Finance Committee
Oversees the council’s budget and spend and makes decisions on grant applications.
Macclesfield Town Council
Finance Committee Agenda 16th September 2019
Agenda for the meeting on 16th September 2019 at 7.00pm at Macclesfield Town Hall.
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Declarations of Interest
The meeting will be adjourned to allow for public comments and questions. The meeting will then be reconvened.
3. Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance Committee on 8th July 2019
Action: To approve the minutes as a true record of the meeting
4. Matters Arising From the Minutes
Action: To consider any matters arising from the minutes
5. Grant Applications
Action: To consider submitted grant applications
5.1 Artspace – Event – £250
5.2 Core – Refurbishment Works – £2,000
5.3 Crucial Crew – Child Safety Event – £2,000
5.4 Macclesfield Library – Reader Engagement Event – £250
5.5 Sparkallot – Site Works – £1,450
5.6 Swifts Over Macclesfield – Nest Boxes – £250
6. Grant Updates
Action: To note the received grant updates
6.1 Core
6.2 Friends for Leisure
6.3 Sparkallot
7. Spend to Date
Action: To approve the spend to date of £94,833.21 for recommendation to Council
8. 2020/21 Budget Setting
Action: To note the draft budget amended by the Services Committee and inform the budget Setting process of proposed draft changes
9. Member Items
None
10. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The date of the next meeting of the Finance Committee is 7pm, 25th November 2019 at Macclesfield Town Hall
Macclesfield Town Council
Finance Committee Minutes 16th September 2019
Minutes for the meeting on 16th September 2019 at 7.00pm at Macclesfield Town Hall.
In attendance:
- Cllr Fiona Wilson
- Cllr Liz Braithwaite
- Cllr Alift Harewood MBE
- Cllr Neil Puttick
- Cllr Chris Wilcock
1. Apologies for Absence
Cllr Lloyd Roberts
2. Declarations of Interest
The meeting was adjourned to allow for public comments and questions.
Mr Ray Evans spoke on behalf of Agenda Item 5.6, explaining that swift numbers are in decline due to reducing food and nesting sites. The project has so far installed around 50 nest boxes and seeks to build on this and encourage sustainable nesting communities of swifts in Macclesfield.
Members asked Mr Evans questions for clarification and further details of the project. Mr Evans was thanked for his time and information.
The meeting was then reconvened.
3. Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance Committee on 8th July 2019
RESOLVED: That the minutes are approved as a true record of the meeting.
4. Matters Arising From the Minutes
Cllr Wilson – Attended Circus Starr and commended the event, the work of the organisation.
Cllr Wilcock – Reflected Cllr Wilson’s comments and described the event as a joy and fantastic.
Cllr Puttick – met with representatives of the East Cheshire Hospice event that the council recently grant funded.
5. Grant Applications
5.1 Artspace – Event – £250
RESOLVED: That the grant of £250 is awarded
5.2 CORE – Refurbishment Works – £2,000
RESOLVED: That the application is deferred and that the applicant is asked to provide more details relating to the other funders and potential sources of funding. Evidence of match funding would also be required
5.3 Crucial Crew – Child Safety Event – £2,000
RESOLVED: That the grant of £2,000 is approved, subject to standard conditions and:
- Evidence of match funding
- A report on which schools took part in the event as well as numbers of pupils attending
5.4 Macclesfield Library – Reader Engagement Event – £250
RESOLVED: That the grant of £250 is awarded
5.5 Sparkallot – Site Works – £1,450
RESOLVED: That the grant application is declined
It was discussed that the committee did not support the felling of the trees; that the applicant has received significant funding for similar projects in the past.
5.6 Swifts Over Macclesfield – Nest Boxes – £250
RESOLVED: That the grant of £250 is approved
6. Grant Updates
6.1 CORE
Noted
6.2 Friends for Leisure
Noted
6.3 Sparkallot
Noted
7. Spend to Date
RESOLVED: That the spend of 94,833.21 is approved for recommendation to Council
8. 2020/21 Budget Setting
Members discussed the draft budget (version 5) at length. Actions agreed to progress the budget setting process:
- Seek that the Services Committee reviews the proposed budget for Tourism Promotion
- To remove the budgeted amount of £40,000 for Macclesfield Community Investment Projects
- To draw £100,000 from capital reserves to mitigate the impact of budget changes on precept
- To rename the budget line Silk Friendship as Chinese New Year as this more accurately reflects the use of that budgeted figure.
Amendments ii, iii & iv were made and the updated draft budget (version 6) is to be circulated to all members.
9. Member Items
None
10. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The date of the next meeting of the Finance Committee is 7pm, 25th November 2019 at Macclesfield Town Hall
Meeting closed at 8.38pm
Chair Cllr Neil Puttick
Clerk Pete Turner