Parish Council Meeting - 18th March 2025
MINUTES FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON March 18th, 2025
PRESENT: Councillors A Wilson, (Chairman), Cllr Mrs Penketh (Vice Chair), Cllr Mrs Patrick (RFO, Cllr C Campion, Cllr D. Andrews, Cllr J Parsons, and the Parish Clerk, Mrs S. McIntyre.
1 member of the public was present.
There was a question about Tree Preservation Orders, and was there any support for the designated trees. There was some discussion, Cllr Mrs Patrick may pursue this with NKDC. The Chairman thanked everyone, and opened the Parish Council meeting at 7.35pm.
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 Parsons that the Notes from January 21st, 2025, be accepted as Minutes. All agreed, the Chairman signed the Minutes.
4. REPORTS FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S). C/Cllr Key and D/Cllr Jackson were unable to attend.
5. PLAYPARK
Annual Inspection. The Clerk and the Chairman circulated details of the annual inspection costs of the existing company plus two others. It was proposed by Cllr Wilson and seconded by Cllr Campion that the ROSPA Play Safety Team be approached for the 2025 inspection, provided their price obtained in January, was still the lowest quote. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
Tree Planting. Two new trees have now been planted in the Playpark by the Crown Estates.
Remaining Lottery Grant. Cllr Mrs Penketh will apply for Lottery funding for Monkey bars in the next financial year. Written permission to reclaim the VAT will be requested.
6. RECENT FLOODING.
Report from site meeting. Cllr Andrews met with C/Cllr Key and LCC Highways representatives to discuss flooding issues between the bridge and the A52. The area is now on their flood risk list and may be suitable for flood prevention grant funding. Some remedial works were suggested. Other risk/problem areas in the village were also discussed.
7. A52 SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS. Cllr Campion said he had submitted a report to the Chairman. This will be forwarded to all Cllrs for comments/approval before sending to LCC Highways.
8. MAJOR PROJECTS/CONSULTATIONS
• Ossian Offshore Windfarm. Various e mails have been circulated.
9. PARISH/COMMUNITY MATTERS.
• Cluster Group. The Chairman will liaise with D/Cllr Jackson and also the Pointon Emergency Group.
• Parish Litter Picker. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Penketh and seconded by Cllr Mrs Patrick that Mrs N Arnold be appointed as the new volunteer Litter Picker. The grant money for the 2024/5 season to be paid to the outgoing Litter Picker. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
• LCC – Grass Cutting Parish Agreement. Cllr Campion had looked at the LCC map of the areas to be cut. He will oversee that all these will be cut as required. It was proposed by Cllr Wilson and seconded by Cllr Campion that the agreement should be signed and returned to LCC Highways.
10. SURGERY ITEMS, if any, BROUGHT TO THE MEETING.
• Parish Council Notice Board/Website. Cllr Wilson had checked other notice boards, what was published seemed to be personal preference rather than recommended. He proposed and Cllr Andrews seconded that the details of each Councillor’s Roles and Responsibilities be taken from the website and displayed on the notice board. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
11. FINANCE.
• Monthly Report and Payments. The RFO explained the report. It was proposed by Cllr Campion and seconded by Cllr Parsons that the Report and the BACS payments, including the Litter Grant, be approved.. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
• Wicksted Annual Inspection. Payment had been approved in a previous meeting.
• Internal Auditor. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Penketh and seconded by Cllr Wilson that Mrs D. Fairweather be re-appointed as Internal Auditor for 2025/6, at her quoted cost of £40. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
• The R.F.O. reminded the meeting that the PlayPark account starts the new financial year at £0 balance. Funding had to be sought for the annual inspection and rent.
12. PLANNING MATTERS. There were none.
13. L.A.L.C
• L.A.L.C. Bulletins. Bulletins have been circulated when received. The Chairman asked everyone to consider training or refresher training, as appropriate.
14. CLERK’S REPORT
• NKDC – Parish and Town Council Forum – April 10th 10am-12. The Clerk would see if she was able to attend.
15. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS.
Tuesday May 20th - Annual Parish Meeting 7.30pm. Annual Meeting of the Parish Council 8pm. Tuesday July 15th. Tuesday September 16th and Tuesday November 18th.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.25pm.
Next Meeting.
Actions Spreadsheet.
Cllr Roles and Responsibilities – Check and update for the A.P.M.
VE Day Celebrations – PC support?
AGENDA
The first 15 minutes of the meeting is given over to the members of the public who may raise queries or question on matters within the agenda. Members of the public may stay to attend this meeting as observers, but will not be allowed to speak during the transaction of the business.
NOTE: The minutes of this meeting will appear after they've been agreed at the May meeting
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE, if any.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Block dispensation – Playpark/ Reservoir/ Budget, Precept.
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - Clerks’ Notes from January 21st, 2025, – accepting as Minutes.
4. REPORT(S) FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S), if any.
5. PLAYPARK :
Annual Inspection 2025. Information on companies offering annual inspections has been circulated.
Tree Planting. Update on the recent planting.
Remaining Lottery Grant. Decide what equipment to be purchased
6. RECENT FLOODING.
Report from site meeting with LCC Highways representative(s)
7. A52 SIGNS & ROAD MARKINGS – Report from Cllr Campion
8. MAJOR PROJECTS/CONSULTATIONS.
· Ossian Offshore Windfarm – details of project and consultation circulated.
9. PARISH/COMMUNITY MATTERS.
· Cluster Group – suggestions regarding forming a cluster group circulated.
· Parish Litter Picker. A new Litter Picker is needed.
· LCC - Grass Cutting Parish Agreement. Details circulated. If agreed, the document to be signed and returned.
10. SURGERY ITEMS, if any, BROUGHT TO MEETING.
· Parish Council Notice Board/web site – What Councillor information/Photograph should be published?
11. FINANCE –
· Monthly report from RFO, including signing of Cheques/Approval of any BACS payments. Note and Accept.
· Wicksteed annual inspection invoice received.
· Internal Auditor. Mrs Di Fairweather is willing to continue for 2025/26.
12. PLANNING MATTERS.
13. L.A.L.C. Bulletins forwarded when received. Future training dates included in these Bulletins
14. CLERK’S REPORT
NKDC – Parish and Town Council Forum – April 10th 10am-12 – details circulated.
15. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS. March 18th. May 20th (Annual Meetings.), July 15th. September 16th & November 18th.