Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, 22 January 2008 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
PRESENT: Cllrs N Wilson (Vice Chair), M Barlow, J E Birdsall, R Brook, E Shaw, A Stimson, G Turner
IN ATTENDANCE: Cllr A Tribe
384 Chair
In Cllr Barlow’s absence, Cllr Wilson took the Chair.
385 Open Session
No members of the public were present.
386 Order of Business
It was RESOLVED that item 9. Grant Applications be moved forward to be discussed before Item 8. Chair’s Allowance and Councillors’ Expenses.
387 Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence were received from Cllrs J A Barlow, J C Birdsall, M Mills and C Rimmer. It was RESOLVED that the reasons for absence from the above councillors be accepted as valid.
388 Declarations of Councillors’ Interests
Cllr Brook and Cllr Shaw declared a personal interest in Item 9.1 b) Application for Financial Support from the Denby Dale Centre.
389 Admission of the Public
It was RESOLVED that there were no items requiring the exclusion of the press and public.
390 Minutes
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November be received.
391 Grant Applications Policy
Following a discussion of the current grant applications policy, it was RESOLVED that the following changes be introduced:
a) Small Grants - Timetable
That small grants be considered and allocated at the November meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee
That the grants be advertised at the beginning of May with a closing date of 24 October.
Small Grants – Applications for Running Costs
The Council will offer financial assistance for running costs for new small voluntary groups which are in the process of setting themselves up for up to a maximum of two years.
The Council will offer financial assistance for running costs for existing organisations up to a limit of 50% of the costs.
b) Community Grant Aid – Criteria
The guidance notes for applicants of community grant aid be amended to make it clear that applications for running costs will be considered by the council. The second paragraph of the guidance notes should now read:
“The Community Grant Aid scheme is aimed at projects which offer improved facilities to a large area of our community. The size of any grant awarded is at the discretion of the Council and grants are generally awarded to bona-fide local groups looking to provide or improve local facilities in line with the Council’s objectives.”
392 Grant Applications
a) Denby Dale Centre
The Clerk referred members to the grant application from the Denby Dale Centre which had been circulated in November and deferred to a later meeting. Cllr Brook who is the Parish Council’s representative to the Denby Dale Centre together with Cllr Tribe submitted a further application. It was RESOLVED that the first application had now been superseded by the second and need no longer be considered. In relation to the second application, Cllr Tribe presented the request for financial aid to assist the Centre with its rent costs. It was RESOLVED, that, subject to the receipt of further information as determined by the guidance notes to the Community Grant Aid Scheme, the Committee recommend to the full council that £3,250 be awarded to the Denby Dale Centre to pay for six months’ rent.
b) Scissett Middle School
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Scissett Middle School requesting financial support to assist with the construction of a Multi-use Games Area at the school. The school is seeking £100,000, of which it is anticipated up to £40,000 will be met from school funds and other bids are in the process of being made to the Extended Schools Service and the Area Committee. Members of the committee were of the opinion that there were a number of similar projects underway or planned in the area and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk investigate the matter and report to the full council meeting in February. In the meantime, it was RESOLVED that the Clerk send the guidance notes for applying for Community Grant Aid to Scissett Middle School.
393 Chair’s Allowance
The Clerk submitted YLCA Advice Note No. 11 “Chairman’s Allowance”. It was RESOLVED that the guidelines contained in the advice note be adhered to.
394 Councillors’ Allowances
The Clerk submitted YLCA Advice Note No. 12 “Councillors’ Allowances”. It was RESOLVED that the Council continue to pay travelling expenses incurred when Councillors attend events on Council business outside the parish, and continue not to pay allowances.
395 Budget 2008-2009
The Clerk submitted a draft budget for 2008-2009. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED that a budget with a total estimated expenditure of £106,640.00 be accepted.
396 Parish Precept
It was RESOLVED that it be recommended to Council that the sum of £99,000 be precepted for the year 2008-2009.
397 Bank Accounts
Further to Minute No. 305, the Clerk reported that she had checked with the bank and ascertained that it was not possible to sanction payments electronically. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
398 Orders for Payment
It was RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule No. 465 totalling £130.36 be authorised.
399 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee will be held on 11 March 2008.
Signed……………………………..……
CHAIR