Finance & General Purposes Minutes

Minutes of Cherry Willingham Parish Council’s 

Finance & General Purposes Committee held on Tuesday 15th July 2025 at 10:00 in the Millennium Hall.

Chair of the Committee Cllr A Burge

Vice-Chair of the Committee Cllr M Palmer

Present Cllr A Burge - Chairman, Cllr M Palmer - Vice chair, Cllr J Robinson, Cllr R Pitchford, Cllr R Houghton, Cllr J Trahearn and Cllr S Bates.

The meeting opened at 10.03am. 

1. To note and record apologies and absences

Cllr K Mellor 

2. To record declarations of interest by any member of the council in respect of the agenda items listed below

Members declaring interests should identify the agenda item and type of interest being declared

To note dispensations given to any member of the council in respect of the agenda items listed below

None

3. To receive notes of the F&GP Committee Meeting held on the 9th April 2025 and approve as Minutes

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the F&GP Committee meeting minutes from the 9th April 2025 as a true record

4. To receive the end of year quarter summary and bank reconciliation from the RFO along with the review of variances against budget

The reports were received except the bank reconciliation which was unavailable at this meeting due to technical difficulties. Some budget headings to be amended but the general report structure was favourable. 

The overall financial position was healthy with 12% of the budget remaining after the first quarter. 

5. To receive an update on the annual audits and any actions required including the appointment of an internal auditor for 25-26 

The internal audit has now been concluded and the external audit has now been submitted and we await the conclusion of the audit in the coming months. 

Clerk to investigate alternative internal auditors and fees for committee to consider at the next finance meeting. 

6. Review and adopt the following policies to recommend to Full Council:

   1. Investment Strategy

RESOLVED unanimously to recommend that the Full Council adopt the Investment Strategy  

7. To receive an update on the transition to Scribe accounting software

The RFO reported a couple of teething problems but that they are generally happy with the software and the time saving it offers with the reports. 

8. To consider any changes applications from village groups for Grant Aid from CWPC

None received. Clerk to advertise the grant funding available. 

9. TO RESOLVE TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960 DUE TO THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE BUSINESS TO BE DISCUSSED IN RELATION TO THE FOLLOWING MATTERS: 

RESOLVED unanimously to move into closed session. 

1. To receive the payroll report

The report was received and showed that the salary budget is underspent in the first quarter. 

10. Matters to report for inclusion in the next agenda.

gov.uk domain

Internal Auditor for 25-26

External Audit update 

First look at the budget for 26-27 

Next meeting is on the 21st October 

Meeting closed 10.49am

____________________________________ _________

Signed - Cllr A Burge Date