10/06/2024 – Thornby Parish Annual General Meeting
Thornby Parish AGM
Date: 10th June 2024
Time: 20:30
Location: Village Hall
Attendees:
| Peter Moyes (Chair) | L Owens |
| P Gates (Treasurer) | G Goodladd |
| A Pallister (Minute taker) | J Norris |
| B Brookes | Mike Hill |
| J Sherlock | R Carr |
| R Sherlock | Amanda Day |
| M Kingston | Andy Day |
| A Bennett | S Straiton |
| G Bennett | P Straiton |
Apologies:
| Apologies: | Guest Attendees: |
| C Irving-Swift WNC | Kevin Parker WNC |
| Miss Barlow | Jonathan Swift WNC |
| M Burdett | |
| Liyu Jin | |
| R & J Musson |
1. Welcome and Apologies
The Chairman opened the AGM and summarised the process of the meeting. Apologies were noted.
2. Minutes of the AGM held 29th June 2023
The minutes of the previous AGM had been published following the meeting in June 2023. PM summarised the discussions that took place and the agenda items; minutes were checked for accuracy and it was noted that the Financial Audit Governance Statement had been duly signed. Those who had attended the AGM in 2023 agreed that the minutes were a true and accurate record. Mike Hill proposed these be signed as accurate and Andy Day seconded. The Chairman signed the minutes as a true record.
3. Finance – including Audit and Annual Governance Statement
The treasurer (PG) presented the accounts and confirmed that all was in order. No questions were submitted in relation to the accounts.
PG added that there had been a decision not to go with Eon regarding maintenance of the street lights and any issues would be dealt with on a case by case basis. Electricity costs have increased. Other expenditure related to the purchase of mugs for the Coronation. A donation of £100 had been made to South Northants Community Responders following the defibrillator training. It was also noted that the Parish will be purchasing a Bleed Kit to go with the defibrillator for £100.
Income had been received in respect of the Compass Energy incentive scheme, whereby any purchase of oil made by a Thornby resident, counted towards a scheme that gave a rebate to the Parish.
PG mentioned that there has been some discussion about potentially increasing the number of street lights in the village. AP commented that this may be appropriate for the A5199 but would not wish to increase the lighting in Naseby Road; PM confirmed that villagers would be consulted before anything went ahead.
It was noted that PG has negotiated a good rate for the Parish insurance.
PM asked the meeting for a show of hands to indicate if attendees are happy with the accounts that have been presented; there was unanimous approval and PM thanked PG for all his work as treasurer.
Audit:
In terms of governance, the Parish Meeting, with an income of below £25,000, falls below the threshold for requiring a full external audit but has to comply with the criteria on a special form covering parish meetings, the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2023/24 Form 2PM.
The internal audit is carried out by John Waller, who has kindly checked the financial accounts of the Parish Meeting as our internal auditor and has approved them as being in order. The Parish Meeting recorded thanks to John Waller.
The Parish meeting has to agree the eight statements in the document. PM read out each of the eight rules that the Parish is expected to follow in respect of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return and asked the meeting to confirm that the Parish Meeting has carried out the necessary steps to ensure full compliance with the regulations. There was a show of hands to indicate unanimous agreement that the Parish Meeting has fully complied with all eight regulatory requirements in respect of the AGAR. No issues were raised in respect of the audit process and PM duly signed the document.
PM advised that accounts can be inspected between 11 June and 22 July, should anyone wish to do so.
It was confirmed that there are two signatories on the bank account, Peter Moyes, Chairman and Paul Gates, Treasurer.
PM asked that thanks be recorded on behalf of the Parish Meeting for PG’s efforts as treasurer and for his ongoing support, in addition to all the work he does for the village.
4. Election of Officers
Chair: PM advised that the Chair and Treasurer have been in post for some years but as there have been no other volunteers, both are willing to stand for re-election. PG proposed PM’s re election as Chairman and asked for a show of hands in favour of this; PM was unanimously elected as Chairman. Rose Sherlock paid tribute to PM on behalf of the parish and thanked him for all the work he does on behalf of the village.
Treasurer: PG advised he is willing to stand as Treasurer again, unless there were any other candidates. PM proposed PG to be elected as treasurer. There was a show of hands to indicate all in favour of this appointment. PM reiterated thanks to Paul Gates for his contribution.
Minute Taker: PM noted the Parish Meeting’s thanks to AP for her work in respect of minute taking and preparation. AP has agreed to remain as minute taker until the end of 2024.
Planning Working Group: The current members of the committee, Mark Burdett, Jim Sherlock and Paul Gates will remain in role and PM recorded thanks to the group.
Traffic Working Group: PM recorded thanks to all who help with this activity, particularly Lucy Owens, Mike Kingston and Paul Gates. It was agreed this group would remain in post.
Police Liaison Officer: Mike Hill had undertaken this role but stepped down last year; PM asked if anyone would consider doing this, noting it does not involve a lot of time. Volunteers should contact PM directly.
Poors Land Trust: John Norris as Chair of the Trustees, updated on activity. The trust is celebrating its 400th anniversary, having been set up on 10 February 1624, 21 years before the battle of Naseby. The trust is such an historic entity and a piece about its history has been printed in the Village Link in this anniversary year.
Applicants must have resided in the Parish for a minimum of three years. A grant of £500 is awarded at the start of a course and a further £500 on successful completion. There is no age limit for applicants but courses must be officially recognised and grants are awarded for training and education, including vocational training.
Current trustees are John Norris, Geoff Bennett, Grant Goodladd and Alison Twigg (vicar). GB has now been added as a bank signatory and set up a new charity commission bank account online. JN thanked GB for his efforts with this.
JN asked people to encourage applications; the trust has so far this year awarded £3500 to eight individuals.
PM thanked JN for his update.
5. Any Other Business
No other business was submitted and the AGM closed at 21.16
AGM audit bleed kit chair Compass Energy coronation election electricity finance governance heating oil insurance officers planning working group police liaison officer Poors Land Trust street lights traffic working group treasurer