2022 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the village hall on Tues 5th Apr 2022 at 6.30pm

Present 22-043 Cllr C Ashton (Chair), Cllr J Oldfield (Vice Chair), Cllr P Golding, Cllr S Lansdowne, Cllr F Parish, Cllr C van Straubenzee, Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk), SKDCllr B Green, LCCllr C Vernon

Apologies for Absence 22-044 Cllr M Kinning, Cllr G Steele, Cllr A White, SKDCllr D Bellamy

Chairman’s Remarks 22-045 none

Receive Declaration of Interests 22-046 none

Public Forum 22-047 none

Report from County/District Councillors 22-048

LCCllr Charlotte Vernon introduced herself to SWPC and updated the PC on various matters including;

LCC help for Ukrainians and welcoming the first refugees to the area. Those wishing to help should call LCC on 01522 552222.  Road maintenance grant 2022/23 – funding down 12million on last yr. LCC to use a combination of existing reserves and apply a small rise in council tax to fund highway maintenance shortfall. Covid 19 latest update – Lincs PCR testing / mobile sites are now closed in line with Government guidance.  Stamford Library will now reopen on 3rd May 2022 after refurbishment. British Railways HQ – LCC & SKDC have submitted a joint expression of interest to host the Great British Railways Headquarters, 42 towns/cities have made bids. Cllr Vernon encourages residents to report all issues on “fix my street”, particularly potholes and failed pothole repairs. Railings on Church Lane, SW – still awaiting further information from LCC but are on the schedule of works. Thistleton Lane bridge flooding issue, Cllr Vernon to chase this up also with LCC, as work was due prior to yr end Mar 22 and has been a recurring flooding problem over the last year particularly.   

SKDCllr Green advised that Central Government’s £150 energy rebate will be paid over by SKDC for those in band A-D properties from 25th April 2022. Thirty five local hosts have come forward in South Kesteven to house Ukrainian refugees. Woodland Trust community tree packs (free) are currently available, with trees distributed in November. Councillors were thanked by the Chair for their reports.

Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 1st Mar 2022 22-049

The notes of meeting were approved by the Council and signed by the Chair in acceptance of minutes.

Clerk’s and Councillors’ reports on; 22-050

Financial Matters, clerk

Monthly accounts (see financial statement below)

Clerk advised that she had contacted Pozitive Energy as they had overcharged on the final bill, they have now reissued this and a refund of £151.40 is due.

Clerk annual salary increase (re. NALC national salary awards 2021/22)

Cllrs agreed to award the clerk a 34p an hour pay rise, effective from 1st April 2023.

Streetwise increase cost for VH rec grass cutting  

Due to inflation / fuel costs, Streetwise has increased its charges to £95 per cut for the 2022/23 season (previously £75 plus vat). Clerk to accept increase.

EOY accounts for yr ending 31st March 2022

Clerk in receipt of PKF Littlejohn AGAR external audit pack. Clerk to complete and ask Gordon Andrews to perform the internal audit function once again. To be signed off by the PC at the June meeting, with deadline for submission  - 1st July 2022.

Village Hall update, Cllrs Parish/ van Straubenzee

Cllr Parish reported that she is in the process of obtaining quotes for the fire doors. She also has a quote from New Beginnings to repair all VH rear patio door seals £175.00. Cllr Ashton has a further quote in progress from Paul Dalby. PC agreed to accept the cheapest quote, with the work to be done asap.  Clerk asked to chase Cllr Hughes for a fixed date from roof contractor as repairs were due this month. The PC would like this work done this month or alternative quotes may need to be sourced. VHMC had presented a quote for VH redecoration to the PC to consider financial support. Clerk to advise that no redecoration work should be considered until the roof is fixed. VH fixed electrics 5 yr checks completed – satisfactory, report on file, invoice to follow. Ongoing problems with the VH heating ie. user groups accessing. PC agreed a box should be built around the timer, with access to boost button only for groups. Cllr van Straubenzee to arrange with Matt O’Dell. PC agreed for the VH rebuild value to increase to 400k from the 1st June 2022, clerk to advise insurers.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Cllr Ashton QPJ coins ordered, due May 2022, Cllr Ashton requested school term dates to consider when presenting. A QPJ picnic at the VH rec has been arranged by the VHMC, leaflets detailing this are currently in the process of being distributed to households.

         Allotments

         General update, Cllr van Straubenzee Renewals 2022/23 are ongoing, with some plots available for hire. Cllr van Straubenzee had contacted those on the current waiting list re availability and to request that Cllr Kinning places an advertisement on the SW FB page also. Clerk to check on fees paid and update schedules accordingly, Cllr van Straubenzee to check on state of allotment site and  meet with prospective new tenants.

         Padlock and chain for car parking area, Cllr Oldfield Cllr Oldfield advised that the padlock / chain has been replaced at least six times in the last few years. He also mentioned that when anyone wishes to visit the graveyard they are unable to park in the car park area if it is always locked.   With this in mind, a vote was taken by the PC to remove the lock completely, all in agreement. Clerk to advise allotment holders of this decision. Cllr Oldfield suggested designated compost areas on  the site as there is a build up of grass cuttings around the perimeter of the field from the site grass cutter and ongoing this is now becoming an issue. He volunteered to make several compost bins out of pallets and will get his son to assist with moving existing grass cuttings to the compost  piles. Cllr van Straubenzee to ask grass cutter to place cuttings in this designated area from now on.

Planning Matters 22-051

New planning applications received by SKDC for Parish Council comment

S22/0563, 17 Church St – tree in Conservation area, reduce height of Pissard’s Plum (2.5m) and reduce lateral branches by 1m to balance shape and remove 2 branches  - no objections from SWPC.

New planning applications received by SKDC for Parish Council comment after publication of the agenda S22/0546, 14 Church St, Installation of stud wall in bathroom for shower cubicle ( listed building consent)  - no objections from SWPC.

SKDC planning permissions granted/refused

S22/0412, 5 High St, works to trees in a Conservation Area allowed. 

Village Signs, Cllr Oldfield 22-052 Cllr Oldfield had circulated photos to cllrs of various village street signs which have been damaged as leaning / turned round, location Moor Lane leading away from the village up to / including the Wymondham village sign. Clerk to report to LCC to deal.

Correspondence 22-053

LALC Enews weekly, C & C Direct, Anglian Water works update, Neighbourhood Police Team March update, further resident complaint re. Thistleton Lane bridge flooding, Funtopia Children’s Festival info 13th/14th April, Grantham Cricket Club, YMCA Lincs news & updates bulletin March 22, Town & PC newsletter Mar 22. Resident letter re. Moor Lane cones debris following Anglian Water recent works - Cllr Golding tidied. Resident letter re High St hedge and state of pavement, clerk to request help from LCC. SKDC Consultation on Street Trading Policy & Street Collection & House to House Collections Policy Mar 22  - closes 20/4/22.

Additional items 22-054

PC agreed for New Beginnings to cement in/ secure public bin on the North Witham Road, cost £75.00, Cllr Oldfield to arrange.

Date of next meeting 22-055 Tuesday 3rd May 2022 at 6.30pm in the VH. This will be the May meeting incorporating the annual meeting (election of Chair / Vice Chair). The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on the 7th June prior to the June PC Meeting. Clerk to advertise this meeting in due course.

Meeting closed at 8pm