COOKHAM   PARISH   COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

PRESENT:             Cllrs: M. Barnes, P. Brockwell, G. Harris, M. Innes, Jean Stretton,

M. Wellman and H.J. Woodbridge.

1.            APOLOGIES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Apologies were received from Cllr M. Coker and Jon Fisher. There were no Declarations of Interest.

2.            APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE:  

Cllr Barnes proposed Cllr Wellman to continue in the Chair. This was seconded by Cllr Harris and AGREED unanimously.

3.            APPROVAL OF AUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR 2007-2008 FINANCIAL YEAR: The Chairman went through the accounts noting the main cash movements over the year.  The sum of £3,000 allowed for the work on Station Hill was still shown in the Reserved Funds as at the end of March 2008. The Clerk recommended leaving it in the reserves until the new budgets are worked on in the autumn. After some discussion the the Committee AGREED to approve the audited accounts for the 07/08 financial year.

4.            APPROVAL OF ANNUAL RETURN FOR THE 07/08 FINANCIAL YEAR:

Cllr Wellman proposed to forward the Annual Return for approval by the Full Council. This was seconded by Cllr Innes and AGREED unanimously.

5.            REVIEW OF FIGURES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER 08/09 FINANCIAL YEAR: There were some amendments noted such as the allowance of £3,000 in the budget for the archaeological dig. The figure for the precept should also be adjusted from £64,000 to £90,000. The points brought up by the internal auditor’s report were noted. Cllr Barnes volunteered to liaise with Jon Fisher regarding potential investment accounts for the bulk of Council money.

6.             LEASE RENEWAL OF CEMETERY COTTAGE: The lease has not changed from £1,000 per month for over six years. However, the Council noted that the poor state of the decoration in the cottage would make it difficult to consider an increase. Cllr Harris proposed leaving the monthly rent unchanged. This was seconded by Cllr Barnes. VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 6 ABSTENTION = 1.

7.             UP DATE ON NEW KITCHEN QUOTES FOR CEMETERY COTTAGE: The spreadsheet of costs provided by Andy Strowbridge gave the estimated figure of £5,000 would be spent on the new kitchen. The Clerk would look up the procedure for advertising this purchase according to Standing Orders. Cllr Wellman said that it may be possible to split the purchase between equipment and fittings. The flooring in the kitchen would also need to be checked along with the washing machine. Cllr Barnes volunteered to liaise with Ruth Hoskin and Andy Strowbridge in order to get a more detailed quote for the new kitchen.

8.             FINANCING OF THE NEW PATHS AT COOKHAM CEMETERY: A competitive quote from Philip Holdford had been received for providing concrete edging and scalpings on the footpaths for approx. £13,000. It was AGREED that the Council needed at least two other comparative quotes for this work. The Clerk would put together a tender document based on the quote received and this would be sent to other companies.

9.             COMMUNITY COUNCILS OF BERKSHIRE SUBSCRIPTION: Due to the status of the Parish Plan and the intention to complete a Village Design Statement - it was proposed by Cllr Barnes and seconded by Cllr Wellman to renew this subscription at a cost of £30. This was AGREED unanimously.

Part 2 of the meeting was held under Standing Order 68

The meeting ended at 9.50pm.