Minutes of a meeting of the Finance Advisory Committee held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Wednesday 20 th May 2009

PRESENT: Chairman - Cllr B M Edwards

Members - Cllrs Mrs S Collins, C K Langton, R H Osborne

Other Members in attendance – Cllr Mrs M Cox and P Hames

1. Election of Chairman

Cllr Edwards was elected as Chairman for the ensuing year.

Vote: Unanimous)

2. Minutes

The Minutes of the meetings held 17 th February and 26 th February 2009 were approved and signed.

(Vote: Unanimous)

3. End of Year Accounts

Members considered the End of Year accounts as presented by the Town Clerk . There was discussion around reducing costs at Anchor Park on the grass cutting contract and also the management costs at Northam Hall. It was RESOLVED to recommend the accounts as presented be approved.

(Vote: Unanimous)

4. Northam Hall

Members had considered the costs involved in the Hall when examining the end of year accounts. Looking to the future it was agreed that detailed accounts would be produced for the end of the first year by which time most of the works currently in hand should be complete. It was reported that there was a growing interest by the public to use the Hall.

5. Appledore Skate Park

The Chairman reported that the skate park was virtually finished and that payment would now be due for the whole of the works. It was proposed that the Town Council would pay £19,000 at the next Council meeting and hold back £1,000 by way of retention for a period of one month to ensure that there were no outstanding issues or defects. The Town Council will be refunded these sums by the Big Lottery in due course.

(Vote: Unanimous)

There will be an official opening on Sunday June 14 th .

6. Purchase of ties

It was generally agreed that the sample tie was not really of a suitable standard and it was agreed to find other sources and also ascertain costs of badges.

7. Burrough Farm and Seagate

The Town Clerk reported that he had now received the consent to borrow £100,000 for the purchase of the Seagate boat park and the purchase of Burrough Farm with works for the provision of allotments. Solicitors have now been instructed to proceed with the purchase and it would be necessary to apply for the loan. The Members considered the Public Works Loan Board rates and it was agreed to recommend that a loan of £100,000 be sought over a period of 5 years. It was also agreed to recommend that the loan would not be applied for until the Solicitor had reported on any problems associated with the purchase of the land.

(Vote: Unanimous)

8. Committee Budgets for 2009/2010

The Town Clerk reported that when the budgets were being set at the end of 2008, they were not separated specifically to any particular committee. The Chairman agreed to have discussions with the Committee Chairmen with a view to clarifying the budgets for this financial year.

9. Annual review of staff salaries

he Town Clerk reported that the Council had agreed an annual review of staff salaries. It was agreed that Cllr Langton would discuss with the Town Clerk and report back.