Minutes 2024

WADDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 8th JANUARY 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY HUB

Present:        Councillors:          Barling, Bayston, Carcass, Gallagher, Hopkins,

Hurst, Sanders (Chairman), Richardson, Williams,

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, Forrester and Spence due to ill health, Cllr Clarke due to work commitments, Cllr Hadfield as he is away and Cllr Wilson for family reasons.

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.

Cllrs Barling and Carcass declared a personnel interest in agenda item 8.

Cllrs Bayston and Mrs Hopkins declared a personnel interest in agenda item 5, Brownies.

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

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Barling that the minutes of 11th December were a true record of the meeting, and they were agreed to be signed.

13 Agreed, 1 Abstention, Carried.

4.   Finance

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

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

All agreed.  Carried.

5.   Clerks Report and Correspondence.

The Clerk informed that she had received an email from FCC Communities Foundation regarding the grant application.  There were a few extra things they have asked for, latest accounts, bank statement and the name of the person who provided the solar panels quote, which were easy to reply to.  They had also asked for an EPC for the building, which the Clerk had found someone to do that day at a cost of £245, but it wouldn’t be done by the deadline of 12th January that she had been given.  There is a problem with the Third Party Funding, the Clerk had sent the letter informing that CIL money was going to be used for the Third Party Funding, but the email informed that they were not allowed to accept CIL or S106 money for the funding. 

It was proposed by Cllr Sanders and seconded by Cllr Gallagher that they ask the Waddington Playing Field Trust if they will be the Third Party Funder.

All agreed.  Carried.

The Clerk informed that she had received a letter from Ellen Moore, the brownie leader for 4th Waddington Brownies, who use Redwood Drive Community Centre, regarding the hire charge.  The letter was read out to the Council and discussed at length.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Barling that the rent remains at £15 per letting, which is already a reduced rate, and all outstanding invoices are to be paid.

7 Agreed, 2 Abstention, Carried.

The Clerk informed of an incident that had happened the day before on facebook, where a resident had said that the Parish Council are not interested and do not care, and so she had commented that the Parish Council are interested and do care, but we are limited to what we can do.  However, the comment by the resident was later deleted, so the Clerk was unable to get any details of the resident. 

It was agreed that if there any future comments of this type, that the resident is invited to attend a Parish Council to address the Council.

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

None.

7.   Summer Fair.   To discuss the Summer Fair to be held on 22nd June 2024.

It was agreed that there would be a sub-committee for the Summer Fair and the first meeting will be held on Monday 29th January at 6.30pm.  All Councillors will be invited to attend.

8.  To receive and discuss a letter received from Rev Simon Dean, St Michael’s Church regarding lighting of the footpath. 

A letter had been received from Rev Simon Dean, regarding putting in some lighting on the public footpath that goes through the churchyard.  He asked if the Parish Council would be able to contribute to the costs.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Sanders that they are willing to pay half of the costs, but that 3 quotes are obtained and they go with the one that is the best value for money, in line with Parish Council policy.

4 Agreed, 3 Against, 2 Abstention.  Carried.

9.   ‘In Camera’ item.   

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Sanders 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. 

All agreed. Carried.

1.   Staff.

It was proposed by Cllr Sanders and seconded by Cllr Hurst that with regards to the FCC grant application, that had been discussed at previous meetings, they authorise the Clerk to sign and submit the grant on behalf of the Parish Council.

All agreed. Carried.

It was proposed by Cllr Williams and seconded by Cllr Bayston that they give the Clerk authority to deal with the hiring of a new member of staff to clean the Village Hall on a Sunday and become the relief cleaner to cover holidays. 

All agreed.  Carried.

10.   Date of the next meeting.  Monday 12th February 2024 in the Community Hub.

Meeting closed at 9.30pm.

Open Forum

Police

PC Matt Roberts attended the meeting.  He informed that the manpower for the area had gone from 16 to 6 to 1, him.  He covers a wide area made up of 18 villages, making policing the area very challenging for one person.  He informed that the crime figures can be found on the internet, but they don’t give an accurate indication of what is happening.  The crime in Waddington is low, compared to others, the main being ASB in Metheringham. 

He added that residents should report everything, if its not reported they are not aware of it.

Cllr Bayston thanked PC Roberts for attending the meeting.

County Councillor

Cllr Tom Dyer informed that the devolution consultation is still open and live.  They are moving forward with the North Hykeham relief road, the planning application has been submitted.

Storm Henk impacted parts of Lincolnshire.

He informed that there is a new highways officer for the area, who he is meeting in February for a walk around the village. 

District Councillors

Cllr Pennell informed that at the NKDC Christmas Council meeting a motion was put forward for a referendum of NKDC voters on the devolution, however this would cost over £200,000 of tax payers money, and therefore, it was not agreed.

Leasingham and Roxholme neighbourhood plan voted to be adopted, there are advantages to having a neighbourhood plan, more and more village have them.  However, a neighbourhood plan must be run by residents and not the Parish Council.

Cllr Cooper sent his apologies.

Cllr Sanders had nothing further to report.