PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
held on Tuesday
16th May, 2023
in the Village Hall, High St.
Present: Councillors; G Kirt (Chairman), H. Aylesbury, D. Batty, C Bysshe, S Jackson, D. Lane, R. Joshi-Boparai, S Singh, A Staines, & the Clerk, Mr J Haste. One member of the public was also present.
MINUTES OF MEETING
789. ELECT A CHAIRMAN FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL – The Clerk opened the meeting and called for nominations for Chairman for the ensuing Parish Council year. There being only one nomination Councillor Gerry Kirt was elected unopposed.
Proposed Cllr. Lane Seconded Cllr. Bysshe
790. TO RECEIVE THE CHAIRMAN’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE OR, IF NOT THEN RECEIVED, TO DECIDE WHEN IT SHALL BE RECEIVED.
Cllr. Kirt took the Chair and has signed the acceptance of office in the presence of the Clerk
791. TO ELECT A VICE CHAIRMAN FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL. In his absence, the chairman reported that he had discussed this with Councillor Randall who had indicated a willingness to continue as Vice Chairman. Cllr. Bysshe then nominated Cllr Randall and Cllr. Batty seconded the nomination. There being no other nominations Cllr. Randall was duly elected as Vice Chairman.
792. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Councillor G Wright sent apologies as unwell. Cllr Randall also sent apologies as unable to attend for Family reasons.
793. MEMBERS DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – None declared
794. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – Issues raised: –
• The overgrown hedge at the Welmore Road end of The Willows footpath, restricting the passage of pedestrians.
• The overgrown Bramble bush on the south west corner of the roundabout at the junction of Lincoln Road and the A15. That hedge obscures the views of pedestrians using the pedestrian crossing, unable to see cars from the Werrington parkway joining the Ai5 to Market Deeping. The resident considered this crossing to be an accident waiting to happen because of the Bramble bush.
795. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS – We unanimously RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18th April, 2023
Proposed Cllr. Batty Seconded Cllr. Jackson
796. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES (information only) – None
797. RECEIPT OF NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN and MEMBERS TO WORKING GROUPS
i. Finance Working Group. – (Cllr. Kirt (Chairman), Cllr. S. Jackson, Cllr. D. Lane & Cllr. R. W. Randall).
ii. H.R. Working Group – (Cllrs Lane (Chairman), Mrs Bysshe, & Cllr. Kirt).
iii. Climate Change Group – Cllr. Kirt (Chairman), Cllr Aylesbury, Cllr. Batty, Cllr. Bysshe, Cllr. Jackson, Cllr. Staines & Cllr. Wright
iv. Neighbourhood Planning Group – Cllr. Kirt (Chairman), Cllr. Aylesbury, Cllr. Bysshe, Cllr. Joshi-Boparai, Cllr. Randall & Cllr. Staines
798. REPRESENTATION ON, OR WORK WITH EXTERNAL BODIES –
i. Representative on CAPALC (Cllr. Batty)
ii. Representatives on the AMVC Liaison Committee. (Cllrs Batty, Randall & Lane)
iii. Representatives on the Parish Council’s Liaison Committee. (Clerk & Cllrs Batty, Jackson & Randall). Noting that the meetings will be open to all parish councillors
iv. Representatives on the Clare Lodge Committee. (Cllrs Aylesbury, Bysshe, & Randall) with Cllrs Lane & Kirt as Reserves
v. Representative on the Northern Footpath Forum. (Cllr. Mrs Bysshe & A Staines)
vi. Representative on Glinton Community Association (Cllr. D Lane)
vii. Representative on Rural NW Good Neighbours scheme (Cllr. Mrs Bysshe)
viii. Social Events (planning and participation) group (Cllrs. Aylesbury, Joshi-Boparai, Jackson, Kirt, Lane & Staines
ix. Representative on Patient Participation Group (Cllr. Staines)
799. REVIEW & CONFIRMATION OF POLICIES & PROCESSES – Links to the following policies had been circulated with the agenda and having considered carefully their content we saw no reason to propose any change to those policies. We therefore unanimously agreed to confirm those policies.
i. STANDING ORDERS
ii. FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
iii. INTERNET BANKING PROCESS.
iv. CODE OF CONDUCT
v. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
Proposed Cllr. Bysshe Seconded Cllr. Batty
800. PLANNING
a) Status of current planning applications – The clerk reported that three planning applications, previously considered by the parish council, in respect of The Manor House; 11a Helpston Road and 16 High Street had all been permitted in April.
b) 23/00391/HHFUL & 23/00390/LBC – 23 High Street – Outbuilding, garage/carport and room in roof space – with roof slope mounted photovoltaic panels and removal of remaining walls of collapsed garage and alterations to from new opening in stone garden wall with metal gate. Increase width of existing opening in stone garden wall with metal gate. New stone piers to existing opening in stone boundary wall and replacement entrance gates – We have no material objection to the proposed work but request the planning Officers to impose conditions that the Outbuilding, Garage & Carport with room in the roof space should not be put to residential or commercial Use and limited to use solely by the residents of 23 High Street
801. COMMUNITY MATTERS
a) Golden Orb (Coronation) Celebrations – We considered the event on the day of the Coronation to be a resounding success. Cllr. Batty requested that our thanks be recorded in the
minutes for the Stirling work of the organizing group in the preparations for the day and together with the Clerk for obtaining Lottery Funding. The pictures taken on the day were displayed and recorded a sample of the various activities on the day through to the band playing until 11.30 pm. The Chairman presented some interim figures for the celebration which indicated a surplus would be available for future events, final figures to be presented to our June meeting when all invoices will have been received and paid.
b) Future Community events – There is to be a meeting of the events organizing group on 26th May at which it is intended to discuss possible future events and the lessons learnt from the Golden Orb event. Cllr. Joshi-Boparai is to investigate possible use of Drones instead of aerial fireworks for a November event. Buckingham Palace have also asked that Beacons be lit for the June 2024 D Day Commemorative event.
c) Ashburn Close Play Area – The Clerk reported that the city council property manager had still not responded to request for an update or provided the details of the solicitor being appointed to progress this title transfer to the parish council. We instructed the Clerk to write to the Deputy Leader of the city council and Ward Councillors in an effort to make progress.
d) Defibrillators – The Clerk reported on an email from Buckles Solicitors indicating that the Trustees of Aidan Patrick Fogarty had approved a grant towards the costs and had requested details of the Parish Council’s Bank account. These details have been supplied to Buckles and receipt of grant, and any conditions, will be reported to the June meeting.
e) Gas Compressor Station. The Clerk confirmed that National Grid would be hosting a visit at 2pm on Friday 19th May. Cllr Bysshe apologised for not now being able to attend and we asked the Clerk to see if David Cowcill might be permitted to take her place.
f) Biodiversity issues – Cllr. Staines reported that the signage was ready to go and the Clerk was asked to again seek Anglian Water sponsorship. Cllr Staines indicated that the cost of two boards would be minimal and we approved a budget of £150 to enable the early acquisition and placement of the signs.
Proposed Cllr. Kirt Seconded Cllr. Batty
g) Winter Warm Hubs –Cllr. Bysshe reported on the small take up of the Warm Welcome service organised and the difficulty in targeting those in greatest need of the services offered to combat loneliness and the cost of living crisis. Cllr Bysshe undertook to seek clarity from the good neighbours scheme on whether there is a continued need for parish council involvement in payment of room hire costs.
h) Community Engagement – Cllr. Jackson reported on the continued growth of the Face Book pages and the particular success of the one dedicated to Golden Orb (Coronation) events. Cllr Jackson also asked for parish council opinion on allowing comment and public postings. We consider public comment could inform our future deliberations but need to avoid abusive comment and asked that methods of prior approval be explored and reported tom our June meeting.
802. REPORTS – Standing item – Cllr. Staines reported on attendance at the Deepings Practice Patient Participation Group (PPG). He reported that those in attendance were unhappy because of the lack of direction of the group and no clear objectives. Given that he was not the only new person on the group he was hopeful that there were changes ahead, and that the group could be more productive.
803. GOVERNANCE MATTERS
a) FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS & ANNUAL RETURN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
(1) Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2023 – The Clerk had circulated a link to draft financial accounts which are still subject to audit and we noted that at the financial year end we had bank balances of £92039 split between £21077 in earmarked reserves and the balance in General reserves.
(2) Internal Audit Report – awaiting completion and deferred to June meeting.
(3) Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) – Accounting Statement – deferred for consideration until internal audit report received.
(4) Notice of Public Rights of Inspection – The Clerk as Responsible Financial Officer reported that he had set the dates for the public to exercise their right to inspect the financial records, commencing Monday 5th June to Friday 14th July and that the notice would be publicised on the website to comply with the statutory requirements.
b) Banking Arrangements – The Clerk reported that since the beginning of this financial year we have received the first instalment of the precept and specific grants from the City Council. Our balances now stand at £103,792 and that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) only protects our funds up to £85,000 held at each unrelay bank. We therefore RESOLVED to transfer £50,000 from our Unity Trust bank account to the Metro 95day notice to protect our funds under the FSCS and to attract a higher interest rate on our deposit.
Prposed Cllr. Kirt Seconded Cllr. Lane
c) Roll of Freedoms of the Parish – We were reminded that, at the time we celebrated the Freedoms granted to four former long serving Parish Councillors, we anticipated a proper “Honours” board, listing the Freedom granted. The board to be displayed in the Village Hall. The Clerk and Cllr. Staines undertook to research styles, suppliers and Costs and to report back to a future meeting.
d) Review of Parish Council and Clerk’s Subscriptions to other bodies. We RESOLVED to approve continued affiliations and subscriptions to the following organisations.
i) CAPALC (est £494)
ii) CPRE (est £36)
iii) Cambridgeshire ACRE (est £60)
iv) SLCC (est of Glinton Share £137)
v) PSMA (est £80)
vi) Good Neighbours Scheme (formerly £703, possibly Free 2023/24 because grant aided)
804. OFFICIAL NOTICES AND CORRESPONDENCE
a) Village Green – Anglian Water – The Clerk reported a notification from Savills on behalf of Anglian Water that they intended to do a trial Hole on the Village Green to see if it is a suitable location for a water pressure meter. This is being challenged to see if the location can be changed and what the implications are if the location is deemed unavoidable and successful as we are agreed we would oppose an above ground obstacle placed anywhere on that site
805. HIGHWAYS & other issues within the village
i. Beech Road – Parking Half on Pavement – we asked the Clerk to seek enforcement action.
ii. Meeting with Highways Officers – we asked the clerk to seek a meeting on site at School leaving time to discuss parking issue and to be available for other matters.
iii. North Fen Road
a. Pot Holes too deep and too numerous to list.
b. Post – Strimmer damage, need guards and a remedy. (Same for Rectory Lane posts)
c. Weight limit signs One by Kissing Gate , one at Junction with The Green
d. Promised Litter Bin by Stone Bridge
806. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS –
i. Internal Audit Report
ii. Annual Governance – Financial Statement
iii. Honours board to record “Freedoms Of The Parish”
iv. Grant Funding – recruiting a fund raiser
v. report of working party on Village Sign Replacement.
vi. Signage Plaques, information boards and Village Pump
vii. Bonfire night event – 2023
viii. Village sign replacement
I) Date of Next Meeting – The re-arranged date for the next scheduled meeting of the parish council is Tuesday 13th June, 2023 in the village hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Meeting closed at 9.15pm,
Clerk/Proper Officer,
18th May 2023
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