Minutes July 16th 2020
WILLOUGHBY & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD
16TH JULY 2020
Present: Cllrs Eyre (Chairman); Aston; White; Talbot-Jones; Hale; Pridgeon
Mrs J. Cooper (Parish Clerk)
1 Member of the public
All councillors, Clerk and member of the public observed social distancing.
During the public session concerns were again raised at the lack of action being taken on the flooding issue on Church Lane/Bonthorpe Road. The tanker had been in attendance approx one month ago and jetted through one drain and manhole, but was unable to clear another as it appeared to be blocked. This was the same as previous jetting attempt earlier in the year. It was agreed that the Clerk contact LCC Highways and Cllr C. Davey to request an update on what is happening, when it is likely to happen and why no feedback has been received by the Parish Council.
1. APOLOGIES
Apologies and valid reasons were received from Cllrs Havell and Fairfield and these were accepted.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations
3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 19TH MARCH 2020
These were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
4. UPDATE ON MATTERS SINCE THE LAST MEETING
The Clerk had circulated an update on matters since the last meeting.
This covered:
Planning:
736/20 – Crossing Cottage, Farlesthorpe – Extension. Conditionally approved (any brickwork to match existing)
502/20 – Old Wheelwrights Cottage, Sloothby – Replacement Shed. Conditionally approved (to be in accordance with approved plans)
401/20 – The Paddocks, Sloothby – Retention of 3 sheds and static caravan, erection of bike shed, multi use play area and pergola and decking in accordance with amended plans. Parish Council objected to original plans on the grounds of over intensive, visually obtrusive, noise and disturbance to neighbouring properties. Collating responses in respect of the amended plans (to be submitted before meeting date).
Payments made:
April:
Clerks Salary & PAYE £153.16
LALC subs £171.00
NBB Furniture (bench) £294.00
Welton Garden Services £576.00
May:
Clerks salary & PAYE £153.16
Welton Garden Services £162.00
Zurich Insurance £357.85
June:
Clerks salary & PAYE £153.16
LALC Training (Nov) £ 30.00
L. Croft Int Auditor £ 30.00
Welton Garden Services £798.00
Receipts
Allotments £126.00
Precept £7300.00
19/20 VAT reclaim £952.75
Allotments
Plots 1,2,3,4 – paid
Plots 6,7 – Paid
Plots 11,12 – Paid
Plot 13 – still due
Plots 14,15,16 – Paid
It is understood that some plots have not been cultivated due to virus, and I have written to all allotment holders to ask about their ability to maintain the plots during the virus. None have replied.
It is suggested that for the next meeting, a comprehensive report on the condition of the allotments and any proposed actions required by the Parish Council be submitted.
Covid – 19
Alford Hub has been serving residents of Willoughby with any deliveries, medication etc and have yet to submit any invoice for travelling expenses. The Parish Council agreed that the residents be supported by the Alford Hub and this seemed to have worked well. The payment made in March 20 of £50 was made to the Willoughby Group, however I have received no update on their work to date.
Bonthorpe Road/Church Lane
Telephone call from Mr V. Sleaford at LCC end of June advising that a works order has been put in place for investigation and further clearing of the gullies and pipes under the road.
It was agreed that all payments made during the closure be ratified by members present.
5. PLAYING FIELDS
a) Discussion on whether the Council was in a position to formally re-open the play equipment in light of Government guidance. It was agreed that the Parish Council was not able to comply with the requirements for supervision and regular cleaning of equipment and it was resolved that the play equipment would NOT be reopened at this stage. Cllr Aston to refix notices to that effect. The Council also resolved to adopt the Risk Assessment circulated.
b) An estimate of the costs of replacing the rubber matting had been received, total cost being £4929.84. It was resolved that the Council request that the swing be repaired, but to not have the matting replaced at this stage. Clerk to try and obtain some grant funding towards this cost.
6. FINANCE
a) Accounts for payment:
Clerks salary & PAYE (July) £153.16
Welton Garden Services £240.00
It was resolved that these be paid by BACS.
b) 19/20 Audit
(i) Declaration of Exemption
It was resolved that the Council declare itself exempt from full audit, and the Chairman sign the exemption
(ii) Governance Document
It was resolved that the Governance Document be signed by the Chairman
(iii) Accounts
It was resolved that the Chairman sign the accounts document
7. ANY OTHER MATTERS/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
The Clerk advised of the County Council new website format for Parish Councils, and the difficulty some Clerks were experiencing in the time involved and the ease of transferring documents from the old site to the new format. It was agreed that if the Clerk found it too time consuming then up to £200 be utilised to have an outside firm transfer the documents. Clerk to attend “virtual” training by LCC on 29th July.
Concerns were again raised at vermin on some overgrown plots on the allotments, Clerk to write to the tenant involved.
Next agenda items:
Drains/flooding on Bonthorpe Road/Church Lane
Allotments
8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This was agreed as 17th September 2020.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.30pm