Finance and Governance, March 27th 2017

KESGRAVE TOWN COUNCIL Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance and Governance Committee Held on the 27th March 2017 (Part 1)

Present:- Councillors: N Beecroft-Smith (Apologies) A Comber D Fairbrother (Vice Chair of Committee) J Ogden (Chair of Committee) P Mills R Spittle G Lynch

In Attendance:

• Mrs S Clements (Clerk)
• Mrs D Jimpson (Business and Development Manager)

1. Welcome and Apologies for Absence – The Chairman welcomed those present. An apology for absence was received from Town Councillor Beecroft-Smith.

2. Declaration of Interests – There were no declarations of interest.

3. Minutes of the Last Finance and Governance Committee Meeting -The Committee received, considered and agreed, following the vote, the Minutes from the last Finance and Governance Committee Meeting held on the 27th February 2017. (Copy in Minute Book).

4. Clerks/Officer Report/Update  Minute Number 15 – Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaires – The Committee noted that work is underway, where the Questionnaires will be finalised by the 10th April 2017.

5. Members of the Public – There were no members of the public present.

6. Grants – The Committee noted that no Grant applications were received.

7. Funds held on behalf of Other Organisations – The Committee noted that Mrs Jimpson is currently investigating the retention of funds being held for the Kesgrave Firework Event.

8. Bank Reconciliation – Councillors received, considered and agreed to these, following the vote.

9. Business rates – Councillors noted that following the business rates revaluation, the rates due for the Town Council Office and the Millennium Jubilee Hall have been reduced by 3.70%.

10. Quality Town Status – The Committee noted that the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CilCA) Level 3 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) will take 200 hours to complete at a staffing cost of £3,100. 2 Other costs include the £250 necessary training and the £250 registration fee. Following the vote, it was agreed that it would be preferable to have the required number of Councillors elected as opposed to co-opted in order to work towards the Quality Town Status and Power of Competence before proceeding any further with the CiLCA. The Chairman explained the meaning of “Quality Town Status”. The Committee felt that due to the current workload of the Clerk, including with the emerging Kesgrave Neighbourhood Plan that this matter be deferred for now, with a review in October/November. This would be in conjunction with the next Budget/Precept. This deferral was agreed following the vote.

11. Section 137 (of the Local Government Act 1972 – Expenditure) – The Committee noted that the Section 137 limit for 2017-18 is £7.57 per elector.

12. Kesgrave Library – The Committee noted that the report for the 4 th quarter payment of grant had been received and presented at full Town Council on 13th March.

13. Items of sufficient urgency and importance – There were no matters.

14. Date of Next Meeting – The next Meeting is on Monday, 24th April 2017 at 7.15pm in the Council Chamber of the Town Council Offices.

15. Agenda Items for Next Meeting – Members raised no items for discussion at the next Meeting. Any items prior to next Meeting should be notified to the office, well in advance of the Agenda being finalised and distributed.

16. Resolution to exclude the Public and the Press – The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 – The Committee is asked to consider and agree following the vote, to exclude the Public and the Press, since publicity would legally prejudice commercial sensitivity and confidentially.

17. Personnel Committee and Appeals Committee – The Committee is asked to note that the Personnel Committee and the Chairman of the Council have agreed that the last Personnel Committee Meeting scheduled for the 10th April 2017, (before this is dissolved and merged back with the Finance and Governance Committee), should be replaced by an Extraordinary, Confidential Full Town Council Meeting on the 10th April 2017. (Details have already been sent to the Full Town Council).

18. Pension Contributions – The Committee is asked to note the pension contributions for the next 3 years, following the vote.

19. Staffing Matters – The Committee is asked to note the NJC (National Joint Council for Local Government Services), salary increases from April 2017, (as previously agreed at the full Town Council Meeting on the 11th July 2016). There being no other business, this part of the Meeting closed in order to facilitate the second, confidential part of this Meeting.

Chairman ……………………………………………………..Date……………………