2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

1

Opening Remarks

1.1

The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1.2

The state of Bottesford Lane which has a lot of subsidence was discussed and County Councillor Mark Whittington suggested that we got in touch with ‘Fix My Street’ which is the online site for all street repairs.

2

Apologies

2.1

Councillor Cant and District Councillor Hannah Westrupp sent their apologies.

3

Declarations of Interest

3.1

There were no declarations of interest.

4

Minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2019

4.1

The minutes were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman of the meeting.

5

Correspondence received since the meeting held on 9 January 2019

5.1

The clerk reported on some of the correspondence received and sent.

1. Confirmation of Precept requirement to SKDC
2. Request from Citizens’ Advice Bureau to consider them for a grant
3. Draft Statement of Community Involvement consultation
4. Quote for 2019 season from P E Hempsteads
5. South Kesteven Local plan submitted to the Secretary of State#
6. SKDC consultation on increase in District Council’s contribution to Council Tax
7. Local election timetable
8. Request for testimonial from Community Lincs regarding the Community Plan
9. Enquiries from AGRA re: bus shelter and defibrillator
10. Resignation of Internal Auditor after the 2018/19 audit
11. Traffic Regulation Orders need to be proposed through the local County Councillor
12. Request from Saxonwell Parish Magazine for a donation
13. Info re: Sewstern Lane Level Crossing Order
14. Lincs Blind Society would like a link to Allington Online.

6

Representations made to the Parish Council since the agenda has been set

6.1

There were no representations made to the Council after the agenda had been set.

7

Objectives for 2019

7.1

Councillors agreed to continue with 2018 objectives due to the elections taking place and new objectives can be set by the new Council which will be elected in May 2019.

8

Telephone box update

8.1

The clerk reported further contributions had been received in the Parish Council bank account for the Red Phone Box Fund.  This sum will be ring fenced.

9

Personnel Advisory Group, inc Clerk’s contract

9.1

The clerk’s Employment Contract needs updating and a Personnel Employment Advisory Group was suggested to comply with the latest employment regulations.

Motioned by Councillor Bosworth 2nd by Councillor Plummer, 

Vote - 5 For / 1 Against.

10

Village Cross

10.1

Councillor Ashby is going to find out if Heritage Grants are available to assist with repair.  (Action point: SA)

10.2

The Village shop has a collection towards the cross and a donation has been received from the community choir.

10.3

Cllr Jackson has found some old photos from previous restoration in 70’s which may be of interest.

11

Community Shelter refurbishment update

11.1

No further update.

12

Allington Gardens’ Residents Association correspondence

12.1

The clerk reported that two different members of AGRA had been in touch regarding the bus shelter at the end of Peach Lane and also on the about a defibrillator for Allington Gardens.

12.2

AGRA now realise that the bus shelter at the end of Peach Lane cannot be moved into the Gardens.

12.3

AGRA would also like to have a defibrillator on the Gardens.  The clerk would contact the village’s former First Responder group representative to arrange for all  the relevant information to be passed to the AGRA representative.  (Action point: clerk)

13

Parish Council Elections - 2 May 2019

13.1

The clerk reported that she had attended the Clerk’s briefing session at SKDC in readiness for the upcoming local elections, including the Parish Council elections.

13.2

All nominations must be submitted by hand to SKDC by 4pm on Wednesday, 3 April.  It is suggested that an appointment is made to take the nominations in.  SKDC ask that nominations are submitted from 19 March and not all left to 3 April if possible.  10 packs have been made available to the village with more that may be requested, if necessary.   The withdrawal deadline is also 3 April at 4pm.

13.3

Uncontested Election results will be available after 4 April.  If more than 7 nominations are received there will be a poll.  This will be published by Wednesday, 24 April.  The election will be on Thursday 2 May and the count will begin on Friday 3 May.

13.4

All current Parish Councillors are automatically resigned on Tuesday 7 May.  The first meeting with the new Council, and clerk, will be on Wednesday, 8 May.

14

Annual Parish Meeting – 10 April 2019

14.1

Cllr Bosworth said he will provide the drinks and nibbles for the meeting.  (Action point: AB)

14.2

It was agreed that an invitation would be sent to Highways Councillor Richard Davies to see if he can come and talk about the issues the village have regarding through traffic. (Action point: clerk)

15

Social Media Policy

15.1

Councillors discussed the village Facebook account which had been set up by Cllr Ashby.  The purpose of the account is to circulate information which may be of benefit or interest to resident.  Although this was a good idea, it was noted that not everyone in the village subscribes to Facebook therefore it was suggested that Allington Online should also be used to highlight things that are available.

16

Highway matters

16.1

The Speed indicator battery is not holding its charge. After discussion it was agreed that Cllr Bosworth should attempt to change the battery.

16.2

The cost of a 2nd speed indicator device would be looked into.  (Action point: ?)

17

Playing Field matters

17.1

It was agreed that the parking policy appears to be working with using the area by the bonfire site as an overflow area.

17.2

There has been some unauthorised use of the playing field with quad bikes on at least two separate occasions.  Both times the people have been challenged.

17.3

The vandal damaged window has repaired but the grating still needs to be done.

17.4

The gate post at the bonfire entrance needs replacing.

17.5

The MUGA matting needs checking to see what condition it is in and any action that might be needed.

17.6

The play equipment painting is in hand and should proceed in the Spring.

18

Planning matters

18.1

Applications received and determined since the last Parish Council meeting on 9 January 2018:

• Approval – Hive Cottage, Foston Road – erection of porch
• Refusal– 64 Park Road – fell two pines
• Application and approval – 68 Park Road – reduce and shape sycamore and prune pine
• Application and approval – Behind The Conifers, erection of hardstanding and polytunnel

19

Financial matters

19.1

The clerk reported on the income and outgoings since the last meeting on 14 November 2018

19.2

Income total - £20.76

• Bank interest - £10.76
• Red phone box donations - £10.00

19.3

Outgoings total - £1,259.89

19.4

Plus Clerk and Caretakers’ salaries.

19.5

Councillors unanimously approved the payments retrospectively.

19.6

A new internal auditor needs to be found for next year.

20

Any other business for future meetings

20.1

The following would be on the agenda at the next Parish Council meeting:

• Village plan
• Social media policy

21

Date of next meetings

21.1

The Annual Parish meeting will be on Wednesday 10 April 2019 at 7.30pm.

21.2

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Wednesday 8 May 2019, with a new Council, following the elections on 2 May.