Minutes of Parish Council meeting held 25 January 2023

MINUTES OF THE CHOPPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY 2023 AT STAKEFORD AND BOMARSUND WELFARE

 

THOSE ATTENDING:

 

Cllr H Allsopp

Cllr G Huntley

Cllr A Iley

Cllr P S Vaughan, Chairman

Cllr L Watson

 

 

IN ATTENDANCE:

 

Ms A Brindley, Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer, Mr D L Nicholson, Deputy Parish Clerk and Mr D Iley Finance Officer

 

 

AGENDA PART 1

 

C054/22         1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr J Foster and Cllr J Rowell (family commitment). The meeting accepted these apologies, agreeing they were proper reasons for absence.

 

C055/22         2.         DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER

REGISTERABLE PERSONAL INTEREST(S)

 

Cllr A Iley declared that he would leave the meeting should there be discussion of the staffing budget.

 

C056/22         3.         PUBLIC QUESTIONS.

 

None received.

 

C057/22         4.         TO CONSIDER AND SET THE PARISH COUNCIL BUDGET FOR

2023/4

 

4.1 Choppington Parish Council is a local community council and prepares its budget and sets its precept following community engagement including approvals by our Residents Forum. In this context our wider community have established the area’s strategic priorities and all the Parish Council’s expenditure contributes to the achievement of those objectives:

 

  1. The protection and enhancement of our local environment.
  2. The development of opportunities and services for the young and old.
  3. To support the development of community facilities throughout the Parish.

 

4.2 The meeting considered the recommendation from the budget working group held on 9 January 2023.

 

Noting the following:

 

  • Pay award contingency,
  • Cleaswell Park renovation
  • precept rise limit of 3%
  • 4-year financial plan
  • Current and forecasted inflation rate

 

 

4.3 Financial Strategy. First year of 4 year plan agreed in 2022, this is 2nd year of 4 year plan.

 

 

                               4.4 Members also took into consideration the following factors:

  1. The financial difficulties faced by households.
  2. Current inflation rate of over 10% but forecast to reduce in 2023/4
  3. Earmarked balances and contribution to financial strategy
  4. Financial precept cap set by residents.
  5. Increase in tax base of only 0.48%

 

RESOLVED: 

 

  1. Members agreed to support the direction given by the budget working group in relation to the management of resources and for the delivery of services for the period 2023/24
  2. Members agreed the finance strategy presented to Residents Forum
  3. Members agreed the budget for 2023/24 of £605,815

 

C058/22         5.         TO SET THE PARISH COUNCIL PRECEPT FOR 2023/24

 

The Parish Clerk/ Responsible Finance Officer advised that following adoption of the budget for 2023/24 that a precept for the year of £435,889 is required to support that expenditure.

 

RESOLVED: 

 

  1. Members agreed to set the precept for 2023/24 at £435,889
  2. The Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer was directed to advise Northumberland County Council of this requirement.
  3. The Parish Clerk was given delegated powers to finalise all contracts and service level agreements as directed by the adopted budget and to develop business plans for the delivery of services for 2023/24.

 

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.20

 

 

 

 

Chairman……………………………………………..                    Date………………………