NORTH MYMMS PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a MEETING of the FINANCE COMMITTEE held in the Council Office, 1A Bushwood Close, Welham Green, on Wednesday 23rd February 2011.

 

PRESENT:    Councillors              WA Storey    Chairman

                                                  S Boulton

                                                  C Everard

                                                  RN Horrocks

                                                  K Pieri

                                                  Mrs T Travell

 

                                                  Mrs H Rook   Clerk

 

 

1.           APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor V Weeks. 

 

2.           MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

 

The minutes of a Meeting of the Finance Committee held on Wednesday 26th January 2011 were agreed as being a true record of the proceedings and signed by the Chairman.

 

3.      MATTERS ARISING

 

VAT Return

The refund for the Oct-Dec 2010 quarter has been received.

 

Internal Audit

Gillian Johnson’s proposal has been accepted subject to references and details of two referees requested.

 

A memo reviewing the effectiveness of the Internal Audit was circulated and the following five points considered:

 

-        Scope of the internal audit.  Gillian Johnson has produced a very comprehensive programme of work following audit guidelines.  As our new internal auditor she will be carrying out a more detailed check on our systems than has been done in the last 2 years.

-        Independence – Gillian Johnson is independent to the parish council.

-        Competence – Gillian Johnson is a fully qualified ACA and has been Internal Auditor for several years.

-        Relationships/responsibilities of members, clerk/RFO and internal auditor are defined – The role of Internal Auditor has been clearly defined.  As Gillian is new to the parish council it is not possible to say how she will interact with staff and councillors at this stage.

-        Internal audit planning and reporting – Gillian has produced a comprehensive work programme.

 

Members consider the internal audit will be effective and will recommend to full Council to accept the audit had been reviewed.

 

Review of Finance Regulations and Risk Management

Copies were circulated at the meeting for members to review and consider at the March Council meeting.

 

Veolia Water

A refund of £1734.20 has been received this week.

 

4.      ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

 

A Schedule of Accounts for payment totalling £17,497.19 was presented including £4,016.69 already paid for payroll and direct debits.  Receipts of £1,197.39 were noted.

 

After careful consideration of each item it was agreed that the total amount be recommended to the Council for approval and payment in full.

 

5.       STATEMENT OF BALANCES

 

A Bank Reconciliation as at 10th February 2011 showed cash in hand of £113,892.91.

 

6.       TRANSFER OF MONEY

 

Approval was given to transfer £20,000 from the Council’s Business Reserve Account to the Current Account and a letter to Nat West was signed.

 

7.       ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

Kindlelight

A full specification and quotation has been received and circulated.  Kindlelight have requested stage payments including a deposit, stage payment and payment in full to be cleared at date of installation.  The contract includes a 10 year insurance backed guarantee.  Anticipated delivery is 4-6 weeks from acceptance of contract.  The payment schedule was considered and Councillor Boulton agreed to do a financial check on Kindlelight at Companies House.  The committee agreed to recommend to full Council to authorise payment of the £1,588 deposit subject to a satisfactory check at Companies House with the balance being paid once the installation was completed.

Drainage – Bushwood Close

A quotation has been sought from Sentry Groundcare to improve the surface water drainage in Bushwood Close and a further quotation is in the process of being obtained.

 

Burns Pavilion

Quotations have been sought from abuilder.co.uk and CS Dumpleton but have not yet been received.

 

8.      DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

A meeting has already been arranged for Wednesday 30th March 2011 commencing at 7.15pm in the Council Office.

 

The meeting closed at 7.45pm