Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, 17 November 2009 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
PRESENT: Cllrs R Brook, G Horton, C Rimmer, A Tribe, G Turner, K Waites, N Wilson
IN ATTENDANCE: Hazel Chowcat, Clerk to the Council
1403 Chair
The Clerk reported that both the Chair and the Vice Chair had sent apologies.
RESOLVED that Cllr Wilson chair the meeting.
1404 Declaration of councillors’ interests
Cllr G Horton declared a personal interest in Item 5, grant application by Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church. Cllr R Brook declared a prejudicial interest in Item 5, grant application from Walkers are Welcome.
1405 Open Session
No members of the public were present. Cllr Brook spoke in relation to the application from Walkers are Welcome, to give members some background to the organisation of which he is Treasurer.
1406 Apologies for absence
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted from Cllrs M Barlow, T Barlow, P Calpin, M Mills and S Wild.
RESOLVED that reasons for absence submitted by all the above Councillors be accepted as valid reasons.
1407 Admission of the Public
RESOLVED that there were no items requiring the exclusion of the press and public.
1408 Declaration of Interest
Cllr C Rimmer arrived at 19.20 and declared a prejudicial interest in Item 5 grant application from the Cumberworth Allotment Society and a personal interest in Item 5 grant application from Cumberworth United Cricket Club.
1409 Suspension of Standing Orders
RESOLVED to suspend standing orders to permit Cllr Rimmer to give an update on the application by the Cumberworth Allotment Society for a grant under Item 5.
1410 Return to Standing Orders
RESOLVED to return to standing orders.
1411 Small Grant Applications
Applications for grants were considered. Cllrs Brook and Rimmer withdraw for the discussion and vote of those items on which they had declared a prejudicial interest.
RESOLVED that the applications from the Denby Dale Countryside Project and from the Cumberworth Allotment Society totalling £1070 be awarded out of the Green Initiative budget under statutory powers.
RESOLVED that small grant awards of £4910 be made under statutory powers.
1412 Newsletter No. 21
RESOLVED that Parish Council Newsletter No. 21 be approved subject to some minor changes and distributed as normal.
1413 Budget 2010/2011
The Clerk submitted draft estimates of expenditure for 2010/2011.
RESOLVED that the estimates of expenditure be submitted to the December council meeting for members to submit any new proposals or amendments and that the final budget be approved at the January meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee.
1414 Internal Auditor
The Clerk reported that Torevell Dent had indicated that the fee for 2009/10 would be increased by 10% from £425 to £465 and in light of the increase, the Committee was asked to decide whether to confirm the appointment of Torevell Dent for the current financial year.
RESOLVED that Torevell Dent be appointed as internal auditors for the current year.
1415 Website
Members were asked to consider the possibility of charging local businesses a nominal fee to post a link on the parish council website.
RESOLVED that the principle of charging local businesses a nominal fee to post a link on the parish council website be approved and that the Clerk explore the practice of other parish councils in relation to costs and other detail and report back to the next meeting.
1416 Orders for Payment
RESOLVED that Orders for Payment No. 504 totalling £5988.80 be approved.
1417 Date of Next Meeting
RESOLVED that the next meeting be held on 19 January 2010 starting at 7pm.
Signed……………………………..……
CHAIR
