PC Meeting - Agenda & Minutes- 18th July 2023.

MINUTES FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JULY 18th 2023  

PRESENT: Councillors A Wilson, (Chairman), Cllrs Mrs Penketh, Mrs Patrick, C Richardson, C Campion, and the Parish Clerk, Mrs S. McIntyre.  Mr N Eaves and Mr J Lukjaniec, awaiting co-option. One member of the public was present.
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.35pm.

1.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. There were none. 

2.    CO-OPTION OF COUNCILLOR(S). Cllr N Eaves and Cllr J Lukjaniec were co-opted to the Council. They completed their Declarations of Acceptance and Declaration of Interests forms.

3.    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. All Councillors completed a Dispensation form for 2023-7.

4.    MINUTES OF MEETING, May 16th, 2023. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Penketh and seconded by Cllr Mrs Patrick that the Notes from May 16th be accepted as Minutes. All agreed, the Chairman signed the Minutes.  The Notes from the Annual Parish Meeting were noted.

5.    REPORTS FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S). No representatives were present. 

6.    PLAYPARK TREES. Soil testing has been carried out on the Playpark soil.  The Chairman will produce a list of suitable trees. It was agreed that preference(s) and costs will be submitted to the Crown Estates between meetings.

7.    OVERGROWN LAND IN THE VILLAGE. Overgrown land adjacent to 5, High Street. It was proposed by Cllr Eaves and seconded by Cllr Mrs Penketh that Cllr Campion talks to the adjacent residents. If they have any concerns, then the Crown Estates will be informed. All agreed, Resolution passed. 

8.    MAJOR PROJECTS – CONSULTATIONS.
Heckington Fen Solar Park. Development consent order. Updates received and circulated.
Lincs Reservoir Project Team. Community Liaison Group. Updates received and circulated.

9.    SURGERY ITEMS BROUGHT TO MEETING.
Safe Passage to Horbling – ‘No Overtaking’ sign suggested. Cllr Lukjaniec said that a safe walking/cycling path was needed between Swaton and Horbling, which would mean a safe passage over the A52. It was proposed be Cllr Eaves and seconded by Cllr Campion that Cllr Lukjaniec prepares a report outlining the problem and possible solution(s) which will then be forwarded to C/Cllr Key. All agreed, Resolution passed.

10.    COUNCILLOR RESPONSIBILITIES.

Play area                           Cllr Wilson, Cllr Mrs Penketh.
Road and Path Lighting     Cllr Wilson
Grants and Fundraising     Cllr Mrs Penketh
Planning/Open Spaces      Cllr Campion
Responsible Finance Officer    Cllr Mrs Patrick
Footpaths and Bridleways    Cllr Lukjaniec
Tidy Village                          Cllr Lukjaniec
Health and Safety Officer    Cllr Eaves.
Website                               Cllr Mrs Penketh
Flooding Issues        Mr C Richardson – co-opted as necessary

The above were proposed be Cllr Mrs Penketh, and seconded by Cllr Mrs Patrick.  All agreed, Resolution passed. Some specific responsibilities were discussed. Areas of Responsibility could be prepared for each role.

11.    COUNCIL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. Policies and procedures to be reviewed, working group suggested. The Clerk explained that after the recent Election this would be a good time to look at existing policies and procedure to see if any needed updating. Also to investigate other policies for suitability. Cllr Mrs Patrick, Cllr Mrs Patrick and Cllr Campion agreed to be a small group for this initial assessment, together with the Clerk.

12.    FINANCE.
•    Monthly report from RFO who explained the previously circulated report. It was proposed by Cllr Campion and seconded by Cllr Eaves that the report be accepted as a true record. The Resolution was passed. The following payments to be made:  Clerk’s expenses of £23. LALC Annual Awards dinner, £35.
•    Exempt status – Notice of exemption received from the auditors.

13.    PLANNING MATTERS. 23/0562/HOUS. The PC returned ‘No Comments’ This has been approved.

14.    L.A.L.C.
•    LALC bulletins circulated. Website maintenance updates. 
•    L.A.L.C. Shining Star Awards – The Clerk was congratulated on winning the Clerk of the Year award. 
•    LALC Training.  Some training dates already booked. The importance of Training, both for New Councillors, and Refresher training was stressed.
•    Cllr Wilson/Cllr Mrs Penketh – Reports from recent training.

15.    CLERK’S REPORT
•    Register of Electors. Form completed by all Cllrs.
•    Road closure, North Drove – Noted.
•    Citizens Advice – noted.
•    Table Tennis Championship – poster received.
•    Central Lincs Planning Consultation – Update noted. Cllr Campion further explained this.
•    LCC Litter Picking Kits for Town/Parish Councils.
•    
16.    DATES OF NEXT MEETING. Remaining 2023 dates: 
TUESDAYS:  It was agreed to change the date in September to 26th.
Future meeting: Nov 21st.

The Chairman closed the meeting at  8.40pm.

 

AGENDA
1.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

2.    CO-OPTION OF COUNCILLOR(S).  New Cllr(s) to submit Declaration of Interests form, complete and sign Declaration of Acceptance.

3.    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. All Cllrs to complete the ‘Dispensation’ form.

4.    APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - Clerks’ Notes from May 16th,  2023, – accepting as Minutes. Noting the Notes from the APM – information only.

5.    REPORT(S) FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S), if any. Block dispensations revised – Play area; Budget; Lincs Reservoir.

6.    PLAYPARK TREES – Update on soil testing and suitable tree(s) to recommend.

7.    OVERGROWN LAND IN THE VILLAGE . Overgrown land adjacent to 5 High Street.

8.    MAJOR PROJECTS – CONSULTATIONS
Heckington Fen  Solar Park – Development Consent Order – circulated.
Lincs Reservoir Project Team – Updates, Community Liaison Group. 

9.    SURGERY ITEMS BROUGHT TO MEETING.
Safe passage to Horbling – suggest “No Overtaking” sign.

10.    COUNCILLOR RESPONSIBILITIES.
Police/speeding/ASB          Cllr Mrs Penketh
Play area                    Cllr Wilson, Cllr Mrs Penketh
Road and path lighting         
Grants and Fundraising       Cllr Mrs Penketh
Planning/Open spaces         Cllr Campion
Responsible Finance Officer  Cllr Mrs Patrick
Footpaths and bridleways     
Tidy Village                 
Health and Safety Officer    
Website                      Cllr Mrs Penketh
Flooding Issues              Mr C Richardson – co-opted as necessary.    


11.    COUNCIL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
Now the election is over, the Clerk recommends that during the next months, all Council Policies and Procedures should be reviewed. Suggest forming a small working group to assist with this.

12.    FINANCE – 
•    Monthly report from RFO, including signing of Cheques/Approval of any BACS payments. Note and Accept. 
•    Exempt Status received by the Auditors – no formal audit will take place.

13.    PLANNING MATTERS.   23/0562/HOUS. Bridge House Farmhouse. No Comments returned.

14.    L.A.L.C.
LALC e news bulletins – circulated.  Website maintenance updates.
LALC Training – Some Training dates already booked
Cllr Wilson/Cllr Mrs Penketh – report from Chairman Training event.

15.    CLERK’S REPORT. 
•    Register of Electors – form to be completed by all Cllrs.
•    Road Closure North Drove – 19/7 between 8am and 4pm as required.
•    Citizens Advice – e mail rec eived.
•    Table Tennis Championships
•    Central Lincs Planning Consultation – update received (circulated).
•    LCC Litter Picking kits for Town/Parish Councils.(Details circulated).


16.  FUTURE DATES OF 2023 MEETINGS.  Tuesday September 19th & November 21st
          •  Consideration to be given to alter the September date?