May 2019 Minutes Annual Parish Council Meeting

Stickford Parish Council

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL

Venue STICKFORD Community Centre

Meeting held 14th MAY 2019 starting 7.30pm

THE MINUTES

Number of Residents present, two

Official attendees read Y for attending N for non attendance

Chairman Councillor Mrs Pamela Bryant Y
Vice Chairman Councillor Mr Graham Bradley Y
Councillor Mrs Lesley Reeson Y
Councillor Mr Robert Morley Y
Councillor Mr Clive Kingswood N
Councillor Mr John Howlett Y
Councillor Vacancy

Lincs C C Councillor Mrs Wendy Bowkett Y
ELDC Councillor  Jim Swanson N

Parish Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer    Mr John Spencer Y

1.The Chairman opened the meeting welcoming all present

The clerk announced the positions of officers to be elected. The clerk also reminded Councillors of the Standing Orders, when representing the Parish. Full details and notes are Appendix 1 to these minutes.

Election of Officers on the Parish Council

See Appendix 1 to these minutes

The Open Forum.  

Before any issues were raised by the residents, the Chairman introduced the clock repairer who had previously submitted a report on the War Memorial Clock and explained his options. The report was distributed to Councillor’s and residents. Option 1 was to overhaul the clock mechanism on site.  Options 2 would be to change the clock to electrification which would involve planning consent and difficulties with electrical supply. The original cost for option 1 would be £995.00 plus help from volunteers on site. The repairer was requested to send a revised quote.  A possible grant from the War Memorial Trust was considered and enquiries to be made. There were no new issues raised by the 2 residents.

Our Lincolnshire County Councillor.

On her way to the meeting she travelled along Fen Road and found the road so bad and needed urgent action she reported immediately to Highways.

The chairman had a letter from a resident who lives on the Catchwater Bank/Public Footpath. The condition of the public footpath has deteriorated and has many pot holes.  It is the only path that the residents of the two properties can use. Wheelchair users are finding it difficult to use it. The Chairman and Lincs C C will investigate to see if any way that the pot holes can be filled.

The parish council were told about some of the funding available from Highways, and will send the detail to the clerk. It was mentioned that some grants are available to fund bus shelters. The clerk to investigate soonest.

Our District Councillor. Did not attend -  no report.

Approval of previous minutes dated 5th March 2019

The minutes were approved as a true record.

Proposed approval Councillor Lesley Reeson, Seconded by Councillor Robert Morley

8.  Matters Arising from meetings 5th March 2019

There was one matter from 5 March 2019 meeting and was also an issue at the 7 May meeting 2019, Dog Fouling is moved to below.

9.   Matters Arising from meeting 7th May 2019

a) The weeds on the footpath along Church Road needs to be cleared again. A decision where to take the weeds will need to be resolved, before contacting North Sea Camp volunteers.  

b) The road sign near the bus shelter opposite Peachwood Motors, has broken off leaving a short stub protruding out of the ground which is considered dangerous. This was reported to highways but has not been removed to date. It is understood that removal of the stub is on the list of work to be done.

c) The War Memorial Clock.  Updated at the open forum.  

d) Dog bins being overfilled and bags left on bushes and trees is not going away because the offenders are not taking this health issue seriously. This is a problem within this village even though we know many dog walkers are not from this village and do not clear up their dog’s mess and disrespect this village. Unfortunately, the council is unable to control this situation.  The Parish Council to check the dog bin collection day.

e) Bus Shelters. We have 4 along the A16 and the parish council have continued to repair the shelters. However, the council will pursue the grant as noted in para 5-3 soonest

f) Badgers are burrowing into the Catchwater Bank, the council will inform the Environment Agency and Witham Forth.

g) There appears to be rubbish being dumped in a dyke near 1 Hagnaby Road.   

h) It has been reported there is evidence of occupancy next to the Hagnaby Lock Nature Reserve.

10. Financial Matters.

a) The Internal Audit has been completed and accepted as correct and true record.

b) There were 6 cheques to be approved for payment, all were approved and signed

The finances as above were approved as correct and true record

Proposed by Councillor Lesley ReesonSeconded by Councillor Robert Morley

Other financial matters.

a) The External Audit is being prepared and will be sent soonest.

b) The Precept has been approved and the full amount paid into the parish council bank

c) Thesummary of cheques approved and paid, together with the end of year final bank accounts details are listed appendix 2 of these minutes.

11   Planning

Planning Ref EC/168/00148/19
Mr. Craven The Poplars, Stickford – Erection of a structure
Planning complies with Part 6 of the General Permitted Development Order 2015 (as amended).  No further action.

Planning application ref: S/168/00471/19    
Ms K Buncombe. The Red Lion, Church Road, Stickford. Siting of two caravans. Refusal of planning permission

Planning application S/168/00746/19.
Mr Mrs A McLinden. One Acre, Hagnaby Lane, Stickford. Extension to existing dwelling to form a bedroom and shower room.               

12. Environment matters.

There were no issues raised

13. The War Memorial Clock.

Find out what grant applications are available.

14. Other issues raised by Councillors

There were no issues raised.

15. The chairman closed the meeting with the date of the next statutory meeting Tuesday 2nd July 2019 starting 7.30pm

Attachments as noted


APPENDIX I

Election of Officers as agreed by all Councillors present.Chairman Councillor Mrs P Bryant
Vice Chairman Councillor Mr Graham Bradley
RFO  Clerk Mr John Spencer
Environment Officer Councillor Mrs Lesley Reeson
Financial Risk Assessors  Councillor Mrs P Bryant and Councillor Mr Graham Bradley
Parish Council Internal Auditor   Mrs S Hendy


APPENDIX 2

Financial Detail as approved by the Parish Council

Cheques issued,

Parish Insurance £291.75 ( same as previous year)
LALC Affiliation fee £155.04 ( a reduction from £ 183.89 last year)
Clerk Wages 1 of 4 payments £500.00 ( same as last year )
HMRS Tax 1 of 4 payment £125.00 (same as last year)
Grant to Keals Club £45.00 ( same as previous years )
Grant to Stickford W.I. £45.00 ( none last year but same as previous years )

End of year accounts passed onward  to 1st April 2019 for year 2019/2020

1. Community Account £10287.51 (this includes ring fenced money of £1980.81)

2. Savings account £3083.18