BARTON-ON-THE-HEATH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL on
Present: Councillors: Brigadier J F Rickett
(Chairman), Lt Col J B Henderson (Vice-Chairman), Mrs G Cathie, Mrs L Hayman-Joyce,
Mrs D Pelczynski
Clerk: Mrs H Seymour-Smith
Hon.
Treasurer: Capt J Castle RN
Internal
auditor: Mr J Shipton
Public:
Mr J Matthias, Mr D Poulsom, Mr M Hughes-Hallett, Mr
J Hayman-Joyce,
Mrs
C Henderson, District Councillor S Gray
1.
No Apologies
2.
The Minutes of
the Annual General Meeting on
3.
Accounts for FY ending
The Honorary Treasurer presented the Final Statement for 2009/10
to the Council. He pointed out that
Income had been as forecast in the budget with the exception of an additional
£75 as a prize for an Environmental Scheme.
Turning to Expenditure he pointed out that
Stratford District Council had again only refunded £223 against the claim for
£300 for grass cutting. This was the
second time this had happened and for next year an adjustment of the precept
might be required. £50 had been spent on
pest control (moles) from the nominal maintenance fund and £575 had been spent
on the Survey of the Bird Memorial for which the village had received a grant
of £250 in the previous financial year.
The money held for the village hall broadband connection had also been
repaid.
The balance of funds in hand held in the C&G
account was £1,487.14. The
reconciliation showed that £500 of this was ring fenced for any possible
election and £428.30 was held for South Warwickshire Neighbourhood Watch,
leaving £558.84 available to the Council for the new financial year. He added that a VAT reclaim of £110.41 would
be submitted later in the year, which would increase the liquid assets
available to a total of £669.25.
The Chairman felt that this was a sound state for
the finances and the accounts were approved.
3a. Annual Return
The Chairman approved this
item being added to the agenda. The
Honorary Treasurer reported that the public scrutiny period for the accounts
had ended the previous day and that the Council could approve the Annual
Return.
First he reported that the Internal Auditor had
completed his inspection and had approved the accounts. He had observed that inflation was possibly
going to increase during the year and wanted to advise the Council to consider
an inflation linked increase in the precept for 2011/12 rather than allowing
the reserves to be used to maintain a balanced budget. The Council thanked the Internal Auditor and
noted his warning on infklation.
The Honorary Treasurer then reminded the Council
that the village Capital Assests had been held at
their 2009 value for 2010 and the percentage charge included in the calculation
for the precept for maintenance (depreciation) had been reduced to 3% from 5%
to take account of the national economic situation. This would be reported to the External
Auditor and was shown on the Capital Assets Statement. The Statement was approved by the Council.
Finally the Honorary
Treasurer guided the Council through the Annual Governance Statement, which was
agreed without exception, so that the Chairman and Clerk signed the Annual
Report.
4.
Precept for 2010-2011. covered in item 3a above.
5.
Chairman’s Report
– copy attached.
6.
Council Officers Expenses - the Honorary Treasurer stated that he had
claimed £13.05 in February. The Chairman
said he had a small amount to claim and would inform the Treasurer. The Council were content that expenses were
being properly handled.
7.
Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman for 2010-2011
Brigadier
J F Rickett and Lt Col J B Henderson were duly
elected for the above posts.
8.
Appointment of Honorary Treasurer, Internal Auditor and Clerk for
2010-2011
Capt J Castle, Mr J Shipton
and Mrs H Seymour-Smith were duly appointed for the above posts respectively.
9.
Any Other Business – none.
10. Date of the next Annual
General Meeting