Finance committee of Stourport-On-Severn Town Council

Mayor's Parlour, Civic Centre, Stourport-on-Severn

Monday 29th January 2024

PRESENT:

Councillors: T Berry (Chairman); D Little; I Schmeising-Barnes; J Thomas

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

19. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from T I Schmeising-Barnes.

20. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 31st October 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

21. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Thomas declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 9 Budget Report, as he opened and closed Stourport Community Centre on behalf of the Town Council.

22. RISK ASSESSMENT REVIEW

The Town Clerk advised Members that the register had been updated and the following points were raised:

• No. 6 – the lease with Worcestershire County Council (WCC) was progressing and should arrive with the Council soon.
• No. 10 – Members needed to be aware of the risk if key staff were to leave, i.e. Town Clerk and Treasurer. This would also be added to the draft Contingency Plan.
• No. 18 – A new allotment rep had been appointed at Kingsway Allotments and a management committee had been set up.
• No. 27 – The bandstand had been repaired following approval by the Finance Committee.
• No. 32 – Improvements be made to the paddling pool.
• No. 33 – Councillor Thomas would shadow Councillor Little for work at the Clock Tower.

It was RESOLVED that the report be approved.

23. PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING – 22ND JANUARY 2024

It was perceived that having Pay As You Go toilets, could potentially create problems, i.e. flooding, cleaning, people going to the toilet somewhere they shouldn’t.

It was confirmed that the cylinder mower was required for the flower beds in the Memorial Park and Gardens as the wheels from the current mowers damaged the edging of the beds.

Members approved Minute Number 20 of the Parks Committee meeting dated 22nd January 2024.

24. SOLAR PANELS – STOURPORT COMMUNITY CENTRE

Quotations had been received at a cost of £9,500 plus VAT for solar panels to be fitted at Stourport Community Centre. After a discussion, it was agreed that costings for electricity be presented to the June 2024 Finance meeting and also ascertain what grants were available.

25. CONTRACT FOR PEST CONTROL

A quotation had been received for pest control at Stourport Community Centre and Riverside Meadows Toilets. It was agreed to go ahead for the financial year 2024/25.

26. STOURPORT TOWN COUNCIL (STC) EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR COUNCILLORS

The Town Clerk reported that 15 Councillors had now been transferred to the STC email address which left 3 councillors still on private email addresses. It was agreed that the Council would not purchase equipment and that they would remain on their current email addresses unless they upgraded their devices.

27. REPORT OF THE TREASURER ON THE BUDGET FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 2025

The Treasurer took Members through the report and advised that he had prepared the draft budget on the perception that Council wished to maintain current services. The Committee agreed that:

• The fee for interment of cremated remains be increased from £370 to £400 from 1st April 2024;

• Allotment fees be increased from £50 (large plot) to £54 and from £25 (small plot) to £27 with effect from 1st April 2024.

• The Mayoral allowance be replaced by to a monthly reimbursement of expenses which will be capped at £4,000.

• The Council should not pay a Deputy Mayor Allowance. (Local Government Act 1972 15(5).

• What empty office space was available in Stourport-on-Severn and what the costings were per square metre would be investigated.
 

During discussions, it was noted that:

1. Options for alternatives for the Carnival supper to be looked into.

2. There was only an increase in 27 properties for Stourport-on-Severn for the new financial year. This was far lower than Members had expected. The Treasurer had followed this up and was told that a number of factors were taken into account.

3. The precept be increased to £56.60 from £47.60, from 1st April 2024 (18.9% increase).

The Treasurer was thanked for his informative report.

28. RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL ON 6TH FEBRUARY 2024

The Committee:

a. Approved the burial fees and allotment fees detailed in Minute No.27 above.
b. Approved the Revised Estimates for 2023/24.
c. Approved the draft budget for 2024/25 and the Funds and Reserves schedule.
d. A precept increase from £47.60 to £56.60 representing an increase of 18.9% was approved. This represented a total precept of £400,898.

29. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

Chairman

The Meeting closed at 11.32 am.