Finance Agenda – 27th November 2023

PADDOCK WOOD TOWN COUNCIL

The Podmore Building, St Andrew’s Road, Paddock Wood, TN12 6HT

Telephone:  01892 837373

www.paddockwood-tc.gov.uk

NOTICE OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO BE HELD on Monday 27^TH November 2023 in the Day Centre Commercial Road at 7.45 pm

APOLOGIES

F10     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

F11     MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

            To APPROVE the minutes from the previous meeting held on 21^st June 2023.

F12     UPDATE FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

            There were no up dates from the previous minutes

F13.    RESERVES

The current balance in the reserve accounts as of 31^st October 2023 is as follows:

£604,465.37

F14     CURRENT ACCOUNT

The balance of the current account as of the 31^st October 2023 is £450,924.37

F15     RPI & CPI

According to the Office of National Statistics the figures for September are as follows: RPI = 8.9%    CPI = 6.7%

F16     FEES and TARIFFS

To consider the Council’ fees and tariffs for the year 2024/2025. In 2023/24 all fees were increased by 11%.  Scallywags was increased by 11% from the 1^st October 2023.

.           (Existing fees and tariffs attached) The allotment rents will increase to £40 for a ten rod plot and £20 for a five rod plot per annum from April 2024.  Those who have reached state pensionable age will pay half these amounts.

F17     STAFF SALARIES

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.) In 2023/24 a flat rate of £1925 was awarded by the National Joint Council.  To date there is no indication as to what the rates may be for 204/25.

F18     AUDIT

1. a) David Buckett the Town Council’s auditor for many years has advised the Council that he has now retired and will not be available to carry out the internal audit in the future.

The RFO has contacted alternative auditors, and the details are attached for members information.

Members need to appoint a new internal auditor.

F19     BUDGET

(a)       Existing Contracts

(See attached sheets)

(b)       Every year the Council pays subscriptions to the following organisations:

NALC/KALC

SLCC

Institute of Cemetery Management

Grounds Management Association (formerly IOG)

CIMA

ICCM

(c)        To note the anticipated figures for the year end.

(c)        To discuss the draft budget figures. Please note these figures will be finalised at the January meeting.

F30     DATE OF NEXT MEETING

            The next meeting will be held on Monday 8^th January 2024.

Nichola Reay

Clerk to the Council

21^st November 2023