January 9 2024 - Minutes
NOTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL OF
LEADENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Held on Tuesday 9 January 2024, 7.15 pm at Leadenham Village Hall.
PRESENT: Cllr M Nelstrop (Chair)* arrived 7.31pm, Cllr N Johnson (Vice Chair). Cllr M Everett, Cllr P Linacre, Cllr K Willgoose.
Ruth Keillar (Clerk/RFO).
0 member(s) of the public present.
The Chair was delayed due to an error by the Clerk, therefore Vice-Chair Cllr N Johnson Chaired the meeting. The meeting commenced at 7.25pm.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies had been received from Cllr S Hall, reasons accepted and Cllr P Dowen (reasons accepted). DCllr Lucille Hagues had advised that she would be unlikely 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.
No members of the public were present.
4. MINUTES
It was proposed by Cllr M Everett, seconded by Cllr K Willgoose and it was RESOLVED that Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 19 December 2023 be approved as a true record and signed as Minutes.
5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND ISSUES
a) Applications received:
None received.
b) Decisions received:
None.
Cllr M Nelstrop arrived at this point. It was agreed that Cllr N Johnson continue to Chair the meeting.
6. 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.
7. HIGHWAYS ISSUES
a) i. The Clerk reported that the request for additional signage ref HGVs has been submitted via fixmystreet and noted for action. A17 junction into Leadenham - Viewing a problem :: FixMyStreet.
ii. SWRA had been contacted regarding a meeting with Amy Townson, Cllr M Everett and Cllr N Johnson. Two members of Welbourn PC have expressed an interest in joining (08/01/24).
b) Footpath over the bridge No update to report.
8. TREES ON PC LAND
a) Quotes had been received from two contractors, with a third still pending.
It was agreed that the third quote be chased and an alternative sought. It was noted that NKDC tree officer had not expressed an urgent call for action during his visit onsite, confirming that the tees were stable. It was agreed that PC will consider this item at a future meeting once three quotes are available.
b) It was noted that further investigation into other PC land which may contain trees to be conducted in due course. To note that Cllr M Everett has detailed previous references to tree locations (2015).
9. PARISH CLERK
a) LALC has provided information for PCs wishing to take part in the D-Day 80th anniversary (circulated to all 04/01/24).
b) Cllr M Everett has raised a complaint with LCC Highways and has made a further request for this to be escalated to level 2. LCC Highways has now closed the complaint. Cllr M Everett circulated the correspondence to all (07/12/23). LALC has confirmed that if any action must be in line with actions agreed by the PC.
It was noted that Cllr M Everett had raised the official complaint, in his capacity as Cllr, without the prior knowledge of the PC. It was noted that the PC did notapprove this action. It was noted that Cllr M Everett may carry on any action as a private individual, without referencing his role as Cllr to the PC.
c) Grit Bins - Cllr M Everett had requested information regarding Grit Bin top-ups, reporting that one was approx. 25% full. The Clerk confirmed that LCC Highways check the bins at all locations and top up if needed. A 25% full bin is probably considered non-emergency fill rosta. This can also be reported on fix my street.
d) Judicial Review - Following the suggestion at the last meeting to enquire about the feasibility of the PC carrying out a Judicial Review, LALC has been consulted, stating that it is possible for a PC to instigate this but not recommended. (LALC reply circulated to all 21/12/23). It was agreed that the PC does not approve this action.
10. CORRESPONDENCE
Email received from a member of the public regarding various issues. (circulated to all 08/01/24). An acknowledgement has been sent. It was agreed that no action was required.
11. SPEED ISSUES
a) To consider the purchase of card cut out Police figures information was circulated to all 19/11/23. (forwarded to Cllr P Linacre 04/01/24). It was agreed that no purchase of these figures be made at this time.
b) It was noted that the agreement to re-investigate the purchase of a Speed Indicator Device (19/12/23 minute 17) had been supported by the figures previously circulated in August 2023 as a guide. Costs at that time were estimated at between 2250 and 4134, excluding installation and some other costs. It was noted that updated costs could be sought if required.
It was agreed that the overall costs were likely to be more than the ringfenced figure of 2,500.
c) It was agreed that the suggestion by Cllr K Willgoose, for a 20mph zone around the area of the Primary School be submitted to LCC Highways.
12. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) To approve the Statement of accounts and bank reconciliation.
Statement of Accounts Lloyds, at 08/01/2024:
i. Lloyds Treasurer s Account (****9760) £1,224.26
ii. Lloyds BB Inst (savings) Account (****7762) £14,022.69
Sub-total £15,246.95
iii. Equals Account (****9509) £336.85
Total £15,583.80
iv. Royal Fund £331.80
Income included in balances: £10.00
Part cost LALC Clerk s day 22/11/23, with FTLPC)
Incl Interest accrued: (January) n/a £0
Income excluded in balances
LAW contribution (16/12/23) £0.98
Transfers: £0
To ratify payments made between 17/12/2023 08/01/2024.
Item 76 - Cllr M Everett to submit invoice/receipt for financial records.
Balance of accounts at 08/01/2024:
Adjusted to remove play area equipment:
To consider any payments at 08/01/2024:
Additional hours accrued by Clerk from 01/07/23-31/12/23.
It was proposed by Cllr M Nelstrop, seconded by Cllr N Johnson and it was RESOLVED that the statement of accounts and payments be approved.
INCOME/GRANTS for note only:
CIL
To note that the CIL report was submitted to NKDC on 22/12/23 and will be added to the NKDC website in due course: Community_infrastructure_levy_annual_reporting_by_local_councils_for_2022-23.ods (live.com)
Ringfenced for SID 2,500.00* see minute 13 b below.
Ringfenced for election costs 3,000
S137 9.93 per elector. x310 = 3,078.30
b) Budget and Precept request for 2024-25, as estimated at last meeting.
The revised Budget and Precept options were discussed.
It was agreed that the Precept would need to increase for 2024-25 and it was noted that the previous 3 years Precept had not increased, however due to most costs increasing, and the requirement to carry out maintenance works within the Parish, it was necessary to an increase in the Precept to ensure that PC business could continue.
It was proposed by Cllr N Johnson, seconded by Cllr M Nelstrop and it was RESOLVED that the Budget be agreed as 18,585 and that the Precept request be agreed as 16,085, with a 2,500 PC contribution coming from re-allocating of the SID ringfenced funds into the Budget to keep the precept as low as possible, giving an increase of 29.50% / £24.23, with Band D households tax rising from 83.40 pa to 107.63 pa for 2024-25.
13. VILLAGE HALL/LAW/BOWLS CLUB
An informal meeting took place between LVH Chair and the Clerk on 21/12/23. A meeting with the Independent Consultant, I. Goldsworthy, is tbc for a date in January and will take place at the VH.
14. MEMORIALS
a) Old Memorials no update available.
b) War Memorial no update available.
It was noted that Cllr S Hall is leading on this and was not present.
15. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING. To consider any items for inclusion in the next agenda. No items raised at this time.
16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING.
a) To note that the next meeting of the Parish Council is Tuesday 13 February 2024.
There being no further business the Vice-Chair ended the meeting at 21:02
Signed (Chair).................M. NELSTROP......................Date...........13/02/2024....