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 23rd September 2024 in the Day Centre Commercial Road at 7.45 pm
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: R. Atkins, D. Dray, M. Munday, N Maari, R. Moon, B. Robichaud, J Thompson, C. Williams
F12 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
F13 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
To APPROVE the minutes from the previous meeting held on 19th June 2024.
F14 UPDATE FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
There were no updates from the previous minutes.
F15. RESERVES
The current balance in the reserve accounts as of 31st August is £629,844.35.
F16 CURRENT ACCOUNT
The balance of the current account as of the 31st of August is £221,878.
F17 RPI & CPI
According to the Office of National Statistics the figures for July are as follows: RPI = 3.6% & CPI = 3.1%.
F18 FEES and TARIFFS
To consider the Council’ fees and tariffs for the year 2025/2026. In 2024/25 all fees were increased by 6.7%.
. The allotment rents increased to £40 for a ten-rod plot and £20 for a five-rod plot per annum in April 2024. Those who have reached state pensionable age pay half these amounts. Twelve months’ notice from April 2025 will to be given if members wish to increase the rents for 2026.
F19 STAFF SALARIES & PENSIONS
a) The clerks are paid according to the SLCC pay scales and the Estates Staff are paid at a locally agreed rate, although salaries are in line with the recommended rates from the GMA (formerly the IOG.) To date no agreement has been reached for pay increases for 2024/25. The pay offer was for a flat rate increase of £1,290 for SCP 2 – 43 or 2.5% for SCP 44 upwards, however this has gone out to ballot with Unions and no agreement is anticipated before October.
b) Pensions – the Town Council currently makes a 6% contribution (matched by staff) to the Aviva Workplace Pension Scheme. The minimum contribution into a pension scheme is 8% (5% staff & 3% employer contribution).
F20 AUDIT
To appoint Mike Platten of April Skies as the Council’s auditor for 2024/25.
F21 BUDGET
(a) Existing Contracts
(See attached sheets)
(b) Every year the Council pays subscriptions to the following organisations:
NALC/KALC
SLCC x 2
Institute of Cemetery Management
Grounds Management Association (formerly IOG) x 2
CIMA
(c) To review the current budget position for 2024/25
(d) To discuss the draft budget items for 2025/26. Please note these figures will be finalised at the November meeting.
F22 SECTION 106
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council have advised they are now in receipt of the Outdoor Recreation Contribution £223,500.00 (£302,287.30 inc. indexation) funding towards Green Lane Playing Fields, Paddock Wood, from Land at Church Farm 14/504140/HYBRID. (Phase 1) development.
Under section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (admission to meetings) Act 1960 the following item may be exempt from the press and public.
F23 LOAN REPAYMENT
To consider the attached report.
F24 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 23rd October 2024.
NICHOLA REAY
Clerk to the Council
17th September 2024