July 2024 Minutes
Allington Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held at Allington Village Hall
10th July 2024
PRESENT
Cllr Reynolds
Cllr Marvin
Cllr Baron
Cllr Plummer
Cllr Leadenham
Cllr Storer
Rebecca Hilton (Clerk & RFO)
District Councillor Rob Leadenham
2 village residents
1. PUBLIC FORUM
Discussion of the overgrown hedgerows took place. The hedges cover the speed signs. These have been reported on fixmystreet.com and it was suggested that multiple reports could result in an enforcement order however, hedges cannot be cut from March to August due to nesting.
2. APOLOGIES
Apologies received from Cllr Lowes and Cllr Whittington.
3. TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2011
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The draft minutes from the Parish Council Meeting held on 12th June were agreed to be a true representation.
5. ANNUAL PROCEDURES
Following the last meeting all Councillors had a policy to review. Cllr Marvin confirmed amendments to Social Media policy to be sent to the clerk. Cllr Plummer made extensive changes to Equity and Diversity which were forwarded to councillors prior to the meeting. Changes were agreed. Cllr Storer reported that the Code of Conduct did not need amending. Cllr Baron to review Environment and Sustainability and any changes to be passed to the clerk. Cllr Storer has been reviewing the Financial Regulations Policy but due to content will draw up suggested amendments and send to the clerk so they may be forwarded to Councillors.
6. CLERKS REPORT
Correspondence
Email following on visit from Grantham Town Football club received requesting use of the sports pitches at the playing field
Email sent to Electoral services regarding resignation of Councillor Marsh on 5.6.24
Email received regarding maintenance of the path from the green to Lilac Rose Cottage, Bottom Street
Email received confirming insurance renewed
Temporary event notice requested by Playing Field Committee – Event notice applied for and granted
MUGA maintenance contract confirmed with Smith Maintenance – cost confirmed as £1617.00 + VAT – Total £1940.40
Email received confirming LALC’S conference and AGM will take place on Wednesday 24th July at Belton Woods Hotel in Grantham
Invoices received from suppliers on behalf of the Playing Field Fundraising Committee for the Big Weekend
Planning Application received for the to install an EV Charger on the side of the house, along the driveway directly adjacent to the Electricity meter. The charger proposed is an Ohme Home Pro, and it would be installed by Octopus Energy at Plumtree Cottage, The Green, Allington. Case reference S24/1064 : www.southkesteven.gov.uk/planningsearch/ Any representations to be made by the council to be received no later than 15th July 2024
Email received regarding Section 19 Flood Investigations
DPI & Acceptance of Office Forms 2024 to be received by the Clerk
Email received regarding Parish Council Vacancy Notice
Finance
Invoice received and paid for the defibrillators
Invoice received and paid for the Town Crier - £80.00
Insurance invoice received and paid £1551.32
Temporary Event notice fee, £21.00 paid by Clerk requested to be claimed as expenses
Finance report to be circulated prior to the meeting
Invoice received and paid from PE Hempsteads
The clerk reported on emails received as above and circulated accounts for the first quarter.
Cllr Reynolds mentioned that the website still contained the former Clerk’s details in certain areas. Clerk to contact the webmaster and have these changed.
Cllr Baron mentioned that the peace garden in the churchyard and area behind bonfire not currently being mowed. Cllr Reynolds to contact Hempsteads regarding their contract and have a general review to ensure the current arrangements are still satisfactory.
Planning application S24/1064 no objections assuming in line with listed building regs. SKDC to be emailed prior to 15th July.’
DPI and acceptance of office forms. Clerk to check with LALC whether they need to be completed annually.
7. BENCHES FOR ST JAMES CHURCHYARD
Discussion of which benches to purchase took place. It was agreed that decorative benches for St James churchyard and the play area should be purchased and a picnic table in the pétanque area. Cllr Plummer said that Belton Garden Centre offered a discount on an order for 3 benches but not on 2. Costs were confirmed as £349 including VAT for a 4ft bench and £375 including VAT for a 5ft bench. The Council agreed to purchase one 4ft and one 5ft bench and a picnic table. This was proposed by Cllr Marvin and seconded by Cllr Baron. Clerk to order. Cllr Baron offered to remove the old bench in St James’ grave yard. It was agreed that one of the new ones would be fixed down in its place. A chain and padlock would be needed to secure the bench in the play area. The site for a picnic table at park was discussed. Cllr Plummer offered to check that the concrete pads are big enough. Cllr Marvin offered to look into the prices and types of commemorative plaques.
8. PLANTERS
Cllr Marvin reported that she had contacted Sue Jackson re planting up the new planters once ordered. The quote for planting is £100 per planter. Planting to be done in Autumn. It was agreed that three planters would be sited on The Green and the fourth positioned on the grassed area on the bend from Bottom Street leading out to Sedgebrook Road (next to the blue house). The planters are semi-permanent structures so can be moved if required. The planters are 211 litres each. Clerk to order planters.
9. VILLAGE HALL
Cllr Reynolds reported that the meeting with members of the Village Hall committee was good with income and outgoings discussed along with areas where the Parish Council could help.
Cllr Reynold reported that minutes from the meeting are to be circulated by the clerk to Parish Council once complete. Drain quotes were emailed to Councillors prior to the meeting. Discussion took place as to whether the Parish Council could potentially pay for the drain repairs whilst the Village Hall committee looked into the next round of grants and could the Village Hall Committee then repay the Parish Council. Cllr Leadenham said there was a Community Funding Grant available but that quotes had to be submitted first and then payment is made to meet the exact cost on the quote. Cllr Leadenham offered to ask the question as to where payment can be made once the grant is received.
Cllr Storer is looking into quotes for Wifi for the Village Hall. Cllr Reynolds confirmed that the question had been asked as to whether the Parish Council could pay for the service. Discussion took place as to whether this was possible as the Council cannot support any charity.
It was reported that the Village Hall Committee are looking into areas to improve income and expenditure. From January 2025, the Village Hall hire charges will change and users are to be notified as the Village Hall has made a loss.
10. PLAYING FIELD
Cllr Plummer reported that the area around pétanque needs refurbing due to weed killer damaging turf. It was suggested that the area be redefined with some form of edging - the type to be discussed with the pétanque group by Cllr Marvin to ensure the area is tidy but safe. The area will then be kept tidy through regular strimming by the new Playing Field Caretaker.
It was reported that the ROSPA inspection is booked for August. When the report is received the Council will know what action needs taking. Cllr Plummer said that areas marked as ‘amber’ last year were the chains on the swings and the rubber area around the slide. Both may need replacing and probably this year but if not then next. Quotes will need to be obtained. Cllr Marvin asked Cllr Leadenham if a grant was available. Cllr Leadenham emailed Victoria Hibbert at SKDC to request information on the UK Prosperity Fund, a community fund. It was discussed that perhaps the works might be a winter project. Cllr Plummer offered to get quotes once the ROSPA report is complete.
Cllr Plummer suggest that the toilet block and MUGA codes to be changed and a register kept of all who has them.
Refurbishment of the toilet block was discussed. Cllr Plummer proposed that new plans be drawn up so that quotes can be obtained for the work. Cllr Leadenham said the UK Prosperity Fund was available for such a project. Cllr Leadenham agreed to ask Victoria Hibbert to contact the clerk and arrange a meeting on site to see what is being discussed. It was agreed that she would be asked if she could meet with the Village Hall committee at the same time to discuss the works required for the repairs of the drains.
Use of the playing field by Grantham Town was discussed. Clerk to contact Gonerby football club as a courtesy to ask if they wish to continue to using it as the Council require confirmation.
The proposal by Grantham Town to use the pitch on Saturday mornings for matches and possibly every Thursday evening for training was discussed. Cllr Storer asked if Grantham Town would bring lights for winter training as there aren’t any available at the playing field. Cllr Plummer said that neighbours have suffered in the past with football footfall so a conversation would be needed with Grantham Town as to the area to be used as a pitch at the far end of the playing field. Guidelines must be set in place therefore confirmation would be required as to transportation to and from Grantham Town stadium by minibus for training and matches. An approximate number would be required as to match attendees/ away teams. Confirmation was also required as to how many weeks the pitch would be used, from and to dates given. Clerk to email so that this could be discussed. Gonerby youth paid £550 per year so depending on the training requirement charges could then be considered.
11. HIGHWAYS
Cllr Baron confirmed that he has a new contact, Graham Stott at Lincs Road Safety Partnership. It is going to take approximately two weeks was going to take to get a quote for the solar powered units. The speed indicators are to be added to the September agenda along with the dog waste bin. Cllr Reynolds to look into the dog waste bin costs.
12. BUS SHELTER MAINTENANCE
Update on the bus shelter maintenance to be added to the September agenda as Cllr Lowes looking into the repairs and had given apologies for the July meeting.
13. TO DISCUSS LOGO FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL
The logo template was going to be requested from S Ashby. Cllr Plummer offered to take a photo of the sign so that discussion could be had as to whether it would make a suitable logo.
14. DISTRICT / COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT
Cllr Leadenham said asked about the Community Speed Watch. SKDC have scrapped funding for speed awareness but Cllr Leadenham said it was actually a benefit for the community. If Parishes work together to improve speed awareness the result would be positive as drivers would be aware of being watched and would drive more carefully. Cllr Leadenham asked if the Council had made progress with the Emergency plan. It was agreed that the clerk would contact the Sedgebrook Clerk to arrange a meeting so that existing emergency plan forms could be completed prior to going into the Winter.
15. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
- Village Hall
- Solar powered speed limit units
- Dog waste bins
- Football / Playing Field hire
- Bus shelter maintenance
- Parish Council Logo
16. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Marvin let the Clerk know that this item should be removed from the agenda. This will be removed for next time. Cllr Marvin reported that 3 candidates had been interviewed for the position of Playing Field Caretaker. One selected and a new job description was to be drawn up along with the contract for signing. Start date proposed as 1st August. Thank you letters to be issued to unsuccessful candidates, contract and offer letter to the best candidate. Thank you letter to Stuart to be sent confirming a successor had been found. Cllr Marvin to liaise with the Clerk who will issue paperwork.
LALC conference on 24th July attendee(s) to be confirmed so that ticket(s) could be bought @ cost of £40 per ticket.
17. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting is Wednesday 11th September 2024.
Cllr Marvin gave apologies for the meeting.
The meeting closed at 9.06 pm