Finance committee of Stourport-On-Severn Town Council
10.30am Tuesday 30 May 2023
Mayor's parlour
PRESENT:
The Mayor: Councillor T Berry (Chairman)
Councillors: D Little; J Thomas; T Schmeising-Barnes
Officers: S Saunders (Town Clerk)
1. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN
It was agreed that Councillor T Berry be nominated as Chairman of the Finance Committee.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
No apologies for absence were received.
3. MINUTES
It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 14th March 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
5. INTERNAL AUDITOR’S REPORT
Members went through the Internal Auditor’s report and resolved they were satisfied with the adequacy of the internal audit arrangements for the town council, subject to the following:
Page 2 (heading) – year be amended to 2022/23.
Page 2 (first paragraph)– year be amended to 2023.
The Town Clerk advised Members that the report stated there were a number of less significant items which had been provided to the Town Clerk and Treasurer but this had not yet been received.
6. ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 2022/23
Members resolved that the Annual Governance Statement 2022/23 be recommended for approval to the Town Council meeting on 6th June 2023, subject to the clarification of the following:
The document stated information relating to 2021/22 – on parts K, M and N. The Town Clerk was to ask the Treasurer whether this was correct?
7. ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2022/23
Members went through the Annual Accounts for 2022/23 and asked the Town Clerk to follow up with the Treasurer an explanation on why the overspend on the grant to Stourport Forward (3 – Services to the Public) was -£6,000 and the legal advice and assistance (8 – Stourport Civic Centre) was -£1,650.
In response to a question, it was confirmed that a yearly budget was accounted for, for the service charge for Worcestershire County Council at the Civic Centre.
The Town Clerk advised that the new Parks & Cemetery Superintendent had commenced employment with the Town Council on 22nd May 2023 and he had asked about updating some of the Parks equipment. It was agreed that a Parks Committee would be arranged.
Members resolved the annual accounts be recommended to Town Council meeting on 6th June 2023 for approval.
8. NEW SOFTWARE PACKAGE FOR CEMETERIES
The Town Clerk presented a quotation for a new software package for cemeteries at a cost of £739, which consisted of a one-off fee of £319 for set up and an annual fee of £420. A discussion was held on the benefits to the town council and it was resolved to proceed with the online package.
9. VERBAL UPDATE FROM THE TOWN CLERK ON EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR COUNCILLORS
Following approval at Council in November 2022, the Town Clerk presented costings for town councillors to have a Stourport Town Council email address. A discussed ensued and it was resolved that the costings be approved as follows:
Councillors who represented town council and district (7), there would be a one off set up cost of £10 per councillor with no annual fee (whilst they remain a district councillor).
For councillors who represented town only (11), there would be an annual fee of £160 per annum per councillor and a one off set up of £60 per councillor. The total cost to the council would be £1,760 per annum with a one off set up cost of £730.
The Town Clerk was asked to arrange.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
Chairman
The Meeting closed at 11.03am.