PC Meeting Agenda and Minutes - 12th March 2024

MINUTES FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON March 12th, 2024

PRESENT: Councillors A Wilson, (Chairman), Cllr Mrs Penketh, Cllr Mrs Patrick, Cllr Campion, District Cllr R Jackson and the Parish Clerk, Mrs S. McIntyre.  Three members of the public were present. 

Questions were raised about the Hut hire, and a possible Flood Resilience Plan

The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.35pm, 2 members of the public left the meeting.

1.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. There were none.

2.    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Block Dispensation – Playpark/Reservoir/Budget, Precept.

3.    MINUTES OF MEETING. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Penketh and seconded by Cllr Campion,  that the Notes from Jan 23rd be accepted as Minutes. All agreed, the Chairman signed the Minutes.

4.    REPORTS FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S).  C/Cllr Key was unable to attend.  D/Cllr Jackson had sent a report, and some of the points were discussed. The Chairman will apply for a free framed picture of HRH The King. 

5.    COUNCILLOR VACANCY. Update on the three vacancies. It was discussed whether 7 Councillors was achievable or a reduction process requested.  This will be monitored  over the next 2 meetings. After discussion it was Resolved to co-opt Duncan Andrews as a Parish Councillor. The Declarations were signed.

6.    PLAYPARK.
(a)    Grant application update.  Cllr Mrs Penketh said a grant has been achieved, sufficient for 2 items.  It was agreed that the notice board should take priority over the monkey bars, if a choice between them was needed. However an addition to the grant may also be achieved which would cover the notice board.
(b)    Tree Damage. The owners are aware and have promised action by March 25th.  This will be monitored. It was agreed they should be contacted to check this.

7.    ALLOTMENTS – PROPOSAL TO CARTER JONAS. The interested parties have been contacted directly by Carter Jonas. There will be updates if appropriate.

8.    FLOODING RESILIANCE PLAN. New Regulations and Guidance are being checked and sections relevant to Swaton may be brought forward to a Resilience Plan. The Chairman will be involved in this process.

9.    MAJOR PROJECTS/CONSULTATIONS.
•    Beacon Fen Energy Park. Consultation ended, the details have been circulated.
•    Reservoir Liaison Committee. Communications need to be improved. Cllr Campion was elected Chairman of this Committee. After a March meeting, they will meet quarterly. The Parish Council will be the channel for information into this Committee.  Agenda May meeting for feedback from the March Committee meeting.

10.    POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.  
•    Information’s Policy.   The Clerk will see if other Parish Councils have suitable policies. The Hut publishes an information leaflet – a small PC addition will be requested.

11.    PC NOTICE BOARD.   The meeting was closed at 8.17pm to allow a member of the public to speak.  Re-opened at 8.19pm. Various ideas were discussed. The PCC will be contacted. Further details and costing are needed once the final grant funding is known.

12.    RE-INSTATING A NEWSLETTER. A leaflet from The Hut already exists. He Chairman will find out if it is possible to expand this a little if the PC sends in some information.  May meeting.

13.    SURGERY ITEMS BROUGHT TO MEETING. None submitted for the Agenda.

14.    FINANCE.  FINANCE.
•    Monthly report.  It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Penketh and seconded by Cllr Campion that the report and the payments be accepted.  All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
•    PC Bank Account. Some out of date signatories will be removed and Cllr Mrs Penketh to have internet access. It was proposed by Cllr Campion, seconded by Cllr Wilson and Resolved that the Authorised Signatories in the current mandate, for the accounts detailed in section 1.3 may be changed in accordance with the section Authorised Signatories. The current Mandate will continue as amended.  It was resolved that the Chairman signs the Bank Statements.
•    Internal Auditor.  Ms Fairweather has been contacted, and has signed the Agreement.  Liaison between her and Cllr Patrick to be arranged.

15.    PLANNING MATTERS. 24/0266/FUL. Retention of 21 groundwater monitoring boreholes for a temporary period. Land SE off Scredington and SW of Helpringham.  This arrived too late for the agenda.  Using devolved powers, the Clerk will return “No Comments” to NKDC

16.    L.A.L.C. Bulletins have been circulated when received. Training to be an item on the May agenda. 

17.    CLERK’S REPORT
•    Parish Council Engagement NKDC and SKDC.  Details of future dates to be notified.
•    Police and Crime Road Safety Issues. Zoom meeting Feb 20th.
•    Police and Crime Commissioner -campaign to tackle fraud and scams. Packs available. 

18.    DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS: May 21st – Annual Meetings, July 16th. September 17th & November 19th.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.45pm.

 

AGENDA

The first 15 minutes of a Parish Council meeting is for members of the public to raise concerns, queries or questions relating to items on the Agenda which can then be discussed fully when the PC meeting is opened at 7.45pm.  All are welcome to stay for the whole PC meeting which usually finishes at 9pm.  

AGENDA - 12th March 2024 (the minutes of this meeting will appear here after they have been ratified at the next PC meeting in May)

There are strict protocols for Councillors to follow during a PC meeting so if you have any comment to make during the course of the main meeting please raise your hand so the meeting can be closed. If you can’t make the evening Parish Council meeting to discuss any village issues you may have or would like to talk about regional issues, the PC holds a monthly surgery on the first Saturday of each month in the Hut from 9.30am to 12pm.   1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Block dispensation – Playpark/  Reservoir/ Budget, Precept.
 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - Clerks’ Notes from Jan 23rd, 2024, – accepting as Minutes.
 4. REPORT(S) FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S), if any.
 5. COUNCILLOR VACANCIES.  Update on the three vacancies. Agree to co-opt a new Cllr if possible.
 6. PLAYPARK : Grant. Any update on a grant application. Update on storm damaged tree.
 7. ALLOTMENTS – PROPOSAL TO CARTER JONAS:  Any update/progress on establishing any interest in having an allotment?
 8. FLOODING/RESILIENCE PLAN. Current flooding actions/precautions. Is there a need for a Resilience Plan?
 9. MAJOR PROJECTS/CONSULTATIONS.
       *Beacon Fen Energy Park – Statutory Consultation end ed 3/3/24. Details circulated.
       *Reservoir Liaison Cttee. – Establish 2-way communication channels between the PC and the Liaison Cttee.
 10. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES UPDATE. 
        *Public Relations Policy. Have any ideas been generated to bring to this meeting?
 11. PC NOTICE BOARD. Update on repair/replacement and possible grant.
 12. RE-INSTATING A NEWSLETTER. Have discussions between meetings brought any ideas to this meeting?
 13. SURGERY ITEMS, if any, BROUGHT TO MEETING.
 14. FINANCE – 
       *Monthly report from RFO, including signing of Cheques/Approval of any BACS payments. Note and Accept.
       *PC Bank Account – finalise who should have access.
       *Internal Auditor.  
       *Bank account access.
 15. PLANNING MATTERS. 
 16. L.A.L.C.  Bulletins forwarded when received.
 17. CLERK’S REPORT. 
       *Police and Crime Road Safety Issues -Zoom meeting Feb 20th – anyone attend?
       *Parish Council Engagement NKDC and SKDC, Greater Lincolnshire. Detailsof dates etc to be notified closer to the time.
       *Police and Crime Commissioner – campaign to tackle fraud and scams – details of a pack available.

18. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS: May 21st (Annual meetings) July 16th,  September 17th,  November 19th.

Your current Parish Council consists of: 
* Mrs Shelagh McIntyre - Clerk.       
* Cllr Mr Alan Wilson - Chairman.       
* Cllr Elaine Penketh - Vice Chair          
* Cllr Mrs Judy Patrick - Responsible Finance Officer       
* Cllr Mr Charles Campion                   
* Vacancy - Could be you !!!
* Vacancy - Could be you !!!
* Vacancy - Could be you !!!

There are currently 3 vacant seats for Councillors - come along and have a chat about the role and learn how you can take more of an active role in YOUR community.