Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on Tuesday, 21st June, 2005 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe.
Members Present:
Clr. G. Turner – Chair
Clrs. Mrs. C. Beal, J.C. Birdsall, Mrs. G. Hague, A.N. Weatherby
68. Declaration of Councillors’ Interests
Clr. Mrs. G. Hague declared a personal interest in the grant application from Scissett Music Centre.
69. Public Discussion Time
No items were raised
70. Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted from Clrs. Mrs. M. Clarke, J. A. Barlow, Mrs. S.A. Dellapuppa, R.G. Allen, I.D. Bowie and Mrs. V. Woodhead. It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Birdsall and RESOLVED that the reasons for absence from the meeting submitted by the above Councillors were accepted as valid reasons.
71. Minutes
It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Hague and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 22nd March, 2005 be received.
72. Quality Status
Further to Min. No. 453, the Clerk reported that the Government backed Investment Fund for Quality Parish Councils had now come to an end. A new fund had now been made available to help Quality Parish Councils undertake Parish Plans. It was envisaged that a Social and Community Programme fund would become available in April, 2006.
73. Youth Initiative
Further to Min. No. 459, the Clerk submitted a letter of thanks from the Skelmanthorpe Skate Park Committee.
74. Insurance
Further to Min. No. 462, the Clerk submitted the outstanding quote from AON Insurance. This quote was approximately £500 in excess of the accepted Zurich quotation.
75. Cash Flow
The Clerk submitted details of recent transactions and current balances to the meeting: Current Account: £500; Deposit Account: £17,977.79; Kirklees Investment: £85,000, giving a total balance of £103,477.79. Clr. Turner, as Chair of Finance, reported that he had checked bank reconciliations and investments to date and was satisfied that they showed a true picture of the Council’s finances. Interest rates were compared with other investment options and it was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that the Council continues banking with the Co-operative Bank and invests with Kirklees M.C.
76. Audit Matters
The Clerk submitted the Internal Auditor’s report, which showed satisfaction that all the necessary account systems were completed.
76. National Salary Award and Conditions of Service
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that
a) the nationally agreed salary award be implemented as per Profile 2 of the national agreement on pay and conditions of service of the National Joint Council for Local Government Services
b) the Council make a firm commitment to look at the conditions of service for the Clerk’s eventual replacement with a job description being considered at the next Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting.
77. Community Grant Aid
Some ideas for the allocation of community grant aid for 2005/2006 were submitted to the meeting. These were:
a) provision of seats around the Parish
b) Wheels to Work initiative
c) Tree planting
d) An Archaeological survey of the area
It was agreed that all Councillors be asked for further ideas before a final decision is reached.
78 Allocation of Grants
Applications for grant were considered and it was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that the Council, in accordance with its powers under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 should incur the following expenditure which, in the opinion of the Council, is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure:
Grant awards of £1,705
It was also proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that grant awards of £1,295 be made.
It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Birdsall, and RESOLVED that the Parish Council becomes a sponsor of Skelmanthorpe Chrysanthemum Society should they be in agreement with this course of action.
79. Countryside Project
The Clerk informed the Committee that Kirklees M.C. had fully re-instated their contribution to the Denby Dale Parish Countryside Project and that the Countryside Office post was now secure.
80. Orders for Payment
It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Beal and RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule no. 426, totalling £169.44 be authorised.
81. Transfer of Licence
It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Hague and RESOLVED that notification of transfer of licence in respect of The Wentworth, Upper Lane, Emley be received..
82. School Awards
The Clerk submitted letters of thanks from Gilthwaites First School and Cumberworth C.E. (A) First School.
83. Primary Care Trust
The Clerk submitted notice of the Public Meeting of the Trust Boards which would be held on Wednesday, 22nd June, 2005, together with Primary Focus – the new newsletter of the Trusts.
84. Poop Scoops
The Clerk reported that the owner of a pet food business had offered to donate poop scoop bags. It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that the person is thanked but the offer declined as the Council was not in a position to be able to distribute bags from a commercial source.
85. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 15th November, 2005 at 7. 30 p.m. (provisionally)
CHAIR