25th January 2021 Finance & Resources Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 25th January 2021 at 7pm via video conferencing.

Present: Cllr Mike Facey (Chairman), Cllrs Peter Clayton, Chris Allen, Bill Hancock, Louise Parkin, Allan Matthews, Phil Harvey, Sue Harvey, Mike Murphy, and Andy Brewer with Sam Winter (Town Clerk) and Sally Jones (RFO) in attendance.

Three members of the public were present and one member of the press.

Public Participation

There were no speakers.

01/21/F&R     Apologies

                        Apologies were received from Cllr Helen Groves & Cllr Nick Tolley

02/21/F&R     Declarations of Interest in items on this agenda & dispensations granted

                        There were no declarations made.

03/21/F&R     Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the Finance & Resources Committee held on Monday 23rd November 2020 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

04/21/F&R     Action List

                        The Action List was noted as completed

                        Motions for note/resolution

05/21/F&R     To note that the Government (MHCLG) has published the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2021/22, which confirms that referendum principles will not be applied to parish and town councils in 2021/22. 

                        The meeting noted the announcement.

06/21/F&R     To agree full draft budget

The discussion acknowledged the uncertainty around levels of non-precept income and recognised that the reduction in Band D tax base would increase costs to residents if the 20/21 level of precept charge was maintained.  

It was proposed, seconded and resolved to approve the budget for recommendation to the town council. It was additionally resolved to recommend that, in order that the precept demand is maintained without increased costs to residents, allocation of £9k SDC support funding received in this financial year should be allocated to an earmarked reserve for use in the next financial year to pay for the Princess Theatre’s business rates, removing the £9k cost from the overall budget.

07/21/F&T     To review the updated asset register

The meeting received comments from councillors on existing assets and heard that the register is undergoing further updating to reflect recent acquisitions and will be presented to full Council towards the end of the financial year.  

08/21/F&T     To receive a recommendation from the Princess Management Committee that approval is given to let the theatre café space according to the draft specification approved by the PMC, and to delegate authority to the PMC to undertake the procurement process, including award of the lease. (Please note that until formally approved & released, the specification document remains confidential)

The meeting  heard that some minor amendments had been made to the draft document presented. It was resolved to approve to let the café and that the Princess Management Committee should be authorised to proceed with the letting process and award of the lease.

09/21/F&T     To note the outcome of the fact-finding meeting between Cllrs Facey, Clayton and the heritage group and to resolve how to proceed (min 59/20/F&R refers)

The meeting  heard from Cllr Clayton that the heritage group had been unsuccessful in attracting external funding and had not created a formal constituted body. It was acknowledged that the principle of the heritage centre remains a good one, but it was resolved that investment by the council in the building identified by the group was not viable and is not supported.

10/21/F&R     Financial Reports

                        The financial reports were received and noted.

11/21/F&R     Date of Next meeting

It was noted that the next meeting of this committee will be held on Monday 8th March 2021 at 7pm.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 19:24

Records Retention Schedule

Financial Risk Management Policy - March 2023

Grant Application Kings Coronation Form

The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III will take place on Saturday 6th May 2023, with an additional bank holiday on Monday 8th May 2023.

We are keen to hear from groups/organisations in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge that are looking to celebrate the Coronation. The Town Council has £1500 available to allocate to events being organised to celebrate the Kings Coronation. The maximum grant to be allocated per event will be £500.

You must meet the following criteria for your application to be considered:

– The event will be open to all members of the public

– The event will be free of charge

– The event will take place within the Coronation weekend

– The event will take place within Burnham on Sea or Highbridge

 

Applications will close on Monday 6th March at midday. 

Your organisation and contact details

What happens next....
Applications will be considered at the Finance and Resources Committee Meeting on Monday 13th March 2023. You will be notified after this date whether your application has been successful.
Burnham & Highbridge Town Council takes your privacy seriously and will only use your personal information for the purposes of contacting you about this grant. The Council’s privacy notice can be found here.

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