Key Updates - Finance and General Purposes Committee

• Local government legislation requires parish councils (incl. towns) to have regard to the level of reserves needed to safeguard the Council’s commitments and assets, and estimated future expenditure. In line with this, and as recommended by the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the Council approved a Reserves Policy, which sets out how different types of reserves should be recognised and treated. This document will also inform budget setting for 2022/2023.


• A new ‘all-purpose’ grant application form was approved, for use in relation to the Ramsgate Fund, Community Services Grants and the Events Grants. This will give applicants and councillors only one form to be familiar with.


• A draft budget and precept for 2022/2023 was agreed, for recommendation to the full Council (NB. There will be a separate press release confirming the specifics of the budget).


• An application for an Apprenticeship Payment Scheme grant has been successful, and the funds (£4k over two financial years) will be used towards the training requirements of the Office Apprentice.


• Additional “time off in lieu” will be given to the staff when working on Sundays, Bank Holidays and between 10pm and 7am. The Council has always committed to the good governance of its staff and being a fair employer, and these changes support this.

This is not a summary of everything covered at this meeting, please see the official Minutes for the legal record of the meeting. The above is intended to provide a snapshot of matters that may be of particular interest to residents.

Written by:
Miss Laura Fidler,
Town Clerk & RFO