Meeting Minutes:
Finance and Governance
| Meeting Date: | Monday 9 Oct 2023 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 19:30 |
| Councillors | Angela Baker, Sarah Compton Vice-Chairwoman, Michael Gemmell Smith, Alan Layland, Stuart McGregor, Angela Read, Stephen Sumner Chairman. |
| Committee: | Finance and Governance |
| Venue: | Doggetts Barn. 72a High Street Edenbridge, TN8 5AR Kent |
| Notes: | |
| Summary: | Finance (& Government) Committee - 6 monthly Review |
Agenda
Minutes
Apologies for absence were received, noted and accepted from Cllrs Compton and Todd.
Resolved: that the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 24 July 2023 be duly signed by the Chairman of the meeting as a true and accurate record of the meeting; pages 2023-012/01-02.
Members noted recent activity reported, including delays with closing the Lloyds Bank account.
Members noted the updated bank mandate and Bank Signatories had been submitted to Barclays; confirmation had been received and the individual signatories now needed to confirm their ID.
Members,
Ratified: the expenditure to the 30 September 2023.
Members,
Resolved: the the list of expenditure for payment up to 04 October 2023.
Members,
Ratified: the expenditure over £500 between 01 July to 30 September 2023.
Members,
Ratified: income report between 01 July to 30 September 2023.
Members received the the Budget comparisons report up to 30 September 2023; and the I&E Accounts up to 31 August. It was noted the General Reserve at £259,435.46 with the second half of the Precept yet to be included, and no earmarked reserve movement though some projects had been funded and yet to be processed; these were noted on budget comparisons report. Members,
Resolved: the Budget Comparisons to 30 September, and the I&E Accounts up to 31 August.
Members,
Resolved: the Consolidated Balance Sheet to 30 September 2023.
Members received the Financial Summary Cashbook, noting the transactions up to 31 August matched the Consolidated Balance up to 31 August (item 5.6): 'cash in hand/at bank' £641,748.80; Investments/CIL £300k; total £941,748.80. Members,
Resolved: the Financial Summary Cashbook up 31 August 2023, and noted the report to 30 September 2023.
The report was not available due to staff shortages; it would be reported at the November Committee meeting.
Members noted one invoice outstanding, Forge Singers for £60.
Members noted the Annual Governance and Accounting Return (AGAR) had been received by the external auditor, and noted a 'clean' audit. The Notice of Conclusion of Audit was published 27 September.
Members received and noted the Governance Risk Assessments which had been reviewed by Cllrs Sumner, Compton and the Town Clerk. Members noted no significant risks and,
Resolved: to confirm the Council's Governance Risk Assessments.
Members noted some procedural and practical adjustments/changes to the Terms of Reference (TOR) and unanimously,
Resolved: to confirm and make recommendation to full Council to support the the amendments to the TORs.
Members noted the recent requests from Involve Kent (who fund the Games Club) to confirm the Council's Safeguarding Policy. A new policy has been drafted for consideration to help officers, staff and councillors with guidance on Safeguarding. It was also noted recent DBS checks for the Town Clerk, RFO and the volunteers of the Games Club. Members unanimously,
Resolved: to confirm the Safeguarding Policy for Adults and make recommendation to full Council to adopt this policy.