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The Charter Trustees for Bournemouth - Tuesday, 25th June, 2024 5.30 pm

June 25, 2024 View on council website  Watch video of meeting or read trancript
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Summary

The Charter Trustees for Bournemouth of Fife Council met on Tuesday 25 June 2024 to discuss the budget outturn report for 2023-24 and the annual governance statement and statement of accounts for the same period. The meeting also included a discussion on the use of reserves and the potential for a grant-giving scheme.

Budget Outturn Report 2023-24

Matt Filmer, the responsible financial officer, presented the Budget Outturn Report 2023-24. The Charter Trustees underspent by just over £18,000, primarily in variable areas such as mayoral events and hospitality. This underspend has been added to the total reserves, which now stand at approximately £103,000. The report detailed that 70% of the budget is fixed, with the remaining 30% being variable. The underspend was largely due to lower-than-expected costs in these variable areas.

Councillors discussed the implications of the underspend and whether it would lead to another underspend in the next year. There was a suggestion to use the reserves to support the full council budget, but it was clarified that reserves could only be used for Charter Trustee purposes.

Use of Reserves and Grant-Giving Scheme

Councillor Trent raised the possibility of introducing a grant-giving scheme similar to the one used by Poole Charter Trustees. This scheme could help fund community events and activities that support the civic traditions of the town. The discussion highlighted the need to explore the scope of such a scheme and its alignment with the Charter Trustees' regulations.

The Trustees agreed to hold a workshop to consider wider options for the use of revenue and reserves in support of community events and facilities. This workshop will also explore the potential for collaboration with neighbouring Charter Trustees and parish or town councils.

Annual Governance Statement and Statement of Accounts 2023-24

The Annual Governance Statement and Statement of Accounts 2023-24 were presented by Matt Filmer. The statement summarises the financial activities and governance arrangements for the year. One notable figure was the valuation of the fixed assets, including the regalia, which stands at £646,000 based on the latest insurance valuation.

Councillors raised questions about specific budget items, such as the increased cost of printing and photocopying, which was attributed to the production of booklets for Remembrance Sunday. It was clarified that this cost should have been allocated to the Remembrance Sunday budget line.

The Trustees approved the annual governance statement and statement of accounts, which will be published on the Charter Trustees' website and made available for public inspection.

For more details, you can refer to the printed minutes of the meeting.

Attendees

Councillor Anne Filer
Councillor Cameron Adams
Councillor Hazel Allen
Councillor Marcus Andrews
Councillor Sara Armstrong
Councillor John Beesley
Councillor David Brown
Councillor Olivia Brown
Councillor Simon Bull
Profile image for Councillor Richard Burton
Councillor Richard Burton  Liberal Democrat •  Bearwood & Merley
Councillor Brian Castle
Councillor John Challinor
Councillor Brian Chick
Councillor Bobbie Dove
Councillor Michelle Dower
Councillor Jackie Edwards
Councillor Duane Farr
Profile image for Councillor Jeff Hanna
Councillor Jeff Hanna  Liberal Democrat •  West Southbourne
Councillor Gillian Martin
Councillor Jamie Martin
Profile image for Councillor Lisa Northover
Councillor Lisa Northover  Independent •  Muscliff & Strouden Park
Councillor Karen Rampton
Councillor Chris Rigby
Councillor Joe Salmon
Councillor Kate Salmon
Councillor Tony Trent
Councillor Kieron Wilson
Councillor Gavin Wright