Minutes
Minutes of a meeting of the FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 6th November 2024 in The Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
PRESENT Cllr J O’Brien (Chair), Cllrs M Caton, S Ghosh, P Jones and G Sell
ATTENDING Mrs Ruth Clifford – Parish Clerk, 1 member of the public via Zoom
206 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
No apologies were received from Cllr Khan.
207 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None
208 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18th SEPTEMBER 2024
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18th September 2024 as a true and accurate account.
209 TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON ACTION POINTS FROM THE LAST MEETING
165 Revised lease with Touchpoint to be completed – done.
165 Cllr Khan to draft a letter to the MP- done and sent by the Chair
172 Cllr Caton to contact Essex County Council and find out why the scaffolding has not been removed – delays had been encountered but scaffolding should be down soon.
210 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE CHAIR, CLLR O’BRIEN
The new Government’s Budget has brought it with extra financial pressures on Local Government organisations. I agree that a degree of pragmatism is required in controlling national finances, but it grossly unfair that citizens will be faced with being hit twice, through Council Tax increases, brought about by the imposition of the National Insurance increase on Local Government employers. The increase in the Minimum Wage is also a factor.
Our preparation for the 2025-2026 budget has started in earnest with us having to take into consideration what ongoing works are required as we take over the day to day management of certain areas in Walpole Meadows and repairs and changes to play equipment in general.
211 LIGHTING
- a) TO RECEIVE AN OUTAGE REPORT
Following a report that a light on Chapel Hill was not working, investigations revealed that the lantern has been removed by persons unknown. Replacement being discussed.
- b) TO RECEIVE A GENERAL REPORT ON LIGHTING
Cllr O’Brien has completed the new inventory of our lighting stock and UK Power Networks have raised a couple of points for clarification – this will hopefully be addressed by our contractor as the details are technical.
Discussions turned to the subject of lighting the footbridge over the railway. Network Rail have made discussions around this very difficult. Cllr Caton pointed out the various faults with the bridge which render it, in her opinion, unsafe. It was agreed to request a meeting with a representative of Network Rail to discuss the various aspects around the bridge.
212 FINANCE
- a) TO APPROVE THE LIST OF PAYMENTS FOR AUTHORISATION
The list of payments was checked against the invoices before the start of the meeting by Cllr Jones. Cllr Sell queried the expenditure of clearing a large area of overgrowth on High Lane. The Clerk responded that it had been somewhat neglected for years, with brambles/self-seeded trees encroaching into the area preventing effective grass cutting.
The Parish Council receives a paltry sum each year (around £700) to cut the highway verges in the village as agents for Essex Highways. It was agreed that this should be discussed with Cty Cllr Cunningham when he attends the Full Council meeting as the price per sqm has not been increased for very many years.
- b) TO RECEIVE THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT TO 30TH SEPTEMBER 2024
Received.
- c) TO NOTE THE VAT RETURN TO 30TH SEPTEMBER 2024
Noted and the Clerk confirmed that payment has been received from HMRC.
213 BUDGET PROCESS 2025/26
The Chair confirmed that the budget process is in train. The Council will be facing increases as a result of the recent Budget announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer – increase in employer’s NI and the Living Wage.
If the precept increase is to be kept as low as possible, there is little scope for new projects, but the following items have been identified:
- additional sockets for goal posts on the Recreation Ground,
- play equipment maintenance
- further Wildflower Planting
- maintenance of Walpole Meadows.
- increases in grass-cutting and gardening contracts (which are due to go out for quotes)
- improvements for end of Crafton Green Road – possible knee-rail fencing
Cllr Jones reminded members that funds may need to be included towards future cemetery land.
214 WINDMILL – TO RECEIVE ANY AVAILABLE UPDATES
The Chair reported that the repointing project has started. The old mortar has been removed but this caused an issue with dust blowing onto neighbouring properties. An element of the approved lime mortar is proving very hard to acquire but a supplier has been identified in Cornwall so hopefully this will be back on track shortly. A number of bricks have also been replaced.
215 STAFF MATTERS – TO RECEIVE ANY AVAILABLE UPDATES
The Clerk reported that the Projects Officer will be starting a flexible return to work with effect from Monday 11th November.
216 YOUTH MATTERS – TO RECEIVE ANY AVAILABLE UPDATES
Youth Club
Cllr Caton reported that Fairycroft House may be receiving a grant from Uttlesford District Council which can be used for equipment and to improve the fencing which will remove some of the anti-social behaviour that has been taking place. They are hoping to take a small group to Rungis, our twin town in France, perhaps at Easter. The Town Twinning group is holding a Rock ‘n’ Roll bingo night to raise funds towards this trip.
Youth Council
Cllr Caton reported things have been quiet recently and membership is down to 4 councillors. An update is awaited from Forest Hall School on their return from half term.
Meeting closed 8.03pm
ACTION POINTS
211b Cllr O’Brien/office to request meeting with Network Rail
Members of the Committee you are hereby summoned, and members of the public and press are hereby invited, to attend a meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee which will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 6th November 2024 in The Mountfitchet Exchange, Crafton Green, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex where the following business will be transacted:
Agenda
1 To receive apologies for absence
2 To receive declarations of interest
3 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18th September 2024
4 To receive an update on action points from the last meeting
5 To receive a report from the Chair, Cllr O’Brien
6 Lighting:
- a) To receive an outage report
- b) To receive a general report on lighting
7 Finance:
- To approve the list of payments for authorisation – to be tabled
- To receive the Income and Expenditure Statement to 30th September 2024
- To note the VAT return to 30th September 2024
8 Budget Process 2025/26 – To discuss potential projects suggested to date
9 Windmill – to receive any available updates
10 Staff Matters – to receive any available updates
11 Youth Matters – to receive any available updates
Parish Clerk – 31st October 2024
Any intention to record, film or take photographs during a meeting must be notified to the Clerk prior to the start of the meeting.