4 Nov 2025 – Finance Meeting (Minutes)

GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL
Finance Committee

Minutes of meeting: Tuesday 4th November 2025
Whittle Hall Community Centre

Chair: Cllr T Williams
Present: Cllr N Catlow
Cllr P Watson
Cllr S Pennington
Cllr B Simpson

In Attendance: K Carter (Clerk)

1. To receive and approve any apologies for unavoidable absence.
All members present.

2. To approve the minutes of previous meeting 21/10/25.
The draft minutes were moved and accepted as a true record of the meeting and signed as
such.

FINANCE/2025/97: Resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21st October
2025 as a true record.

3. To receive updated 3-year budget forecast following meeting of 21.10.25
The draft budget had been updated following the discussions at the previous meeting. It
was noted that there are still some quotes outstanding; these are expected in time for a full
final budget discussion at the December Finance meeting.

4. To be informed of customer feedback on increased hire rates for community centres
No customer has asked for the hire rate to be reconsidered, but some have reduced their
hours slightly to avoid the necessity of passing on increases to their members, and others
have stated that whilst they are coping with the current increase, if there is a further one in
April, this may not be sustainable. The comments were noted and will be taken into
consideration in future discussions.

5. To confirm decision on Christmas tree installation
Following the Parish Council meeting, quotes had been obtained from Northwich Town
Council for the installation of a Christmas tree and lights at Chapelford. A decision had
been necessary by 14th October and was therefore emailed to the Finance Committee.
Unfortunately, the costs would have been at least double that of previous years which was
considered untenable. It was therefore agreed not to proceed with a tree for this year and
reconsider options for Christmas 2026 through the Community Projects Committee.

FINANCE/2025/98: Resolved not to proceed with a Christmas tree for this year because of
the high cost of installation and to reconsider options for Christmas 2026 through the
Community Projects Committee (LGA 1972 s144)

6. To scrutinise financial expenditure arising since the last meeting, including
payments by Direct Debit.
A list of payments to be made had been circulated prior to the meeting. The following
payments were considered and approved.

Presented By Description Amount, £
GSPC staff Refund for TP replacement keys 18.00

FC/2025/44 2-12-25
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL
Finance Committee

Minutes of meeting: Tuesday 4th November 2025
Whittle Hall Community Centre

Comtec Intercom cable WH 75.00
Woodend Nursery 24 Troughs refilled 662.40
Steve Mahon Repair to pipe in toilets 50.00
Customer 1 Refund for cancelled booking 90.00
Customer 2 Refund for cancelled booking 3.30
Canda Copying Office colour copies 94.80
Canda Copying Office B&W copies 130.08
Viking Office stationery & Shredder 580.41
Viking Soap re-fill – Hood Manor CC 68.29
Trade UK Masonry Drill bit, Stanley knife 23.93
Trade UK Staff PPE 57.16
B&B Hygiene Cleaning supplies 240.64
Trade UK Fixing kit for Centre repair – BB 17.77
Trade UK Centre repairs – BB 37.35
Trade UK Centre repairs – BB/HL 23.93
Trade UK Mixer tap Centre repair – TP 61.17
Cheshire Constabulary PCSO Funding July – Sept 25 11,025.00
RBL RBL Poppy appeal donation 100.00
Lally Tree Mngt Tree surveys on Council green spaces 1,464.00
Tudor Environmental Garden Spade – Grounds 39.08
Myerscough Apprentice training – Level 2 Horticulture 300.00
Amazon Business Replacement computer mouse 35.98
Premier Traffic Mngt Road Closure Remembrance Parade 1,233.90
MKM Garden at HL 460.61
GMID Repair to TP Shutters 420.00
Amazon Business Gloves – cleaning 48.99
360 Aggregates Soil – Hood Lane Garden 70.35
360 Aggregates Building materials – Hood Lane Garden 60.00
Equals card Petty cash top-up 1173.98
Total 18,666.12

FINANCE/2025/99: Resolved to authorise all payments listed (under LGA 1976 s19 or
LGA 1972 s15(5), s101, 111, 112, 133, 142 or 137).

The following direct debits on the Council’s account during September were also noted:

Novuna 01/09/2025 Electric Van Lease 456.20
BT 01/09/2025 WIFI/Telephone TP 24.78
BT 01/09/2025 WIFI/Telephone WH 263.67
WBC 01/09/2025 June Business Rates TP 235.00
WBC 01/09/2025 June Business Rates HM 147.00
WBC 01/09/2025 June Business Rates WH 156.00
WBC 01/09/2025 June Business Rates BB 125.00
Lex Autolease 01/09/2025 Council Electric Van Lease 851.98

FC/2025/45 2-12-25
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL
Finance Committee

Minutes of meeting: Tuesday 4th November 2025
Whittle Hall Community Centre

Water Plus 01/09/2025 Water charges HM 40.68
Water Plus 01/09/2025 Water charges WH 74.96
Water Plus 01/09/2025 Water charges BB 79.90
BT 08/09/2025 WIFI/Telephone HL/TP/BB/HM 385.33
Peninsula 11/09/2025 H&S Service H&S 200.93
Smart Pensions 11/09/2025 Pension payment August Wages 1287.34
Global 4 Comms 15/09/2025 Office 365/email Office 122.04
Water Plus 25/09/2025 Water charges TP 81.49
Water Plus 25/09/2025 Water charges HL 95.00
WBC 30/09/2025 July Business Rates TP 235.00
WBC 30/09/2025 July Business Rates HM 147.00
WBC 30/09/2025 July Business Rates WH 156.00
WBC 30/09/2025 July Business Rates BB 125.00
Utility Warehouse 30/09/2025 Mobile phones Office 60.89
Water Plus 30/09/2025 Water charges HM 40.68
Water Plus 30/09/2025 Water charges WH 74.96
Water Plus 30/09/2025 Water charges BB 79.90
Manual Handling 30/09/2025 Bank Charges Office 25.20
Charges
Service Fee Charge 30/09/2025 Service Charge Office 19.50
TOTAL £5591.43

7. To consider any quotes received and authorise or make recommendations to full
Council where appropriate.
a. for security access control system at Whittle Hall Community Centre. Aimed at providing
security for both customers and office staff. At least eight companies had been contacted
with only 2 responses which were similar in price. It was agreed to waive the 3-quote
regulation because of the difficulty in obtaining more quotes, and the lower quote accepted.

FINANCE/2025/100: Recommended to accept quote for £2247.59 +VAT for an intercom
access control system for Whittle Hall Community Centre (LG (Misc. Prov.) Act 1976 s19).

b. for replacement front door for Whittle Hall Community Centre. The current door does not
fit fully and is draughty which impacts energy efficiency as well as staff and customers. Only
one quote had been obtained as an indicative cost (£4,399) to ascertain if the committee
wanted to consider a replacement. It was agreed to get further quotes to address the issue
which will be reviewed at another meeting.

c. for mezzanine floor for industrial unit. 3 quotes were available; 2 for mezzanine kits which
could be installed by GSPC staff (£6,400 & £7,699 +VAT), and one from an external
company local to the site for supply and installation (£6,500 +VAT). The latter quote was
accepted.

FINANCE/2025/101: Recommended to accept quote from Switch Installation Ltd for a
mezzanine floor to be installed at the unit on Penketh Business Park at £6,500 +VAT (LGA
1972 s111).

FC/2025/46 2-12-25
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL
Finance Committee

Minutes of meeting: Tuesday 4th November 2025
Whittle Hall Community Centre

d. for laser level with tripod for both grounds and maintenance work. 3 quotes were
obtained varying from £583 to £699 +VAT. Agreed to purchase: staff to make final decision.

FINANCE/2025/102: Recommended to accept quote for laser level with tripod (c.
£600+VAT); staff to make final decision on required item (LGA 1972 s111).

8. To consider requests for financial assistance.

From Description Decision
Whittle Hall Toddler For selection box for each child FINANCE/2025/103:
Group £50 approved

Mature Movers To put towards Christmas FINANCE/2025/104:
celebration £150 recommended

Cheshire Search & For PPE jackets for their FINANCE/2025/105:
Rescue volunteers £250 recommended

Hood Manor Bingo To put towards Christmas FINANCE/2025/106:
celebration £50 approved

Warrington Open Towards the project for those in FINANCE/2025/107:
Doors at Christmas need at Christmas £250 recommended

Sankey Seniors To put towards Christmas FINANCE/2025/108:
celebration £200 recommended

GNWA5 For free use of Hood Lane FINANCE/2025/109:
Community Centre for Christmas Free use of Hood Lane CC
food parcels and donation for 19-21 Dec and £100
towards selection boxes donation approved

(LGA 1972 s137)
Football club requests
Three requests had been received
− from Matthiola to install a storage container on Tim Parry Recreation Ground
− from AD Football for permission to run small-scale football coaching and holiday
clubs on Tim Parry Recreation Ground
− from Sankey Strikers regarding hiring the Parish Playing Field
A site visit had been carried out on Tim Parry Recreation Ground with Matthiola, Cllrs
Williams & Pennington and the Head Gardener to discuss requirements and look at
possible options. The hiring conditions for the Tim Parry Recreation Ground are due for
review, and in view of the various requests and the upgrades to the Parish Playing Field, it
was agreed it would be prudent for the council to look at an overall strategy for both sites.
This will be passed to the Parish Estates Committee for consideration.

FC/2025/47 2-12-25
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL
Finance Committee

Minutes of meeting: Tuesday 4th November 2025
Whittle Hall Community Centre

FINANCE/2025/110: Recommended that the Parish Estates Committee should consider
an Operations Strategy for organised sports for the Parish Playing Field and Tim Parry
Recreation Ground (Open Spaces Act 1906 s10).

9. Budget 2025-26: to scrutinise documentation and when satisfied as to correctness to
sign off financial reports and bank reconciliations for September.
The bank reconciliation and budget monitoring pages for September were considered and
accepted. Checks on financial transactions were carried out prior to the meeting by Cllrs
Watson and Catlow.

FINANCE/2025/111: Resolved to accept the bank reconciliation and budget monitoring
pages for August 2025 (Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 reg 4).

10. To authorise payment of wages, tax and ERNIC for October.
The list of wages to be paid was considered and authorised. Total Employment Costs
(including salaries, pensions & HMRC) were £29,713.49.

FINANCE/2025/112: Resolved to authorise payment of wages and HMRC costs
(£29,713.49 total) for October 2025 (LGA 1972 s112).

FC/2025/48 2-12-25