Page 21 - Herald December 2024

OCTOBER 2024
to be used as a back-up location
To invite representatives from relevant organisations to a future meeting of the
Working Group, including but not limited to the Countesthorpe Scouts, Countesthorpe Girl Guides, Active Arts, Countesthorpe U3A, Countesthorpe WI and Countesthorpe Mother’s Union
The budget for the proposed VE Day event had been considered by the Finance Working Party, however, a recommendation regarding a total budget as well as costings for booking music remained undecided and so was referred for discussion at the full Parish Council meeting.
It was resolved to set a budget of £4000 for the event, with delegated authority being given to the Parish Council Manager to book relevant musical acts once additional information regarding fees, deposits and discounts had been confirmed.
REPORT FINANCE WORKING PARTY MEETING
The report of the Finance Working Party meeting held 7th August 2024 was received. It was resolved to approve the following recommendations and the report be adopted.
To proceed with purchasing an appropriate and cost-effective number of Parish Council plaques for planters, up to a maximum of five.
To purchase a new projector for use in meetings
of the Parish Council and its Committees and Working Parties as the existing one needed to be replaced. Costings would be obtained and checked with the chair of the Finance Working Party before being purchased
To provide the Parish Council Manager and Chairman of the Council delegated authority to authorise the order of an energy audit, currently being investigated by the Net Zero Working Group, at a cost of no more than £500
To proceed with the recommendation of the Estates Working Party to place the order with Online Playgrounds for all works detailed in the 2024/2025 play inspection reports, at a cost of £3365
To accept the quotation from Ireland & Co to carry out the 6 monthly internal audit for the financial year 2024/25, noting that they had demonstrated independence from the council’s financial decision making or relating or close associates with the Parish Council Manager, Responsible Financial Officer and Councillors
To notify the Parish Council’s insurers of the updated Library book stock value of £41,129 which had been received by Leicestershire County Council
To proceed with offering Blaby & Whetstone Football Club an annual lease renewal for the use of Willoughby Road Playing Fields at a rate increased by 3% from the previous financial year
Conclusion of Audit for the Year Ended 31st March 2024 - The External Auditor’s report and limited assurance opinion for the Year Ended 31st March 2024 was received and the comments noted.
It noted that the External Auditor had not been satisfied how the error in the minute number in the 2022/23 Annual Governance Statement and Accounting Statement had been recorded and that
THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 21
the Parish Council should have responded ‘No’ to Assertion 3. It was also noted that the External Auditor considered that insufficient information had been submitted with regard to the variances document.
It was resolved to record the error in the Annual Return for 23/24 with regard to the Minutes numbers in that the Annual Governance Statement 2023/24 minute number should read 24/25 016c and the Accounting Statement for 2023/24 should read 24/25 016d. The error would be recorded when the Parish Council considers its response to Assertion 3 of the 2024/25 Annual Governance Statement.
There were no further matters affecting the opinion of the External Auditor which drew their attention to the Parish Council. The Notice of the Conclusion of the Annual Audit has been advertised accordingly, including on the Parish Council website.
CONFIDENTIAL ITEM – CAR PARKING It was resolved for the issue of local parking enforcement to be referred to the Strategy Committee to discuss. A meeting would be scheduled to take this forward.
DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 12th September 2024 at 7.30pm.
HELP WITH TREE PLANTING
The Parish Council have been contacted by MWH Treatment who will be working in partnership with Severn Trent, to carry out the planting of trees and create animal habitats at the border of Wigston and Countesthorpe at the STW works off Leicester Road (see location plan). The are looking for any volunteers who may have an interest in the environment who
may wish to attend and join in on one of their planting sessions. They will be providing all the trees and equipment etc. They would welcome individuals or groups. If you are interested, if you would be able to contact MWH Treatment directly and they will be able to give you more information of dates, times etc. Their email contact is:- Keira.Obyrne@ mwhtreatment.com
HERALD COPY DATES 2024/2025
Issue Copy date Layout Publish Committee
16 Oct
354 14 Nov 21-22 Nov 29 Nov 11 Dec
355 16 Jan 23-24 Jan 1 Feb 12 Feb
356 13 Mar 20-21 Mar 28 Mar 9 Apr
357 15 May 22-23 May 30 May 11 June
358 17 July 24-25 July 1 Aug 13 Aug
359 18 Sept 25-26 Sept 3 Oct 15 Oct
360 13 Nov 20-21 Nov 28 Nov 10 Dec
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