Annual Parish Meeting 2021

The Finance and Policy committee has six members and has met five times this civic year. The Terms of Reference for this committee can be found at https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/council-business/committees/3?documentId=15&categoryId=2

Financial information

The total budget set for 2020-2021 was £157,189.41 of which £140,095.21 came through the precept. Forecast income from other sources was set at £17,094.20. Income from bookings at the pavilion has been particularly low this year. However, Council has received support through COVID business interruption grants to offset the cost pressure of maintaining the pavilion building throughout the periods of closure.

The ongoing pandemic has affected the budget set for 2021-2022. Projected income from elsewhere has been forecast at £10,286.40 although the total planned expenditure is set at £159,248.43. In addition, the method by which North Kesteven District Council calculates the tax base has changed so that just to maintain the precept request at exactly the same level as last year would involve an increase in the cost charged per household. The combined effect of the change in calculation, an increase in total expenditure and reduction in expected income has been an increase in the total precept request of £8,866.82. This works out at a cost per Band D property of £80.20, an increase of £6.34, 8.58%.

A full breakdown of budgets between 2019 and 2022 is attached to this report at Appendix A.

Village organisations are reminded that they can apply for grants for specific purposes to be paid in June and December each year. This year grants were awarded to village organisations totalling £2410.

All council assets have been revalued and the insurance has been adjusted accordingly.

Communication

Parish Council continues to operate social media pages and groups through Facebook. Monthly reports are made to all residents through Heathcliff View.

Website

All council documents have been transferred to a new website https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ This has been a substantial undertaking which has taken several months to achieve. The website is hosted on behalf of parish council for free by Lincolnshire County Council and should meet all requirements under the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Council vacancy

An election has been requested for one council vacancy and it is expected that this will be held in May alongside elections for Lincolnshire County Council and the Lincolnshire Police and crime Commissioner.

Training and development

Training has moved online this year and several employees and members of council have taken advantage of the available courses. These have included Employment Law, Financial Management, Funding and New Clerk’s Training

Accreditation

Parish Council is applying for accreditation for the Foundation Level of the Local Council Award Scheme. This is a peer-reviewed qualification awarded by the National Association of Local Councils. Foundation status is the first of three levels acknowledging that a town or parish council meets given standards.

Policies and Documents

The following policies and documents have been reviewed:

Reviewed at meeting of Finance and Policy committee, February 2021 to be reported to Council in March.

All policies can be found at https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/homepage/7/policies