DRAYTON (ABINGDON)
Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance and Personnel Committee of Drayton Parish Council held on Tuesday 2nd March 2021 remotely, at 7pm.
Present: Cllrs Pat Athawes (Chairman), Shane McAleavey, Graham Webb, Tamsin Crane, Claire Woollard, and Richard Wade.
Also in attendance: Lorraine Watling (Clerk/RFO) and Chris Price (Deputy Clerk).
Public: None
| Minute No. | |
| 41/20 | Apologies for absence: None, all Cllrs were present. |
| 42/20 | (a) Declarations of Interest: None. (b) Dispensations received by the Clerk: None The Committee noted the Clerks use of delegated powers to seek legal advice from a solicitor after prior discussion with, and the approval of, the Chair. |
| 43/20 | The Minutes of the Meeting of 26th March 2021: were Approved as a true record. Proposed: Cllr Athawes Seconded: Cllr Wade Resolved (unanimous by those in attendance) |
| 44/20 | Budget Update as at 28th February 2021: The Committee noted the ‘alpha’ accounting reports detailing income and expenditure as at 28th February 2021. The anticipated expenditure until the year end was discussed and the following agreed: Actions: The Clerk will email Cllr G Schoonhoven to ask if he can recommend a laptop which can be purchased for the Deputy Clerk before Year End. The ditch on bridleway 29 would benefit from further clearance work. The Deputy Clerk will ask the contractor to spend an additional day working on this and to submit the invoice to the Clerk before the end of this financial year. |
| 45/20 | End of Year Audits: The Internal Auditor has asked when the accounts will be ready. Action: The Clerk will check the submission date for the AGAR to the External Auditor and then work backwards to give a date to the Internal Auditor. |
| 46/20 | Risk Assessments: The Pond risk assessment was discussed. Cllrs Wade and G Schoonhoven have spent a lot of time considering this. This is not straightforward, or a risk that can be assessed using the PC’s standard risk assessment forms. There is no national policy or RoSPA guidance that can be applied directly to the pond. There is never zero risk. Cllr Wade will look at a risk assessment produced by a Hampshire Parish Council for a pond and finish drafting something to bring to Council in March 2021. Actions: The Clerk will ensure that this item is added to the next agenda item. Cllr Wade will draft something for the Council to consider. |
| Reserved Business: Exclusion of the Public and Press. In view of the nature of the business to be transacted any members of the public and press were temporarily excluded from the meeting (Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s.1). | |
| 47/20 | Project Manager Vacancy: Three candidates had been interviewed. All had been good candidates, but all had submitted quotes that were higher than expected. The PC will therefore review its’ options.Cllr Wade has revised the job description in light of this. Action: This matter will be considered by full council when it meets in March. |
| 48/20 | Burial Ground Covenant: The burial covenant was discussed and an update noted. |
| 49/20 | Policy Update: One of the council’s policies that has not been looked at recently, needs to be reviewed. Action: The Clerk will draft an update for this policy. |
| The Council then went back into public session. | |
| 50/20 | Any Other Business: None. |
| The date of the next meeting. The next Finance and Personnel Committee meeting is scheduled for 27th April 2021. |
The meeting concluded at 9pm
Signed: Pat Athawes (Chairman, Finance and Personnel Committee)