2024 Minutes
Minutes of the Leadenham Annual Parish Meeting
Date: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Leadenham Village Hall (Doors opened at 6:45 PM)
Attendees:
- Cllr M Nelstrop, Chairman
- Cllr P Dowen,
- Cllr M Everett,
- Cllr P Linacre,
- Cllr K Willgoose.
- Ruth Keillar (Clerk/RFO).
1. Welcome from the Chair
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Cllr M Nelstrop, who welcomed everyone present.
2. Approval of Previous Meeting Notes
The notes of the previous meeting were had been circulated and were approved and signed as Minutes.
3. Parish Report from the Clerk/RFO
The Clerk/RFO presented the Parish Report, highlighting key activities and financial updates.
Leadenham Parish Council Annual Parish Meeting – Tuesday 14 May 2024.
RFO Report – Year 2023-24.
Budget and Precept
The Budget requirement for 2023-24 had been agreed at £14,956. The Precept request was agreed at £12,328, representing 0% / £0 change for taxpayers from the previous year.
The PC made a contribution from Reserves of £2,562 to reduce the Precept requirement.
Income:
Total other income for 2023-24 = £19,467.59
Including:
LAW, contribution to PC (2022-23) £299.89
LCC Grass-cutting Grant £457.31
NKDC Litter-picking Grant £91.14
NKDC CIL payment £2,192.50
HMRC VAT reclaim (01/01/22-30/11/23) £3,379.63
FCC Grant (Play Area) £12,984.73
Expenditure:
All payments are noted in each month’s Minutes.
Including:
- Donation to PCC Churchyard upkeep £525.00
- Donation to Fountain upkeep £100.00
- Donation to RBL representative £30.00
- Donation to CAB Midlincs £50.00
- Village Maintenance services £391.46
- LIVES defibrillator case replacement £864.00
- Parish contribution to Play Area Grant £1,395.86
CIL funds totalling £8,123.71 had been received since 2019.
Funds remaining total £6,052.86
Precept 2024-25:
The Budget requirement to cover anticipated costs for 2024-25 was agreed at £18,585. The Precept request was agreed at £16,085.00, representing 29.05% / £24.23 change for taxpayers from the previous year.
The PC made a contribution from Reserves of £2,500 to reduce the Precept requirement.
AGAR 2023-24 (Annual Governance and Accountability Return)
Accounts for the Parish Council to be audited by Mrs A Smith.
A full Statement of audited Accounts for this financial year, April 2023 – March 2024, will be presented to the full Parish Council Meeting when completed.
The external auditors for 2023-24 year end are PKF Littlejohn; the Parish Council will not be exempt from submitting the accounts, and all documentation will be submitted to the External Auditor and displayed on the PC website.
Banking Arrangements
In July 2023 the PC resolved to move banks to accounts with Lloyds, to facilitate online banking.
In July 2023 the PC resolved to the setting up of an Equals Card account. Debit cards were issued to the Clerk and Cllr M Everett, to facilitate purchase of products and services on behalf of the PC without the requirement for the use of personal funds.
Parish Report
The current membership stands at 7 parish councillors.
Following the May 2023 election, 5 Members have been elected to the PC and two vacant seats remain for co-option:
Elected:
Cllr M Nelstrop (Chair)
Cllr G Luff (Vice-Chair - Resigned 14/11/23)
Cllr M Everett
Cllr N Johnson (appointed Vice-Chair 14/11/23)
Cllr K Willgoose
Cllr P Dowen was co-opted (13/06/23)
Cllr S Hall was co-opted (14/11/23)
Cllr P Linacre was co-opted (19/12/23)
Defibrillator
The defibrillator has had a new cabinet fitted and the PC continues to subscribe to a maintenance scheme run by L.I.V.E.S.
Speed Limit Reduction.
LCC Highways has proposed a speed reduction in Leadenham on the A607 from 40mph to 30mph. The public consultation period closeD on 16 June 2023 and the speed reduction was actioned following that.
Play Area.
The new play area equipment (Baby Swings and Toddler Swings) was installed and completed in September 2023. The Spring Horse was removed at this time following the August RoSPA report.
After this the equipment has been checked on a monthly basis and found to be ‘good’ or ‘adequate’.
The PC resolved in the 2024-25 budget and precept requirements, that funding for further replacements was not financially viable in the current economic climate.
LCC Highways Village Walks.
These have lapsed since covid and are being re-instated, with the next walk scheduled for June 2024.
4. Points Raised by Parishioners
The floor was opened for parishioners to raise any points or concerns. none present
Conclusion:
The meeting was closed.
Signed (Chair)………M. NELSTROP……….Date……13/05/2025………