STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance and Budget Committee held in the Chanctonbury Room, Sullington Parish Hall, Thakeham Road, Storrington, on Wednesday, 12th January, 2005, commencing at 7.00 p.m.

Present: Mr. R. Dawe in the Chair, Mr. A. Mullard, Mr. D. Roper, Mr. J. Sanson and Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese.

65.    Apologies for Absence were received from Mr. M. Neale (work) and Mrs. L. Roberts (work).  The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

66.    To Receive Declarations of Interest from Members.  There were not declarations of interest from Members.

67.    Matters Arising – None.

68.    Budget for the Financial Year 1st April, 2005 to 31st March, 2006.  The £55,000 V.A.T., from the pavilions renovations in 2002-3, could not be included within the balances shown in these figures because as yet it had not determined whether reimbursement would be made.  Should this sum be received it would either go into Reserves or the Council to re-make the capital expenditure budget.  An appeal had been submitted against refusal to reimburse and the Brighton office are recommending to their Head Office acceptance of this claim.  

    The other fundamental change since the committee’s last meeting related to the Old School dilapidations where further legal advice since this was last examined in November was that the level of dilapidations cost cannot exceed any loss of increase in value of the property.  The provision for this matter is therefore lowered in the budget figure over the November figure.   However, there was clearly a need to make a prudent degree of provision and this was included.

    The Football Association should be chased with regard to the remaining £10,000 grant.  

    Mr. Sanson Proposed that the Council should cap the grant given to Burial Grounds at the current level.  However, following a Vote: 1 In Favour; 4 Against the motion was lost.

    The historical income relating to Sullington Recreation Ground was queried and it should be checked to see if this relating to ground rent for the Scout Hut.

    It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

    To recommend that Council approve the 2005-2006 Budget as presented and set a Precept for the Parish of £150,110, an increase of 4.95% over the current year.  Projected expenditure in the budget is to include the provision for payment of a loan for capital projects should alternative funding not be found.   


The Press and Public were duly excluded from attendance during the following item due to the Confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

69.    Caretaker.  The current Caretaker had been employed for a year and during this period had taken on additional duties.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

    To increase his salary by £500.00 per annum and to pay him £12.00 per week mileage.  He should also be paid in lieu of his holiday.

The meeting re-opened to the public.

70.    To Consider the following requests for Donations :-

(a)    Royal British Legion, Storrington Branch – Remembrance Day Refreshments.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

        To donate the sum of £100.00.  (Local Government Act 1972, s.137)
 
(b)    Sussex County Playing Fields Association.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

    To donate the sum of £15.00. (Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, s.19.

    (c)    South East Regional Play Association.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

            Not to donate.

(d)    4Sight.  The Clerk was asked to ascertain how much the Council had donated in the past.

71.    To Consider Renewal of Subscription to the Society of Local Council Clerks.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

    To pay the Annual Subscription to renew the Clerk’s membership in the sum of £130.00.  

72.    Chairman’s Announcements.  None.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.50 p.m.









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