Minutes 2023

WADDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 9th OCTOBER 2023

IN THE COMMUNITY HUB

Present:        Councillors:          Barling, Bayston, Carcass, Forrester, Gallagher, Hadfield,

   Sanders (Chair), Richardson, Williams, Wilson

Clerk:                   Mrs Smith, Mrs Mumby

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 Barnshaw due to health reasons, Cllr Mrs Hopkins who was on holiday, Cllr Hurst who was at the Theatre and Cllr Spence due to health reasons.

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

All agreed.  Carried.

2.   Declarations of interest for any agenda item.

Cllr Sanders declared a personnel interest in agenda item 5c and d, grass cutting payments.

3.  Signing of the minutes.  To accept the Clerk’s notes from the meeting held on 11th September 2023.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Richardson that the minutes of 11th September were a true record of the meeting, and they were agreed to be signed.

8 Agreed, 1 Abstention, Carried.

4.   Co-option.  To receive and discuss some applications for co-option.

It was proposed by Cllr Bayston and seconded by Cllr Barling that they co-opt Mrs Carcass and Mrs Forrester on to the Council.

All agreed.  Carried.

Mrs Carcass and Mrs Forrester joined the meeting.

5.   Finance

a)  Signing of the minutes.  To accept the Clerk’s notes from the Finance Meeting held on Monday 25th September 2023 and discuss the meeting with the full council.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Richardson that the minutes of the Finance Meeting held on the 25th September were a true record of the meeting, and they were agreed to be signed.

3 Agreed, 8 Abstention.  Carried.

The Council discussed the minutes and agreed with the decision made by the Finance Committee.

b)  Annual Audit return.  To discuss the annual return received from the Auditor.

The Clerk informed that she had received the Audit paperwork back from the External Auditor and that no observation were made.  It states in Section 3;

“On the basis of our review of Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR), in our opinion the information in Sections 1 and 2 of the AGAR is in accordance with Proper Practices and no other matters have come to our attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met.”

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

It was proposed by Cllr Barling and seconded by Cllr Richardson that the finance reports be accepted.

10 agreed.  1 Abstention.  Carried.

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

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

10 agreed.  1 Abstention.  Carried.

6.   Clerks Report and Correspondence.

The new licence for the Village Hall has arrived with Mrs Paula White from The Three Horseshoes as the DPS. 

I have received an email from LCC consulting on the new 40mph speed limit on Meadow Lane.

It was proposed by Cllr Bayston and seconded by Cllr Sanders that they reply informing that the Parish Council are concerned about the safety of the road, but do not agree or disagree with the proposal.

All agreed.  Carried.

We have received notification that we will be receiving further CIL money in the sum of £6,751.14.

The Christmas Fair will be on Saturday 18th November, we will be setting up at 8am, stall holders arrive at 9am, the event is from 11am to 3pm and we clear away at 3pm.  Any help setting up and clearing away is appreciated.   We have lots of stalls again, with Santa’s Grotto back and we have a Horse & Cart ride.

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

Cllr Gallagher asked about the Christmas Dinner.

The Clerk informed that she was still looking for a chef to help on the day.

Cllr Gallagher asked if there was any progress with the Cricket Pavilion.

The Clerk informed that this will now go back to the Playing Field Trust to discuss and proceed forward with.

8. Streetlights.   To discuss an email received from EON regarding the streetlights and look at how the council would like to proceed.

The email informed of the discontinuing of the 36w and 42w PL lamps.  The Council discussed the cost at length, the savings that would be made if they were to be changed straight away or left to, they needed replacing.

It was proposed by Cllr Bayston and seconded by Cllr Sanders that they look at the cost of going with another company.

All agreed.  Carried.

9.  Redwood Drive Community Centre.  To discuss the repairs, improvements, quotes and grants for the Community Centre. 

A quote had been received for the cladding of the building, at £12,800.

The Clerk informed that the grant application closes on 7 December 2022 and what else would they like to add to be done for the application.

The following ideas were agreed;

Flooring for main hall.

Car Park improvements.

Solar Panels.

New Blinds.

Kitchen improvements.

New heating.

Internet installed.

The Clerk will get quotes for the work and complete the grant application form.

10.   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.

11.  ‘In Camera’ item. 

It was proposed by Cllr Bayston and seconded by Cllr Gallagher that in view of the special/confidential nature of the business about to be transacted it is advisable in the public interest that the press and public be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to withdraw.

1. Pay and Working Conditions Policy.  To review and re-adopt.  (Last re-adopted Oct 22) 

It was proposed by Cllr Williams and seconded by Cllr Hadfield that they increase the pay and make a payment to the staff backdated to April.

10 Agreed.  1 Abstention.  Carried.

 HR Committee will meet to discuss any necessary allowances.

12.   Date of the next meeting.  Monday 13th Nov 23 in the Community Hub.

Meeting closed at 9.20pm.

Open Forum

County Councillor

Cllr Tom Dyer informed that LCC had a £10m underspending that is to be spent in highways investments. 

A devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire is in final stages, expected to come in May 2025.  This will mean there will be an extra government level in form of a mayor, but there will be extra funding on an annual basis. 

North Hykeham relief road bas been approved by the County Council and is now being submitted for planning permission.  Due to commence work end of 2024.

The proposal for the Bar Lane waiting restriction, double yellow lines is going out for consultation.

The new 30mph restriction on the A607, Harmston end has been approved and will be in place by Christmas.

Highways are consulting on the Meadow Lane 40mph.

The bus stop on Station Road will be having a new bus shelter put in place, using S106 money from the Lakeside development. 

Cllr Bayston asked if a temporary bus stop sign could be put in place whilst waiting for the bus shelter as he saw a young man waiting for the bus the other day in the wrong place and the bus just went passed.

Cllr Dyer informed that he would speak to highways about it.

District Councillors

Cllr Pennell informed that unfortunately the District Council had lost Cllr Jill Ogden who had died after an illness.  She had been the Councillor for Billinghay since 2011.

The planning application for the travellers site on the A17 Beckingham had gone to appeal, the Appeals Team have withheld the decision by NKDC to refuse it.

It has been 2 years since the purple bins were introduced in NKDC, they are currently 98.62% accurate.

Cllr Cooper had nothing further to report.

Cllr Sanders had nothing further to report.