Minutes of the Finance Meeting
       held on Monday 18 January 1999 at 7:00pm in the Bowls Pavilion


Present:   RT Summerfield (chair)   JE Coston   RJ Farrington
           PK Oldham   J Sandford   HM Smith   RLE Waters
           and the clerk

       1.  Apologies for absence  - none

18/99  2.  Minutes
           Minutes of the meeting of 19 October 1998 were confirmed
           and signed as a true record.

       3.  Matters Arising

19/99      Audit
(497/98)   Certificate of audit already received (see min 4/99).

20/99  4.  Bank Statements
           All bank statements were reconciled by the chairman.

21/99  5.  Debtors
           There were no debtors.

22/99 6.   Review of Insurances
           Noted that the war memorial was valued at £10,000.  As the
           risk was considered negligible it was proposed JS
           seconded RLEW and unanimously
           RESOLVED to self insure the war memorial using reserves.

           Noted that Public Liability cover was 5 million and Fidelity
           Guarantee £280,000.
           Clerk:  to find out meaning of 'Officials Indemnity'.

           RESOLVED to insure cemetery gates against theft in addition
           to damage; and to insure Queensway bus shelters for replacement
           and installation but to self insure brick bus shelters.

           Play committee to review insurances for play equipment.
           The issue of a fireproof box for important documents was
           discussed.

23/99  6.  Review of Budget and year to Date Actuals
           Noted that 'youth' invoices had not been received and that
           Section 137 Community Care would be over budget by approximately
           £650 by the end of the year.

24/99  7.  1998/99 Projected Expenditure
           Projected expenditure amounted to £77,720.

25/99 8.   Expenditure Review 1999/2000
           Expected income and expenditure for 1999/2000 was reviewed.
           RESOLVED that the £2595 AWA compensation should be spent on
           improvements to The Sycamores Recreation Ground (see min 2/99).

           Noted that the clerk had worked 991 hours during the year -
           approximately 20 hours per week. It was agreed to put an extra
           £1000 into the budget for clerk's salary.

           New projects included cemetery seat, bins (in 1998/99) and
           community transport. JEC proposed that money be set aside for
           a new photocopier.

           Noted that Free Resource amounted to £11074 (in 1998/99 almost
           £8000 would be spent on Section 137).

           Estimated expenditure  £76550
           Estimated income       £13950
           Difference             £62600

26/99  9.  Precept 1999/2000
           It was proposed RJF seconded JEC and unanimously
           RESOLVED to recommend that Council precept for £62000.


The meeting ended at 8.30pm