26th August 2021 Minutes
Public Session:
- A member of the public reported a visit to the Community Speed Watch of the ACC and also raised concerns about the communications with the Parish Council.The Parish Council pointed out the specified contact requirements specified by the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP) is with the nominated Parish Council representative and must be in writing. The Parish Council also reiterated that it did not want to micro-manage the volunteer groups but needed to know what is going on. The Chairman highlighted the LRSP information provided, the scheme brochure regarding the required insurance position by the Parish Council, and an email from the LRSP about various correspondence it had received from different people and wanted to make sure that the Parish Council is aware of all of these.
Present: Cllrs Mervyn Head (Chairman), Alex Alexander (V Chair), Estelle Fioravanzo, Judy Head, Ash Johnson, Lesley Moore, Jo Shields; Clerk (Dermot Daly); 16 members of the public
Welcome
21/22/101
To receive and agree apologies for absence.
- It was RESOLVED to accept the apologies from Cllr Shields.
21/22/102
To receive disclosures of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests, pursuant to section 31 of the Localism Act 2011, and applications for dispensation from Councillors on matters considered at this meeting. - None.
21/22/103
To determine which items on the agenda, if any, require the exclusion of public and press under the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 1 (2) and resolve to exclude public and press for these items. - None.
MEETINGS
21/22/104
To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 29th July 2021.
- It was RESOLVED to accept the Minutes as circulated, p. Cllr Head M.
21/22/105
The Kyme Eau Working Group will be meeting on Monday 20th September 2021.
- items to be raised should be channelled through the Clerk and on to the Chairman.
PLANNING
21/22/106
To discuss and agree response to Planning matters. - None.
FINANCE
21/22/107
To discuss and agree any pending grant applications.
- A Grant Application Form has been received for a village party - the Parish Council RESOLVED that they were unable to support the grant for the following reasons;
1. The application was made retrospectively to the event and the expenditure for which the grant was to be used,
2. There appeared to be an inconsistency between the group of people who have organised the event versus the identity of the applicant,
3. There was not a clear demonstration of a clear need for the event, and4. There were no accompanying accounts for the applicant, which is required for grant applications over £250.p. Cllr Alexander, s. Cllr Head J, Unanimous.
- A Morris Memorial Swan unveiling event requested by email for £50 toward public refreshments – the Parish Council RESOLVED that they were unable to support the grant for the following reason,
1. The Parish Council has recognized that it has already funded the Morris Memorial Swan to the level of £705 which significantly exceeds the £500 limit defined by the SKPC Grant Policy and further support under that Policy would not be possible.p. Cllr Head M, s. Cllr Alexander, For:4, Abstain:2.
21/22/108
To discuss and agree training costs.
- After securing preferential rates, the costs for the training course is currently estimated at £350 for seven candidates. It was RESOLVED to agree this level of spend - p. Cllr Head M, s. Cllr Head J, Unanimous.
21/22/109
To discuss and agree actions relating to provision of Broadband service to the Coronation Hall.
- Offer of support letter sent to the Village Hall Committee for support of the Broadband payments. This service will provide further benefits for those using the Village Hall. There was a suggestion that the Village Hall Committee might like to apply for grants from Sleaford REP (which expects to reach an awards decision by 8th September). It was RESOLVED to defer the decision until the next meeting in order to wait for the grant decision, p.Cllr Head M, s. Cllr Johnson, Unanimous.
21/22/110
Presentation of financial accounts for the period.
- The accounts were accepted as circulated. All the available cash for the remaining part of the financial year is allocated to planned spend.
21/22/111
To agree accounts for payment.
- There are no payments for this period.
21/22/112
To agree the update of the signatories for the bank mandate.
- It was RESOLVED that Cllr Alexander and Clerk, Dermot Daly, will be added to the Bank Mandate, p. Cllr Head M, s. Cllr Johnson, Unanimous.
- It was RESOLVED that two previous Parish Council members are taken off the Bank Mandate, p. Cllr Head M, s. Cllr Moore, Unanimous.
POLICY AND PROCESS
21/22/113
To discuss and agree voluntary group relationships with the Parish Council.
- It was RESOLVED that Cllr Johnson liaise with the Community Speed Watch group through a meeting to be set up and that Cllr Shields liaise with the Village Tidy Group and set up a meeting as required, p. Cllr Head M, s. Cllr Fioravanzo, Unanimous. It was further suggested to advertise for further volunteers through Facebook.
GENERAL
21/22/114
To discuss the ownership and maintenance of the Kingfisher Sculpture and the Slea Navigation bi-centenary metal artwork.
- It was RESOLVED that the Clerk write to NKDC to request the transfer of ownership to the Parish Council for the Kingfisher sculpture and the Slea Navigation bi-centenary metal artwork, p. Cllr Head M, s. Cllr Alexander, Unanimous.
21/22/115
To discuss and agree actions regarding a village consultation.
- A proposal has been circulated for comment; it probably requires simplifying in words and structure; there was a suggestion of a Zoom meeting to discuss it further.
21/22/116
To discuss and agree next steps in the pilot heritage assets project.
- The existing list of heritage assets has been sent; the Clerk is to chase Felix Mayle for a reply.
21/22/117
To discuss and agree ongoing actions to support the Parish Council's Community Speedwatch programme.
- A member of the Community Speed Watch team was asked to provide a report - there have been 17 x 1 hour sessions, 2004 vehicles, 247 speeders, 3 x 1 hour session planned for this coming Saturday (10am-1pm), it is expected that Cllr Johnson will attend. If future CSW (and other volunteer group) reports are provided in plenty of time then they will be circulated.
21/22/118
To discuss and agree next steps for the flooding issues around South Parade.
- The flooding appears to have coincided with recent building work; A letter has been sent from the Chairman (as a resident) to WSP (working for and on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council). The Parish Council is to write to Anglian Water to confirm completion of the survey of sewage pipes in the area.
21/22/119
To discuss and agree actions for environmental signage.
- The existing posters have now been put up and it appears people are reading them; The Parish Council will await permanent signage until it is known how the existing posters impact on the issues. (Environment Warden to report back to the Parish Council)
21/22/120
To discuss and agree the installation of a low platform on the river bank specifically for canoe users to be able to get in and out of their canoes.
- The Environment Agency has provided information on a similar installation (as circulated); Permits, grants, etc. to be discussed at Kyme Eau workgroup; A recycled plastic construction would be preferable; Concern was raised as to the location for road access and the need to discuss with LCC Highways department.
21/22/121
Clerk's Correspondence.
- County Councillor Andrew Key was invited to say a few words. He stated his support for the activities of the Community Speed Watch, and commented on his personal view of Village Gates saying he thought they appeared to be effective.
- Riparian watercourse management and associated questionnaire (as circulated) – comments from Councillors to be sent to Clerk by 8th September 2021 for the Parish Council response to be submitted by 12th September 2021.
- Litter Picking Grant
- Councillor Alexander to provide the Clerk with the previous submission for the Clerk to submit a new application by 30th September 2021.
- Posters have been received for the Sleaford Transport Strategy.
CLOSE
21/22/122
To consider agenda items for the next meeting.
- County Councillor report
- District Councillor report
- Volunteer group reports
- Environmental report
- Staffing matters
- Initial budget planning for 2022/23
- Initiative status reports (Kyme Eau Workgroup, Kingfisher Repair Work, Canoe Platform, Village Plan, Heritage Assets, Village Hall Broadband Service, Queen's Platinum Celebrations)
- Next Meeting 23rd September 2021.
Meeting Close - 21:19