Finance Committee Minutes, 24 October 2023
Minutes of the Finance Committee held at Bryntirion & Laleston Community Centre on 24 October 2023 commencing at 6.30pm.
Present:. Cllr’s C Davies, D Harrison, P King, S Philpin and I Spiller.
In attendance: Gail Jewell.
1. To receive apologies for absence. Cllr S Richmond.
2. Representation from members of the public. None.
3. To receive Declarations of Interest (if any) of Members in respect of the business to be transacted.
None.
4. Approval of minutes.
Resolved: That the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting that took place on 26 September 2023 be approved as a true and accurate record, proposed by Cllr D Harrison and seconded by Cllr P King.
Resolved:
- Members noted the Bank Reconciliation summary for September 2023.
- The committee approved payments made during September 2023, which were presented with the agenda which included vouchers numbers 233 – 271. Proposed by Cllr P King and seconded by Cllr I Spiller.
- The committee approved receipts received during September 2023, which were presented with the agenda which included voucher numbers 132 – 158. Proposed by Cllr I Spiller and seconded by Cllr P King.
- The committee approved a list of salary payments made in September 2023 which were presented with the agenda. Proposed by Cllr I Spiller and seconded by Cllr C Davies.
The following comments were made in relation to the payment list:
- Voucher 242 – RJC Chumley – Members questioned what was included in the cost. The Clerk explained that the payment was to cover the receiving of benches and bins, storing them and installing the items.
- Voucher 270 – Dwr Cymru – Members queried whether the charge was annual and included both the Community Centre and Allotment site. The Clerk confirmed that the invoice was an annual charge for the Allotment site only.
The following comments were made in relation to the receipts list:
- Members were pleased to view voucher numbers 154 and155 which concludes a long ongoing issue.
6. To review the Budget Monitoring Statement for Q2.
Resolved: Members reviewed the Budget Monitoring Statement for Q2 and made the following resolutions:
- In relation to £15,000 held in earmarked reserves for playpark maintenance, the Clerk explained that credit notes had been received from Bridgend County Borough Council totalling £12,201.66, which meant that the earmarked reserve was no longer required. Members agreed that the earmarked reserve be utilised to cover the following shortfalls at Q2:
- £2,000 for Benches/Bins/Planters improvements and repairs
- £9,500 for Bryntirion & Laleston Community Centre cleaning services.
- £546 for Members allowances.
- In relation to the professional fees for Laleston Well, the Clerk explained that £6,200 of the budget heading had been paid during 2022/2023. Therefore, Members agreed to reduce the budget heading to £8,000 and to allocate the remaining £5,300 to reserves.
- With reference to the £55,000 held in earmarked reserves for Play Area Improvements, the Committee agreed to increase the Play Area Improvements budget heading by £25,000 and allocate £5,000 to Bryntirion Playing Fields, with the remainder to be left in earmarked reserves.
- The Committee agreed that the budget allocation of £5,000 for footpaths and improvement be included in the budget heading for the Biodiversity & Allotment Committee.
7. To consider any grant/funding applications received.
The following grant/funding applications were received and reviewed by the Finance Committee.
- Young and Heart Group
Resolved: The Committee agreed to provide a £500 donation. Proposed by Cllr D Harrison and seconded by Cllr I Spiller.
- Bryntirion & Laleston OAP Group
Resolved: The Committee agreed to provide a £500 donation. Proposed by Cllr I Spiller and seconded by Cllr P King.
8. To receive any recommendations from other Committees or Council
None.
9. To review the Committee’s Meeting dates and consider any matters relevant to the committee for discussion at the next meeting.
Resolved: Members reviewed the Committee’s next meeting date of 21 November 2023 and confirmed that budget proposals would be discussed and agreed at the meeting, prior to Councils meeting in December when the precept will be agreed.
There being no further business, the meeting ended at 8.07 pm.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 21 November 2023 and will commence at 6.30pm.