Finance Sub-Committee held on Monday the 13th of October 2025 at 7pm in the Council Chamber, Essington Community Centre, Hobnock Road, Essington, WV112RF.
Exclusion of the press and public: The Chairman to inform any members of the Public or Press that in view of confidential business to be transacted in items 13 & 14
on the agenda that they are excluded in accordance with the Public Bodies (admission to meetings) Act 1960 Section 1 (2).

Public and Press Participation Maximum of 15 minutes- Any Elector of the Parish of Essington may raise a question by prior request in writing to the clerk within the period of publication of the agenda and the meeting itself, on any issue relating to Official Parish Council Business as detailed in the agenda.

Public/ Press Participation- Max 15 minutes.

Present: Councillors Chris Steel, Hilary Southern, Warren Fisher, James Parker and Ken Moseley.

Also Present: Louise Tipler- Clerk and Kate Roberts- RFO

Minutes

1.) Apologies- None
2.) Declarations of Interest- James Parker declared a non-pecuniary Interest in the Schedule of Payments, Item 4 on the agenda.
3.) Approval of the Minutes of the last meeting the 15th of September 2025- Proposed by James, seconded by Ken, all in favour.
4.) Schedule of Payments – October 2025 Proposed by Hilary, seconded by Chris, all in favour, to be recommended to Full Council for ratification.
5.) Income and Expenditure report – September 2025 – Proposed by Warren, Seconded by Ken, all in favour, to be recommended to Full Council for ratification.
6.) Bank Reconciliation both Accounts – September 2025- Proposed by Chris seconded by Ken, all in favour, to be recommended to Full Council for ratification, James Parker signed the Bank Reconciliation.
7.) Swan Park- Expenditure- Total of approximately 25k
7a) Grants and Funding- an expression of interest form has been completed and submitted for UKSPF.

F041
8.) Kitchen and Archive Room- Expenditure- 15k transferred from CCTV Budget 25/26 for necessary maintenance works in the Community Centre.
8a) Quotes- 3 x Quotes were considered in line with the Council’s Financial Regulations.
9) Budget 2026/27
Suggestions for next years Budget were put forward as follows:
Increase Reserves from £40K-60K
Increase Grounds Maintenance to £2.5k
Increase Events Budget to £5k
Consider War Monument £8K
Consider SIDS Budget £10k
Consider Café Ventilation and refurb £10-15k.
10.) VAT Partial Exemption- Deferred, Stay on Agenda.
11.) Updated Pension Policy- Use existing Policy as a starting point,
additional information to be added as soon as possible.
12.) Savings Accounts- The Council resolved to recommend Redwood Bank as an account to Full Council to be ratified, Proposed by Ken, seconded by Chris, all in favour.
13.) Tenants Rent Arrears- Closed Session- Council were given an update of the current situation.
14.) Tenants Lease- Closed Session- The Council were given an update, will await further instruction from the Council’s Solicitor. An extraordinary meeting to be arranged for Wednesday the 22nd of October 2025 tbc.
15.) Date of the next meeting- the 10th of November 2025.
16.) Closure. – 20.55pm

Signed By Louise Tipler 17th of October 2025.