NORTH MYMMS PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a MEETING of the FINANCE COMMITTEE held in the Council Office, Annexe to No 1 Bungalow, Bushwood Close, Welham Green on Wednesday, 24 June 2009.

PRESENT : Councillors W A Storey Chairman

C Everard

P Hastings

R Horrocks

K Pieri

Clerk Mrs J A Schettino

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies for absence.

2. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

It was agreed that the Minutes of a Meeting of the Finance Committee held on Wednesday, 27 May 2009 were a true record of the proceedings and signed by the Chairman.

3. MATTERS ARISING

i) Nat West Bank

The Clerk reported that the offer of an HSBC deposit account paying sufficient interest to justify moving £50,000 from the Council’s Nat West Direct Business Reserve account had now finished and the only other option would be to open a Fixed Rate Business Bond account which would tie up the Council’s reserves for a minimum period of one year. Following a discussion it was agreed that the Council would leave the money where it was presently earning the best interest possible, enabling access should it be necessary, but continue to monitor the situation.

4. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

A Schedule of Accounts for Payment totalling £14,887.87, inclusive of Imprest expenditure of £353.11 was presented. After careful consideration of each item, it was agreed that the total amount be recommended to Council for approval and payment in full.

5. STATEMENT OF BALANCES

A Statement of Balances dated 18 June 2009 was considered and income of £20.74 was noted.

6. TRANSFER OF MONIES

Approval was given to the Clerks action in transferring £15,000 from the Councils Business Direct Reserve Account to current account as from 22 June 2009

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a) Hire of Football Facilities

The Clerk reported that she had received several enquiries from teams in junior leagues wishing to use the football pitch and all of the facilities of the Burns Pavilion, ie changing rooms, shower rooms, referees changing room, toilets, hall and kitchen.

Junior teams had previously been classed as under fourteens who required the football pitch only and who arrived and left in their kit and played just half an hour a side, one hour in total.

Following a discussion the Finance Committee agreed to recommend to full council that as there was as much work involved in preparation by the groundsmen and using and cleaning the Burns facilities the cost should be £800, the same as for the senior teams, ie over fourteens.

b) Burns Pavilion Gas Cooker

The Clerk advised that the gas cooker in the Burns Pavilion was failing to heat adequately and as it had been in situ since the pavilion had been built it was agreed to recommend to full council that a new Indesit appliance should be purchased from County Supplies at a cost of £215 plus VAT and installation costs by a GasSafe registered engineer.

c) NALC Legal Topic Note Regarding Section 137 LGA 1972

Copies of the above document had been circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting. There appeared to be a query about using Section 137 LGA 1972 for grants and donations to various local voluntary organisations but without giving alternatives to using this power. It was agreed that as the Parish Council had annual membership with both the HAPTC and NALC, it would wait until further clarification regarding the future use of Section 137 had been received.

8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Finance Committee has already been arranged for Wednesday 30 July 2009 commencing at 7.15 pm in the Council Office, Annexe to No 1 Bungalow, Bushwood Close, Welham Green.

Meeting Closed 7.59 pm