Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, 13 November 2007 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
PRESENT: Cllrs T Barlow (Chair), M Barlow, J C Birdsall, J E Birdsall, R Brook, M Mills, C Rimmer, E Shaw, A Stimson, G Turner
300 Declarations of Councillors’ Interests
There were no declarations of interest.
301 Public Discussion Time
No members of the public were present.
302 Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies for absence.
303 Minutes
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2007 be received.
304 Admission of the Public
It was RESOLVED that members of the press and public be excluded for part of Item 9. Budget 2008-2009 for reasons of confidentiality when matters in relation to the Clerk’s salary are to be discussed.
305 Bank Accounts
The Clerk proposed that the Parish Council should cancel the £120 p.a. sweep facility currently enjoyed with the Co-operative Bank. Now that the Council can use internet banking, it would be easier and cheaper for the Clerk to transfer funds from the deposit account to the current account whenever payments are made and thus maximise the interest received. It was RESOLVED that this proposal be accepted and that the Clerk prepare a procedural note to be attached to the risk assessment to enable moneys to be transferred in the event of the Clerk’s long term absence through sickness. It was further RESOLVED that the Clerk check with the Co-operative Bank to ascertain whether it is possible to sanction payments electronically.
306 Financial Report
a) Six-month budget statement: The Clerk submitted the six month budget statement to 30 September 2007. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
b) Rates of Interest: Interest rates were compared with other investment options and it was RESOLVED that the Council continue banking with the Co-operative Bank and invest with Kirklees MC.
307 Grant Applications Policy
It was RESOLVED to defer this matter to the next meeting.
308 Budget 2008-2009
The Clerk submitted a draft budget for 2008-2009. Following a lengthy discussion, it was RESOLVED
a) To defer a decision on the main budget to the next meeting which should be brought forward from the March date to 22 January 2007 to enable further information to be presented to members.
b) To agree in principle to a budget of £3000 to modernise the office, to include the purchase of new furniture, a projector and a photocopier/printer/fax/scanner either on a purchase or leased basis.
c) To approve provision in the budget for an increase in the Clerk’s hours and to hold a meeting of the Staffing Committee to discuss further.
d) To defer discussion of a grant application from The Denby Dale Centre to the next meeting.
e) To put councillors’ expenses and chair’s allowance on the agenda of the December council meeting.
309 Orders for Payment
It was RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule No. 461, totalling £74.09 be authorised.
310 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee will be on 22 January 2008.
Signed…………………………………………..
CHAIR
