December 19 2023 - Minutes
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL OF
LEADENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Held on Tuesday 19 December 2023, 7.15 pm at Leadenham Village Hall.
PRESENT: Cllr M Nelstrop (Chair), Cllr P Dowen, Cllr M Everett, Cllr S Hall, Cllr P Linacre (see minute ), Cllr K Willgoose.
Ruth Keillar (Clerk/RFO).
*1 member(s) of the public present.
CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS. Chair Cllr M Nelstrop welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies had been received from Cllr N Johnson, reasons accepted. DCllr Lucille Hagues had advised that she would be unable to attend.
2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Members of the Parish Council are required to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in any matter which is to be considered at this meeting.
None at this point.
3. PUBLIC FORUM. One member of the public present*
4. MINUTES
It was proposed by Cllr S Hall, seconded by Cllr M Everett and it was RESOLVED that Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 14 November 2023 be approved as a true record and signed as Minutes.
5. VICE-CHAIR VACANCY
Election of Vice-Chair and to receive Acceptance of Office.
Cllr M Everett and Cllr N Johnson had expressed interest in standing.
Cllr S Hall proposed Cllr M Everett and Cllr K Willgoose seconded.
Before a vote could take place for this proposal, Cllr M Nelstrop proposed Cllr N Johnson and Cllr P Dowen seconded; this resulted in stalemate, at which point Cllr M Everett withdrew his expression of interest.
Voting for Cllr N Johnson’s nomination was unanimous and Cllr N Johnson will sign the declaration of acceptance prior to attending the next meeting.
6. CO-OPTION FOR VACANCIES
An application had been received from Mr Peter Linacre on 16/11/2023 and circulated to Members. It was proposed by Cllr M Nelstrop, seconded by Cllr S Hall and it was RESOLVED that Mr Linacre be co-opted to the vacant seat. Mr Linacre signed the Acceptance of Office, countersigned by the Clerk, and joined the meeting as Cllr P Linacre. Additional papers to complete will be issued to Cllr P Linacre, including the RoMI which must be returned to the Clerk within 28 days.
7. PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND ISSUES
a) Applications received:
i. 23/1477/FUL Proposal: Erection of an agricultural workers dwelling and garage in connection with approved poultry farm (21/1550/FUL) Location: Leadenham Poultry Unit Sleaford Road Leadenham Lincolnshire LN5 0QY.
Comments by 5 January 2024.
It was agreed that an objection be submitted, highlighting the requirement for a residential property having to access and exit via what is considered to be a potentially dangerous junction. Requesting that LCC Highways is asked to consider this in its appraisal of the application.
b) Decisions received:
None.
8. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
To receive reports from the following:
a) District Councillor (DCllr Lucille Hagues, Cllr M Overton). District news – click here.
DCllr Lucille Hagues had nothing to add to her report.
b) County Councillor (Cllr M Overton). Newsletters can be found here.
9. HIGHWAYS ISSUES
Cllr M Everett gave a verbal update.
a) Signage at the A17 turn-off was highlighted. At the last meeting it had been agreed to request that better signage be installed at the A17 directing HGVs from the Newark direction to the next, Sleaford Road, junction. The Clerk had not actioned this and it was agreed that this be actioned following the meeting.
School buses issue update – SWRA now has a new contact and a meeting will be requested for the new year to discuss buses and other liaison items for SWRA.is an ongoing issue.
b) Footpath over the bridge – LCC Highways had been asked and had replied that the works were on a higher priority list for consideration (circulated to all 17/11/2023).
c) To consider the content and circulation of a Press Release following the informal reporting of a flooding issue to Sleaford Standard. (In line with LPC Communications Policy section D). It was noted that any press release made representing the PC must be pre-approved by the PC at a full PC meeting. It was noted that any Cllr may contact the press in their capacity as a member of the public, bearing in mind that they cannot speak on behalf of the PC without pre-approval.
Cllr M Everett suggested instructing a judicial Review regarding LCC Highways. It was agreed that LALC be consulted to confirm if this was within the remit of a PC and if there was any advice from them regarding taking this action. Cllr P Dowen offered to make enquiries from a contact with experience of such actions.
Further consideration will be given at the next meeting.
10. TREES ON PC LAND
a) It was noted that Cllr M Everett and the clerk had met with the NKC tree Officer on 28/11/2023. A report had been received and circulated to all. Works had been identified and quotes have been requested for consideration.
b) It was agreed that an investigation into other PC land which may contain trees would be required in due course.
11. PARISH CLERK
a) LALC Clerk’s Networking Day incorporating the SLCC Lincolnshire Branch AGM took place on 22nd November, 10:00 – 15:30 at Cranwell Village Hall. The key focus of the day was mental wellbeing and handling stress.
b) LALC Cllr eGroup – details emailed to all Cllrs 29/11/23.
c) LALC eNews – Cllrs wishing to receive this please confirm to the Clerk. It was agreed that the clerk would circulate this to all Cllrs initially, for members to confirm their preference.
d) SWRA now has a new contact, Amy Townson, and a meeting will be arranged with her, Cllr M Everett and Cllr N Johnson in the new year.
e) Card Police figures have been shown to work at reducing speeding at another PC. Details and prices circulated. It was agreed that this be added to a future agenda for consideration.
f) LVH committee has agreed to Cllr M Everett having a key to access the VH; it has been confirmed that Cllr M Everett has been added to the keyholder resister.
g) Gov.uk email addresses were set up from 22/11/23. All Cllrs who have not done so are asked to confirm that they are using their new email.
h) Litter report was submitted on 17/11/23 by the clerk as agreed, PO/Invoice followed on 24/11/23. The grant has been received, 08/12/23.
i) Police and Crime Commissioner PC Engagement session took place on 7 December. Cllr who attended tbc (as agreed 10/10/23 minute 8 d) no Cllrs confirmed their attendance. Video report of the session: North Kesteven Parish Council Engagement Session: 7 December 2023 (youtube.com)
12. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Email received from a member of the public, thanking all concerned for the new 30mph signage.
b) Email recovered from spam folder (received 06/10/2023), regarding parking of HGVs at the Glenrowan construction site and fuel prices at the village garage. A reply has been sent advising that the PC has little power to influence this, but has been liaising with the companies via Cllr M Everett. The Lorry watch website link was given to the correspondent. It was confirmed that the PC has no power to affect retailers pricing policies.
13. DEFIBRILLATOR
a) The new defibrillator cabinet has been ordered and received and stored. The Electrician scheduled to install this on 10 January. LVH Chair has been informed.
14. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) To approve the Statement of accounts and bank reconciliation.
n.b. final HSBC statement and notice of closure of account pending delivery by Cllr K Willgoose. (received 19/12/2023).
Statement of Accounts – Lloyds, at 16/12/2023:
i. Lloyds Treasurer’s Account (****9760) £1,729.31
ii. Lloyds BB Inst (savings) Account (****7762) £14,022.69
Sub-total £15,752.00
iii. Equals Account (****9509) £349.03
Total £16,101.03
iv. Royal Fund £331.80
Income included in balances:
Incl Interest accrued: (December) £19.02
VAT refund (18/12/23) £3,379.63
NKDC Litter grant (08/12/23) £91.14
LAW contribution (16/12/23) £299.00
(Invoice was for £299.98, £0.98 pending
Transfers:
15/12/2023, from Lloyds treasurers (****9760) to
Lloyds BB Inst (****7762) £3,000.00
To ratify payments made between 15/11/2023 – 16/12/2023.
n.b. item 72 not included in bank statement at time of publication, included in balance of accounts below.
n.b. item 73 added retrospectively – final HSBC bank charges applied on 07/11/2023 at close of account. (Balance below adjusted)
Balance of accounts at 16/12/2023:
Adjusted to remove play area equipment:
To consider any payments at 19/12/2023:
Nil at time of publication.
It was proposed by Cllr S Hall, seconded by Cllr M Everett and it was RESOLVED that the statement of accounts and payments be approved.
To note that Cllr P Dowen is now on the system as a signatory and online authorisation.
INCOME/GRANTS for note only:
CIL
To note that the CIL report is due by 31/12/2023, detailing all spending to that date.
To note that the remaining CIL 2019 funds must be spent by 31/12/2023 or will need to be returned to NKDC.
Ringfenced for SID £2,500.00
Ringfenced for election costs £3,000
S137 £9.93 per elector. x310 = £3,078.30
b) To consider the budget and Precept request for 2024-25.
The Clerk had circulated a draft budget/precept request information covering several options. The current year costs had been projected to year end and increases, where known or estimated, had been applied.
i. It was agreed that the precept may have to increase however the PC is working to keep the increase as low as reasonably possible without a financial risk to PC business, duties and essential/desirable works.
ii. Play Area project - Cllr M Everett had circulated a proposal for replacing existing pieces of equipment in the Play Area, following the replacement of the two swings units in September 2023 and also the erection of fencing around the area. The proposal included the PC making a contribution to costs, pursuing grant-funding and potentially contributing the funders requirement for third party funding. It was noted that the previous grant application for the swings relied on the PC contributing as a third party to its own application. The Clerk had advised against this, and re-iterated that in her professional opinion, it was not the correct way to source third party funds.
It was agreed that adding to the budget/precept request for Play Area enhancements was not a good use of PC/tax-payers money in the current financial climate.
iii. Tree works costs, following the recent NKDC report, were unknown at present. It was agreed that estimates should be available prior to the next meeting for consideration of this project.
iv. Churchyard maintenance – a request to increase the current donation from the PC to the PCC was considered however it was agreed that this would not be possible.
v. The budget/precept request will be finalised and considered at the next meeting, and signed off for submission by 26/01/2024.
15. VILLAGE HALL/LAW/BOWLS CLUB
a) As agreed at the meeting of 14/11/2023, minute 15, an independent consultant has been approached to act as an Independent Consultant and has indictated his interest in drafting SLA for the VH, to encompass key users such as LAW and Bowls Club. He has waived a fee and is happy for the PC to make a donation to a suitable charity. (Email from IG circulated to all). It was proposed by Cllr M Nelstrop, seconded by Cllr S Hall and it was RESOLVED that Mr I Goldsworthy (IG) be appointed to undertake this role.
b) To agree a brief for the consultant. It was agreed that the brief be guided by IG.
16. MEMORIALS
a) To receive any information regarding the old Memorials currently in the care of a member of the community and any action required. It was agreed that the PC investigate the size, type and condition of the memorials and to consider where they could be sited within the VH complex. Cllr K Willgoose and Cllr S Hall offered to visit the keeper and to report back at the next meeting. Cllr S Hall suggested that the re-homing of these memorials might be an interesting project to include in the APM.
b) War Memorial, to receive any updates regarding the War Memorial, NKDC funding and to agree any action. Cllr S Hall reported that quotes were in work, and that further information would be reported at the next meeting.
17. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING. To consider any items for inclusion in the next agenda. Cllr S Hall suggested that a new investigation of SID (Speed Indicator Device) purchase be actioned, enabling this item to be taken forward or to consider re-purposing the ringfenced funds (£2,500) to another project.
18. DATE OF NEXT MEETING.
a) To note that the next meeting of the Parish Council is Tuesday 9 January 2024.
b) To consider a date and arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting.
19. TO RESOLVE WHETHER TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC AND PRESS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS.
Should this resolution be passed, members of the public and press will be required to leave the meeting at this stage.
It was proposed by Cllr M Nelstrop, seconded by Cllr S Hall and it was RESOLVED to exclude the public and press for consideration of the following confidential matters.
a) Staffing matters.
i. Staff appraisal – The vacancy on the personnel committee was filled by Cllr K Willgoose.
The Clerk’s appraisal will be arranged for as soon as practicable in the new year.
ii. It was agreed that cover for the Clerk’s absence for the meetings of February 13 and March 12, be covered by Cllr M Everett. Associated arrangements for work covering this period were agreed.
iii. Additional hours. It was noted that the hours required to carry out the regular PC business, plus additional projects/tasks are still above the contracted allocation. It was agreed that overtime be calculated up to end December 2023 and paid in January 2024.
There being no further business the Chair ended the meeting at 21:17
Signed (Vice-Chair)…………N.JOHNSON……….Date………09/01/2024…………..
2/19/12/2023