The Approved Minutes can be read below or downloaded here: MN_2023 January 27 EM DPC Approved Minutes
APPROVED Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Dittisham Parish Council held in Dittisham Village Hall on Friday 27 January 2023 at 10 am
Present: Cllr Nightingale (Vice-Chair and meeting Chair), Bond, Hodge, Neale, and Unitt were present, as was A Thom (Clerk).
- Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Anderson and Tucker.
- To declare any personal interests or disclosable pecuniary interests in items on the agenda.
None declared.
- 2023/24 Budget and Precept
It was resolved unanimously to approve the Budget as circulated with the one change to increase Staff Costs by £2,302.20.
It was resolved unanimously to increase the Precept demand by £2,000 to £14,000.
The increase in Precept demand by £2,000 will cost each (Band D equivalent) household in the Parish £5.50 per year.
In 22/23 Dittisham was 51st in a list of 61 Town and Parish Council precepts. Most of its income comes from the village car parks which DPC owns and manages.
The initial list of projects for 23/24 required a precept of approximately £20,000 which was felt to be clearly not acceptable. The projects and all reserve requirements and allocations were reviewed. It is recommended that councils hold between three and 12 months’ worth of un-earmarked reserves. A larger council may be closer to three months, a smaller council closer to twelve months. DPC decided in 2022 to hold six months of un-earmarked reserves.
The approved budget allows for the result of the current evaluation of the Clerk’s core hours being an increase of up to two hours per week. In discussion, the suggestion that if DPC’s income is greater than that forecast the additional funds be added to the Parish Health and Safety reserve was supported. DPC will also look for grants and for cost sharing opportunities.