Minutes 20th April 2023

WILLOUGHBY & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL

HELD 20th APRIL 2023

 

Present: Cllrs Eyre (Chairman); White; Cook; Hale; Hedges; Havell; Talbot-Jones & Jenkinson

Mrs J. Cooper (Parish Clerk)

2 members of the public.

 

During the public session a member of the public advised he had “registered” with ELDC as a “litter hero” and was keen to organise a litter pick in Sloothby.  Clerk would contact ELDC with dates and location of bags to be collected.

Question was asked about Coronation Oak tree – Clerk to contact local garden centre for prices, council to agree suitable location.

138         APOLOGIES

                Apologies and valid reasons for absence were received from Cllr Fairfield and these were accepted.

139         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

                There were none

140         MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 16th MARCH 2023

                It was resolved that these be signed by the Chairman as a correct record

141         UPDATES

                The Clerk confirmed the coronation medals had arrived for the school pupils

142         ELDC/LCC UPDATES

                There was no LCC representative.

                Cllr Eyre (ELDC) had nothing to report.

143         ALLOTMENTS

                a)            Offer by Scouts group

                Cllr Talbot-Jones advised council that the local Scout group at Spilsby was looking for an area where useful skills in tidying trees and bushes and clearing ground could be taught.  Parts of the allotment area which needed clearing would be an ideal location.  Discussion followed on need to ensure all Health & Safety Risk Assessments would be undertaken, and that full insurance would be in place by the Scouts Association, that there would be supervision at all times and all proper training in use of tools would be given.  It was then resolved to take the Scout Group up on this offer, with areas in need of work being the boundary trees and hedge adjacent the roadway to the allotments and plots 5,8 & 10 to be cleared, sheds demolished and old tractor thereon being removed.

                b)            Any other Allotment Issues

                There were none.

144         PLAYGROUND/FIELD

                It was noted the area was in need of cutting – clerk to contact contractor.

                It was hoped, weather dependant, to complete the installation of the swings, the typhoon and to finish sealing the mats.

145         VILLAGE GREEN MATTERS

                Fete Committee had requested the trees be lopped to leave approx 7 – 8ft clearance for people to stand underneath at the Fete.  Clerk to contact contractor.

146         EMERGENCY PLAN

                Cllr Talbot-Jones handed over the file to Cllr Jenkinson who will go through the file and continue to be lead in the Emergency Plan.

 

 

147         SLOOTHBY TELEPHONE BOX

                It had been reported that two panes of glass had been smashed in the telephone box, Cllr Havell had removed the broken panes and tidied the area.  Clerk to order new panes.

148         FINANCE

                a)            Accounts for payment:

                It was resolved that the following accounts be paid:

                Clerks salary & PAYE (April)                                                                          £159.64

                (it was reported that the PAYE account was in credit with HMRC)

                LALC Subs                                                                                                            £173.97

                L. Croft – internal audit                                                                                  £  30.00

                To confirm payment by BACS  for coronation medals                        £318.60

                b)  End of Year final accounts

                These were noted.

                c)  Audit forms:

                The Clerk had circulated the forms, and read out the relevant sections.  It was resolved that the Chairman sign the forms as appropriate, being:

                (i)            Governance Statement

                (ii)           Accounting Statement.

                As the expenditure for 22/23 was over £25,000 the Council could not claim exemption from Audit.

                Internal Auditors report was noted, including advice to incorporate play equipment in Risk Assessment and to increase asset valuation with the additional play equipment.

149         CORRESPONDENCE

                Lincs Wolds Leaflet – circulated

150         PLANNING

                Application for Ex RAF Radar building Claxby – change use to 2 holiday lets.  Resolved to support with proviso that there would be sufficient area for vehicles to park off road whilst accessing the building.

151         ANY OTHER MATTER

                Ex Cllr Pridgeon’s family had requested one of the lime trees she helped plant on the village green be dedicated to her memory, and this was unanimously agreed.

                The Chairman thanked Cllr Talbot-Jones, who had not submitted nomination papers, for all his hard work in leading the Play equipment and allotments over the years.

152         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

                This to be the Annual Council meeting on 18th May 2023.

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.40pm