2024 Finance Committee

Minutes of the Finance Committee of Bardney Group Parish Council held in the Village Hall, Silver Street, Bardney on Tuesday 12 November 2024.

Present:

Chair

Cllr Keith Laughton

Councillors:

Cllr Robin Darby, Cllr Ruth Lane and Cllr Deborah O’Sullivan

Also present:

Eddie Findlay (Clerk/RFO) to the Parish Council

1 member of the public was in attendance.

At 6:00 pm Cllr Laughton opened for meeting for the first item.

113-24/25

Election of a Chair of the Finance Committee for the remainder of the civic year.
Cllr Lane proposed Cllr Laughton to act as Committee Chair for this meeting only, seconded by Cllr O’Sullivan.
A discussion followed on the possible issue of the Chair of Council being Chair of the Finance Committee.
* Post meeting note – LALC had confirmed that as long as the Committee elects the Chair of the Committee then it is permissible.  There is no rule or law preventing the Chair of the Parish Council being the Chair of a Committee.  Very often the Chair of the Council chairs the Finance Committee because it sets the funding for the strategic direction for the Council.

Action:  The Committee RESOLVED to approve Cllr Laughton act as Finance Committee Chair for this meeting only.
Approved unanimously.

114-24/25

Apologies for Absence.
To receive and accept apologies, where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting, in accordance with LGA 1972, Sch 12, para 40.

All Committee members were present.

115-24/25

Declarations of Interest.
To receive declarations of interest and to consider dispensation applications in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

None declared at this time.

116-24/25

Public Forum.
A 10 minute item when members of the public may address the Committee on agenda items.
MOP 1 – asked whether any Grant money would be available for this FY.  The Chair informed the MOP that no money had been allocated for this FY and an appropriate timescale could be considered to make monies available at the start of FY 25/26.
It was discussed that underspent monies this year could be moved to other budget lines, but this would need to be presented to full Council at the next full Council meeting.

117-24/25

Notes of the Finance Committee Meeting of Bardney Group Parish Council held on

Tuesday 2 July 2024, to be approved as Minutes.
Action:  The Committee RESOLVED to approve that the notes of the Finance Committee Meeting of Bardney Group Parish Council held on Tuesday 2 July 2024 be approved as Minutes.
Proposed by Cllr Darby, seconded by Cllr Lane and approved by a vote of 3 for and 1 abstention.

118-24/25

Financial Regulations.
Review and amend the NALC Model Financial Regulations, as issued May 2024, to be presented to Council at the November ordinary meeting.
A number of points were discussed, and the document was amended accordingly.
Action:  The Committee RESOLVED to recommend to full Council that the amended Financial Regulations be adopted.

Proposed by Cllr Darby, seconded by Cllr O’Sullivan and approved unanimously.

119-24/25

Consider the setting of a draft budget for a precept estimate, as required by West Lindsey District Council by 22 November 2024.

To allow for Bardney Group Parish Council to follow the budget/precept setting timetable proposed by West Lindsey District Council;
Bardney Group Parish Council would need to confirm draft budget/precept estimates at the 19-Nov-2024 full Council meeting to make the return to WLDC by Friday 22-Nov-2024 and the final budget/precept estimates would need to be confirmed by full Council at the 21-Jan-2025 meeting to make the Friday 24-Jan-2025 deadline.

The draft budget was considered by line and figures were considered across Expenditure and Income.

7:45 pm.  Cllr O’Sullivan left the meeting due to a prior engagement.

8:00 pm.  The Chair proposed that Standing Orders be suspended to allow the meeting to go beyond 8:00 pm to conclude business.  Seconded by Cllr Darby and approved unanimously.

Action:  The Committee RESOLVED to recommend to full Council that the DRAFT Budget/Precept estimate be sent to WLDC by 22-Nov-2024.

Proposed by Cllr Darby, seconded by Cllr Lane and approved unanimously.

120-24/25

To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, as amended by Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972 to discuss the following matters.

1. Discuss staff salary matters for budgeting purposes.

Action:  The Committee RESOLVED to go into Closed Session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, as amended by Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972.
Proposed by Cllr Darby, seconded by Cllr Laughton and approved unanimously.

This part of the meeting closed 8:15 pm.

The meeting continued in the absence of press and public at 8:15 pm.

Confidential Minutes

1. Discuss staff salary matters for budgeting purposes.

Action:  The Committee referred the salary matters to minute ref: 119-24/25 decision.
Proposed by Cllr Laughton, seconded by Cllr Lane and approved unanimously.

The meeting closed at 8:30 pm.

Signature:

Printed Name:

Cllr K Laughton

Date:

14 January 2025