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RESOURCES / PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
MONDAY 11TH APRIL 2011
Present:- Cllr A. Maycock (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr M. Blake, Cllr J. Hart, Cllr D. Linney,
Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr A. Wardle, Cllr D. Yates
1. Apologies for Absence
Cllr D. Bain, Cllr G. Barbour, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr C. Lofts
2. Declarations of Interest
None
3. Open to the Public
No members of the public were present.
4. PLANNING
a) Decisions
No decisions had been received.
b) Amendments
No amended applications had been received.
c) Applications
No observations with respect to:-
S/2011/0319/FUL 2 Clark Crescent, Towcester
New boundary wall
S/2011/0397/LBC Towcester Museum, White Horse Yard, Towcester
Alterations to S/2008/0640/LB to create first floor
S/2011/0394/FUL 38 Hesketh Crescent, Towcester
2 storey side extension
5. Audit Commission
a) Notification of Annual Audit Year Ended 31/3/2011
Correspondence from BDO details the timetable for the Town Council Annual Audit for the Year Ended 31st March 2011:-
The notice of Audit must be displayed from 16th to 29th May 2011
The TC financial records for year ended 31st March 2011 must be made available from 31st May to 21st June 2011
b) Annual Return for Year Ended 31/03/2011
The TC Annual Return for the Year Ended 31st March 2011 must be completed by 30th June 2011 and returned to BDO with supporting documentation by 1st July 2011.
6. Membership Subscriptions for 2011/2012
a) N.C.A.L.C. Membership & Internal Audit Service
Correspondence from N.C.A.L.C. details its subscription and Internal Audit Service fees for the 2011/2012 financial year:-
N.C.A.L.C. Membership Subscription £1402.79
Internal Audit Service £350.76
Total £1753.55
The Clerk confirmed the increase equates to 3% on last year’s fees. Cllr Allen opposed this increase at the N.C.A.L.C. AGM but was outvoted. The association advised that a reduction in its funding has necessitated this increase.
Proposal
Cllr Stanger proposed the TC continues it N.C.A.L.C. Membership Subscription and Internal Audit Service for the 2011/2012 financial year;
seconded by Cllr Blake, 8 votes in favour; 1 abstention
b) ASHTAV
Correspondence from ASHTAV (Association of Historic Towns & Villages) confirms its subscription fee for the 2011/2012 financial remains unchanged at £35.00.
Proposal
Cllr Wardle proposed the TC confinues ifs ASHTAV subscription for the 2011/2012 financial year;
seconded by Cllr Blake; all in favour
8. Northamptonshire County Council – Public Sector Pension Scheme
a) Pension Fund 2010 – Final Valuation Report
The Clerk confirmed that the Final Valuation Report is a 45 page document. She referred to the Executive Summary:-
‘The results show that the Fund had not met its objective of holding sufficient assets to meet the estimated current cost of past service benefits at 31st March 2010. The funding level has fallen from 76% at the previous valuation at 31st March 2007 to 73% at this valuation. This has resulted in the deficit increasing from £341m at 31st March 2007 to £445m at 31st March 2010.
The deterioration of the funding position reflects the adverse conditions which the Fund has had to contend with since the previous valuation. In particular, investment returns for the three years to 31st March 2010 were significantly poorer than anticipated.’
b) Employer Contribution Rates
The Clerk confirmed that the employer contribution rate will increase on 1st April 2011 from 18.9% to 20.3%. Employee contribution rates will remain at their current level of 6.8% and 6.5% respectively for the Clerk and Clerk’s Assistant but will rise by 1% each year from 1st April 2012 to 1st April 2014 inclusive.
c) Lord Hutton’s Recommendations for the Independent Public Service Pension Commission
The Clerk confirmed she would email the report to anyone interested in reading the document in full. Lord Hutton has made 27 recommendations which Central Government has indicated it will implement. In summary, the outcome for those in the public sector pension scheme is that they can expect to work longer, pay more and receive less.
8. Natwest Bank
The Clerk referred to correspondence from Natwest Bank concerning the TC Business Account 07808798. It states that the TC negotiated fee of nil per quarter will rise to £50.00 per quarter with effect from 4th June 2011. This fee covers all day to day banking transactions. The Clerk confirmed that she has not had an opportunity to meet with the bank on this issue but will arrange a meeting and report back.
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