Agenda and minutes

The Chairman informed those present of the actions required in the event of a fire or emergency.

a.  To receive any declarations from Members of any registerable (5A of the Code of Conduct) and/or non-registerable (5B) interests in matters to be considered at this meeting.

b.  The Town Clerk to receive written requests for dispensations prior to the start of the meeting for consideration.

a.  To receive any declarations from Members of any registerable (5A of the Code of Conduct) and/or non-registerable (5B) interests in matters to be considered at this meeting.

None.

b.  The Town Clerk to receive written requests for dispensations prior to the start of the meeting for consideration.

None.

Please note: Any member of the public requiring to put a question to the Town Council must do so by 12 noon the day before the meeting.

None.

Please see a copy of the minutes on the STC website or request to see a copy at the Guildhall.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor P Samuels  and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Extraordinary Policy and Finance Committee held on 31^st October 2023 were confirmed as a true and correct record.

It was RESOLVED to note.

It was RESOLVED to note.

The Finance Officer informed Members on the report received and contained within the circulated reports pack.

It was RESOLVED to note.

The Finance Officer informed Members on the report received and contained within the circulated reports pack.

It was RESOLVED to note the report and increase in the Lloyds Fixed Term Deposit account from 3.5% to 3.6% for 12 months, since the last Policy and Finance Committee meeting.

It was RESOLVED to note.

The Finance Officer informed Members on the report received and contained within the circulated reports pack.

It was RESOLVED to note the budget statements and that the Joint Burial Board Committee agreed at their last meeting to vire sufficient funds against budget code 6170 EMF Repairs to Cemetery Wall to bring the budget code back within spend.

The Finance Officer informed Members on the report received and contained within the circulated reports pack.

It was RESOLVED to note.

Nothing to report.

Nothing to report.

It was RESOLVED to note the Interim Internal Audit Report year ended 31^st March 2024.

The Chairman presented the options for the Town Council Precept for the year 2024/25 to Members.

Members discussed the available options.

Councillor P Samuels requested a recorded vote be taken.

It was proposed by Councillor Bickford, seconded by Councillor Peggs and following a recorded vote of 9 for, it was resolved to RECOMMEND to Full Council to be held on 7^th December 2023 Option 2a as attached.

The Finance Officer advised Members that Cornwall Council had not yet set the library fees and charges for the year 2024/25. Saltash Library charges have to be the same as Cornwall Council.

It was proposed by Councillor Dent, seconded by Councillor Lennox-Boyd and resolved to RECOMMEND to Full Council to be held on 7^th December 2023 the Town Council Fees and Charges for the year 2024/25 as attached and delegated authority to the Finance Officer to amend the Library fees only should Cornwall Council make further amendments in the year 2024/25.

The Town Clerk briefed Members on the recommended Budgets, Virements and Nominal Codes for the year 2024/25 that form part of the Precept.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Foster and resolved to RECOMMEND to Full Council to be held on 7^th December 2023:

1.   The Town Council Budgets for the year 2024/25 as attached;

2.   The Town Council Virements for the year 2024/25 as attached;

3.   The Town Council Nominal Codes for the year 2024/25 as attached.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Stoyel and resolved to RECOMMEND to Full Council to be held on 7^th December 2023:

1.   To reduce the Town Council level of contingency from 5.37 months to 5.06 months for the year 2024/25;

2.   To set the Town Council level of contingency at 5.06 months for the year 2024/25 as attached;

3.   A contingency figure of  £584,870 for the year 2024/25 as attached.

Councillor B Samuels requested a recorded vote be taken.

It was proposed by Councillor Bickford, seconded by Councillor Lennox-Boyd and following a recorded vote of  9 for, resolved to RECOMMEND to Full Council to be held on 7^th December 2023 to set the Town Council Precept for the year 2024/25 as follows:

1.   A planned budget Precept of £1,388,217, an increase of 6.15%;

2.   £248.58 per annum for a Band D dwelling, an increase of 22p per week, 4.81%.

The Town Clerk informed Members that in future years an item is to be placed on the Full Town Council agenda around June time for Members to give a guide on how they see the precept level for the following year. This will aid Officers in the planning of the precept budgets to be presented to Saltash Town Council.

Members discussed the options for presenting and distributing the Town Council Precept information leaflet for the year 2024/25.

During the discussion and prior to the vote, Councillor Foster gave his apologies and left the meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor Peggs, seconded by Councillor Mortimore and RESOLVED:

1.   To obtain a quote for a double page centre spread in the Observer reporting back to the meeting of the Policy and Finance Committee to be held on 9^th January 2024;

2.   For precept information leaflets to be printed in house and made available in the Guildhall, Library and for the relevant Meet Your Councillor sessions;

3.   For digital copies of the precept information leaflet to be promoted on Social Media at a cost of £60 allocated to budget code 6301 Stationery/Postage/Printing;

4.   To make the precept information leaflet available on the Town Council website and noticeboards;

5.   For Members to further review the design and content of the precept information leaflet at the meeting of the Policy and Finance Committee to be held on 9^th January 2024.

Councillor Martin left the meeting.

Councillor Martin returned to the meeting.

a.  Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Nothing to report.

b.  Saltash Team for Youth

Councillor Peggs informed Members on the report received and contained within the circulated reports pack.

It was RESOLVED to note.

c.   Section 106 Panel

Nothing to report.

To resolve that pursuant to Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to meetings) Act 1960 the public and press leave the meeting because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

To resolve that pursuant to Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the public and press leave the meeting because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

None.

To resolve that the public and press be re-admitted to the meeting.

To resolve that the public and press be re-admitted to the meeting.

None.

Nothing to report.