COOKHAM   PARISH   COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

PRESENT:            Cllr M. Wellman (Chairman)

Cllrs: P. Brockwell, M. Coker, G. Harris, A. Hay, A. Prichard and

H.J. Woodbridge.

1.                  APOLOGIES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Apologies were received from Cllrs Barnes, Fairlie and Stretton. There were no Declarations of Interest.

2.         TO APPROVE THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31^ST MARCH 2005: A draft set of accounts had been circulated to all Councillors prior to this meeting. Cllr Woodbridge wanted the break down of totals to reflect the income and expenditure instead of the payments and receipts as prepared. The Clerk agreed to do this in future and said that the monthly reconciliations with the bank account will also help give Councillors a better picture of our finances. Cllr Coker queried the sum of £817 spent on computer and internet. The Clerk confirmed that this was increased due to the new screen and key board attached to the lap top. Cllr Prichard queried the increased cost of the Christmas trees but was reminded that this included new lights which would not have to be purchased this year – and the Village lights were refunded by Michael Shanley. Cllr Wellman confirmed that the correct S 137 allowance per electoral head should be £5.30 totalling £26,500 possible spend based on 5,000 voters. Cllr Woodbridge queried the wording on Page 7 – Contingent Liabilities – the Clerk later confirmed that the words “NIL CONTINGENCIES” should be inserted here. It was proposed by Cllr Coker and seconded by Cllr Woodbridge to present these Accounts with the changes mentioned for approval to the Full Council.

The Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting was then adjourned to allow an Extra-ordinary meeting of the Full Council to take place.

The meeting was adjourned at 9.05pm.

(NB: The Clerk was later informed by Mr Barrie Dancer that the S 137 allowance went up to £5.30 on 1^st April 2005 and thus will not affect the 04-05 accounts – therefore the allowance per electoral head should remain at £3.50 totalling £15,036 (Nos on electoral roll @ 31/12/04 = 4296 electors)