November 2024

MINUTES OF THE FRISKNEY PARISH COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD AT FRISKNEY VILLAGE HALL
ON WEDNESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2024 AT 6.30PM

FCM24010 - PRESENT
Councillors:  K Smith (Chair)
                     M Hill (Vice Chair)
                     W Downing
                     P Holland
                     S Holt
                     D Patrick (Part)
                     D Reeves
                     R Scott
                     K Wickham
                     R Wood

Attendees:    W Trigg – Clerk

FCM24011 - APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Shaw and Cllr Twigg.

FCM24012 - CHAIRPERSON’S REMARKS
Nothing to report.

FCM24013 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Smith in respect of the budget payment for Witham Fourth IDB and Cllr Smith, Cllr Holland, Cllr Wood and Cllr Holt in respect of the budget for allotment rents.

FCM24014 - 2025/26 BUDGET
The Clerk had drafted the 2025/26 budget and it was discussed by line detail.  Any amendments to the approved 2024/25 costs are listed below.

Allotments – Drainage costs increased by 10% as recommended by Cllr Smith.

Wages/Contractor Fees – The Parish Clerk wages were increased in line with the NALC pay scales.  The Litter Warden and Cemetery Caretaker wages were increased in line with the national minimum wage.

(Cllr Patrick joined the meeting)

Cemetery – Water rates were increased by 5%.  £6,000 was retained to cover spraying, topping, initial landscaping of the cemetery extension and gravel for the ashes plots plus the waste recycling charges which were increased by 5%.

Grass Cutting – A 5% increase was incorporated and it was noted that to date only 19 cuts had been carried out.

Play Area – A provision of £3,500 was made for maintenance which includes the potential wet pour replacement with grass.  The Annual Inspection cost was increased by 4%.

Administration – Insurance fees were increased by 10% to cover the additional cost of insuring the Church wall and gate.  An increase in the Precept to £19,000 is to be requested.  Training/travel costs increased to £250 to allow for an ICCM course.  The car park rent was increased to £155 and £2,500 allocated for tarmac repairs and line marking.

Village Signs - £4,000 allocated for potential purchase of speed deterrents on Church Road and Eaudyke Road.

The final budget of £24,161.68 incorporating all the above was resolved for acceptance having been proposed by Cllr Patrick and seconded by Cllr Hill.

FCM24015 - DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next Parish Council Finance Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 18th June 2025 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall.  There being no further business, the meeting closed at 7:25pm.