WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL
THE MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
HELD AT THE PAVILION, SPARROWS GREEN ON THURSDAY 2 OCTOBER 2008 AT 20:00

Present: Councillors Price (Chairman), Doyle, Mrs Monaghan, Standley, Miss Whatmore and Wheeler.

Also in attendance: John Roberts, Internal Auditor.

1.             TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
None.

2.             TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MEETING 28.02.08
Resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held 28.02.08 as a true record.

3.             MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING FOR NOTING
None.

4.             PUBLIC FORUM
None.

5.             TO RECEIVE PRESENTATION BY INTERNAL AUDITOR
Presentation received from John Roberts, Internal Auditor, on the financial procedures and responsibilities for councils and the part that audit plays in managing the risk.

6.             INTERNAL AUDIT
Review Internal Audit Plan
Internal Audit Plan 2008/09 reviewed and agreed subject to checks being conducted on item 9 of the Financial Regulations covering orders and contracts.

Review effectiveness of internal control
Internal control is maintained by following procedures in accordance with Financial Regulations and Standing Orders; these documents are reviewed annually by the Council and internal control is considered to be effective.

7.             TO CONSIDER GRANT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AND NOTE ALTERNATIVE FUNDING SOURCES
Application for a grant received for the upkeep of the churchyard; there is a deficit of £3049 between January and September 2008.

Agreed to recommend to Full Council that a grant of £2000 be paid towards the upkeep of the churchyard; payment permitted under LGA 1972 S214 (6).

8.             TO CONSIDER EARMARKING FUNDS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS
Members advised that £2331.92 is held from the parish map project and a condition of the initial grant was that proceeds should be spent on items with an environmental theme; £1100 is earmarked for the duckhouse project.

9.             TO REVIEW CURRENT YEAR EXPENDITURE AND FORECAST TO YEAR END
Expenditure and income reviewed and noted; forecast to year end considered.

10.          TO CONSIDER BUDGET 2009/10
Draft budgets, which had already been considered at individual committee level, were discussed in detail and some amendments made. Budget to be considered by Full Council at the November meeting.

11.          REPORT ON VAT INSPECTION 24.09.08
VAT inspection conducted 24.09.08 and council procedures were confirmed as in order. Inspectors queried a grant from Wadhurst Tennis Club towards landscaping; Clerk responded that the landscaping was for all residents to enjoy.

12.          TO CONSIDER DELEGATION OF DUTIES TO COMMITTEES AND REVIEW STANDING ORDERS AND COMMITTEE REMITS.
Discussion on the possibility of delegating powers to committees and the need for the Full Council to be involved in the decision making process of certain functions. It was considered that the quorum for the Planning Committee should remain at five members. Item deferred for further discussion.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 22:25