Finance committee of Stourport-On-Severn Town Council

Wednesday 1st June 2022, 10.30am

Mayor's parlour

Present

The Mayor: Councillor T Berry (Chairman)
Councillors: V Higgs; D Little; J Thomas

Officers: S Saunders (Town Clerk); G Shaw (Treasurer)

1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No apologies for absence were received.

2.         MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 25th January 2022 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

3.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

4.         INTERNAL AUDITOR’S REPORT

Members of the Finance Committee went through the Internal Auditor’s report and resolved they were satisfied with the adequacy of the internal audit arrangements for the town council.

5.         ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 2021/22

Members resolved that the Annual Governance Statement 2021/22 be recommended for approval to the Town Council meeting on 5th June 2022.

6.         ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2021/22

The Treasurer took Members through the Annual Accounts for 2021/22 and advised that there was £127K in balances.  He felt that the underspends occurring in the last two financial years were unlikely to be repeated as, in fact, the budget for 2022/23 was quite likely to be overspent.  The budget for the Riverside Toilets may not be sufficient as there had already been four incidents of vandalism since the Town Council had taken them over in April 2022.  He reported that a by-election had been called following the resignation of Gary Talbot, this would cost approximately £8,000.  Also, there was greater inflation now than had been provided for in the budget.

In response to a question, the Town Clerk reported that there was approximately 30 years left for burial plots in the town cemetery.

The Treasurer was thanked for his excellent report.

Members resolved the annual accounts be recommended to Town Council meeting on 7th June 2022 for approval.

7.         Update from the Town Clerk

Members were advised of the following:

  1. Security Gates at Kingsway Allotments – a quotation for £3,965.00 had been received for replacement of three allotment gates.  Members approved the sum of money as it would add additional security to the site.
  2. Stourport Town Council Website Update – the town council website needed to be upgraded at a cost of approximately £509 which Members approved.

8.         LETTER RECEIVED FROM STOURPORT FORWARD REGARDING GRANT MONIES

Members considered the letter received Stourport Forward.  However, they felt that more information was required and asked the Town Clerk to obtain details of how the money would be spent and how the town would be promoted.

9.         STAFF ESTABLISHMENT FIGURES

A report was handed out to Members on the latest staff establishment figures which was noted.

 

10.       ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business. 

Chairman

The Meeting closed at 10.53am.