PAPER C

MINUTES OF RYDE TOWN COUNCIL’S FINANCE AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES COMMITTEE HELD ON TUESDAY, 20 JUNE 2023 AT 7.00PM‌

IN RYDE BAPTIST CHURCH, GEORGE STREET

Members Present: Cllr Simon Cooke, Cllr Jess Higgins, Cllr Richard May (Chair), Cllr Diana Conyers, Cllr Tom Hanley, Cllr Malcolm Ross and Cllr Jo Elliott.

Also in Attendance: Tara Bloomfield (Responsible Financial Officer), Robert Clark (Finance Assistant), Allan Bridges (Deputy Clerk) and Peter Fellows (IWC)

Members of the Public - 2

PUBLIC QUESTIONS

One member of the public asked if the council had a policy for recycling building materials as they had noticed that a lot of the wood from the skatepark demolition was being put in a skip. The Deputy Clerk explained that the majority of the wood in the skatepark was rotten (the reason for the demolition) and that he believed that Ryde Town Councils Planning Officer was in contact with the member of public and they had arranged collection of some of the salvageable wood. RTC had also advertised available good quality wood as free for collection by the public.

58/23 APOLOGIES

Apologies received from Cllr Jordan and Cllr Carter.

59/23 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR

The members were asked to nominate a vice chair for the Finance and Community Resources Committee for the upcoming year.

RESOLVED:

That Cllr Georgie Carter would be Vice Chair, and that Cllr Richard May would chair this meeting due to Cllr Carters absence.

60/23 DECLARATION OF MEMBERS INTEREST

None declared.

61/23 REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS

None requested.

62/23 MEMBERS QUESTIONS

None

63/23 MINUTES

The minutes to the previous meetings held on 25 April 2023 were reviewed.

RESOLVED:

THAT, the minutes to the meetings held on 25 April 2023 were approved as a true and accurate record and were signed off by the Chair.

64/23 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Member were asked to approve Officers to submit an “Expression of Interest” to the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) for future Heritage Development Funding.

Peter Fellows (IWC) gave a talk to members explaining that at this stage RTC would simply be telling AHF that the council is interest in being considered for funding heritage projects in Ryde. Cllr Lilley asked if he could have sight of the form before it was submitted by the deputy clerk.

RESOLVED:

THAT, officers should submit the Expression of Interest.

65/23 LIST OF PAYMENTS

The list of payments for 01/04/2023 – 31/05/2023 were presented and approved.

66/23 BANK RECONCILIATION

The bank reconciliations for the period ending 30 April 2023 and 31 May 2023 were presented and approved.

67/23 FIXED ASSET REGISTER

Members were presented with the updated Fixed Asset Register for the council as at 31 May 2023. It was agreed that the RFO and Clerk would review the older items on the register and write off any that the council no longer owned.

68/23 QUARTERLY SCRUTINY CHECK

The committee was asked to nominate a representative to conduct the quarterly scrutiny checks on the financial records.

RESOLVED:

THAT, Cllr Cooke would undertake July 23, Cllr Ross will do October 23, Cllr Elliott will do January 24 and Cllr Higgins will do March 24.

69/23 INSURANCE RENEWAL

Members were asked the following:

1. Approve a new 3-year deal for Ryde Town Council’s main insurance

2. Note the renewal cost of £12,208.72 for Ryde Marina’s 2023/24 Insurance

3. Note the renewal cost of £1,423.95 for the 2023/24 Vehicle Insurance

Cllr Hanley asked if the RFO could seek a quote to include Cyber Security.

RESOLVED:

THAT, a 3 year deal with Gallagher Insurance was approved and other items noted

70/23 INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT

The Committee were presented with the 2022-23 Internal Audit Report and asked to approve and recommend this to Full Council.

RESOLVED:

THAT, the report was approved and would be recommended to Full Council

71/23 APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITOR.

The Committee were asked to reappoint Lightatouch to undertake an interim and end of year audit for 2023/24

RESOLVED:

THAT the Lightatouch be appointed.

72/23 LOAN AGREEMENT.

Members were asked to ratify a decision of a temporary loan of up to £2,130 to the Armed Forces Day Committee whilst they await their confirmed funding to be paid from the MOD.

RESOLVED:

THAT, the decision was ratified.

73/23 DATE OF NEXT MEETING RESOLVED:

THAT the proposed next scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday 18 July 2023 in the Ryde Baptist Church, George Street, at 7pm.