FORDBRIDGE TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES

COMMITTEE HELD ON 15TH JUNE 2009

PRESENT: CouncillorE. Collins, K. Dooley, J. Kimberley, C. McLaughlin, F.A. Nash, F.V. Nash, M. Ross,
L. Sorrell, J. Whitehouse

1. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN FOR THE 2009/2010 MUNICIPAL YEAR
RESOLVED that Councillor F.A. Nash be appointed Chairman of the Committee for the 2009/2010 Municipal Year
2. APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE 2009/2010 MUNICIPAL YEAR
RESOLVED that Councillor Sorrell be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the 2009/2010 Municipal Year
3. APOLOGIES
Apologies for non-attendance were received and accepted from Councillors Derrick (continuing
hip problem) and Glave.
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS RELATING TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
There were no declarations of interest made by members relating to items on the agenda.
5. MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held 6th April 2009 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record of the proceedings
6. REVIEW OF CHAIRMAN’S ALLOWANCE
The Clerk submitted a report detailing the purpose of the Chairman’s allowance and also its legal basis. A lengthy debate took place on the merit and spirit of the allowance and the historical
situation in respect of this Council
RESOLVED i) that the Council continue to pay an allowance of £2,200 per annum
ii) that the allowance be reviewed annually.
7. CONSIDERATION OF A DRAFT PROCEDURE FOR FILLING CASUAL VACANCIES
The Clerk submitted a report proposing a procedure for filling casual vacancies following advice
received from N.A.L.C.
RESOLVED that the procedure for filling casual vacancies as set out in Appendix A be noted and approved.
8. CONSIDERATION OF AN APPLICATION TO FILL A CASUAL VACANCY: COLE WARD OR
HATCHFORD WARD
The Clerk submitted a written application from a local resident expressing an interest in being co-opted to the Council. The letter had been handed to the Clerk at the last meeting of the Council and subsequently referred to this Committee.
RESOLVED that the applicant be interviewed by Councillors McLaughlin, F.A. Nash and F.V. Nash.
9. CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT BY THE CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: CHAIRMAN’S CEREMONIAL CHAIN OF OFFICE
The Clerk submitted a report detailing different methods of securing the chain and also details of
the cost of a replacement box.
RESOLVED i) that a sterling silver retaining chain be provided to counter balance the chain at a cost of £68
ii) that a new box to protect the chain be purchased at a cost of £182.
10. CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT BY THE CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: BUDGET MONITORING FOR FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2009
The Clerk submitted a report detailing significant variations between budget allocation and actual
income and expenditure for the financial year ended 31st March 2009
RESOLVED that the variations and relevant explanations as set out in Appendix B be noted and approved.
11. CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT BY THE CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: NINEACRES DROP-IN
The Clerk reminded members that the Council had agreed to allow the above group free use of the Fordbridge Centre for four months on condition that the surplus money was used to purchase a laptop computer. The Clerk had made enquiries as to why this had not happened. He had been advised that the group had been experiencing funding problems and had been unwilling to purchase the computer until this situation had been resolved. The group has now been granted a sum of £5,000 and has been advised that its first priority is to purchase the computer.
RESOLVED that the Clerk’s action to date be approved and a further report be made if necessary.
12. CONSIDERATION OF SUPPORT/ASSISTANCE TO TROOP AID
The Committee was advised that Troop Aid which provides assistance to injured soldiers returning from conflicts had been selected by the Chairman as his nominated charity. The Committee was also requested to consider further support for the group.
RESOLVED i) the Fordbridge Centre be made available free of charge on a Saturday evening to Troop Aid to allow it to stage a fund-raising event.
ii) that the founder of the charity be invited to make a presentation to a meeting of the Council.


The meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.

APPENDIX A

a) Applications should be made in the first instance in writing to the Clerk to the Council.
b) Each applicant will be required to confirm that they meet the criteria for eligibility and are not disqualified.
c) Details of all applications will be reported to the Council.
d) Applicants will be interviewed by the Council/Finance and General Purposes Committee in due course.
e) The interview meeting will then decide whether or not to recommend an applicant for co-option.
f) Co-option will take place at the next Council meeting in accordance with statutory procedure.

APPENDIX B

1. Expenditure of £12,964 was incurred in respect of Milk in Schools compared to a budget allocation of £11,000.

2. Expenditure of £1,238 was incurred in respect of the Garden competition compared to a budget allocation of £750. This increase was due to additional prize money agreed by the Council.

3. Expenditure of £3,131 was incurred in respect of the Chairman’s Charity Dance compared to a budget allocation of £2,200. This increase is due to the 2009 event being held right at the end of this financial year.

4. Expenditure of £3,436 was incurred in respect of Repairs and Maintenance compared to a budget allocation of £2,000. A review of the Council’s repairs and maintenance policy will be held during the current financial year.