Millom Town Council
Minutes
Finance Committee Meeting – Friday 23rd August 2024, 13:00
Held at MTC Council Offices
Present: Cllr G McGrath, Cllr S Faulkner, Cllr B Kelly, Cllr L Gager-Liebhart, Clerk Cath Jopson, and RFO/Assistant Clerk Gillian Hoyle
86/24: Apologies
Cllr E. Ormesher and Cllr J. Micklethwaite.
87/24: Declarations of Pecuniary Interest
None given
88/24: Minutes of Previous Meeting – 26th June 2024
A draft copy of the minutes had been circulated to all councillors for their perusal and amendment if required.
Actions have been dealt with.
Minutes were agreed as a true record. Proposed by Cllr Kelly and seconded by Cllr L. Gager-Liebhart.
89/24: 2024/25 Quarter 1 Budget Monitoring
The RFO had prepared and circulated a budget spreadsheet for 24/25 showing the first Quarter spending.
The RFO explained there was no out-of-budget spending, and this first quarter was £10,000 less than the first quarter in 23/24.
The RFO presented an email received from Cumberland Council after she had queried a payment we receive for a pension recharge for a former employee. This has been overcharged over the years and the council are now due a refund of £8,527.
To be noted when this is received.
90/24: Grants Received
The RFO updated the councillors of the grants received, for the ongoing Park project.
Also grants received for new benches to be replaced around the town, and benches around the lagoon, Haverigg. These have been delivered and are awaiting to be sited.
91/24: AGAR
The annual Governance and Accountability Return 2023/24 was submitted on 27/06/24. To date we have received no update.
92/24: Precept 25/26
Items to be noted before we set the next precept:
- New Website: Cllr Gager-Liebhart had received some quotes for a new website. These range between £2,000 and £4,000. She will follow up with these, as the council website needs to be updated.
- CCTV: Cllr Gager-Liebhart explained about the different quotes for updating the town centre with Wi-Fi, and in turn CCTV. These costs are between £7,700 and £12,000. There will probably be an annual service charge too. Cllr McGrath suggested we apply for a grant for the work and MTC could potentially cover the annual charges. Cllr Gager-Liebhart will follow up with these quotes.
- Extending Christmas Lights: The Clerk has received a quote to extend the lights down Wellington Street, as far as Queen Street junction. This will be £1,500 and would entail a new junction box be placed on Scoop Value. It was agreed the lights should be extended.
Action: Clerk to contact Scoop Value to ask about the box on their building.
93/24: Any Other Business
- New Regalia/Chains: The RFO showed the committee a printout of new Mayoral Chains, which will cost £600–£700. The Deputy Chains will be £250. It was agreed to follow up with new chains, and getting the current ones engraved with past Mayors’ details.
- Allotments: Cllr Faulkner had been in talks with ‘Green Hub’ about funding for spaces to grow your own. MTC have potentially got 2 spaces, in Lincoln Street and will gather more details and take this to full council at the September Meeting.
- Bus Service: MTC has not been contacted by Cumberland Authority regarding the introduction of a local bus service. We need clarification from Cumberland on their plans, before we cancel Ricky’s service. MTC would like to be included in the Bus Service Talks.
Action: Cllr Faulkner to meet with Graham Innes, Cumberland Authority, to be included in bus service talks, and gain clarification of their proposals.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 14:05pm
Signed: ………………………………… (Chair of Finance)
Dated: ………………………….
Actions
- 92/24: Clerk to contact Scoop Value to ask about the box on their building.
- 93/24: Cllr Faulkner to meet with Graham Innes, Cumberland Authority, to be included in bus service talks, and get clarification of their proposals.
