Finance and Strategy Committee – 16.11.2021

AGENDA - Finance and Strategy Committee - Tuesday 16 November 2021 - PUBLIC

Agenda & meeting papers can be accessed in the PDF pack above.

MINUTES of a Meeting of the Finance and Strategy Committee held in the Meeting Room, Richmond House, Richmond Park, Morton Terrace, Gainsborough on Tuesday 16 November 2021 at 7.00pm

 Present:

Councillor Matt Boles (Chairman) – ex officio

Councillor Tim Davies (Vice Chairman)

Councillor David Dobbie

Councillor Paul Key

Councillor James Plastow

Councillor Denise Schofield

Councillor Baptiste Velan

In Attendance:

Belina Boyer                           Town Clerk

Rachel Allbones                      Deputy Clerk & RFO

1. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor Richard Craig – ex officio

2. TO RECEIVE MEMBERS’ DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2011 AND TO RECEIVE ANY APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION

Councillor Plastow declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 as a member of the Salvation Army.

 3. MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING (Papers A)

i. Minutes of the meeting of Finance and Strategy Committee held Tuesday 19 October 2021

 Councillor Boles raised he had received another complaint regarding fires on Showfield allotments.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Finance and Strategy Committee meeting held on Tuesday 19 October 2021 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Note: Councillors Dobbie and Velan abstained from the above resolution.

4. FINANCIAL REPORTS (Papers B, C & D)

Committee received and considered the following reports:

i. Unpaid Expenditure Transactions for 11 November 2021

ii. Cashbook Summary (including due and unpaid transactions) for 11 November 2021

iii.    Budget Comparison Report (including due and unpaid transactions) for 11 November 2021

 A question was raised regarding a revised / reviewed budget, and Committee was advised that due staff shortages a revised budget would be presented to Committee later than usual. The 2022/23 estimate precept request was due with West Lindsey District Council on Friday 26 November so forecasting the 2022-23 budget had taking priority. Committee was advised that no major changes between the agreed and a reviewed budget were anticipated.

 RESOLVED that Members accept and approve the following reports: –

• Unpaid Expenditure Transactions for 11 November 2021
• Cashbook Summary (including due and unpaid transactions) for 11 November 2021
• Budget Comparison Report (including due and unpaid transactions) for 11 November 2021

RESOLVED that the reviewed budget be prepared after the 2022-23 budget had been finalised.

 5. MONTHLY BANK RECONCILIATIONS (Papers E)

Committee considered sign off of the monthly bank reconciliations for the months of for 31 October 2021 as per the paragraph 2.2 in Financial Regulations.

RESOLVED to accept and sign off the Bank Reconciliation for 31 October 2021.

6. 2022 / 2023 BUDGET (Papers F)

 Committee considered budget requirements for 2022/23 and considered the budget estimate and precept level for WLDC.

The following specific budgetary areas are considered as part of the Committee’s remit:

• Administration

 A motion to increase the Council’s budget requirements by 2% was not carried.

Some Members felt they had had insufficient information to provide WLDC with a budget estimate.

A recorded vote was called.

RESOLVED to hold an extraordinary Finance and Strategy Committee meeting on 25 November 2021 at 19.00 to consider the full draft proposed budget and agree the estimate precept level in time for the 26 November deadline.

 Votes in favour: Cllrs Boles, Davies, Key, Plastow, Schofield, Velan

Votes against: Cllr Dobbie

7. INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT (Papers G)

Committee considered the internal audit report.

RESOLVED to NOTE the internal audit report.

8. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON

 Committee received an update from the Chairman regarding the filming of school choirs and lights switch on.

Meeting concluded at 8.10pm