Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting – Thursday 8 August 2019
Members Present Cllr John Spanswick (Chair) Cllr David Aston Cllr Aniel Pucella Cllr Kay Rowlands Cllr Tyler Walsh
1 Apologies for Absence None
2 Declarations of Interest None
3 Introduction of an Apprenticeship Scheme – Financial Consideration The Clerk of the Council presented a report which detailed the finances in relation to the proposal for an apprenticeship for the Temporary Clerk. It was for the Committee to determine the financial viability of the various options for the introduction of an apprenticeship scheme within Brackla Community Council and make recommendations to the Human Resources/Personnel Committee and Full Council.
The Responsible Finance Officer (RFO) took the Committee through the finance report including the underspent and income last year, where savings had already been achieved this year and where further possible savings or income could be made this year.
Discussions were held over the need to replenish the Community Centre fund due to the fact that some of this fund had been used during 2018-19 for the two by-elections. Members also discussed the need to budget for the future general elections in 2022.
Brackla Community Council c/o Oak Tree Surgery, Whitethorn Drive, Brackla, Bridgend CF31 2PQ Tel: 01656 767072 Email: clerk@bracklacommunitycouncil.gov.uk Website: www.bracklacommunitycouncil.gov.uk
The various rates of pay for an apprenticeship were considered with the Clerk of the Council explaining that the costs in Appendix A were only examples and it was for the Council to determine what rate of pay they wished to agree. Further discussions were held over the potential risks to the budget as well as the potential savings. The subject of Christmas lights was raised with the Clerk of the Council advising that she would be having a meeting the following week regarding this which would then help inform the Council as to the future budget requirements for their precept meeting in November. It was agreed that a full and frank discussion would need to take place at the precept meeting where, if the Christmas Lights needed to be replaced next year, the precept would likely have to be increased. The RFO also advised the Committee that the budget agreed for 2019-20 included an increase to £13,300 for the election budget. This increase, if not spent, could be used to replenish the various budgets, and, for future allocation could go towards the future elections and the cost of an apprenticeship.
Resolved: The Committee made the following recommendations to the HR/Personnel Committee and Full Council: That if Full Council agree to introduce an apprenticeship scheme for the Temporary Clerk:
1. The apprenticeship be based on a 16 hour week. This was proposed by Cllr K. Rowlands and seconded by Cllr T. Walsh;
The meeting closed at 6.57pm
Signed by the Chairperson 2019/20
Cllr John Spanswick ………………………………………………..
Dated: ………………………………………………