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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 13 April 2005 The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue , Radlett.

Present:
Councillor Thompson (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs Charrett
Councillor Mrs Griffin
Councillor Howley
Councillor Mrs Reith
Councillor Mrs Wackrow

Also Present: Councillor Deem

Officer: Ms. Carrie Lloyd (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor Mrs Reith and Councillor Worthy

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors Mrs Griffin and Deem declared a personal interest in the item common costs with the Radlett Centre, as Members of the Board of Trustees.

3. URGENT LATE ITEMS

The Chairman advised that he had agreed to consider an urgent late item in Part II;
•  Grounds Staff Appraisals and consideration of spinal point increases,
The reason for urgency was that the spinal point increases, if awarded, were due to be implemented in the next pay roll.

4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9 MARCH 2005

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2005 were signed as a true and accurate record.

5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9 MARCH 2005

•  28 Elm Walk – Members were advised that the contractor was yet to report back on the leaking roof and that the cooker and washing machine required repair. The Clerk was requested to obtain an up to date valuation of the property and to place an item on the agenda for the next meeting.

(Action: Clerk)

•  Tractor Financing – It was noted that the financing had not been completed yet as the tractor was still being built.

(Action: Clerk)

6. COMMON COSTS WITH THE RADLETT CENTRE

Councillor Deem presented his recommendations which had been agreed earlier that day at a meeting of the Radlett Centre Trust. Councillor Deem was thanked for his work and in order to give Members sufficient time to consider the recommendations, it was agreed that it should be considered at the next meeting of the Committee.

7. PROPERTY PORTFOLIO

(i)  Tabard Rugby Football Club, King George's Playing Field, Radlett – The Clerk had sought advice from Turner & Debenhams at £160 plus VAT per hour, limited to two hours work initially, a response was awaited.

Mr Watkiss of Sedgwick Kelly had advised that although he had indicated that the work would be outsourced by him, the solicitor carrying out the work on his behalf would have been reporting back to him directly and that he was always happy to provide the Council with an alternative quotation and to act as the Council's solicitor. Members expressed appreciation of Mr Watkiss' comments.

(ii) War Memorial, Watling Street – The Clerk confirmed that the matter had been referred to Inland Revenue for Stamp Duty purposes.

8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND BUDGET REPORT

The financial statements to the end of March were noted. Members confirmed that the services of a surveyor should be engaged for Youth and Community Centre buildings insurance purposes, to a maximum of £500 and a transfer from reserves be made should an overspend occur on the Youth and Community Centre professional fees budget head during 2005/06.

The Clerk was requested to obtain the current advice from the Council's internal auditor on the Council's reserves policy, to establish how much the Council now had in reserves and to put an item on the agenda of the next meeting of the Committee regarding the Council's reserves.

(Action: Clerk)

9. TO CONSIDER RAISING THE PETTY CASH LEVEL

Members RESOLVED that the petty cash level be raised from £250 to £350 per month.

10. S.137 GRANT APPLICATIONS

Members requested that a schedule of applications be drafted and submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was scheduled for 8pm on 18 May 2005

12. RESOLVED that the following item was confidential as defined in the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 and the press and public be excluded from the meeting.
•  Administrative Staff Appraisals
•  Parish Clerk's Appraisal
•  Recreation Grounds Staff Appraisals

13. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF APPRAISALS

In accordance with the Council's appraisal scheme, the Chairman of the Committee advised that all administrative staff had received satisfactory appraisals. He had requested that objectives be set for staff in the future. RESOLVED that staff progress along their grade by one spinal point, if they are not already at the top of their grade.

14. PARISH CLERK'S APPRAISAL

In accordance with the Council's appraisal scheme, the Chairman of the Council advised that the Clerk had received a satisfactory appraisal and circulated the Clerk's objectives for Members' information or amendment. RESOLVED that the objectives for the Clerk be approved as circulated.

15. RECREATION GROUNDS STAFF APPRAISALS APPRAISAL

In accordance with the Council's appraisal scheme, the Clerk advised that the Chairman of the Recreation Grounds Committee had advised that all grounds staff had received satisfactory appraisals. RESOLVED that staff progress along their grade by one spinal point, if they are not already at the top of their grade or qualification bar.

Closure: 9.10pm
Chairman