Minutes 2024

WADDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 12th FEBRUARY 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY HUB

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

Hurst, Sanders (Chairman), Richardson, Spence, 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 Cllrs Barnshaw due to ill health, and Cllr Bayston due a family commitment.

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins 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 Mrs Hopkins declared a personnel interest in agenda item 5, brownies and 8.

3.  Signing of the minutes.  To accept the Clerk’s notes from the meeting held on 8th January 2024.

It was proposed by Cllr Barling and seconded by Cllr Mrs Hopkins that the minutes of 8th January were a true record of the meeting, and they were agreed to be signed.

8 Agreed, 4 Abstention, 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 Barling that the finance reports 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 Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Barling that the BACS payments and invoices could be signed.

All agreed.  Carried.

5.   Clerks Report and Correspondence.

The Clerk informed that following the last meeting she had notified the Brownies that they were getting a reduced hire charge rate already and we were unable to reduce it anymore.  She had replied and informed that she couldn’t afford it, so would be looking for somewhere else.

She had paid half of the outstanding debt and emailed to inform that she would pay the other half as soon as she had accumulated more funds.

The Clerk informed that she had been contacted by the Ark, asking if they could put some one-way window film on the fire door windows in the main hall.

It was agreed that the Clerk contact building control to see if there were any fire safety reasons that would make this unsafe.

The Clerk informed that a resident had sent an email raising concerns about bindweed on the trees along the playing field by the A607.

It was agreed that they had a site visit to look at the trees and discuss it at next month’s meeting.

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

Cllr Mrs Hopkins asked why the dog paddock had not been moved to Sidney Hall Field.  The Clerk informed that she hadn’t forgotten, she just hadn’t managed to sort it yet, a large vehicle was needed to transport it.

7.   Summer Fair.   To discuss the finance for the Summer Fair, next meeting of the Sub-Committee will be on the 26th February.

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Sanders that that budget up to £900 for the entertainment for the Summer Fair.

All agreed.  Carried.

8.  To discuss the Village Hall Playground.  To discuss the playgrounds fencing, security, and safeguarding children. 

The Clerk informed that she had received two complaints from concerned residents regarding the gate into the playground.  Following communication from the residents the Chairman had visited the site and spoke to the owner. 

The Clerk had also visited the playground and taken some photos, which showed another gate into the playground, a missing fence panel and the foliage in the playground.

The matter was discussed at length.

It was proposed by Cllr Hadfield and seconded by Cllr Williams that they fence the back of the playground.

A second proposal was made.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Barling that they carry out a site meeting, so that everyone can see the area and discuss at next month’s meeting.

9 Agreed, 3 Abstention, Carried.

In the meantime, the Clerk is to price up different options on fencing.

9.   To discuss the roundabout on the High Street Playground.  The roundabout does not work, discuss how to go forward and costs.

Two quotes had been received to replace the roundabout with an all-inclusive roundabout, the quotes were £14,068.30 and £16,755.31.

It was discussed at length and agreed that they should have a site visit to look at it before making any decision.  To be brought back to next month meeting.

10.   To discuss an email received from LCC regarding the proposed 30mph on A607 Grantham Road, Waddington.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Sanders that they support the proposal to reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph.

11.  To discuss the North Kesteven Rural England Prosperity Fund.  A grant of up to £10,000, deadlines of 16th Feb, 1st May and 14th Sep 24.

The Clerk informed that she had been hoping to put in an application for the grant for fencing off the children’s playground at redwood Drive, and had hoped to submit it for the 16th Feb deadline, but had only received one quote which seemed a lot and so wanted to obtain more quotes.  The company that had done the Village Hall playground had ceased trading as the man had retired.  She would get more quotes and aim for the 1st May deadline instead.

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.

13.  Date of the next meeting.  Monday 11th March 2024 in the Community Hub.

Meeting closed at 9.15pm.

Open Forum

Resident

Liam Broughton and his wife Jill addressed the meeting regarding agenda item 8.  They lived on Station Road and were developing the plot on Grantham Road where the fence boarders the playground at the Village Hall.

They have taken out the hedge and put in a fence.  The hedge was not secure, youths would go through it.    He informed that he didn’t know that there would be security fencing put up on the playground, and if he had done, he would have been in touch with the Council. 

He mentioned that there seemed to be a focus on the gate, security, dogs, and safeguarding, why did they cause a safeguarding issue, they both worked in area that made them aware of safeguarding and were CRB checked. 

There are other residents on Mere Road that have gates that go into playground. 

Cllr Barling, how would the gate be secured?

They informed that it was currently padlocked.

Cllr Spences asked why did they need a gate?

They replied that they have a grandson and they wanted him to be able to access the playground.

Cllr Gallagher asked if the other people had put their gates in the last 5 years.

He replied that he couldn’t say but it was unlikely.

District Councillors

Cllr Pennell informed that the executive board had endorsed the proposal to increase the council tax by 2.7%, it would now go to full Council.

Brown bin notification have gone out, the first bin has increased from £40 to £45.  They cannot make a profit on the brown bin collection; it just covers costs.

Due to the number of housing estates being built, the bin routes are being reviewed.

There will be a by-election in the Heckington Rural Ward, following the resignation of Cllr Stewart Ogden.

In his role as a school governor for Redwood Drive, he informed that the head teacher, Fiona Kent will be retiring in the summer.

Cllr Cooper sent his apologies.

Cllr Sanders informed that NKDC were running a fly tipping initiative.  If you pay someone to collect and dispose of rubbish for you, be vigilant and check their details, as you are responsible if they then fly tip your waste and will be find along with them.  More information can be found on the website. 

On Sunday 25th February from 12pm to 3pm, it is the annual snowdrop walk at Whisby Nature park, proceeds will be donated to Child Bereavement UK.

Cllr Mrs Hopkins asked about the bicycle refurbishing scheme that NKDC were running.

Cllr Pennell informed that it is wheels for life and they will accept bikes with 24” wheels, in a reasonable condition, there are various drop off points.

County Councillor

Cllr Tom Dyer informed that the County Council were proposing to increase the Council Tax by 5%.

There is a big push on the flood schemes.

Potholes and blocked gullies can be reported on fix my street.

On Wednesday he has a meeting with highways officers in Waddington.  They will be looking at the drainage issue on Station Road.  There is a substantial amount of water coming down Station Road, despite no rain today, it is the natural springs coming out of the hill.

Although the speed limit had been changed at the south end of the A607 to 30mph, he was aware that there were still those who were going to quickly and he suggested that the Council look at purchasing some Passive Speed Signs.

Cllr Hurst commented that he had been informed that on Hollywell Road, there are 2 pipes and they do not join, and this is part of the cause of the flooding.

Cllr Dyer informed that he was glad this had been investigated and the work had been scheduled for work on Hollywell Road.