Issue - meetings

Due to the aftereffects of the pandemic throughout 2021/22, the Charter Trustees of Poole underspent against their approved budgets by £31,734. The underspend plus the budgeted contribution to reserves of £1,420 has been added to the opening reserves position of £85,577 to give total reserves carried forward of £118,731 as at 31 March 2022.

Matt Filmer, Responsible Financial Officer – RFO presented a report on the budget outturn for 2021-22, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The RFO explained that the figures in the report fed into the accounting section of the AGAR.  The Charter Trustees was advised that throughout 2021/22, the Charter Trustees of Poole underspent against their approved budget by £31,734.  The RFO explained that the activities of the Charter Trustees had been hampered by the pandemic. The underspend plus the budgeted contribution to reserves of £1,420 had been added to reserves. The RFO reported that the detail of the outturn was set out at Appendix A to the report.  He explained that the Charter Trustees started the year with just over £85,000 reserves with total reserves carried forward of just over £118,000 as at 31 March 2022. The Charter Trustees were advised that the level of reserves accounted for 85% of the overall precept for 2022/23 which the RFO explained was high and consideration would be given to how the reserves could be used for one-off activities but also support the budget going forward. Officers responded to questions on the detail of the outturn position.

Councillor Judes Butt referred to the previous arrangements whereby badges were presented to the past Mayor, past Deputy Mayor and past Sheriff she reported that she did not know why the provision of past Sheriff’s badges had stopped. She suggested in view of the reserves position that the arrangement of presenting a past Sheriff’s badge be reintroduced.  Councillor Judes Butt requested that a past Sheriff’s badge be offered to previous Sheriffs in Poole who had not received them. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Daniel Butt. 

Councillor Hadley asked in view of the budget position was it necessary to take such a high precept the following year. The RFO explained that the Charter Trustees had a choice similar to what was undertaken this year where some of the reserves were used to freeze the precept the same approach could be adopted for 2023/24 where reserves could be used to reduce the precept. He highlighted that this would be one-off funding so it would be necessary to consider the impact going forward. The Charter Trustees were reminded that there would be a budget workshop to address some of the issues that had been raised and the direction of travel which would aid discussions on the precepting arrangements for the next financial year.

Councillor Judes Butt reminded Charter Trustees of the purpose of her proposal relating to the past Sheriff’s badge.  The Deputy Head of Democratic Services reported that research could be undertaken on the cost of the past Sheriff’s badges and reported to the Charter Trustees. Councillor Earl supported the principle but before commitment wanted to know the cost implications.  Councillor Stribley indicated that she sympathised with the proposal whilst explaining the decision was taken to stop  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16