COOKHAM   PARISH   COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

PRESENT:       M. Wellman (Chairman)

Cllrs: M. Barnes, P. Brockwell, M. Coker, G. Harris, R. Piercey, A. Prichard and H.J. Woodbridge.

The meeting was adjourned at 7.40pm to allow the Planning Meeting and the Extra Ordinary Council Meeting to take place. The meeting resumed at 8.35pm

3.                  TO PROPOSE CHANGES TO COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND TERMS OF REFERENCE:

The Chairman stated that he had no problem with the number of Councillors on his Committee and would not be seeking any changes.

4.                  TO DISCUSS MEMBERSHIP OF COMMUNITY COUNCIL FOR BERKSHIRE AND PARISH PLAN PROJECT:

It was noted that the current Strategic Plan prepared in 1999/2000 is still in existence and needs up-dating. It was agreed to use this as a first step along with setting up a sub-Committee to work on promoting involvement with this project to the Cookhams. It was agreed that the sub-

Committee would consist of Cllrs Barnes, Coker and Wellman. Cllr Coker mentioned that Vital Villages had included Cookham on their list of fifteen market towns and asked whether this would be progressed in addition to the Parish Plan. It was decided to contact Therese Lawlor at RBWM to find out more about this.

5.         TO REVIEW FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR THE CURRENT YEAR 2004/5:

The figures were tabled to all Councillors at the meeting. In the general fund, the budget 2004/2005 column had several minor adjustments: the budget allowed for the post meter was reduced from £1,000 to £750 and the insurance budget increased from £1,750 to £2000. This was to allow for extra insurance protection following the Council’s on-going risk assessment programme. The precept figure was corrected to read £52,000 and the total income adjusted to £64,360. There were no changes on the Footpaths & Open Spaces fund but several adjustments on the Adoptive Acts fund.

            The chapel maintenance figure was adjusted from £976.50 to £94.00, leaving a total of £2199.68. In the cemetery, the maintenance figure was adjusted from £560.79 to £1210.29; and the bin/skip clearance figure from £268.80 to £501.80, leaving a total of £2232.09. These changes left the bank account figure at £40,064.01.

            For the reserved funds, the Chairman said that £2,000 had now been taken out as a result of completion of the chapel repairs.

6.         SECTION 106 FUNDING – THIS COMMITTEE’S INVOLVEMENT:

The Chairman was undecided whether the three Committees should put forward their projects or whether the work should be delegated to a separate sub-committee. It was commented that full costings need to take place in order to progress any project. It was agreed that each Committee would present one project each, complete with costings, for the Full Council to select one to put forward for funding.

7.                  TO DISCUSS AWARDS FOR LONG SERVICE TO THE COUNCIL:

It was noted that some of our contractors have been working for the Council for many years. Peter Taylor had clocked approx. 30 years service. On the proposal of Cllr Woodbridge, seconded by Cllr Prichard, it was agreed that this council should present a Certificate of Merit to mark Mr Taylor’s 30 years of service.

8.                  TO REVIEW IN PRINCIPLE APPROVAL FOR ALLOWANCES FOR COUNCILLORS AS AGREED AT THE LAST FULL COUNCIL MEETING:

The Chairman said that he personally was not in favour of allowances but had no problem with expenses being claimed where appropriate. Cllr Barnes proposed that the Finance Committee does not in principle support allowances to be made in the budget for Councillors use. VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 6; AGAINST = 2.

The meeting ended at 9.45pm