Laleston Community Council

Minutes of the Finance Committee held remotely on 27 February 2024 commencing at 6.30pm.

Present:. Cllr’s C Davies, D Harrison, S Philpin and I Spiller.

In attendance:  Hayley Coburn.

1. To receive apologies for absence.  Cllr’s P King and 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 23 January 2024 be approved as a true and accurate record, proposed by Cllr D Harrison and seconded by Cllr I Spiller.

5.   Finance update

      Resolved:

• Members noted the Bank Reconciliation summary for January 2024.
• The committee approved payments made during January 2024, which were presented with the agenda that included vouchers numbers 408 – 442.  Proposed by Cllr I Spiller and seconded by Cllr D Harrison.
• The committee approved receipts received during January 2024, which were presented with the agenda that included voucher numbers 239 – 271.  Proposed by Cllr I Spiller and seconded by Cllr S Philpin.
• The committee approved a list of salary payments made in January 2024 which were presented with the agenda.  Proposed by Cllr I Spiller and seconded by Cllr D Harrison.
• Members received and noted an unredacted list of salary payments made in December 2023 and January 2024
• Members received and noted feedback on queries raised at a previous finance committee meeting

The following comments were made in relation to the January payment list:

• Voucher no. 440 – Cllr’s requested more information on this payment, entered as ‘mistake’ and requested confirmation on if and when the mistake has been rectified.

The following comments were made in relation to the December unredacted salary payment list:

• Cllr’s queried the salaries paid during December, which were inflated compared to usual months. H Coburn (Assistant Clerk) informed the members that an annual salary increase was paid to all council staff in December including back pay for the months of April to November. The pay increase was agreed by the National Association of Local Councils in December 2023.

6.    To consider any grant/funding applications received.

Following a discussion at the last full council meeting an email was sent to Sainsburys regarding the provision of Easter Eggs/Hot Cross buns to be included in the food bags issued by the community pantry. To date no response has been received form Sainsburys.

Resolved: Members agreed to add this item to the agenda of the next full council meeting to discuss if provision of this nature should be funded by LCC council.

7.   To receive any recommendations from other Committees or Council

Biodiversity and Allotments Committee – Members received a document detailing approximate maintenance costs for the Orchard and Wildflower Meadow, including a proposal of additional work needed.

Resolved: Members agreed to add this item to the agenda of the next finance committee meeting and requested a copy of the Biodiversity and Allotment budget prior to making any decisions in relation to spend under this heading.

8.   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 26 March 2024 and asked to receive the following –

• Information on how many allotment payments have been received.
• A copy of each budget heading to aid decisions, for the next meeting and all finance committee meetings going forward.
• To discuss budget allocation for wildflower meadow and maintenance of the orchard at Broadlands.

There being no further business, the meeting ended at 7:12 pm. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 26 March 2024 and will commence at 6.30pm.