised to take account of the decision by the Council to increase the precept by the rate of inflation. Subject to small amendments, it was RESOLVED that the financial regulations be recommended to the council for approval.
1055 Investment Policy
The Clerk reported that following the Bank of England’s reduction in its interest rate to 0.50%, Kirklees Council’s 7 day deposit account had now been reduced to 0.125%. The interest rate on 7 day deposits will not fall below 0.125% but will begin to rise again only when the 7 day LIBOR higher than 0.75%. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1056 Newsletter
The Clerk sought the committee’s approval for expenditure to be incurred in connection with the printing and distribution of the newsletter. She reported that she had received a quote for distribution of £350 and printing of £330. Alternative printers were suggested by members and it was RESOLVED that up to £680 be approved for the printing and distribution of the newsletter.
1057 Application by Birdsedge Village Hall for Funding
The Clerk reminded members that the Council had agreed to give a further £1270 to the Birdsedge Village Hall and had recommended that the Finance & General Purposes Committee discuss whether it was possible to add any further funds. The Committee was aware that the applicants were also applying to other funders and that the financial position of the Village Hall might have changed since they wrote to us. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk request further information from the applicants, in particular to clarify that funding is still required, and if so, how much and for what purpose and to request their up to date plans for the use of the building. It was FURTHER RESOLVED that the Village Hall send a speaker to address the next meeting of the Council on 7 April to provide an update on the refurbishment programme.
1058 Orders for Payment
It was RESOLVED that Orders for Payment No. 490 totalling £813.58 be approved.
1059 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 16 June 2009 starting at 7.30pm.
1060 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.
1061 Clerk’s Salary
It was RESOLVED to approve the new employer’s contribution rate to the West Yorkshire Pension Fund and the implementation of the final 2008 national salary award for local council clerks.
Signed……………………………..……
CHAIR
