2021 Parish Council Meetings

Notes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held virtually using Zoom on Tuesday 4th May 2021 at 7.34 pm.

Present: Cllrs P Ireland, S Poulton, N Rooke, A Lennox and J Stapleton, Cllr S Tarry (NKDC), Mrs D Scott (Clerk).

41/21 Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman. It was proposed that Cllr Poulton be elected Chairman and this was agreed unanimously. Arrangements were made for Cllr Poulton to sign the declaration of acceptance of office and he took the chair. He thanked Cllr Ireland for his work chairing the Council. It was proposed that Cllr Lennox be elected Vice-Chairman and this was agreed unanimously.

42/21 Apologies for Absence – Cllr S Ogden (NKDC)

43/21 Declarations of Interest and Applications for Dispensation – none.

44/21 The notes of the Parish Council Meeting, held on 2rd March 2021: it was agreed unanimously that these were an accurate record. Arrangements were made for signing the papers.

45/21 Annual Parish Meeting (meeting of electors) – it was noted that the APM would normally be held between 1st March and 1st June but the current regulations preventing face to face meetings, along with APMs not being included in the regulations that allowed for virtual meetings; recent advice from NALC and LALC suggested that the APM could be held later this year, once meeting restrictions were relaxed, and subject to usual venues re-opening. It was understood that both the Chapel and Parva House could be delaying re-opening. Councillors were keen that the APM should be held as soon as possible and agreed that, if no venue was available in the parish, use of Great Hale Village Hall be investigated, in late June/July, as long as the government’s roadmap out of lockdown was as expected.

46/21 Finance 2020-21

1. To receive the Internal Auditor’s Report – Mrs Gascoyne’s report, with no concerns, had been shared prior to the meeting and was noted.
2. Exemption Certificate 2020-21 for submission to the External Auditor – it was agreed unanimously that this be approved.
3. Statement of Governance for the year ending 31st March 2021 – it was agreed unanimously that this be approved.
4. Statement of Parish Council Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2021 – it was agreed unanimously that this be approved.

Arrangements were made for the papers to be signed by the Clerk/RFO and the Chairman.

It was noted that the period for the exercise of public rights had been set as 14th June to 23rd July 2021 and that any enquiries would be dealt with in accordance with the national guidelines for social distancing etc., in effect at the time.

It was also noted that the end of year balance at the bank, £1270.84, included restricted funds for the Defib of £352.82, the Community Building Fund of £35.40 and the Gazebo of £85.

47/21 Finance 2021-22 - The Clerk had circulated updated financial statements.

1. Bank Balance, before this meeting’s payments, was £3470.84, including the Precept of £2200 received from NKDC on 1st April.
2. Payments were approved for Clerk £172.93 (April and May plus expenses (reimbursement of travel, stationery etc)), HMRC £38.80 (mth 1 due 19/05/21), LALC subscription £75.38, Mrs Gascoyne Internal Audit fee £40.

Arrangements were made to sign Mrs Scott’s cheque, but the others were authorised for payment by transfer.

It was also noted that the Insurance premium would be due on 1st June, but no renewal notice had yet been received. It was expected that payment of £330 would be due as part of the 3 year agreement and the Clerk was authorised to pay this amount by transfer on receipt of paperwork (confirmed as £231.09 post-meeting)

48/21 Clerk’s Report and Correspondence received

1. Covid-19 updates from LCC, NKDC, LALC and LRF – shared regularly.
2. Announcements re HRH Duke of Edinburgh
3. LALC e-news – recent edition had asked for feedback regarding virtual meetings. After discussion, it was agreed that Cllr Poulton should respond positively. The facility had proved invaluable in conducting Parish Council business safely during the pandemic and making  meetings more accessible. The Parish Council would support changes in legislation to enable virtual meetings to continue, as an option.
4. Lloyds Bank Statements – noted.

49/21 Policing – No update from NPT, but Cllr Poulton offered to pick up some of the anti-speeding car stickers; dog thefts were a nationwide problem and owners were advised to be extremely careful; ‘Next Door’, as an alternative to Neighbourhood Watch, was not felt to be a move in the right direction.

50/21 Highways Matters

1. Potholes – Councillors and other residents were urged to continue reporting these via ‘Fix my street’ and/or LCC website.
2. Flooding – it was noted that most riparian landowners along the village dyke had managed to clear their sections, apart from one. Cllr Tarry kindly offered to ask NKDC officers to inform the IDB and initiate enforcement proceedings, i.e., to carry out the work and recharge the cost to the owners of 11 Chapel Lane. It was noted that, should the Parish Council eventually claim ownership of the land at Pump Lane, it would become responsible for the section of the dyke along its boundary.

51/21  Broadband Update – Cllr Ireland reported that he’d been pushing Quickline for an update and had been informed that the application was now at its final review stage with ‘Building Digital UK’ awaiting approval. It was understood that OnLincolnshire was supporting the application but it was a lengthy process. Cllr Ireland would report back with any news and continue to liaise with Quickline.

52/21Planning Matters – None

53/21 Planning Inspectorate Matters

1. Viking Link Interconnector Project – Cllr Ireland reported that he’d attended a Teams meeting where Viking Link had asked for details of local projects. He’d submitted information about Pump Lane and they had offered a Zoom call to find out more about it. He agreed to continue to liaise with Viking Link and arrange the meeting.
2. Triton Knoll – no further update.

54/21 Community Defibrillator – it was noted that weekly checks were still ongoing.  Cllrs Rooke and Poulton reported that again more books were being donated than borrowed but Councillors were monitoring the box to ensure that the floor was kept clear and access to the defib was not obstructed.

55/21 Dog Fouling – no reports but some had been found on Fen Rd and Burton Rd during the litter pick.

56/21 Land at Pump Lane. Councillors reported that the gate had now been replaced and the fencing was ready to go up. It was suggested that a JCB and driver should be hired, at a cost of less than £100, to tidy the area. It was agreed that this be arranged, subject to a second estimate of cost to ensure best value. It was noted that  residents were very supportive of the project and had even asked whether a larger area of land could be acquired. It was agreed that the priority should be the Pump Lane land at this stage.

57/21 Spring Clean – Councillors reported that this had been a great success; they had been very pleased to discover that residents had taken the initiative during lockdown and kept the verges clear in several directions, in particular Mrs Strong. Thanks were also given to NKDC for the loan of the kit and picking up the rubbish collected and also for dealing so quickly with the fly-tipping reported.

Mrs Scott agreed to investigate the purchase of 6 Litter Pickers, etc., to enable more frequent informal clean ups to take place, possibly at short notice.

58/21 Website/ Newsletter – Mrs Scott asked for a suitable picture to use as the main header photo on the homepage. Cllr Poulton offered to find a wide-view drone image.

Matters for the next meeting – Policy Reviews, Litter Picking Plans

59/21 Dates of Next Meetings: for 2020-21 at 7.30pm, 5th July (Monday), 7th Sept, 2nd Nov, 4th Jan 2022, 1st Mar, 3rd May,

The meeting closed at 8.45 pm

5th July 2021 - the Minutes were agreed as a true record and were signed by Cllr Steve Poulton