Minutes 2023

WADDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 9th JANUARY 2023

IN THE COMMUNITY HUB

Present:        Councillors:          Barling, Bayston, Gallagher, Mrs Hopkins, Kenyon,

    Ms Norman, Sanders (Chair), Spence, Stewart, Williams

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 Cllr Wayne Edwards, who was unable to attend due to work commitments and Cllr’s Barnshaw and Hallam who were ill.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Mrs Hopkins that they accept the apologies and reasons for absence.

All agreed.  Carried.

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 12th December 2022.

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Stewart that the minutes of 12th December 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 Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Williams that the finance report be accepted.

All agreed.  Carried.

b)   Authorising of the payments. To resolve to authorise the BACS payments listed by the RFO and certify invoices.

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

All agreed.  Carried.

5.   Clerks Report and Correspondence.

The Clerk had received an email from Mr Doughty informing that the Planning Officer was going to approve the our planning application for the road, with some conditions to ensure the signage, the gated access to the band car park as well as some speed humps.  The Clerk had replied and informed that we were happy with the conditions as we had already to put these in place.

An email had been received from Lincolnshire County Council regarding their budget with three options for how the budget will be met, using different amounts of reserves and increases to Council Tax bills. 

Option A:         2% adult social care precept + 0.99% general precept = 2.99%

                         Using £10.3m from reserves.  Band D household bill would be £1,475

Option B:         2% adult social care precept + 1.99% general precept = 3.99%

                        Using £6.9m from reserves.   Band D household bill would be £1,480

Option C:         2% adult social care precept + 2.99% general precept = 4.99%

                        Using £3.4m from reserves.   Band D household bill would be £1,505

It was proposed by Cllr Barling and seconded by Cllr Mrs Hopkins that they reply choosing Option C, at just a £30 a year difference, it would save the reserves to be used in case of an emergency in the future.

All agreed.  Carried.

Cllr Dyer had sent the Clerk an email about the Lincolnshire County Council Highways Service Volunteering Days for 2023/2024 and asking was there anything the Parish Council would like doing.

The Clerk read out the kind of things they did and suggested that maybe they could look at having the High Street playground painted.  It was agreed that a request would be put in for the playground fencing and equipment to be painted.

The Clerk informed that due to bank holidays in April and May, the Parish Council meetings could not be held on the second Monday of the month.  Therefore, in April and May the meeting will be held on the third Monday of the month, which would be the 17th April and 15th May.

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

None.

7.   Youth Club.  To discuss a request from Energise to continue running the Thursday night to the end of the academic year.

It was discussed that the number of young people attending a Thursday night did not justify the expense to the taxpayer.

Cllr Mrs Hopkins informed that a decision had been made and therefore the item could not be revisited for 6 months.

8.   Police.  Discuss the Police presence at meeting and communications, following on from agenda item 9 of the meeting on the 14th November 2022. Requested by Cllr Gallagher.

It was discussed how previously the PC would have attended some meetings when he was able and give a report or a full report breaking down the crimes in the village for the previous month would be sent for the Councils attention. 

Now we never see anyone at a meeting, and nobody could recall when they last say anyone in the village.  We only receive a newsletter, which doesn’t give any details, but gives reference to how more information can be obtained on nextdoor, twitter, facebook and the website.

Lots of people do not use social media and some older people do not have access to the internet.   The website does give some information, but it is very basic, and it does not show what action has been done. 

It was agreed that the police need to be more proactive again.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Barling that they invite The Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Jones, to attend the Annual Parish Meeting.

All agreed, Carried.

It was agreed to hold the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday 6th March at 6.30pm.

Cllr Mrs Hopkins suggested also inviting the Chief Exec of the Hospital, Andrew Morgan to the Annual Meeting.

9.   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.

10.  Date of the next meeting.  The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday 13th February 2023 in the Community Hub.

Meeting closed at 8.25pm.

Open Forum

County Cllr Tom Dyer, CC Report

Cllr Dyer informed of the Lincolnshire County Council, Council Tax Precept, the budget had been set and the Council were consulting on the options for how the budget should be met via the precept and using some of the reserves.

The bus shelter opposite Pottergate Close will be repaired later this month.

The roadworks on Brant will restart mid-January on a 7 week programme.

Voters ID will be mandated from the May elections this year, information will be sent out on what ID is required.

District Cllr Peter Burley, NKDC Report

Cllr Burley sent his apologies.

District Cllr Lance Pennell, NKDC Report

Cllr Pennell sent his apologies.

District Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, NKDC Report

Cllr Cawrey informed that NK are currently working on setting the budget with the budget to be set next week.

She informed that with regards to the LCC budget, the Officers want them to go for Option C.

In May we have the District Council and Parish Council elections.