March 2022 Minutes
MINUTES OF OLD SOMERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY 29 March 2022 7.15 PM AT THE FOX AND HOUNDS OLD SOMERBY DRAFT
PRESENT: Cllrs: Vicky Lowndes (Chairman) Nigel Percy (Vice-Chairman),Veronica Stephens, Peter Burrows, Betty North. Parish Clerk David Holmes.
Also present Cllr Sarah Trotter SKDC, Cllr Charlotte Vernon LCC and 2 members of the public.
Prior to the meeting at 7pm a Public Forum was held. One member of the public raised issues concerning contacting the Parish Council, the accuracy of the last minutes, and the Internal Auditor’s Interim Report.
1 APOLOGIES: There were no apologies.
2. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS OR APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATIONS.
None were declared.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting held 24 January 2022 were proposed, seconded and accepted as a correct record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4. CLERK AND COUNCILLORS' ACTIONS AND UPDATES/LATEST:
a) Speed Indicators: a) Existing Indicator – The Clerk reported the cost of repair would be £361.87. The Volunteer had been kept informed and had indicated he was happy to continue operating the Indicator for which the Council were grateful.
b) Consideration of Purchasing a Solar Powered Version. The Clerk provided handouts of the relative features and costs of the two Suppliers. Proposed: The Chairman that the repair of the existing Speed Indicator go ahead, that the Elan City Solar Powered Version also be purchased at a cost of £2,250, and the post at a likely cost of £250 , Seconded Cllr Percy and agreed unanimously. ACTION: THE CLERK. It had been noted that this Speed Indicator had a screen which showed the speed of vehicles and also a message of approval or otherwise and it could also be programmed to display other appropriate messages.
b) Roundabout: Work on the Roundabout is progressing apace. There was nothing further to report.
c) Tree Planting: 2 Trees had been planted outside The Chestnuts and No. 24 on School Lane. Further planting approaching the Roundabout had been objected to by the LCC in advance of the roundabout works and also by a local landowner on the grounds of field entrance visibility, road safety and access to hedges and verges for cutting. Cllr Percy mentioned a site at Cold Harbour which could be suitable for tree planting. ACTION: The Clerk/ Cllr Percy.
d) Parish Newsletter: The first edition had been delivered and was well received. There will be a second edition later in the year. Budding Photographers are encouraged to send in their photos to the Parish Clerk and one will be chosen to appear on the front cover of the next edition. Deadline 15 June 2022. There had been several responses re Broad Band Connectivity. Residents are encouraged to respond if they have not done so already. The Street Party is full steam ahead led by Cllr Vron Stephens and her team. A Dog Bin will be erected at the end of the Cul De Sac and a volunteer has been found to manage it. ACTION: The Clerk.
PIECE OF LAND: The small piece of land behind the Bungalows. The Clerk reported he had now had a response from the relevant Officer at the SKDC and progress is being made. He hoped to have further news at the next meeting. The Parish Council was most grateful for Cllr Sarah Trotter’s assistance in hurrying things along. ACTION: The Clerk.
5. LCC LOCAL COUNCILLOR UPDATE: The Clerk introduced Cllr Charlotte Vernon, the newly elected LCC Councillor for the Colsterworth Rural Division. Charlotte informed the meeting of the following items a) Ukraine- The LCC have a resettlement team ready to work with refugees who seek safety in the County b) Road Maintenance Grant – The maintenance grant was cut this year which left the LCC with a £36m funding shortfall and labour and material costs are skyrocketing. c) Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Champion Awards – a new awards programme has been launched to recognise the efforts and commitment of apprentices. d) British Railways HQ – LCC and SKDC have now submitted their joint expression of interest to host the Great British Railways HQ in Grantham which has a proud railway heritage and is also a key strategic location for rail commuters. It is hoped that residents and businesses will back the joint bid. e) Local Matters - Fixmystreet – a easy way for residents to report potholes or damage to roads via the LCC Website or this Parish Council’s website where a Link is available on the front page. f) Platinum Jubilee – Charlotte mentioned a website available to register our event. Cllr Stephens had the matter in hand.
6. SKDC LOCAL COUNCILLOR UPDATE: Cllr Trotter referred to: a) The Old Quarry Development on School Lane: There are obvious water/drainage issues and she had been assured the development will not go ahead without it being sorted out. b) Ukraine – there had been an amazing response locally for donations to Walton Academy c) The SKDC Chief Executive had been short-listed for Chief Executive of the Year nationally. d) Fly-tipping has been a serious issue lately and is being addressed. e) Consultations are in progress regarding Grantham having its own Town Council. Residents can comment on-line.
7. REPORT ON THE PARISH JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS: Cllr Stephens reported that plans were well in hand for the Street Party in the Cul de Sac on Sunday 5 June 2022.. There would shortly be publicity giving more details of this event. Her request for funding of £200 from the Parish Council was approved. ACTION: The Clerk and Cllr Stephens.
8. FINANCE:
A) i) The clerk provided details of all payments since the last meeting; ii) the Bank Reconciliation and iii) Finance Update. (A copy is attached to these minutes); iv) an interim report from the Internal Auditor was received and accepted. (A copy is attached to these minutes). The end of year accounts had been checked by Cllr Burrows, the Lead Finance Councillor, who had signed them off. The Accounts were accepted and signed by the Chairman; v) The clerk referred to an offer from Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils (LALC) for website assistance at an annual cost of £150. Approval Proposed Cllr Stephens and seconded the Chairman – carried unanimously. ACTION: The Clerk
B) The Budget for 2022/2023 was considered. The Chairman had prepared a spreadsheet which would require updating with details of expenditure approved at this meeting. The contract for verge cutting in the parish also to be updated. AGREED to adjourn the issue until the next meeting for final approval. ACTION: Cllr Lowndes and Clerk.
9). CORRESPONDENCE: a) Missing ‘Old Somerby’ Sign. Cllr Stephens had dealt with this issue and also a new sign for The Pastures; b) Correspondence from the SKDC reviewing its Local Plan was noted; c) An email from a resident regarding litter in the first field entrance on the left towards the Roundabout which is regularly used by motorist to park up. The Clerk was asked to approach the local landowner to see if anything could be done – perhaps a sign indicating no parking as entrance in regular use. ACTION the Clerk; d) Piece of land behind the bungalows – dealt with at 4 above; e) Freedom of Information request by a Resident. This was in hand and noted.
10. Date and time of next Meeting. The next meeting was fixed for Tuesday 17 May 2022. at 7.15pm with a Public Forum at 7pm.
The meeting closed at 9.05pm.
OLD SOMERBY PARISH COUNCIL
Financial Statement for Parish Council Meeting 25 March 2022
BANK RECONCILIATION 29 March 2022
Temporary Bank Statement 23 March 2022 12334.24
**Outstanding cheques – £57.58, £200.00, £407.23 664.81
11669.43
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
SKDC Community Grant 231.66
*Zurich – refund 71.99
4438.75
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
*D. Warden grass cutting 45.00
*M&S Voucher – Parish Questionnaire 50.00
*Print Hub – Parish Questionnaire 3.36 20.16
*Bank Charges - 6.20
*Bank Charges - 5.00
*Bank Charge - 5.00
*LALC – annual subscription - 77.85
**Krystal Hostings – Annual charge 9.60 57.58
**Old Somerby Paroachial Council - 200.00
*Newsletter Printhub - 61.10
**Clerk’s expenses 407.23
68.16 2132.65
*Income/Expenditure since last meeting
David J Holmes Cllr Peter Burrows
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer Lead Parish Councillor
Date 25 March 2022 Date 25 March 2022
(Original signed)