Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes committee meeting held on 13th November 2007 in the Magistrates room, Corn Exchange, Hungerford

 

Present:                 G Bullock (Chair), P Harries, R Thompson, R Hudson, R Scorey,

                                D Liddiard, M Wilson, A Buckwell, E Cardwell

 

1.             Apologies for Absence

                Apologies were received from Cllrs Acworth and Desmeules.

 

2.             Declaration of Interests

                There were no declarations of interests.

 

3.             Minutes of last meeting held on 4th July 2007

                Proposed: Cllr Thompson; seconded Cllr Hudson.  5 in favour, no abstentions, no against.

 

4.             Appointment Panel to Select RFO

                Proposed: Cllr Scorey.  Interview panel of 4.  Chairman does not have casting vote.  Cllrs Bullock, Cardwell, Hudson, Harries advertised in Open Door, Primary and Secondary School and Newbury Weekly News.  Cllr Thompson collecting CVs and will also acknowledge receipt. Seconded Cllr Thompson. 6 in favour.

 

5.             Legal Agreements

                Cllr Bullock unable to contact Mr Small today.  E-mailed Cllr Thompson - aware Mr Small is still happy to continue advising on existing legal contracts.

 

6.             Appointment of Independent Solicitor and Costs

                Andrew Egan currently being used up to a spend of £5,000 for employment matters.  The Council no longer has an in house legal representative.  We now need to appoint an external solicitor.  3 to be investigated.  Cllr Bullock to contact BALC.  Proposed: Cllr Bullock; seconded Cllr Hudson.  6 in favour.

                Confirmation of position: we continue to use Andrew Egan for employment legal matters up to £5,000.  Proposed: Cllr Hudson; seconded: Cllr Bullock.  6 in favour.

 

7.             Current Balances

                Balances £314,044.39.  Instant: £51,908.76; Business Reserve £22,699.07.  Treasurers £239,436.56.

 

8.             Review of Audit Report 2006/2007

                Cllr Harries advised audit report was with hacker Young.  3 questions raised were answered by the Clerk.  Audit dates for next 5 years issued which are different from current.  Cllr Scorey requested that it should be minuted that the audit report was not physically reviewed by the committee.

 

9.             Precept and Budget

                Budget – F&GP spreadsheets issued.

                RA&WM – increase 20% £53,850 increase to £64,500.  Proposed: Cllr Scorey; seconded: Cllr Harries.  6 in favour.

                H&T – increase 8% £35,350.  Proposed: Cllr Hudson; seconded: Cllr Scorey. 6 in favour.

                F&GP £97,280 increased by 14% to £113,465.

                £64,500 + £35,350 + £500 + £113,465 = £213,815

 

10.          Consolidated War Bonds

                Previously agreed

 

11.          S106 Payments

                Nothing to report.

 

12.          Portaloo Update

                Nothing to report.

 

13.          Big Lottery Fund for Playground

                Cllr Bullock to invoice West Berks Council for £50,000.

 

14.          New Computer System Update

                Cllr Thompson reported that 3 quotes obtained.  Clerk raised purchase order to act on one quote.  New equipment will be available for new office.

 

15.          Costs arising from Clerk’s absence

                Locum £2,000 – Wendy.  All in budget.

 

16.          Office Move to New Library

                In hand.  D Small still acting for us on legal matters.  Library sub-committee to report costs to full council.

 

17.          Finances for the Playgrounds and Security.

                Quotes being obtained.  Cllr Thompson gave a vote of thanks to Cllr Bullock.

 

Meeting Closed: 10.25

 

 

 

 

 

Signed: ……………………………….

 

Date: ………………………………….