Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee of Theydon Bois
Parish Council held at Theydon Bois Village Hall at 2.30pm on Monday 21st October
2024.
Councillors Present:
Apologies:
Officers Present:
Members of the public
Cllrs Hannibal, Amos, Blake, Gooch, Burn, and Purkiss.
None.
Mrs Julia Gale .
None
381. Apologies for Absence
None.
382. Confirmation of Minutes for the meeting held on Thursday 18th April 2024.
APPROVED.
383. Disclosure of Interests with regard to items on the Agenda
(Existence of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, or existence and nature of Other
Pecuniary Interest or a Non-Pecuniary Interest). The Council has adopted the Essex Public
Law Partnership Code of Conduct).
Cllrs Hannibal and Gooch expressed a non-pecuniary interest in item 7 on the
Agenda, as they are both members of the Golf Club.
384. Clerks Report.
The Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) reported that due to a change in policy by
Investec, the Parish Council’s Investec savings account holding the Council’s reserve funds
had been closed and the money returned to the Council. A new savings account has now
been opened with Nat West Bank paying 3% interest.
The Council’s Barclaycard account has been shut down due to being wrongly coded by
them, a new account has been opened and new cards issued. We are still awaiting delivery
of these.
385. To Review and agree new Financial Regulations, following substantial changes in
National Association of Local Council Model.
Cllr Amos noted the item regarding council members being unable to vote on precept if
they are behind with Council Tax payments. It was agreed that councillors would be asked
to confirm they are up to date before a vote.
Cllr Hannibal outlined the main items that he had changed and asked that all members
agree them.
Agreed to put before Full Council for approval.
386. To consider request from Marie Curie for donation.
Declined – as request did not meet criteria as funds were not for local use.
387. To consider grant application for £1500 from Theydon Bois Golf Club.
Cllrs Hannibal and Gooch left the room, Cllr Blake took the chair.
After a discussion it was decided that the Committee would recommend approval to the full
council with the caveat that the other monies (£4500) pledged towards the youth facilities
would need to be seen first before the grant was paid. Cllr Blake also suggested the Golf
Club should promote the youth facilities in the local press and acknowledge the
contribution from the Parish Council.
Approved.
388. Approval for the Parish Council to use direct debits to pay bills.
Cllr Clive Amos proposed the motion Cllr Gooch seconded.
Approved.
389. Approval for the Parish Council to use BACS and CHAPS.
Cllr Amos proposed the motion, Cllr Gooch Seconded.
Approved.
390. Approval for Parish Office to open a wholesale account to order Christmas market
items.
Request from Parish Office to open an account with Booker Wholesale to allow bulk
purchase of Christmas items.
Approved.
391. Public participation session with regard to items on the agenda.
None.
392. Any other Urgent business for report (without decision)
Please note that no decisions can be lawfully made under this item. The Local Government
Act 1972 sction 12 10 (2) b states that business must be specified; therefore, the Council cannot
lawfully raise matters for decision.
None.
393. Date of next meeting.
It was decided that 25th November would be date for next meeting subject to
members checking their diaries.
Cllr Hannibal closed the meeting at 3.05pm
Signed on behalf of the Committee as a true record
Councillor Mike Hannibal Chairman……………………………Dated 21st November 2024
