Gerrans Parish Council 

Meeting of the Finance Committee 

Tuesday 24^th May 2016 at 7.00 pm at Curgurrel Farmhouse, Portscatho

Present:

Cllrs Taffinder, Hetherington, Hatwood, and Meek ; also S Skull (clerk)

1. Apologies – None

2. Declarations of interest in items on the agenda – none

3. To consider and decide upon recommendations to full Council in respect of the following:

1. a) Financial Accounts and Annual Return for the year ended 31^st March 2016

The clerk produced for inspection the annotated annual statement of accounts and the Accounting Statements page of the 2016 Annual return. Both documents were reviewed and discussed.

Cllr Hetherington proposed (seconded by Cllr Hatwood) that the Committee recommend approval of both documents to the full Council. Unanimous. Carried.

1. b) Clerk’s Contract of Employment

The clerk produced for inspection a draft contract of employment between the Parish Council, as employer, and himself, as employee. Members read through the draft clause by clause. After discussion, and an amendment to one line regarding the allowance to be paid for using home as office (monthly figure raised from £60 to £75 per month gross),

Cllr Hatwood proposed (seconded by Cllr Taffinder) that the Committee recommend approval of the contract, with effect from April 1^st 2016, to the full Council. Unanimous. Carried.

1. c) Proposed increase in rate of pay for the grass-cutting and rubbish bin contract

The clerk presented a request from the current contractor for an overall increase of 10{c8c3b3d140ed11cb7662417ff7b2dc686ffa9c2daf0848ac14f76e68f36d0c20} in the rate of pay, bringing the rate for grass cutting to £110 for a complete Parish Cut, and to £12 per hour for emptying bins. The current rate had been unchanged since 2011.

Cllr Hetherington proposed (seconded by Cllr Hatwood) that the Committee recommend approval of the increase to the full Council. Unanimous. Carried.

1. d) Level of parking enforcement to be commissioned for 2016

The clerk reported that the previously unannounced 52{c8c3b3d140ed11cb7662417ff7b2dc686ffa9c2daf0848ac14f76e68f36d0c20} increase in the hourly rate charged for enforcement officers by Cornwall Council (CC) would have a significant impact on this year’s budget, but with the need for enforcement to begin on 1^st June he had instructed CC to go ahead with the first month, leaving the Parish Council the option to adjust the level of cover from July to October. After discussion of the above, and suggestions for alternative enforcement options that might be available, the clerk was asked to make this an agenda item for the next full Council meeting on 7^th June.

4. Any other business

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.16 pm

To download and view the Annual return and 2 other notices, click here.