April 09 2024 - Minutes
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL OF
LEADENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Held on Tuesday 9 April 2024, 7.15 pm at Leadenham Village Hall.
PRESENT: Cllr M Nelstrop (Chair), Cllr N Johnson (Vice Chair), Cllr P Dowen, Cllr M Everett, Cllr S Hall, Cllr P Linacre, Cllr K Willgoose.
Ruth Keillar (Clerk/RFO).
1 member(s) of the public present.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
DCllr Lucille Hagues had advised that she would be unable 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.
1 member of the public was present, to give a report on agenda item 13a.
4. MINUTES
Cllr M Everett requested that an amendment be made to the draft prior to approval; Item 3, Public Forum, the text ‘The member of the public added that he had followed an HGV through the village’ was inserted after sentence 2.
It was proposed by Cllr S Hall, seconded by Cllr P Dowen and it was RESOLVED that Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13 February 2024 be approved as a true record and signed as Minutes.
5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND ISSUES
a) Applications received:
i. 24/0306/PNREN Proposal: Installation of a roof mounted solar array on 3 no. poultry unit roofs totalling 300kw. Location: Leadenham Poultry Unit Sleaford Road Leadenham Applicant: Mr George Adsetts.
An application for prior approval has been received for the proposal. The purpose of the Prior Approval procedure is to determine whether or not any further approval is required, therefore, it is not subject to the usual consultation process as the Council is only provided with 56 days in which to make a decision.
No comments required.
b) Decisions 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. Approved 29/02/2024.
Agenda item 13a was taken at this point.
6. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
To receive reports from the following:
a) District Councillor (DCllr Lucille Hagues, Cllr M Overton). District news – click here.
b) County Councillor (Cllr M Overton). Newsletters can be found here.
c) Leadenham Village Hall – Chair Mrs J Onley was not able to attend and her report will be deferred.
7. HIGHWAYS ISSUES
a) Cllr M Everett reported:
i. Contractors’ vehicles - there was still a problem with building contractors’ vehicles driving through the village, in particular Cllr M Everett identified those servicing Glenrowen Homes; LCC Highways had responded to the fixmystreet.com request for signage amendments on the A17 by advising that they were unable to implement this and that the contractors(s) concerned would need to be contacted to request this.
ii. LCC Lorrywatch – he had made 100 reports to this service and could see no action taken. It was agreed that the Clerk contact LCC to ask why no action had been taken.
iii. It was suggested and agreed that the Clerk request that LCC send a solicitor’s letter to Glenrowan Homes regarding the issue of HGVs driving through the village.
iv. Cllr S Hall suggested that social media could be used as a way of bringing the issue to Glenrowan Homes attention. It was noted that any posts made should be made by private individuals and not as ‘councillor’ or ‘parish council’. (Social Media Policy can be viewed on the PC website).
v. School buses servicing SWRA are still taking a route which they had previously been agreed they would not.
vi. It was suggested and agreed that the Clerk contact the Chief Constable of Police to follow up on a letter regarding weight limits received by Cllr M Everett on 28/10/2021 stating ‘if there is continued contravention of weight limits which cause a significant risk to road users then further enforcement activity may be required’. (a response to his correspondence sent prior to taking up the role of Cllr).
b) Footpath over the bridge – No update to report, however with reference to agenda item 16b, it was agreed that dates be suggested to LCC Highways for a village walk.
8. TREES ON PC LAND
a) Following the approval of the works on 13/02/2024, minute 8, the contractor has been informed that the works can proceed.
9. PARISH CLERK
a) LIVES quarterly report received. All rescue-ready
b) Play Area reports received for Feb, March, and April; all apparatus continues to be classed as either good or adequate. Paint repair pending on Ropewalk, slide and springboard.
10. CORREESPONDENCE
a) 02/04/24 – email from a resident requesting that the PC intervene in a private neighbour issue. It was explained that the PC has no duty, power, or responsibility to do this.
b) 02/04/24 - email received from a member of the public, regarding land to be used for allotments adjacent to the Garage. It was explained that this land is not the property of the PC, therefore the PC is unable to assist with this issue.
11. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) To approve the Statement of accounts and bank reconciliation.
YEAR END 2023-2024
Statement of Accounts – Lloyds, at 31/03/2024:
Lloyds Treasurer’s Account (****9760) £207.30
Lloyds BB Inst (savings) Account (****7762) £25,582.29
Sub-total £25,789.59
Equals Account (****9509) £336.85
Total £26,126.44
Royal Fund £331.80
Incl Interest accrued: (Feb/March) £45.44
To ratify payments made between 06/02/2024 – 31/03/24.
YEAR END Balance of accounts at 31/03/2024:
Adjusted to remove play area equipment:
See spreadsheet for details of overspend. Key factors Clerk extra hours, defibrillator case and village maintenance (including tree survey).
FINANCIAL YEAR 2024-2025
Statement of Accounts – Lloyds, at 09/04/2024:
Lloyds Treasurer’s Account (****9760) £16,292.30
Lloyds BB Inst (savings) Account (****7762) £25,582.29
Sub-total £41,874.59
Equals Account (****9509) £336.85
Total £42,211.44
Royal Fund £331.80
Income included in balances:
Precept NKDC 2024-2025 £16,085.00
Income excluded in balances n/a
Transfers:
Balance of accounts at 09/04/2024:
Budget includes £2,500 PC contribution.
It was proposed by Cllr M Nelstrop seconded by Cllr S Hall and it was RESOLVED that the statement of accounts and payments be approved.
INCOME/GRANTS for note only:
CIL
Ringfenced for election costs £3,000
S137 £9.93 per elector. x310 = £3,078.30
b) Royal Fund Declaration. (report attached).
It was proposed by Cllr P Dowen, seconded by Cllr N Johnson and it was RESOLVED by majority vote that the Royal Fund Declaration be approved and accepted; Cllr M Everett abstained.
c) It was noted and approved that a payment be made to NKDC following remittance made in error by NKDC, £1,330.00. This will be recorded as a non-PC transfer in the accounts.
d) It was noted that AGAR 2023-24 documentation has been received from External Auditor PKF-Littlejohn. The deadline is Monday 1 July 2024. It is noted that this year no exemption applies and full AGAR and supporting reports must be submitted for scrutiny.
e) It was noted that during the Clerk staff review, Cllr M Everett and Cllr K Willgoose checked Financial Entries against invoices and bank statements at random, found no irregularities and were satisfied with the methods and system used by the Clerk/RFO.
12. VILLAGE HALL/LAW/BOWLS CLUB
No updates are available.
13. MEMORIALS
a) Old Memorials – a member of the public, currently custodian of the two memorials, gave a verbal report, supported with a diagram of a suggested site within the village hall grounds. Details of the planned works required and location were approved. Cllr S Hall volunteered to assist with the preparation and installation, in liaison with the custodian.
b) War Memorial – Cllr S Hall gave a verbal report and will be updating with any quotes at the next meeting.
14. PLAY AREA PROJECT
No updates were available regarding an Opening Event.
15. GEORGE HOTEL.
It was agreed that more investigation be undertaken.
16. VILLAGE WALK
a) It was agreed that a ‘Village Walk’ by PC members would be combined with the LCC Highways walk.
b) It was agreed that dates be suggested for a ‘Highways Walk’ by LCC Highways representative and members of the PC.
17. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING. To consider any items for inclusion in the next agenda. No items raised at this time.
Cllr M Everett forwarded a list of items required for village maintenance, litter picking and fuel costs; It was agreed that this expenditure be approved at that point.
18. DATE OF NEXT MEETING.
a) It was noted that the next meeting is the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council (AMPC) Tuesday 14 May 2024.
b) It was noted that the APM (Annual Parish Meeting) will be held immediately prior to the AMPC, on 14 May 2024.
There being no further business the Vice-Chair ended the meeting at 20:31
Signed (Chair).....M NELSTROP...........Date.............14/05/2024.................