Minutes of the Meeting January 23
Approved MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting
Held Monday 9th January 2023
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Public Forum |
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One member of the public was in attendance.
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Meeting commenced at 7.32 pm |
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Present |
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Martin Wright (MMW) Chairman, John Leventhall (JL), Mick Walker (MW), Mark Newton (MN), Carole Lee (CL), Daryl Walton (DW), Mick Brooks (MB), Paul Wood (PW), Jane Evans (Clerk) and County Cllr Alex Maughan (AM) |
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23/001 |
Apologies for Absence |
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Iain Lyon (IL) and Ross Warman (RW) due to work commitments – apologies accepted. Geoff Fearn (GF), due to personal commitments – apologies accepted. |
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23/002 |
Declarations of Interest. |
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MW – item14 re quotes for works at Memorial Gardens and Village Hall Dispensations granted to Councillors to allow precept setting. |
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23/003 |
Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 5th December 2022 |
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Matters Arising 18/1071 – 18/1065. AM is to speak with Rowan Smith, LCC Highways regarding potential improvements to Costa Row road surface. ACTION AM
It was RESOLVED that the minutes and confidential minutes be signed as a true record. |
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23/004 |
County Council Report |
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An update of the Flood Scheme was provided, being no change since the meeting in early December and the summary provided at the December meeting. Cycle Scheme – further update/progress. Cllrs were provided with a summary of the County Council precept and budget. The expected spend for next year is £595m, the main increases being in social care. The proposed 3% increase in Council Tax will leave a £10m deficit that will come from reserves. |
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23/005 |
District Council Report |
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PW advised SKDC have set the budget, with the expected spend being £70m. A shortfall oof £1.5m is predicted and it is likely this will be made up from reserves rather than deciding to cut services. |
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23/006 |
Planning |
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Applications – None Planning Approvals – see agenda Planning Refusals – none Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – none Other planning issues – none |
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Precept and Budget Planning – to agree precept required for 2023/24 |
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It was confirmed the precept request for £52950 has been submitted and the uplifted budget of £62779 has been approved. |
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23/008 |
Village Gateway – to discuss quotes and plans. |
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RESOLVED to defer to February when an update regarding the cycle lane should have been received. |
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23/009 |
Section 106 monies re Park View – to provide update on request for funding for car park |
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Councillors were referred to an email from SKDC advising the developer has yet to be asked for the S106 contribution. SKDC is to contact the developer. It was confirmed £11250 has been allocated for Long Bennington open spaces and the proposed car park is likely to be accepted. SKDC are to be contacted again to check on progress. It was agreed not to take any further action until confirmation is received. ACTION CLERK |
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23/010 |
Village Hall Ownership Structure – to discuss current position |
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It was confirmed JL has drafted a document to be sent to the Charities Commission, requesting that they deal with the ownership proposals. JL, MMW and the Clerk are to meet to discuss the document before any further action is taken. JL/MMW/CLERK |
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23/011 |
Flood Alleviation Scheme – to discuss current position |
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See County Councillor Report above |
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23/012 |
Cycle Lane – to discuss current position |
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See County Councillor Report above |
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23/013 |
Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report |
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Chairman’s Report MMW confirmed he would be standing down as a Parish Councillor and will not be submitting an application in the Parish Elections in May this year. Clerks Report Councillors were referred to the attached report. No questions. Councillors were advised that progress is being made with the renovation of the PC noticeboard. |
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23/014 |
Finance |
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Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £2122.27. RESOLVED – to pay the invoices. Monthly financial reports were provided, and no questions were raised. Community Cleaner hours worked and payment – approved. Quotes for works to Memorial Garden and Village Hall shrub bed – Two quotes were received (a third request sent was not responded to) and discussed. It was proposed that the proposed work to the Memorial Gardens is undertaken by M&C Gardening and Womble Gardening takes over maintenance of the Village Hall gardens. ACTION: CLERK |
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23/015 |
Reports |
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Playing Fields Management Committee – MMW proposed that the meeting is opened to the member of the public present (a representative of the PFMC) and details of a proposal of a gift of land was provided. Cllrs were informed that a 2.5 acres parcel of land adjacent to the 11-a-side pitch has been offered to the PC by Geoff Fearn. A site visit has taken place and GF has advised the land would be cleared and levelled. Information regarding the plans for the car park were provided, the estimated cost being £18 with £11250 from S106 monies and the remainder from reserves. Early stage discussions are taking place regarding improvements to the Pavilion with potential for 70% FA funding and the remainder to come from grant funding. A recommendation and request on behalf of the PFMC to accept the offer of land was delivered. Following discussion Cllrs RESOLVED to accept the offer, with legal costs to be established. ACTION CLERK Village Hall Management Committee – the last meeting discussed support via the precept for future maintenance costs. School Liaison – no report Emergency Planning Group Report – no report Road Safety – it was confirmed a number of unmarked Police cars have been undertaking checks in the village. MB advised Cllrs that a report, under the Environmental Protection Act, of the noise/vibrations from HGVs on Costa Row has been submitted to SKDC by him as a resident and a resident from Costa Row. It has been confirmed investigations into a potential planning breach are underway. Police Report – no report Footpaths & Streetlights – no report Witham Meadow – no report |
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23/016 |
Correspondence |
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Councillors referred to attached list of correspondence received during the last month. No questions raised. Clrrs referred to an email received, subsequent to the list being produced, from a resident regarding the damage to the grass verge on Acklands Lane. It was agreed the obstruction is an offence – see S137 of the Highways Act. It was suggested and agreed photographic evidence is required to progress any further action. ACTION CLERK
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23/017 |
Items for next agenda and Parish News Report. |
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Next agenda – Update on cycle lane, Village gateway, S106 monies, Village Hall transfer of title. |
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23/018 |
Date of next meeting – 6th February 2023 |
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Meeting Closed 9.16pm |
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Signed Martin Wright Designation Chairman Date 6th February 2023 |