WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL

THE MINUTES OF A MEETING OF WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE HELD AT THE  LIBRARY,  HIGH STREET,  WADHURST
TUESDAY 21st JUNE, 2011 AT 7.30 P.M.
Present: Councillors  Doyle, Goolden, Konrad, Matthews, Meredith-Hardy, Pearman and Standley
Also present: Councillor Browne

1. To receive apologies and reasons for absence
None

2. To approve Minutes of meeting held 10th November, 2010
Approved

3. To determine matters arising from the previous Minutes
The outstanding car parking issues to be moved forward by the Car Park working party.

4.Public Forum – time limit 15 minutes
None present

5. To review spend against budget for 2010/11
Noted that an incorrect posting for Employer’s NI was compensated for by a similar entry in Clerk’s salary. The community bus and hippo bag items were clarified and the clerk was asked to supply details of rates payments and ‘pay and play’ receipts.

6. To review spend against budget for 2011/12 up to 31st May, 2011
Noted that employer’s NI contributions had not yet been posted to the accounts but had been paid in June and that the clerk’s salary and telephones were both over budget. Resolved to approve spend against budget figures and that the spend/budget figures be presented to council quarterly.

7. To review 2011/12 budget in view of committee and working party plans.
Members discussed the plans of committees and working parties and how these might affect the council’s budget.
Environment Committee is reviewing contractors and considering projects. Members intend to have a plan by July.
Recreation Ground Management Committee is considering improvements to the ground including a sensory garden, pagoda and lighting between car park and pavilion.
Planning Committee is working with the full council on consultations to update the Parish Plan. This may include a survey, the cost of which should be met from the existing budget (Annual Newsletter delivery).
Highways, Transport and Lighting Committee is reviewing fingerpost repairs. It is likely any repairs this year will be met from the existing budget.
Personnel Committee expects to exceed budget for clerk services by £5-6,000. The clerk and the committee are working together to reduce the time spent by the clerk on simple administrative tasks. Consideration is being given to employing an external payroll clerk.
Communications Working Party: Reviewing website. Expects additional spend of £500 for new web domains and redesign.
Youth Working Party:  Recommendations to the council will include financial support to help maintain senior youth club services; a fund to support volunteering including a recruitment campaign and Criminal Records Bureau checks; support for a plan to improve the scout hut. Costs may reach £2,500. The clerk will contact Wealden DC Grants Officer. Members felt strongly that Uplands CC should be asked to waive rental for the senior youth club sessions.
Finance committee will continue to review committee plans. Spending that exceeds existing committee budgets will need approval by the full council.

8. To review Internal Auditor’s report on the Annual Account 2010/11.
Noted.

9. To discuss arrangements for public inspection of accounts for 2010/11<.
The clerk will advertise a time for public inspection of accounts as required by the Financial Regulations.

10. To review financial regulations and make recommendation to full council.
Reviewed and will recommend to the council that there be no change.

11. To review reserves, consider investment of reserves and make recommendation to full council
Rates of interest on savings were discussed. Resolved that the Clerk contact Nat West with a view to obtaining a higher return on the Council’s balances.

12. To consider grant request from PCC for Wadhurst Churchyard and make recommendation to full council
Councillors discussed a grant request from The Rev. Jeremy James for £2,904.00 to cover the cost of creating more space for burials. The committee resolved to recommend approval of the grant request to the full council.

The meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.