Finance and Policy Minutes Signed 21-03-2022

The Chairman opened the meeting and read out the Fire Safety Notice and confirmed that proceedings may be filmed or recorded.

F/22/03/2              Apologies for Absence

There were no apologies received.

F/22/03/3              Declaration of Member’s Interests and to Remind Councillors of the Need to Keep up to Date their Register of Member’s Interests and to Consider any Requests Received for Members Dispensation

None noted.  There were no requests for dispensations.

F/22/03/4              To Confirm the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 21^st February 2022 and any Matters Arising

Members received the minutes of the Finance & Policy Committee meeting held on 21^st February 2022 and the following was agreed:

F/22/03/4.01 Resolved

That the minutes of the Finance & Policy Committee meeting held on 21^st February 2022 be adopted and signed as a true record by the Chairman of the Finance & Policy Committee.

There were no matters arising.

F/22/03/5              Public Open Session

No members of the public wished to speak.

F/22/03/6              Submission of Schedules of Payments for Information CB1 – CB4 February 2022

Members reviewed CB1 – CB4 for February 2022 and the following was agreed:

F/22/03/6.01 Recommendation

That the ratification of the schedules of payments for the period 01/02/2022 – 28/02/2022 (Cash Book 1 – 4) be received and adopted.

F/22/03/7              To Confirm the Bank Statement Balances & Related Bank Reconciliation have been signed by the Chairman of F&P Committee

The Chairman of the Finance & Policy Committee confirmed scrutiny of the bank reconciliations relating to the end of 28/02/2022 (month 11) for the Town Council’s Current, Petty Cash, Salaries and Barclaycard Cashbooks.

F/22/03/8              To Receive the Income and Expenditure

The Income and Expenditure reports for February 2022 were received and noted.

F/22/03/9              Citizen’s Advice Bureau

The Annual Review of Newmarket CAB for 2020/2021 was noted and a request for funding to be continued was considered.  The following was agreed:

F/22/03/9.01 Recommendation

To continue with the budgeted amount of £3,000 in a support grant to West Suffolk CAB in 2022/23 and to review in September with inflation being a consideration if further funding is available.

F/22/03/10        Grant

The request for a grant from Newmarket First Responders was reviewed and the following was agreed:

F/22/03/10.01 Recommendation

That the request for a grant of £500 for Newmarket First Responders be approved.

F/22/03/11          Health and Safety

The monthly health and safety report was received and noted.

F/22/03/12          Committee Meeting Schedule Review

Feedback for the workshop held on 16^th March 2022 was received.  A second meeting is scheduled for 5^th April 2022 at 6.15pm and amended papers will go out week beginning 28^th March 2022.

F/22/03/13          Standing Committee Terms of Reference

The revised Committee Terms of Reference will be considered along with the Committee Meeting Schedule Review on 5^th April.

F/22/03/14          Delegation to Officers

The Delegation to Officers will be considered along with the Committee Meeting Schedule Review on 5^th April.

F/22/03/15        Risk Management Schedule

The Risk Management Schedule will be reviewed before the next Finance and Policy Committee meeting.

F/22/03/15.01 Recommendation

That the Risk Management Schedule to be reviewed by Cllrs Hall and Harvey and the Town Clerk and presented to Finance and Policy Committee.

F/22/03/16          LGA Model Councillor Code of Conduct 2020

The new recommended LGA Code of Conduct 2020 was noted and this will be considered for adoption by NTC in due course.

F/22/03/17          Parish Alliance (Sunnica Group)

Membership of the group and a donation were considered and the following was agreed:

F/22/03/17.01 Recommendation

That a sum of £3,000 be agreed in principle; contingent on appropriate                         checks being made by the Responsible Finance Officer.

F/22/03/18       Correspondence

VR Energy Ltd – information regarding the effect of the current energy crisis was noted.

F/22/03/19          Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 19^th April 2022 at the Memorial Hall.

F/22/03/20             Items for the Next Agenda

None noted.

Meeting closed at 7.25pm

Signed by the Chairman    Date 19th April 2022