HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich, Essex CO12 3DS
Tel: 01255 507211
email: info@harwichtowncouncil.gov.uk
A meeting of the
FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
to be held at
The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich CO12 3DS
On
Tuesday 9th December 2025 at 7pm
Public Question Time:
15 minutes will be available for members of the Public to ask questions in relation to items on the agenda only.
AGENDA
| 1 | Apologies for absence To receive apologies for absence |
| 2 | Declarations of members’ interests To receive any ‘pecuniary’ or ‘Other/Non-Registrable’ interests relating to items on the agenda |
| 3 | Minutes of last meeting – To approve as a correct record the Minutes and Confidential Minutes of the meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee held on Tuesday 23rd September 2025 (circulated separately) |
| 4 | Matters arising from the minutes
• MIN F48/25 – To provide update on new Gas supply agreement. |
| 5 | Matters arising from previous minutes
• To confirm that a new condition report for the Hill School Site will be commissioned in late 2026. • MIN F27/25 – To report on feedback from English Heritage in relation to Handrail on the stairs to the Archives and consider revised quotations under Confidential Business. |
| 6 | Grant requests To consider requests for grant funding as listed in the attached schedule. |
| 7 | Estates Supervisor Report To give a report on the progress of current works since the last meeting. |
| 8 | Independent Review of the Accounts
To report findings following an independent review of the accounts and bank reconciliation for the periods Jul-Sep. |
| 9 | Christmas 2025 Guildhall Closure To agree dates for closure of the Guildhall and Council offices over the Christmas period. |
| 10 | SLCC membership
To consider renewal of Clerk’s membership for 2026 at a cost of £316 to be expended from the Subscriptions budget. |
| 11 | Data Audit
• To consider the data audit for Harwich Town Council. |
| 12 | Leisure Season 2026
• To consider opening dates/times for 2026 season. • To agree to proceed with recruitment of Seasonal Leisure Attendants for the 2026 season and set an hourly rate. • To consider and approve necessary repairs/purchases as presented. |
| 13 | Keyholder/Alarm Response
To consider extension of existing agreement with OakPark for a 3-year period commencing April 2026 at a cost expected to be in the region of £250 per annum plus £50 for call-outs, to be expended from the Premises budget. |
| 14 | Accounts Maintenance and Support
• To consider continuation of maintenance support agreement for RBS accounts in 2026-27 at a cost of £613 for up to 5 users. To be expended from the Website/Accounts budget. • To confirm year-end close down support is in place under the ‘Gold’ Scheme for a further 2 years, at a cost of £938. • To consider implementation of Allotments Database and Sales Ledger at a one-off installation cost of £2275, to be expended in 2025/26 from the Allotments Key Priority EMR, with ongoing cost of maintenance and support in 2026/27 of £520 to be expended from the Website/Accounts budget. |
| 15 | Budget/Precept 2026/27
• To consider and recommend to Full Council, the budget and precept for the financial year 2026/2027 • To agree to the following mid-year virements: Create: LGR EMR and credit with £12k |
| 16 | Matters to be reported
• The NJC hasn’t reached agreement on the 2026-27 pay awards, which are effective 1st April 2026. • The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) deposit protection limits increased from £85k to £120k on 1st December 2025. • To note expenditure of £24.84, authorised by delegated authority, for the purchase of 2x replacement drain covers at the Skatepark, expended from the Skatepark Rent & Maintenance budget. • To note expenditure of £8.32, authorised by delegated authority, for the purchase of a replacement gate padlock for the Hill School Site gate, expended from the Hill School Repairs & Maintenance budget. • To note expenditure of £34.97, authorised by delegated authority, for the purchase of wood restorer and associated materials, expended from the Consumables & Maintenance budget. • To note expenditure of £158.26, authorised by delegated authority, for the purchase of a new paper shredder, laminator, kitchen kettle and double switch socket, expended from the Photocopier and Office Equipment budget. • To note expenditure of £5.84, authorised by delegated authority, for the purchase of a 2x cupboard door handles, expended from the Maintenance & Consumables budget. • To note expenditure of £29.16, authorised by delegated authority, for the purchase of a new kitchen light, expended from the Maintenance & Consumables budget. • To note expenditure of £26.12, authorised by delegated authority, for the purchase of a new First Aid Kit, expended from the Health & Safety budget. • To note expenditure of £72, authorised by delegated authority, for Allotments training webinars for both the Asst. Clerk and Estate Supervisor, expended from the Training budget. |
| 17 | Matters received in the post or information raised by members Letters of thanks for grants received from:Evaluation form following grant received from: Thera East |
| 18 | Date for next meeting The date of the next meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee is scheduled for 7pm or at the rise of the Planning Committee meeting, on Tuesday 17th March 2026. |
| 19 | Exclusion of public and press Pursuant to Sub-Section 2 of Section 1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the meeting is closed to the press and public for the transaction of the under-mentioned business:
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| 20 | Salary Reviews
• To conduct a review of staff salaries |
| 21 | Handrail on the Stairs to the Archives
To consider quotations for the manufacturer and installation of metal handrail. |
Dated: 3rd December 2025 Ms Lucy Ballard
Clerk to the Council
APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT FUNDING
FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES MEETING 9th DECEMBER 2025
Applicant Name:Spring Meadow Primary SchoolContact: Danielle Cooper(Music and Performing Arts teacher) |
Purpose of Grant: To contribute towards the cost of putting on a production of ‘Disney’s Dare to Dream’ for the community.Benefits: Inclusivity and accessible to all ages and members of the community.Open to all and cost-effectiveDevelops transferable skills including teamwork, communication, time management and creativity and preparing then for future endeavours |
Total cost of project: £10569 Grant Requested: £1320Funds from other sources: £325 – Own resources£8324 – Rural England£600 – NRG Electrix |
Applicant Name:Harwich International Shanty FestivalContact: Jonathan Fitzgerald(Treasurer) |
Purpose of Grant: For the improvement of information, communications and sound technician support.Benefits: To help the festival run more smoothly with improved communication for residents and visitors who can access a wide range of high quality, free entertainment. |
Total cost of project: £30000 Grant Requested: £3000Funds from other sources: HSF £11500Nothing from any other sources |