Minutes 2022

WADDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 13th JUNE 2022

IN THE COMMUNITY HUB

Present:        Councillors:          Barling, Barnshaw, Gallagher, Hallam, Mrs Hopkins, Kenyon,

    Ms Norman, Sanders (Chair), Stewart

Clerk:                   Mrs Smith, 

OFFICIAL BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL

1.   Apologies for absence. (Reasons to be given to the Clerk in advance of the meeting)

Apologies were received from Mrs Belli, Bayston, Edwards, Newman, Spence and Williams.

2.   Declarations of interest for any agenda item.

None.

3.  Signing of the minutes.  To accept the Clerk’s notes from the meeting held on 9th May 2022.

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Barling that the minutes of 9th May were a true record of the meeting, and they were agreed to be signed.

All agreed, Carried.

4.   Finance

a)   Monthly finance report – to receive and accept the monthly finance report.

It was proposed by Cllr Barnshaw and seconded by Cllr Ms Norman that the finance report be accepted.

All agreed.  Carried.

b)   Signing of cheques. To resolve to authorise the BACS payments listed by the RFO. And certify invoices.

It was proposed by Cllr Sanders and seconded by Cllr Barnshaw that the BACS payments and invoices could be signed.

All agreed.  Carried.

Cllr Mrs Hopkins thanked the Clerk and Admin Assistant for all their hard work organising the Queen’s Jubilee Picnic in the Park.

5.   Clerks Report and Correspondence.

The Clerk had received an email from NKDC asking about Redwood Drive Community being available for the election in May 2023.  The Clerk had replied informing of what the situation was with the regards to the building and that as yet no decision has been made, but that we would keep them informed.

Some bins had been placed on the Lakeside Estate, as requested by a number some residents.  The Clerk had spoken to some residents about the best location to put them before instructing the handymen to put them in.    The Clerk has now received an email from a resident complaining that one of the bins that had been placed near the gate to the Nature Reserve would encourage people to go on to the Nature Reserve, when it is private land.

The Council agreed that a reply should be sent informing that the bins were placed after consulting with other residents and are believed to be in the best place.

An email had been received from a resident regarding the grass cutting on the hilltop.  The clerk had replied informing that we were not strimming the banks and the reason why.  The resident had replied asking if she could strim or weed kill a section next to her garden to stop the seeds going onto the garden.  A photo of the area had been sent for information.

The Council agreed that the handymen should strim the section and then the grass cutter would continue to keep it cut. 

The Clerk informed that the interviews had taken place and that Mr Martin Jeins had been employed as the extra handyman.

The Queen’s Jubilee Event went well regardless of the wet weather, approximately 200 people attended.  Thanks to all the Councillors who came along and helped.

The office was closed during covid and when it reopened, we only opened on a Tuesday and Thursday morning 9.30am to 12.30pm, as these were our busiest days.  The number of customers is low, with most people phoning or emailing the office.  The Clerk asked how the Council wanted them to go forward with the opening hours.

The Council agreed that from September on a 3 month trial they would open on a Monday from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

6.   Matters arising from the last meeting.  Only for discussion.

None.

7.   To discuss and adopt the New Code of Conduct.  

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Barling that they defer the item to next month to allow the Councillors time to look through the New Code of Conduct.

All agreed.  Carried.

8.   To discuss and adopt new policies:  following training undertaken by the Chairman and Clerk.

            i.   Complaints Procedure

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Mrs Hopkins that they adopt the complaints procedure.

All agreed.  Carried.

          ii.   Equal Opportunities

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Barnshaw that they adopt the Equal Opportunities Policy.

All agreed.  Carried.

9.   Re-adopt the orders / regulations / Terms of Reference:

          i.        Standing Orders

It was proposed by Cllr Barnshaw and seconded by Cllr Stewart that they re-adopt the Standing Orders.

All agreed.  Carried.

          ii.       Financial Regulations

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Mrs Hopkins that they re-adopt the Financial Regulations.

All agreed.  Carried.

10.   Monkey Challenge.  To discuss an email received regarding a climbing wall.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Mrs Hopkins that they purchase 2 Monkey Challenge walls, one for the Village Hall and one for Sidney Hall field.

All agreed.  Carried.

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Gallagher that they give the Clerk permission to spend up to £10,000 on the Monkey Challenge walls, to try and get 2 x 10m walls.

All agreed.  Carried.

11.   Village Hall Car Park.  To receive and discuss a report from the meeting with highways on 26th May, regarding the Village Hall car park.

Highways had informed that they were unable to do the work on the car parks as it was too big, and they didn’t have the capacity to do it on top of all their work.  They had however, provided some specs and layouts for the Parish Council to use going forward with a contractor of their choice.

It was agreed that they would proceed with the work on the car park, with the contractor for the new road, once planning permission was granted.

12.   Urgent matters for attention – Items which the Chairman is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency due to special circumstances.

None.

13.  Date of the next meeting.  The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday 11th July 2022 in the Community Hub.

Meeting closed at 8.50pm.

Reports

County Cllr Tom Dyer, CC Report

Cllr Dyer informed that there was a big highways scheme starting next month, a £1.5m highways scheme.  It will involve reconstruction of the roads and footpaths on Brant Road, Hollywell Road, Tinkers Lane, Hilltop, Manor Lane, and Far Lane.

Brant Road, Hilltop and Tinkers Lane will be nighttime closures, 7pm to 6am.  Hollywell Road, Far Lane and Manor Lane will be daytime closures.  They are due to start on the 11th July through to the end of September.

District Cllr Peter Burley, NKDC Report

Cllr Burley sent his apologies.

District Cllr Lance Pennell, NKDC Report

Cllr Pennell informed that the meeting arrangements at NK had changed.  Members are to use their own judgement for mark wearing and social distancing

18th June to 3rd July, is the NK walking festival, details can be found on the Hill Holt Wood website.

District Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, NKDC Report

Cllr Cawrey informed that NK were starting Code of Conduct training later on in the month.