ACTION

1.     Declarations of Interest

Sheila Pett declared her interest in the Post Office rent review, being a Trustee of the Post Office for the Village Society. It was deemed that Sheila could discuss the rent review since any decision would have to go to the Village Society anyway.

2.     Minutes of Last Meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 7^th October 2009 were agreed and signed by the Chairman of the Finance Committee as a true record.

3.     Matters arising

Broadmayne Charity – Darren is endeavoring to collate all the information that he can regarding this charity which dates back to the 1960’s. He will report back at the next meeting.

As agreed by the Council the Public loan would be paid off since there were no prohibitive penalties in paying this early.

There is however a small redemption fee equivalent to approximately 4 years of interest to be settled so it was agreed that this should be retrospectively covered at the Council meeting but in the meantime the loan would be repaid. On repayment of this loan we should receive the deeds for the allotment , Peter Dutton will then register the various plots of land that the Council own

DB

SP

PD

4.     Setting the Precept for 2010/11

The RFO distributed an analysis of spend for this year and for the budget for 2010/11. The income and expenditure items were discussed line by line. The RFO to send out the amended budget to attendees so that this could be reviewed before the Council meeting in December.

Archie Mackie advised that the library legal costs would be paid for by Dorset County Council.

Archie asked about whether we could capitalize the maintenance costs for the Post Office Whilst we can increase our asset value of the PO we would not affect the level of expenditure in this year.

The cost of utilities seems high and it was agreed that we would ask the Clerk to see if we could have a water meter on the assumption that would reduce the water rates

ACTION

RFO

RFO

5.     PO Rent Review

Archie Mackie informed the committee about the way the lease was set up. It is a 10 year lease with 3 opportunities for a rent review, the first of these being April 2010. ( Then April 2013 and April 2016) The lease is capped at £4,600 as requested by the current tenants. Sheila Pett asked everyone individually their view about whether and by how much they thought the rent should be increased by. After a vote it was agreed to recommend an increase of £600 to £3000 to commence April 2010. In discussing this with the tenant it should be made clear that they should maintain the interior as stipulated in the lease since at the recent PO meeting they had requested additional works some of which were inside the property. It was further noted that any rent review must be discussed with the Village Society Trustees before a final decision could be made.

SP

6.     Risk Assessment

The RFO distributed an updated version of the risk assessment document that Keith Delves had supplied in the last meeting. It was agreed that unless anyone had any objections that this document would be recommended to the Council to approve. Once approved the actions need to be monitored

All

7.     Grants

We had received 2 requests – one from the playgroup and one from the Citizens Advice Bureau. In respect of the playgroup it was felt that they should be invited to present their business plan to the Council, as had been suggested last time they requested a grant. Archie Mackie will ask them if they want to attend the next meeting to do so.

It was agreed to recommend to give the CAB £50.

ACTION

AM

8.     Correspondence

None

9.     Any Other Business

None

10.  Date of Next Meeting

6.00 PM 4^th January 2010

11.  Democratic Half Hour

No members of the public present