Approved F, L, H & S Meeting Minutes – 06.08.25  

S.P.C LogoSHENSTONE PARISH COUNCIL
Serving Little Aston, Shenstone, Stonnall, Shenstone Wood End, Lynn, Parish Council Office 25C Main Street
Shenstone WS14 OLZ
Tel: 01543 481 947
e-mail: <admin@shenstonepc.pcwpreview.co.uk >
web: www.shenstone-staffs.gov.uk

Approved minutes of Finance, Legal, Health & Safety Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 6th Aug 2025 at 10.00am at Shenstone Parish Office

  1. Register of Members in attendance:

Cllr Gail Nicholls (Chair), Cllr David Salter, Cllr Lesley Edgley, Cllr Simon Fisher, Cllr Phil Whitehouse, Cllr Alan Pugh.

2 Acceptance of apologies. Cllr David Salter.

3 Public Participation.

Members of the public are invited to address Council for a maximum of 15 minutes. None

4 Declarations of interest. Members should consider whether they should partake in any discussion or vote on matters on the agenda unless they have a dispensation:

None

5 To accept and confirm minutes of the last Finance, Legal, Health & Safety Committee meeting on Tues March 25th.

Duly accepted & signed.

Cllr Fisher gave an update on a meeting of the Little Aston Village Hall Committee. He stated that it was a very positive meeting and Mr Richard Paxton (Chair) an excellent lead. He was concerned though that Mr Paxton is the main focal point of ethe project, and this could be a risk.

At the time the Committee were awaiting the outcome of a grant bid to the Rural Community Building Fund which has now been approved.

Cllr Whitehouse said the Committee need to be mindful of finances and should consider becoming a C.I.O.

RECOMMENDATION: Unanimous recommendation that this proposal is put to the Committee of Little Aston Village Hall.

Cllr Thompson also requested the latest report.

It was also confirmed that the £20,000 grant given earlier this year to the Little Aston Village Hall was part of Little Aston’s CIL funding.

6. To elect Chair of Finance, Legal, Health & Safety Committee.

Cllr Nicholls was proposed by Cllr Edgley & seconded by Cllr Thompson. RESOLUTION: unanimously elected.

Cllr Whitehouse then raised the point that all members of Council should be sent reminders of Committee meetings so they can attend if they wish. There was then a discussion re amending standing orders so that members may join a committee where there is a vacancy at any point in the year. Electing by ballot was also discussed. There was no recommendation, but the Committee felt that the procedures need looking at.

7 To accept Terms & Conditions of Finance Legal Health & Safety Committee (F,L,H&S)

Cllr Whitehouse said that there seemed very little reference to Legal or Health & Safety and this needed adding. Cllr Thompson agreed. Also, the position on the Employment Committee within F,L,H&S needs incorporating.

RECOMMENDATION: To revise draft Terms & Conditions. Cllr Nicholls to lead.

8 Finance.

Current financial position as of Weds 6th Aug 2025

Nat West current account £904.30. Nat West Business Reserve £38,725.57 Nat West Liquidity Account £85,040.93. Unity Account £99,675.88.

Transactions for approval.

Cllr Thompson raised the issue of sharing salary details specifically attributed to individuals e.g. Clerk, Lengthsman, and requested legal advice on whether these can all be disaggregated and reported as bundles i.e. “all salaries”.

RECOMMENDATION: Clerk to investigate

Cllr Whitehouse queried payments to Lengthsmen against forecast. The Clerk said that year to date figures would normally be available but due to recent work demands they are not ready. It was requested that these are available for the next meeting and that a spend against forecast report is available for every meeting. RECOMMENDATION: Clerk to action

9 Review and recommendations of the following policies:

  • Standing Orders

RECOMMENDATIONS: in red attached

  • Financial Regulations: RECOMMENDATIONS: in red attached

  • Financial Risk Register: RECOMMENDATIONS: in red attached. Also, Clerk to check implications of increasing Officials Indemnity from £10,000 to £20,000.

  • Risk Management: Cllrs Pugh & Fisher to review & make recommendations to Sept Finance Committee.

  • Risk Assessment: RECOMMENDATIONS: in red attached

  • Publication Scheme: awaiting legal advice.

  • Grant policy: Cllr Pugh revising & make recommendations to Sept Finance Committee.

  • Co-Option policy & procedures: Cllr Pugh revising & make recommendations to Sept Finance Committee.

10 Consideration of Local Government Pay Award for Scale 32 from £41,511 to £42,839.00.

RECOMMENDATION: In line with statutory guidance from NALC the instruction to change Scale 32 from £41,511 to £42,839.00 was accepted.

11 Next meeting of Finance, Legal, Health & Safety Committee Tues Sept 23rd 2025 at 5.30pm Shenstone Parish Office.