January 12 2021 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF
LEADENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Held on 12 January 2021, 7.30 pm via Zoom.
PRESENT: Cllr Melanie Nelstrop (Chair), Cllr G McLusky (Vice-Chair), Cllr Steve Locking, Cllr Tim Sisson and Cllr Karin Willgoose. Also present Cllr Gary Luff (see minute No. 4).
Ruth Keillar (Clerk/RFO)
One member of the public was present.
Public Questions: No comments or questions had been received.
CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS
The Chair welcomed the new Clerk/RFO.
1. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASON FOR ABSENCE
DCllr Lucille Hagues and Cllr M Overton had advised that they will be arriving during the meeting.
2. TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA
None received.
3. PREVIOUS MEETING NOTES
It was proposed by Cllr G McLusky, seconded by Cllr M Nelstrop and it was RESOLVED that the notes from the meeting held on 8 December 2020 be approved as a true record and signed as minutes.
4. CO-OPTION FOR VACANCIES
a) There had been one application for Co-option to the vacant seat on the Parish Council by Mr Gary Luff. It was proposed by Cllr T Sisson, seconded by Cllr G McLusky and it was RESOLVED that Mr Luff be co-opted as a Member of Leadenham Parish Council. Cllr Luff had received the Acceptance of Office form for immediate signature. The RoMI form must be returned within 28 days.
b) It was agreed that Cllr G Luff be appointed onto the Village Hall Committee as the representative for the PC.
5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND ISSUES
a) Applications received:
i. 20/1756/HOUS Rear of Blacksmiths Cottage 4 Main Road Leadenham – comments by 01 02 21. It was agreed that no comment be submitted.
b) Decisions received:
None.
6. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
To receive reports from the following:
a) Local Police – click here for information
b) District Councillor (DCllr Lucille Hagues, Cllr M Overton). DCllr Lucille Hagues gave a verbal report and submitted a written report found here. She highlighted fraud and anti-fraud help. Cllr M Overton gave a verbal report highlighting updates on Covid and where to seek support. Cllr M Overton agreed to investigate issues relating to the footpath adjacent to the railway bridge and to the footpath/busses issue at the High Street. Cllr M Overton’s reports can be found here.
c) County Councillor (Cllr M Overton).
7. CLERK’S REPORT FOR INFORMATION ONLY
a) LCC Grass-cutting invoice issued 23/12/20. A new agreement received 12/01/21: £405.05 commencing 01/04/21. It was agreed to re-enrol for this scheme.
b) NKDC CIL Report – NKDC emailed 23/12/20 re status / update.
c) Meeting with Cllr K Willgoose for hand-over of bank statements/cheque books.
d) Meeting with Previous clerk for hand-over of documents.
e) GDPR – All necessary documents will be circulated for approval at the next full PC meeting. It was agreed that the PC be registered with the ICO.
f) Internal Policies – Drafts will be circulated for approval at a future PC meeting.
g) LCC/NKDC Traffic Order ref Weight Limits within the Parish has been supplied by Cllr M Overton and will be displayed on the PC website.
h) Electoral Register – It was agreed that this is accessible electronically, via the NKDC portal.
i) LALC Newsletter hard copy is currently purchased. It was agreed that the newsletter be received electronically and circulated to all.
j) Meeting dates for the year 2021 will be posted online.
k) Zoom subscription for April onwards, via LALC. It was agreed that this be considered in due course.
l) Member’s email addresses – all to be set up as separate addresses for PC business.
m) Website – It was agreed that an offer from Mr Pete Langford for free help to the clerk with the new LCC Jadu website be arranged.
n) Pensions Regulator registration to be updated.
8. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Following receipt of an emailed discussion regarding traffic issues/dangerous footpath in the High Street and the submission of a complaint (ref: 491849) to LCC, It was agreed that this be followed up by the PC and with the help of DCllr/CCllr Overton, who is liaising with Highways.
School busses continue to breach Highways regulations and it was suggested that the complainant be asked to photograph/record any breaches for submission to the PC in support of this issue.
9. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) To approve the Statement of accounts and bank reconciliations for December 2020
The RFO has yet to have access to the PC bank account.
Cllr K Willgoose reported balances for January 2021:
i. HSBC deposit account balance as £9,969.33
Interest received £0.08
ii. HSBC current account balance as £1,448.13
Uncleared cheques: 101432, Mrs J Booth, Donation. £100.00
Payments received, included in balances: NIL
Payments due, excluded from balances: £399.98
(LCC Highways Grass-cutting grant 2020-2021)
b) Payments for approval: None.
c) Bank mandate: It was agreed that the addition of the RFO to the bank mandate, for access to accounts, be deferred until a future meeting.
d) Online banking: It was agreed that this be deferred until a future meeting.
e) Budget Review and Setting the Precept for 2021-22.
The RFO had prepared a budget review of 2020-21 and proposed budget for 2021-22.
It was agreed that the proposed budget be amended if a reduction in the quote received re grass-cutting could be achieved.
f) It was agreed to hold an extra-ordinary meeting to re-consider the Budget/Precept request prior to the submission date of 29 January 2021.
10. 1PARISH FIELD
It was agreed that this item be deferred until the next meeting.
11. PLAY AREA
The following items were noted:
a) M Everett has confirmed he will continue to carry out monthly checks of the Play area as a Volunteer. Reports to be submitted to the Clerk. It was agreed that any action required be passed to the Village Handyman for execution.
b) PC Insurance policy covers his activity.
c) Under current Government lockdown advice, the Play Area may remain open.
d) It may be considered to place signage advising the public of their responsibility to be covid-aware when using the area.
e) RoPSA report for October 2020 has been received Safeplay and copied to M Everett.
12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING DATE
a) The next meeting of Leadenham Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 9 February 2021, 7.30 pm.
b) There will be an extra-ordinary meeting to consider the Budget/Precept, by Zoom link, time and date tbc.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.30 pm
Signed…..M NELSTROP. Date…..9 February 2021.