MINUTES: FINANCE & RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Minutes of the meeting held on 20th September 2021 at 7pm at the Old Courthouse, Jaycroft Road, Burnham-on-Sea.
Present: Cllr Mike Facey (Chairman), Cllrs Peter Clayton, Chris Allen, Bill Hancock, Louise Parkin, Andy Hodge, Alan Matthews, Phil Harvey, Sue Harvey and Andy Brewer with Sally Jones (Responsible Finance Officer) in attendance.
Fifteen members of the public were present.
Public Participation
There were no speakers.
43/21/F&R Apologies
There were no apologies made.
Cllr Mike Murphy was absent.
44/21/F&R Declarations of Interest in items on this agenda & dispensations granted
Cllr Andy Brewer declared an interest in item 52/21/F&R 3
Cllr Phil Harvey declared an interest in item 52/21/F&R 5
Cllr Chris Allen declared an interest in item 52/21/F&R 18
45/21/F&R Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Finance & Resources Committee held on 5th July2021 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
46/21/F&R Action List
The Action List was noted as completed
47/21/F&R Formal announcements from the chair
There were no formal announcements from the chair
48/21/F&R Public participation session
There were no speakers
49/21/F&R To consider any action required on matters raised in the public participation session
There were no matters raised to consider
Motions for note/resolution
50/21/F&R To note that no rapid COVID-19 grant fund applications have been received since 1st April 2021 and that £5,606 grant funding remains available.
The meeting noted the item.
51/21/F&R To receive a proposal from Cllr Mike Facey that the committee agrees to move the unused money in the COVID-19 grant fund to the funding available from standard grants budget.
The meeting unanimously approved to move the £5,606 of unused COVID-19 grant fund money to the standard grants budget.
52/21/F&R To consider applications received for grant funding and agree any funds to be awarded:
- Application for £1,543, Burnham Retail Group
£1,000 for a community event grant was awarded to help pay towards the Traders’ Christmas light switch-on event in High Street, Burnham-on-Sea.
- Application for £2,200, Burnham Chamber of Trade
£1,500 for a community event grant was awarded to help pay toward the Chambers Christmas light switch-on event for in the area of Victoria Street, Burnham-on-Sea.
Cllr Andy Brewer left the meeting
- Application for £2,500, Burnham on Sea Motor and Sailing Club, Gig section
£1,633 for a capital project grant was awarded to pay for two rowing machines that will form part of the project for a small health and fitness space.
Cllr Andy Brewer re-joined the meeting
- Application for £2,500, Burnham Area Youth (BAY) Centre
The full capital project grant was awarded to pay for the upgraded electrics required to keep the BAY Centre open.
Cllr Harvey left the meeting
- Application for £2,500, Burnham & Highbridge Community Association
The full capital project grant was awarded to pay for enhanced Wi-Fi throughout the Community Centre to provide the ability to have hybrid meetings and for groups to be able to include those who are still wary of meeting face to face.
Cllr Harvey re-joined the meeting
- Application for £2,500, Highbridge Youth Arts
The full revenue grant was awarded to support the provision of affordable drama and dance for children in Burnham and Highbridge.
- Application for £2,000, Burnham Hockey Club
The full revenue grant was awarded to support the provision of the Hockey Club in meeting increased hire costs of nearly £20 a training session and coaching cost.
- Application for £1,933, Burnham United AFC
The full capital project grant applied for was awarded to provide a new upgraded cooker and tables and chairs to create a safe seating & eating area.
- Application for £1,484, Burnham Carnival Club, Carnival Queen
The meeting considered the structure of the group and noted that the Burnham Carnival Club’s constitution states its aims are to put on a carnival each year and that any surplus funds would be given to local charities. It was also noted that this event does not take place until May 2022. The community event grant applied for was awarded in full to provide the Carnival Queen Competition with a venue and associated costs.
- Application for £1,178, BEES
The full capital project grant was awarded to provide 21 sets of stage make-up for their cast to meet health & safety needs.
- Application for £1,000, Highbridge War Memorial Trust
The full capital project grant was awarded to support the upgrade to lighting and heating required at Southwell House.
- Application for £1,000, Avenue Tennis Club
The meeting considered the structure of the group and noted that the Avenue Tennis Club’s constitution shows that its aims were to provide a tennis club and not to run as a profit making business. The capital project grant was awarded in full to support the purchase of an automatic ball practice machine.
- Application for £960, Burnham BMX Club
£900 in community event grant was awarded to support the provision of an open day to increase awareness of the club and attract new members.
- Application for £900, Burnham and Highbridge Town Band
The full community event grant was awarded to support the provision of the venue for three events in winter 2021, spring 2022 and summer 2022.
It was noted that these events may fall outside of the town council’s year end.
- Application for £800, Burnham Sea Cadets
The community event grant was awarded in full to support the provision of a 50th anniversary open day.
- Application for £700, Penguin Swimming Club
The meeting considered the request to provide funding for a members’ meal but resolved the application was an unsuitable use of public funds. A grant was not awarded.
- Application for £432, Burnham in Bloom
The capital project was awarded in full to provide flowers and compost to create a new garden on South Esplanade, adjacent to the sailing club.
Cllr Chris Allen left the meeting
- Application for £269, Squadron RAF Air Cadets
It was noted that this group had previously this year been awarded £268. The capital project grant was awarded in full to support the provision of a new projector
Cllr Chris Allen re-joined the meeting
- Application for £254, Burnham & Highbridge Karate Club
The capital project grant was awarded in full to support the provision of a new secure unit where the club can store their equipment. It was noted that previously this year this group had been awarded £299.87.
53/21/F&R To acknowledge that Somerset County Council has given notice to end the Registrars’ licence to occupy a room within The Old Courthouse, effective 15th August 2022.
It was noted that the Registrars anticipate leaving before the 15th August 2022.
54/21/F&R To approve changes to the Financial Regulations and recommend their adoption by the full council.
The change to the Financial Regulations was noted and was recommended to the full council for approval
55/21/F&R To approve changes to the Financial Risk Management policy.
The changes to the Financial Risk Management policy were approved.
56/21/F&R To receive for information signed minutes of sub-committees
The minutes of the HR Sub-Committee held on 27th July 2021 were received.
57/21/F&R Financial Reports
The financial reports were received and noted.
58/21/F&R Motions requiring exclusion of press and public due the confidential nature of the matter to be discussed.
There were none
59/21/F&R Date of Next meeting
It was noted that the next meeting of this committee will be held on 11th October 2021 at 7pm.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 20:43