MenuMinutes of a Meeting of Amble Town Council Finance Committee held on Thursday, 26th MAY 2011 at 6.30pm in The Council Office, The Quayside, Amble.
1. PRESENT: Councillors Mrs Lewis (Chairman), Bilboe, Hinson. Weir; together with the Clerk- Miss E Brown.
2. ACCEPTANCE OF DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
3. APOLOGIES: Councillor Arckless had a prior commitment. His apologies were accepted by Councillor Mrs Lewis, seconded by Councillor Bilboe and agreed.
4. RFO’s REPORT:
4.1 Energy contract renegotiated
A less expensive tariff was negotiated with the same provider.
5. COMMUNICATIONS:
5.1: n power new tariffs – The Clerk informed of revised tariffs with existing energy provider.
5.2: Internal Auditors report – The Clerk read out the report, copy attached and the recommendation were agreed with the exception of cash income. Members felt there were several safeguards in place to deter fraud; banking very small sums and then having to withdraw for petty cash was not deemed time efficient. A maximum of £10 cash income would be accepted.
6.ACCOUNTS PAYABLE & RECEIPTS:
6.1: The following cheques were signed in advance of the May meeting having been approved at the April meeting.
| TC0201 | 102384 | Warkworth Cricket Club | Donation S-137 |
£242.00 |
6.2: The following cheques had been signed out of Meeting because of the urgency of the matter and retrospective approval was given on the proposal of Councillor Mrs Lewis seconded by Councillor Bilboe and agreed.
| CM0201 | 102385 | Agratech NW Ltd | Spray Nozzles p |
£34.20 |
| TC0202 | 102386 | Alan Brown (Market trader) | Planting (Pride in Amble) |
£18.00 |
| TC0203 | 102387 | NPOWER | Office Electric |
£192.00 |
6.3: The following payments have been made/ received using petty cash.
| Payment to/from | Reason | Amount |
Balance £3.78 |
6.4: The accounts for the month were presented for approval on the proposal of Councillor Bilboe, seconded by Councillor Hinson and agreed.
TOWN COUNCIL
| TC0204 | 102388 | Zurich | Insurance |
£2475.94 |
| TC0205 | 102389 | Communicorp | Subscription |
£70.00 |
| TC0206 | 102390 | The Garden Centre Group | Plants |
£428.65 |
| TC0207 | 102391 | BT | Internet services |
£90.00 |
| TC0208 | 102391 | BT | Telephone |
£116.70 |
| TC0209 | 102392 | Premier Print and Design | Plans |
£54.00 |
| TC0210 | 102393 | NALC | Subscription |
£419.80 |
| TC0211 | 102394 | Peter Basnett | Internal audit |
£280.80 |
| TC0212 | 102395 | HMRC | Tax & NI |
£2339.54 |
| TC0214 | 102396 | Amble Town Council | Petty cash |
£46.22 |
| TC0215 | 102401 | Alan Brown (Market Trader) | Planting(Pride in Amble) |
£38.50 |
| TC0216 | 102405 | Alan Brown (Market Trader) | Planting(Pride in Amble) |
£62.00 |
CEMETERIES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
| CM0202 | 102397 | Arco | PPE |
£56.32 |
| CM0203 | 102398 | Npower | Electric |
£100.61 |
| CM0204 | 102399 | Northumberland College | Pesticide course |
£489.36 |
| CM0205 | 102400 | TDC Waste Management | Refuse collection |
£1029.60 |
| CM0206 | 102404 | Gustharts | Materials |
£64.05 |
| CM0207 | 102402 | Kens Autos | Oil |
£7.77 |
| CM0208 | 102403 | JR Bailey | Gridforce walkway |
£100.00 |
6.5: The following amounts have been paid by standing order/direct debit showing on bank statements at 30th April 2011
| 06/04/11 | DD | UK Fuels | Guard card |
£1.08 |
| 11/04/11 | SO | Confidential | Salaries & Wages |
£395.07 |
| 11/04/11 | SO | Confidential | Salaries & Wages |
£966.97 |
| 11/04/11 | SO | Confidential | Salaries & Wages |
£1498.26 |
| 11/04/11 | SO | Confidential | Salaries & Wages |
£1031.86 |
6.6: The following amounts have been received since the last Meeting and will be presented for information:
| RC0201 | Co-operative Funeralcare | Inv111201 |
£50.00 |
| RC0202 | Strettle | INV111205 |
£100.00 |
| RC0203 | Santander | Interest |
£8.73 |
Total £158.73
6.7: Acceptance of SPENd/Budget Figures – YTD plus bank reconciliation:
The figures for the month of April 2011 were not presented; but would be made available prior to the next meeting of the Finance Committee.
7. REQUESTS FOR GRANT AID:
7.1: NTC – pursuant of section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, Councillor Mrs Lewis proposed a donation of £100.00. This was seconded by Councillor Bilboe and agreed.
8. AGENDA ITEMS:
8.1: Office furniture: After discussion, Councillor Mrs Lewis proposed up to £1000 be allocated for the purchase of new office furniture i.e. 2 x new desks, tall storage cupboard, computer chairs and chairs for members and public as well as sundry items needed and this be delegated to the Clerk. This was seconded by Councillor Hinson and agreed.
8.2: Digital Camera: As it was necessary to have photographs for the website and public events, Councillor Mrs Lewis proposed up to £100 be allocated for the purchase of a new digital camera with the purchase being delegated to the Clerk. This was seconded by Councillor Hinson and agreed.
8.3: Office Hardware: Office computer ware was between 3 and 8 years old and needed updating due to increased downloads and electronic mail. After discussion with the Clerk on preference and usage, Councillor Mrs Lewis proposed the principal of the purchase of 2 x new desktop pc’s, 1 x laptop and an external hard drive, with delegated powers to the Clerk to gather information. This was seconded by Councillor Hinson and agreed. It was felt that a local company should be consulted for prices including a maintenance contract; this would be brought to the next full Town meeting.
9. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING: The next Meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday, 23rd June 2011 in The Council Office, The Quayside, Amble at the close of the rearranged Cemeteries Committee meeting.
Following acceptance of the adoption of Section 100a (4) of the Local Government Act the remainder of the Meeting will be held in Private.
This was proposed by Councillor Mrs Lewis, seconded by Councillor Bilboe and agreed.
PUBLIC VERSION OF PRIVATE
PO1: Lease of new premises
The terms of the lease were discussed and following clarification of some points by the Clerk with the owners of the premises, it was proposed by Councillor Mrs Lewis, seconded by Councillor Weir and agreed that the Chairman or Vice Chairman sign the lease.
PO2: Cleaner for premises
The previous occupants of the new premises employed a cleaner for this area and the kitchen/ toilet facilities; since their departure these had not been done by the cleaner. It was decided the Clerk would enquire whether the cleaner was willing to clean all the Council’s premises, the time this would take and the cost. This would be reported back to Town meeting for a decision.
The meeting closed at 7.35pm