30 November 2022 - Finance Committee
Minutes of the Ruskington Parish Council Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday 30 November 2022 at 7pm at Ruskington Parish Office.
Present: Cllr G Conway (Chairman of Committee), Cllr P Cunningham, Cllr S Cotter, Cllr G Cox, Cllr O Ditch,
Also present: Kirsty Sinclair (Deputy Clerk & RFO), Kathryn Locke (Clerk to Council)
Apologies: Cllr S Tonge
No members of the public were present.
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.05pm.
1. To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence had been given to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting.
Apologies had been received from Cllr Tonge, and her reason for absence was known.
Action: The Committee unanimously RESOLVED to accept Cllr Tonge’s valid reason for absence.
2. To receive Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011- being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests.
None were declared at this time.
3. To approve as a correct record the notes of the Finance & Policy meeting held on 7 December 2021.
The Committee RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the meeting. Proposed by Cllr Cunningham, seconded by Cllr Ditch and approved with 4 for and 1 abstention.
The Chairman signed the Minutes.
4. To review the annual investment strategy and consider any amendments required.
The RFO advised that the Council had no long-term investments but did have money in a savings account with 28-day access.
Action: The Council RESOLVED to recommend that Council adopt the annual investment strategy with no amendments. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Cunningham and approved unanimously.
5. Review of fees for year 2023/24
5.1. Sports clubs – Pavilion, MUGA, playing field and changing room hire
Action: To be reviewed by the Recreation Committee due to the increases in utility bills.
5.2. Hire of the Pavilion and Parkfield facilities for non-sporting activities
Action: The fees to be reviewed by the Recreation Committee due to the increases in utility bills.
5.2. Signpost magazine
Action: The fees would remain the same for 2023-2024. More advertisers were required to cover printing costs.
5.3. Cemetery fees
Action: Council had previously agreed that the fees would remain the same for 2023-2024.
5.4. Allotment fees
Action: The Committee RESOLVED to recommend to Council that the fee be increased to £25.00 per annum commencing 1 October 2023. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Cox and approved unanimously.
6. To consider the allocation of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) received from NKDC to council projects.
The CIL money had to be spent within five years of receipt on projects that benefited the community.
6.1. £6,202.07 (Received in 2021)
Action: Council had previously allocated this to refurbishment of the pavilion.
6.2. £9,822.99 for the first half of 2022-2023
Action: The Committee RESOLVED to recommend to Council that the total sum of £16, 025.06 be allocated to improving the pavilion, changing rooms and sports facilities. Proposed by Cllr Cunningham, seconded by Cllr Cox and approved unanimously.
7. To consider the internal auditor for 2023/2024
Action: The Committee RESOLVED to recommend to Council that mid and end of year internal audits would be conducted by a LALC auditor at a total cost of £390.00 per annum. Proposed by Cllr Conway, second by Cllr Ditch and approved unanimously.
8. To review the quarterly financial reports as prepared by the RFO.
The Council currently had an underspend of 1.4%. The accounts up to 30 October 2022 had been approved by Council at its meeting on 8 November 2022.
9. To consider the draft budget requirements for FY2023-2024 as informed by the RFO and Council’s committees.
The RFO had previously circulated a recommended draft budget, and this was displayed at the meeting. The budget was reviewed in detail and agreed amendments were made.
Action: The Committee approved the draft budget for recommending to Council at its meeting on 13 December 2022. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Cox and approved unanimously.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 10.30pm.