PADDOCK WOOD TOWN COUNCIL
The Podmore Building, St Andrew’s Road, Paddock Wood, TN12 6HT
Telephone: 01892 837373
NOTICE OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO BE HELD on MONDAY 22nd September 2025 in the Day Centre Commercial Road at 7.45 pm
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Cllrs M. Munday, R. Moon, B. Robichaud, J Thompson, C. Williams.
APOLOGY:
F9 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
F10 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
To APPROVE the minutes from the previous meeting held on 11th June 2025
F11 INTERNAL AUDITOR
Discuss competency of Internal Auditor & to appoint Mike Platten of April Skies as the Council’s auditor for 2026/27.
F12 SPEND 2025/26
Comparison of actuals to budget for first 6 months of 2025 Financial Year (attached)
F13 RESERVES
To note the current reserves (attached)
F14 IT
- Cyber Assessment/IT Back Up
Members requested that we contacted all external systems and providers about the IT back-up systems. Please see attached report. Decision needs to be made whether to back up IT user accounts with Microsoft via Heliocentrix.
- Scribe Allotments
The office will be adding Scribe Allotments to add to our suite of Scribe Products. The total suite includes Accounts, Cemetery, Bookings and Allotments. This will ensure that all information relating to Allotments (plot holders, sites, payments) will be recorded accurately and be backed up with our other Scribe products. This product will also ensure that payments can be recorded accurately, and empty allotments can be seen easily.
F15 LOCAL GOVERNMENT RE-ORGANISATION
To receive an update on the current position and financial implications to the council. A copy of the Borough Council’s Assets in Paddock Wood is attached for members information and consideration.
F16 FEES 2026/27
To review Fees for 2026/27, currently use RPI for increases.
Day Centre costs currently influenced by increases in energy/water costs.
Pitch fees need to consider all costs associated with pitches, mowing, fuel, energy costs. Currently charged by matches, this excludes training pitch usage or multiple matches on the same pitches. If charged by pavilion we will be affected by MEES 2030 regulations, need to consider keeping fees charged on a match/pitch use basis.
F17 BUDGET 2026/27
Requests for 26/27 budget to be included.
Comments from Internal auditor highlighted the level of our General Reserve for a council of this size and the lack of building reserves considering the number of buildings and age of them.
A copy of the Estates minutes are attached.
F18 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 27th October 2025.
NICHOLA REAY
Clerk to the Council
16TH September 2025