FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
Minutes of the FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE meeting held on Thursday 12 March 2009 at 7.00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 137 London Road, Southborough, Kent. TN4 0ND.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councillors Oakford (Chairman) arrived at 8.00 p.m., Bothwell, Chater, Ms Hill, Mayall and Poile
ALSO PRESENT: Councillor Mrs Morton
OFFICER PRESENT: Brenda Wickens
F145. APOLOGIES AND REASON FOR ABSENCE – Cllrs Mrs Jedrzejewski (work commitments) and Rumsey (work commitments)
F146. PREJUDICIAL AND PERSONAL INTERESTS - No interests were declared
F147. PUBLIC OPEN SESSION – There were no members of the public or press present at the meeting.
F148. MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS
Members NOTED that the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 12 February 2009 were approved at the Full Council meeting held on 26 February 2009
F149. ACCOUNTS
a) Outstanding cheques – A list of cheques totalling £6,244.98 net was approved for payment.
b) Financial Statements – Members NOTED the list of income and expenditure from 1 January to 28 February 2009.
c) Financial Summary – Members NOTED the summary statement from 1 January to 28 February 2009.
F150. FINANCIAL CONTROL
a) Salary Payments – Members NOTED that the withdrawal of the present Telepay system of paying salaries direct into bank accounts was being delayed for up to 18 months, and that the Clerk had decided to leave the situation as it is for the present time.
b) Data Protection – Members NOTED the reply from South East Employers confirming that personal detail of individual staff members salary, tax and pensions payments were not to be provided to Council Members. In future totals for the month in question would be provided.
c) Kent Audit – Members RESOLVED to accept the plan for the coming financial year provided by the Internal Auditor.
d) Purchase of a Replacement Transit Tipper – Members NOTED that the Clerk had purchased a replacement vehicle as budgeted for in the reserves for 2008/09, at a cost of £7,850.
F151. OTHER MATTERS
a) Twinning Matters – Representatives of Lambersart would be attending the AGM that would be held at David Salomons on Saturday 14 March followed by dinner at the Irish evening being put on by the Rotary Club.
b) Royal Victoria Hall – Members were advised that two positive verbal references had been obtained and that Theatretech had been advised that they would be completing the pre-feasibility study. Dates would be arranged for the first meeting at the Hall with the working group.
c) Council Chamber Use – Members NOTED the information provided by the Clerk relating to the use of the Council Chamber by political parties. It was RESOLVED that the room would be used for party group meetings and surgeries. No hire charges would be made.
d) Kent Association of Local Councils – This item will be repeated on the Full Council agenda.
e) What Could Tunbridge Wells Do Better – Members RESOLVED that Councillors could complete the questionnaire independently and return their forms to the office before the closing date of 1 April 2009.
f) Royal British Legion – Members NOTED the letter of thanks for the grant provided for a new standard.
g) Association of Southborough Football Clubs – Members discussed the content of the letter and RESOLVED that any use of the Royal Victoria Hall would be paid for at the current rates.
F152. CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS
a) Staff Wages – Members NOTED the details of the staff wages for February 2009.
b) Evaluation Results – Members NOTED the evaluation results and RESOLVED that the improved rates of pay for all staff would be implemented from 1 April 2009.
There being no further business the Chairman thanked Members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.35 p.m.
CHAIRMAN