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, F. Hewer and H.J. Woodbridge.

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

2.         REVIEW THE UNAUDITED FIGURES FOR 2008-2009 FINANCIAL YEAR: The figures were circulated to all Councillors at the meeting. The Chairman made a general comment that the figures were misleading because RBWM was due to reimburse us with approx £27k at the end of the financial year. The Committee looked through the unaudited figures. It was noted that the three regular clearances on the footpaths had pushed this over budget. Also the refurbishment of the cemetery paths had pushed the projects over budget. However, this project was completed without the Council having to borrow any money and was considered to be better value to the Council. It was also noted that the income from burials was substantially up. This was due in part to increased burials and also to the increased revenue from the cemetery and memorial fees.

            The Chairman concluded that the real bank account total – with the £27k due from RBWM – should be in the region of £31,650.

3.         BUDGET FIGURES FOR 2009-2010 FINANCIAL YEAR: The Chairman made a few adjustments to the figures for the new financial year. On the Strategic Reserves – the Village Design Statement had spent just under £1,000 of their allowance leaving a remaining £2,000 in reserves. The lighting project for High Road was complete at a final cost of £2,807. The Chairman proposed using the remaining £1,200 for the replacement of the three concrete columns. The Clerk was asked to find out how much the replacement would cost. The Chairman also proposed adding another £1,500 for the cost of replacing our noticeboards. This was AGREED.

            In the General Account, it had been brought to our attention that we may have to pay for some repairs to the workings of the Millennium Clock. The Chairman proposed adding the £750 from the noticeboard budget into the £200 for the Millennium Clock. The noticeboards now being covered by Strategic Reserves.

4.         RENEWAL OF SERVICE CONTRACT FOR COMPUTER: It was AGREED to add this item to the next meeting to allow for Cllr Coker to state his views.

5.         UP-DATE ON INSURANCE OF THE STREETLIGHTS: The Clerk had written to Zurich but would now have to chase for a reply.

6.         PROPOSED WORKS ON THE MILLENNIUM CLOCK: Smiths of Derby had recently carried out its annual maintenance works on the clock. They were now advising that the battery circuit board and rechargeable battery for the clock backup were giving a low reading and may not last for another 12 months. The backup system allows the clock to continue to operate during power failures by battery power – and reverts back to mains supply when available. It also allows the self-adjustment between British Summer Time and Greenwich Mean Time. The charge quoted to upgrade the system was £779.00 plus vat. If the Council delayed the visit until the next maintenance visit in Feb/Mar 2010, the charge would be reduced by £284.00.

            Cllr Hewer said that she was disappointed that the work could not have been carried out during the last maintenance visit. It was AGREED that the Clerk would firstly check the warranty before writing to Smiths of Derby to state this point and request a reduction in the fees quoted.

7.         DONATION REQUEST FROM BERKSHIRE BLIND SOCIETY: In the past, Cookham Parish Council has made a small donation of £200 from the £1,000 allowed from the donations budget. Cllr Woodbridge said that the help and support from this Society had been excellent. Cllr Barnes proposed that this invitation was declined and that the Parish Council should re-visit the whole issue of making donations with tax-payers money. This was seconded by Cllr Hewer and AGREED unanimously.

8.         UP-DATE ON NEW KITCHEN AT CEMETERY COTTAGE: The Clerk reported that the new kitchen was now complete. Local decorator, Jim Cunningham had given the Council a quote of £550 to re-plaster the ceiling and re-decorate the kitchen. Cllr Barnes proposed a budget up to £600 for final re-decoration of the kitchen. This was AGREED unanimously.

9.         SECURITY MEASURES FOR ALL COUNCIL-OWNED PROPERTY INCLUDING POSSIBLE MOBILE CCTV: In the light of the recent vandalism on the Alfred Major recreation ground and the allotments, it was agreed that the Council should re-visit the various CCTV cameras on the market. Cllr Hewer suggested radio-controlled cameras currently in use by High Wycombe Council. The Clerk was advised to contact Cllr Ricardo to find out more.

10.       PURCHASE OF A DIGITAL CAMERA: Cllr Woodbridge proposed that the Parish Office purchase a digital camera to be kept at the Office for the Clerk and Councillors to use. A budget of £50 was set. This was seconded by Cllr Brockwell. VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 6, AGAINST = 1.

The meeting ended at 9.55pm.