January 2023 Minutes
STICKFORD PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH COUNCIL STATUTORY MEETING
at STICKFORD Community Centre
Tuesday 10th January 2023 @ 7.30pm
THE MINUTES
No. of Residents present 2 Official attendees read Y for attending, N for non-attendance
Chairman Councillor Mrs Lesley Reeson Y Councillor vacancy
Vice Chairman Councillor Mr John Howlett Y Councillor vacancy
Councillor Mr Clive Kingswood Y Councillor vacancy
Councillor Mrs Pam Bryant Y Parish Clerk Mrs Nicki George Y
Lincs C C Councillor Mrs W Bowkett Y ELDC Councillor Mr Terry Taylor Y
1. The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed all present.
2. Apologies for absence – None
3. There were no declaration of interest
4. Residents’ issues:
1) It has been noted that the Newsletter has the time of the Coronation Celebration meeting next Tuesday 17th January 2023 as 7.30pm, rather than 7pm. Some Newsletters were amended before being delivered so we will make sure that the Community Centre is opened up for 7pm and wait to start the meeting at 7.30pm.
2) A resident has reported that there is a tree fallen down and partially blocking the foot path at the top end of Catchwater Bank , near to the little bridge at the top of the Cul De Sac. Clerk will take a photo and put on Fix My Street.
3) A resident has reported that there are badgers along the bank from Catchwater Bank and East Fen Drain, towards the Staunch. LCC Wendy Bowkett made a note and will report it. Clerk will take photos and put on Fix My Street.
4) A resident has reported dog owners are not picking up after their dogs along the Cul de Sac. Clerk will report it to the Dog Warden.
5. ELDC report:
1) ‘Pride in East Lindsey’ has a cleaning team available. Clerk to take some photos of the footpaths around the village and submit a request via Terry Taylor for them to be cleaned.
2) No change to the situation on the airfield ie. the caravans , cars and the family that live there.
3) Councillors Community Grant : there are still funds available in the current year , ie. up to end of March 2023. Clerk to submit a grant application for both the History Group and the Community Centre, as the requests that have been submitted for a grant to the Parish Council fall under the remit of the Councillors Community Grant.
All approved for the Clerk to submit a grant application in next years allocation of grants for a new waste bin. i.e. April 2023
4) More grant funding is available for local community projects – Clerk to contact Katie Littlewood at Lincolnshire Community Foundation for more information.
6. LCC report:
Covid and flu vaccines are still available and residents are encouraged to take these up.
Covid and flu has hit residents hard over the last few weeks, the cases should start to decrease now.
EMAS are striking Wednesday, hospitals will try and discharge as many people as possible over the next two days to try and help with keeping a and e moving.
Residents are urged to call 111 in the first instance if you need medical attention, they can help with seeing a doctor, medication etc. If it is life threatening then you must still dial 999.
LCC will have to raise council taxes this year, increasing pressures facing households and the authorities over rising costs will mean the use of reserves to be able to balance the books.
The county councils cost of living support page is there to give residents help to find support, whether it's financial, childcare, HAF programme and the household support fund Plus much more www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/costofliving
Local elections in May, residents will have to bring photo ID to polling stations before being able to cast their vote.
The Item that was raised at the last meeting on 13th December – clarity of road signage at the junction of Fen Road and the Cul de Sac was discussed with LCC Wendy Bowkett and she will make a note and investigate what can be done. Ie. Does it need a Stop sign rather than a Give Way?
7. Lincolnshire Police Report:
January 2023 NPT newsletter. This is emailed around to each councillor when received and a copy is put on the Noticeboard and the website.
8. The Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 13th December 2022 were read and approved.
Proposed by Councillor John Howlett, Seconded by Councillor Clive Kingswood.
9. Matters Arising from the Minutes.
1) The Clerk has emailed ELDC again re a replacement litter bin near to the bus shelter by Peachwood Cars. Some photos of a bin being there have been located on google maps and sent with the email. No response as yet.
2) Clearer LCC signage for junction of Fen Road and the Cul de Sac – see LCC report item 6.
3) The Clerk has emailed Witham Fourth re bank collapsing. Email has been acknowledged & said that they will investigate.
4) The Clerk has emailed LALC asking for confirmation of the responsibilities of the Parish Council for the Community Centre. A response has been received, and the Clerk will forward this to the Councillors.
10. Replace assets ie. Noticeboard and possible new siting & bus shelters
The 3 quotes collated by the Clerk for a new Noticeboard were considered by the Councilllors. Design and cost were considered and all agreed for the Clerk to get an up-to-date quote for an aluminium noticeboard 2 x A1 ie 18 x A4 from the companies and put on the Agenda for the next meeting to discuss further.
Discussion was held re the bus shelters and what they are to be made of. Clerk provided a few different designs on paper. More quotes will be requested for brick, wood and metal for further consideration.
11. Bench by War Memorial
All agreed and approved to purchase a bench the same style that is sited by the current noticeboard near the junction of Fen Road and the A16 from Glasdon. (3 quotes have been received as detailed in previous Minutes and the Council wish to purchase via Glasdon to keep the 2 benches within the village looking the same, reasonable price, satisfied with product and previous good service. Clerk to place an order.
12. Finance Report:
a) No cheques issued. Mower is yet to be serviced but will be done soon.
b) Precept: The Precept figures were approved and all agreed that they be submitted to ELDC by the Clerk.
Proposed: Pam Bryant, Seconded: John Howlett.
2 more grant applications have been received, one from the History Group and one from the Community Centre but rather than be added to the Precept, applications will be submitted by the Clerk to ELDC for grant monies.
13. Annual Audit
All agreed to hold an interim audit, in preparation for the full audit in June. Clerk to contact Jayne Bonsor, the internal auditor, to arrange a meeting.
14. Risk Management Policy and other policies:
Pam has provided some updates for the Risk Management policy which were discussed and agreed by all councillors and the Clerk will update.
The Clerk will contact LALC to ask for clarification as to what policies should be on the website. The Clerk will check and update the policies that are currently on the website with any out-of-date information. eg. Clerks name and contact details.
Councillors will have a look at the other policies that were emailed to them by the Clerk on 8/11/22 and discuss at the next meeting.
15. Planning:
The issue that was raised at the last meeting re the property that had holiday let permission granted but it is suspected to have people living in it on a permanent basis was discussed and ELDC Councillor Terry Taylor said that he would take the information with him and make some enquiries.
No other plans have been submitted.
16. Correspondence received for this meeting but not covered on the agenda:
1) A phone call has been received by the Chairman from a concerned resident asking what can be done re a property under significant works. No planning application received by the parish council but ELDC Councillor Terry Taylor will make some enquiries.
2) Reports have been received of a shed being broken into on Hagnaby Road. Some power tools were taken. Police have been informed.
17. Other Business – matters for next agenda:
1) Replace assets ie. Noticeboard & bus shelters
2) Risk Management policy and other policies
3) AGAR
4) War Memorial Clock – update
18. The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.50pm. Date and time of next meeting: 14th March 2023 at 7.30pm.
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