November 2021 Minutes
MINUTES OF OLD SOMERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY 15 NOVEMBER, 2021 AT 7PM AT THE FOX AND HOUNDS OLD SOMERBY
PRESENT: Cllrs: Lowndes, Percy, Stephens and North. Parish Clerk David Holmes.
Also present 4 members of the public.
Prior to the meeting at 7pm a Public Forum was held. One member of the public raised an issue concerning the accuracy of the last minutes. The prize draw was made relating to the recent Parish Questionnaire - General Manager Joe Walker made the draw and the winner, Mr Len Watson, will be informed by the Clerk who will deliver the voucher. There had been 23 responses.
1 APOLOGIES: An apology had been received from Cllr Burrows . An apology had also been received from Cllr Trotter (SKDC) and it was known that Cllr Adams (SKDC/LCC) was unable to attend due to ill health.
2. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS OR APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATIONS: Cllr Percy declared a pecuniary interest in relation to item 9 (a) on the agenda. He made an application for a Dispensation on the basis that his presence during the discussion of
this pressing issue was necessary in the interests of persons living in the Council's area in particular in Cold Harbour. The application was granted unanimously. .
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting held 10 August, 2021 were accepted as a correct record. Proposed Cllr Percy Seconded Cllr Stephens. Carried unanimously. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4. CLERK AND COUNCILLORS' ACTIONS AND UPDATES/LATEST:
a) Speeding: The Clerk reported that the Speed Indicator was not working and the charger unit had been sent to the Suppliers for repair. AGREED: to consider the purchase of a suitable solar powered Speed Indicator to back up the existing one. The cost from the same Supplier would be between £2000 and £3000. ACTION: The clerk to consult with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership to seek the best deal and their approval for the siting of such a machine.
b) Litter Picking: The clerk reported he had given or offered each Volunteer Hi Viz jackets, Bag Hoops and spare litter bags and reminded them of the utmost need for safety whilst operating as a Volunteer. The Volunteers were much appreciated.
c) Roundabout: Work on the Roundabout is progressing but the clerk had been unable to get a precise date line for the work on moving the Roundabout. It was noted the road from the Roundabout into Old Somerby will be closed 22/24 November.
d) Further Daffodil bulb planting: A further 4 clumps of bulbs had been planted to add to existing on the corner by the Millennium Seat.
e) Risk Assessment of PC Assets - see item 10 d below
f) Tree Planting: The Clerk had received notification that the planting of the trees on the B1176 had been declined at least for the moment because of the works at the roundabout.
g) Further Defibrillator Training: It was considered unnecessary at this time. In the event of an emergency residents should immediately call 999 and guidance will be given to locate and operate the Defibrillator.
h) Gritting Salt Delivery: A delivery is imminent and the local landowner has kindly agreed to store it and deliver to the boxes as required.
i) LALC AGM/Conference: The clerk reported on his attendance. Useful discussions were held. The importance of engaging with younger people was emphasised. They are our future Councillors.
5. BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY: The member of the Broadband Team for LCC was unable to attend. To be listed at the next meeting. ACTION: Cllr Stephens
6. LCC LOCAL COUNCILLOR UPDATE: see Apologies above.
7. SKDC LOCAL COUCNILLOR UPDATE: see Apologies above.
8. VILLAGE FEEDBACK QUESTIONNAIRE: 23 replies had been received from residents. They will now be analysed by the Councillors at a Workshop and a report made at the next meeting. Thanks to everyone who completed the Questionnaire.
9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
a) S18.0944 Traveller Site Cold Harbour - Appeal update. Telephone notification was received on 12 November 2021 that the Appeal has been allowed by the HM Inspector. The written notification had not yet been considered. The Clerk explained that there was an expectation of a public hearing in an email received from the Inspectorate. The decision to proceed by the Inspector without a hearing has taken everyone by surprise and caused much consternation locally. The Clerk informed the meeting that the only legal challenge could be by way of an application to the High Court for a Judicial Review. The huge cost of that action was noted. Such an application must be made within 6 weeks of the
Decision. ACTION: The clerk to request Cllr Trotter to try and set up a meeting with the local MP to include all interested parish council representatives from the area as soon as possible. The Clerk also to write to the Inspectorate to enquire as to the reasons for the
change of procedure from a Public Hearing to being dealt in the way that it has.
b) S21/16519 Conversion of garage to granny flat. Decision - Planning Permission granted with conditions on 9 November 2021.
c) S21/1714 Bungalow extension - pending consideration by the Planning Committee.
10. FINANCE:
a) To consider details of all income and payments and also b) the Bank Reconciliation. The Clerk produced a document which showed all income and payments since 1 April 2021 and the Bank Reconciliation. Cllr Burrows, the Lead Councillor had inspected the records and
approved and signed them off. AGREED: The document was accepted. ACTION: Clerk to file a copy on the Website with the minutes.
c) Audit 2020/21 There had been two complaints to the External Auditors i) from a Resident - The External Auditor had found it to be illegible as it did not relate to the year in question. No further action. ii) from Solicitors for local landowners. The External Auditor
accepted that no further consideration was required of the complaints since the Parish Council accepted that amendments were required to the Asset Register and also that improvements to the website information were required and have been carried out. No further action. The review of the Asset Register had already been listed as an agenda item for this meeting having been adjourned from the last meeting.
d) Asset Register - to consider re-evaluation. The clerk had distributed before the meeting an amended version of the Asset Register with the further data as required. AGREED: to accept the revised version - the clerk to add the two dog bins. Consideration to be given for another dog bin to be sited in the area of entrance to the Cul-De-Sac. A volunteer at the meeting offered to look after it. He was thanked for his offer.
The Clerk advised the Councillors that a Risk Assessment Inspection of all Parish Council Assets had been undertaken by Cllr Stephens and him on 18 October 2021. He had distributed his report prior to the meeting. The only issue related to the Notice Board near the Millennium Seat on School Lane which needed renovation. A Volunteer had been approached with a view to that being put into hand.
e) To Consider a Draft Budget and Precept for 2022/2023. The Chairman had produced a working copy which will be considered at a Workshop for the Councillors with a view to ratification at the January meeting of the Parish Council.
11 CORRESPONDENCE:
a) Letter regarding possible celebration of HM the Queen's 70 year on the throne. ACTION: to be considered at above Workshop dealing with the review of The Parish Questionnaires.
b) Letter from resident regarding local Broadband - to be considered at the next meeting with item 5 above.
c) LCC Highways - road works on School Lane for road repairs from 17 - 30 November 2021. ACTION: The clerk to enquire of residents’ access.
d) Safer Together Team - Annual Precept Survey by the Police and Crime Commissioner. Noted.
e) Email from LCC to enquire if the PC would wish to continue with the Parish Agreement for 2022-23 regarding grass cutting around the village. AGREED: ACTION the clerk.
12. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING: The next meeting was fixed for 11 January, 2022 at 7.15pm with a Public Forum at 7pm.
The Meeting closed at 21.12
OLD SOMERBY PARISH COUNCIL
Financial Statement for Parish Council Meeting 15 November, 2021
BANK RECONCILIATION 15 November, 2021
Bank Statement No. 485 12300.90
Outstanding cheques – NIL
NB The above balance includes a £250 ring fenced donation from
Mitchells and Butlers to be used for a village project. Used so far -
£73.53 for Bus Shelter refurbishment (see below) – balance £176.47.
INCOME since 1 April 2021:
Precept 3500.00
SKDC Community Grant 231.66
HMRC VAT Refund 108.67
LCC Grass contract 294.77
4135.10
PAYMENTS since 1 April 2021: VAT Total inc VAT
D. Warden grass cutting - 85.00
Print Hub 6.48 38.90
Community HeartBeat –defibrillator 14.80 88.80
Zurich Insurance - 372.35
David Warden grass cutting - 85.00
David Warden grass cutting - 45.00
David Warden grass cutting - 85.00
D J Holmes refund – Bus Shelter refurb 7.04 73.53
LALC – Website Maintenance 7.00 42.00
SKDC printing - 42.61
David Warden grass cutting - 45.00
Eurotrade - litter hoops - refund DJ Holmes 7.98 47.94
Discount Clothing- Hi Viz Litter - refund DJH - 30.00
D. Warden grass cutting - 45.00
LALC – Clerk’s Conference/training 5.50 33.00
Print Hub – Questionnaire - refund DJH 6.40 38.40
55.20 1197.53
David J Holmes Cllr Peter Burrows
Parish Clerk Lead Parish Councillor
and Responsible Financial Officer
12 November, 2021
.