MINUTES OF A MEETING OF CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2026 IN THE PARISH COUNCIL OFFICES
THOSE ATTENDING:
Cllr H Allsopp (Chairman)
Cllr K Burn
Cllr D FitzGerald
Cllr G Huntley
Cllr M Jackson
Cllr J Rowell
Cllr L Watson
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs A Brindley Parish Clerk/Responsible. Mr R Delap Operations Manager, Finance Officer, Mr D Iley AO/FO
AGENDA PART 1
F028/25 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
No apologies had been received
F029/25 2. MEMBERS DECLARATION OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND
OTHER REGISTERABLE INTEREST(S).
No declarations were made.
F030/25 3. PUBLIC QUESTIONS
No questions had been received from the public
F031/25 4. TO RECEIVE AND AGREE AS A TRUE RECORD THE MINUTES
OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8 OCTOBER 2025
The minutes were agreed, and the Chairman was approved to sign them as correct
F032/25 5. MATTERS ARISING
The Parish Clerk advised that the external audit report had now been received with no matters to report.
F033/25 6. MEMBERS AUDIT SCHEDULE OCTOBER TO MARCH.
RESOLVED: Cllr Rowell,Cllr Allsopp and Cllr Watson to audit the financial transactions.
F034/25 7. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE TO THE END OF THE FINANCIAL
QUARTER.
The Finance Officer reported on expenditure and income undertaken to the end of February. Members were given explanations for exceptional variances.
RESOLVED: Members noted the explanations and thanked the RFO for the report.
F035/25 8. BANK RECONCILIATION
The Finance Officer presented the bank reconciliation for February and the meeting authorised the Chairman of the Council to sign it.
F036/25 9. REPORT FROM GYM EQUIPMENT WORKING GROUP. Due to the confidential nature of the discussion Members resolved to discuss this item in Agenda Part 2
F037/25 10. STREET FURNITURE. Due to the confidential nature of the discussion Members resolved to discuss this item in Agenda Part 2
AGENDA – PART 2.
Members considered under Standing Order 3, that in view of the special and confidential nature of the business to be transacted, it was advisable in the public interest that the press and public be excluded and asked to withdraw.
FO38/25 11. REPORT FROM GYM EQUIPMENT WORKING GROUP. Members accepted the recommendation from the working group and resolved to fund option 6.
F039/25 12. STREET FURNITURE.
- Approved the procurement of 10 x Cast Iron seats in the Choppington green from Broxap and the associated costs for installation by a preferred supplier.
- Deferred the decision for the supplier of the barrier at Liddells field as still awaiting final quotations.
- Installation costs for seats and large bins (purchase approved at Parish Council meeting 11 March 2026) were agreed as maximum estimations at individual sites posed different challenges.
F040/25 13. Grants
- Approved grant to Choppington Allotments of £300 for skip hire.
- Approved donation £15.00 to North East War Memorials Project towards website costs.
Signed by the Chairman: ……………………………………………. Date: …………………..
| Income and Expenditure by Budget April – February 2026 |
| Income | Budget £ | Actual £ | Variance | % Remaining | Estimate to year end £ | |
| Precept | 462,435 | 462,435 | 0 | 0.0% | 462,435 | actual |
| Partnership | 3,900 | 2,895 | 1,005 | 25.8% | 3,567 | estimate 1. |
| Interest | 12,000 | 12,251 | -251 | -2.1% | 13,665 | estimate |
| Misc Income | 0 | 3,300 | -3,300 | 0 | 3,300 | estimate 2. |
| Neighbourhood plan | 6000.00 | 0 | 6000.00 | 100% | 0 | actual 3. |
| transfer from earmarked balances | 19256.00 | |||||
| Total | 484,335 | 480,881 | 3,454 | 482967 | ||
| Expenditure | ||||||
| Staffing costs | 218,405 | 185,419 | 32,986 | 15.1% | 202,932 | estimate |
| Office Costs | 17,472 | 18,871 | -1,399 | -8.0% | 20618 | estimate 4. |
| Members Costs | 8,078 | 1,928 | 6,150 | 76.1% | 1928 | estimate 5. |
| Fees And Charges | 17,642 | 13,430 | 4,212 | 23.9% | 14480 | estimate |
| Contingencies/mis exp | 8,500 | 251 | 8,249 | 97.0% | 100 | estimate |
| Contracts | 4,750 | 4,357 | 393 | 8.3% | 4357 | actual |
| Local Service Delivery | 77,700 | 75,258 | 2,442 | 3.1% | 75,258 | actual |
| Allotment Expenses | 1,400 | 1,256 | 144 | 10.3% | 1,256 | estimate |
| Community Services | 4,298 | 2,490 | 1,808 | 42.1% | 2571 | estimate 6. |
| Grants and donations | 8,000 | 1,160 | 6,840 | 85.5% | 2110 | estimate 7. |
| Sport in the community | 18,050 | 14,797 | 3,253 | 18.0% | 15,897 | actual |
| Youth Provision | 11,840 | 8,428 | 3,412 | 28.8% | 9,505 | estimate |
| EMB | 107,456 | 55,863 | 51,593 | 107,456 | actual 8. | |
| transfer earmarked balances | -19,256 | 19,256 | ||||
| Total Expenditure | 484,335 | 383,508 | 100,827 | 458,468 |
| Notes | |||
| Note 1 Allotments – 5 vacant, all payments made, those paid in cash still to bank Note 2 includes £2870 recharge staff Note 3 Neighbourhood plan – income remains in budget although we know that this will not be received Note 4 Increase in office rent not reflected in budget Note 5 Budgeted for expenses that are not being claimed Note 6 Budget includes parish news print and distribution Note 7 Includes budget for Neighbourhood plan grant £6K Note 8 Underspend moves to Repair and Replacement EMB | |||