THE GRANTHAM CHARTER TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Budget Meeting held Thursday 11th January 2018 at 7pm in The Mayor’s Parlour.
Members present
Cllr Mike Cook – Chairperson
Cllr Lynda Coutts
Cllr Linda Wootten
Cllr Nikki Manterfield
Cllr Adam Stokes
Cllr Ray Wootten
Cllr Ian Selby
Cllr Jacky Smith
Cllr Frank Turner
Cllr Graham Jeal
Cllr Charmaine Morgan
Members of the Public
Tracey Davies – Grantham Journal
1. Apologies
Cllr Felicity Cunningham
Cllr Helen Goral
Cllr Dean Ward
2. Minutes of AGM 17th January 2017
True record of the meeting proposed by Adam Stokes
Seconded by Ray Wootten
3. Matters Arising
Item 9 AOB – the Belvoir Hunt
Cllr Ray Wootten was pleased we welcomed the Hunt and it was a success
Two items of correspondence received by the Mayor, both congratulatory; one from Lady Sarah McCorquodale and a further 2 emails complimenting us on how well the Hunt was received.
Cllr Graham Jeal joined the meeting
There had been a discussion regarding the suspension of the Hunt Meet, however it was decided to continue the tradition for this year.
Voted – accepted with 1 abstention.
4. Election of Mayor 2018/19
Cllr Jacky Smith nominated Cllr Lynda Coutts, seconded by Cllr Frank Turner
Voted – Cllr Lynda Coutts elected Mayor 2018/19
5. Election of Deputy Mayor 2018/19
Cllr Ray Wootten nominated Cllr Niki Manterfield, seconded by Cllr Adam Stokes
Voted – Cllr Niki Manterfield elected Deputy Mayor 2018/19
Cllr Charmaine Morgan joined the meeting.
5a. Accounts
Discussion regarding the availability of accounts, currently published every 3 months. Incoming Mayor to decide as to how she will present them.
Telephone and Broadband expenses explained – changed from BT to Kinex.
6. Adoption of Precept
Incoming Mayor to set Precept rather than the outgoing Mayor
Cllr Adam Stokes gave projected figures for the 2018/19.
Discussion regarding the Precept.
Precept 2018/19 Precept 2017/18
Salaries – £23, 460 £23,000
Hospitality – £3,200 £3,000
Car – £3,500 £2,500
Public Liability – £3,000 £3,300
Telephone – £750 £750
Postage – £750 £750
Allowances – £3,600 £3,600
Alarm – £330 £350
Audit – £500 £500
Regalia – £375 £500
Association – £150 £150
Rent – £5,700 £5,700
Sundries – £685 £500
Total £46,000 Total £44,850
Precept of £46,000 proposed by Cllr Jacky Smith, seconded by Cllr Frank Turner.
Voted – precept requested for £46,000
6. Any Other Business
Cllr Charmaine Morgan gave an update regarding Grantham Hospital.
Discussion regarding the Clerks hours of working and duties.
Cllr Ray Wootten asked as to where his Consort badge was. Explanation given that is being looked at and will be ordered soon.
Cllr Graham Jeal suggested a further meeting be held to discuss the proposals of a Town Council and other bodies.
The meeting closed at 8.09pm
DeepingDo - The blog of Ashley Baxter, Independent Councillor and founder member of the Deepings Rebel Alliance! 
The figure of £3000 in the expenses, is that for public liability insurance ? If so I would very much like to see if it was used for the Boxing Day ‘event’ in Grantham and indeed was it correct and fit for pupose. How would I go about looking at that Ashley ?
The Clerk to the Trustees would have the detail and because it is public money it would be reasonable for residents to ask questions about how it is spent. I think it would be difficult seperate out the additional cost (if any) of the Boxing Day event. I would guess the insurance also covers equipment, regalia, staff, etc. Market Deeping Town Council’s insurance cost is slightly higher but in the same ball-park. They would seem to have far more staff and assets but obviously a different postcode so it wouldn’t be a like-for-like comparison.
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