Meeting Agenda:

1 Apologies for Absence

2 Declaration of Interests or Predetermination

The disclosure must include the nature of the interest. If an interest becomes apparent to a member during the course of a meeting that has not been disclosed under this item, the member must immediately disclose it.

3 To Confirm the Minutes of The Finance Committee Held on 27 September 2021

4 Matters Arising from The Minutes for Report and Not Covered Elsewhere (for Information Only)

5 Financial Statement and Analysis of Receipts and Payments (financial Report Pack)

To approve the Financial Income and Expenditure Statements as of the 31 October 2021

5.1 To ratify the expenditure up to 31 October 2021

5.2 To approve the list of expenditure for payment

5.3 To review Expenditure over £500 up to 31 October 2021

5.4 To receive the income up to 31 October 2021

5.5 To review the Financial I&E Budget Comparisons report

5.6 To review the Consolidated Balance Sheet

5.7 To receive the Financial Summary Cashbook

5.8 To confirm the Bank Reconciliation statements and Procurement Card for September and October 2021

5.9 To approve and accept the transfers into, out of and between bank accounts

5.10 To note and advise on invoices outstanding over 3 months

6 Other Finance Business

6.1 To review the fees and charges for 2022

The fees and charges for hire of Rickards Hall and other charges usually increase in line with the RPI; Link for  RPI - https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/timeseries/czbh/mm23.
Attached is the current list with proposed increase.

Do Members agree the fees and charges? 

6.2 To confirm the Service Level Agreements (SLA) for 2022

The current SLAs are:

• HOUSE £7,500;
• The Eden Valley Museum £6,500;
• Twinning £500.

HOUSE has both requested previously, and again this year if the Council could consider increasing its SLA. Twinning would also like an increase considered in view that 2020/21 it did not claim its grant.

Do Members confirm the SLA grants to the Eden Valley Museum; HOUSE; Edenbridge & District Twinning Association? Do Member support any increases? 

6.3 To confirm the Lease rents for 2022

Do Members confirm the lease rents for 2022 for Cricket Club; Rugby Club; Nomads Football Club?

7 Governance

7.1 To receive the Internal Auditors report – half-yearly interim review (October)

The Internal Auditor, Keith Robertson carried out the end of year on 20 October with the Town Clerk and RFO present. The link is to his report is on the agenda.

Do Members receive the Internal Auditors report and comments, and make recommendation to full Council?

7.2 To receive the amended Complaints Policy section 8 and appendix.

The Town Council’s solicitor has now reviewed the Council’s Complaint’s procedures. It is satisfied with the procedure/policy and has made some suggested amendments to section 8 (Review of investigation and complaint (second stage)). This provides clarity of the procedures.  There is also a flowchart, appendix 1. (Papers attached under Confidential papers).
Do Members agree to the proposed changes to section 8 of the Council’s Complaint Procedure and make recommendation to the full Council to adopt the amendments?

8 Budgets 2022/23

8.1 To consider the draft budget for 2022/23.

A presentation will be given by the Chairman at the meeting for discussion. (Papers
attached under Confidential papers). The draft budget is displayed with the Financial I&E Budget Comparison report, agenda item 5.5.

Do Members confirm the draft budget and make recommendation to the full Council? 

8.2 To consider the Precept and to make recommendations to present to full council.

This is part of the considerations in 8.1.

9 Finance Correspondence

None

10 Press Release

11 Date of Next Meeting

24 January 2022