Meeting Minutes December 2023
SOUTH KELSEY & MOORTOWN PARISH COUNCIL
Draft Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held in the Village Hall on 4 December 2023 at 7pm
Present: Cllr Tina Wiles (Chair), Cllr Nicola Hall, Cllr Alan Niven, Cllr Carol Niven and Cllr Garry Dickinson
Absent: District Cllr Peter Morris
In attendance: County Cllr Tom Smith and Gina Andrews (Clerk).
Public forum for parishioners to ask questions: No members of the public were in attendance
Update from County Councillor:
LCC: Cllr Smith confirmed that he continues to raise concerns with regards to the resident’s property that was raised at the meeting on 5 June 2023.
Cllr Smith reported that residents throughout the ward have reported empty grit bins and requested that during the Autumn be contacted to confirm grit bin checks, to avoid lack of grit when it is most needed.
Cllr Smith reported that Greater Lincolnshire devolution consultation is now live. Cllr Smith noted that this is a significant issue for the people of Lincolnshire. Consultation is open for responses until 29/01/2024.
For more information and the opportunity to participate visit here:
Formal Parish Council Meeting commenced; Standing Orders invoked:
161/23 To receive apologies and reasons for absence:
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to note apologies from Cllr Peter Morris with valid reasons for absence accepted.
162/23 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 - being any pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in agenda items, not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests:
None noted.
163/23 To approve draft minutes of the Parish Council held on 6 November 2023:
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 6 November 2023 be accepted as a true record and duly signed by the Chair.
164/23 Election of Vice-Chair to the Parish Council:
Members nominated, seconded and RESOLVED that Cllr Carol Niven be appointed the Vice Chair of the Parish Council and that the Declaration of Acceptance of Office be signed by Cllr Niven and witnessed by the Clerk.
165/23 Clerk’s Report on Matters Outstanding and Correspondence:
The Clerk presented her report and summary of correspondence received to the meeting.
It was noted that:
- The Clerk is registered as the contact for the South Kelsey Park charity with the Charity Commission and that the Annual Return is due 31 January 2024.
- The domain name ‘southkelseyandmoortownparishcouncil.gov.uk' has now been registered by Cloud Next.
166/23 Policies for Review
After discussion, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Planning Matters Policy be approved and adopted. ACTION GA
167/23 Finance Summary and Accounts for Payment:
a. Unity Trust Bank:
It was noted that the closing balance as at 28 November 2023 was £16,087.91 and that all PC funds are now with Unity Trust Bank.
b. Accounts payable:
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the following payments be settled:
- Wave water bill 8 July - 7 October 2023 - £17.51
- South Kelsey Village Hall November 2023 - £20
- Clerk’s November expenses and additional pay (training, overtime, SCP8 pay rise back pay April-October 2023 - £227.84
c. Accounts settled:
It was noted that the following payments have now been settled:
-
Cloud Next - registration of domain - £132 (inc. VAT). Authorised 2 October 2023: ref 142/23
-
Cloud Next - 12 months email hosting - £59.98 (inc. VAT). Authorised 2 October 2023: ref 142/23
-
C Atkin (PC laptop) - £175. Authorised 6 November 2023: ref 155/23
-
Information Commissioner’s Office (yearly subscription DD) - £35. Authorised 2 October 2023: ref 140/23
d. Contractural payments:
The following contractual obligations were noted (such payments resolved to be settled during the meeting of 3 April 2023 in accordance with the Financial Regulations item 5.6):
- Clerk’s wages November - £462.67
e. Incoming:
It was noted that the following payments have now been received:
- Allotment rent 2023/24 - £30
- Community Grant Scheme - £3,500 (WLDC first instalment towards Speed Awareness Sign)
f. Draft budget - 2024/25 Precept Requirements:
After review, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Budget and 2024/25 Precept Requirements be approved with the following amendment and published on the Council website ASAP. ACTION GA
- An additional £500 be added to the 2024/25 budget for “Park Parish Repairs”.
g. Other Financial Matters:
It was noted that Cllr C Niven is in discussion with the administrator of the South Kelsey Park bank account held with Lloyds, who is assisting with gaining access to these funds.
168/23 Planning:
a. 147476 - received 25 October 2023. Outline planning application for the erection of 5no. dwellings and associated infrastructure, with access and layout to be considered and not reserved for subsequent applications. Land to the rear of Westfield, Thornton Road, South Kelsey, Market Rasen, LN7 6PS. It was noted that an extension for comment had been granted for 6 December 2023. It was further noted that an ecology report is due.
After discussion, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Parish Council would submit objections in support of residents concerns, on the following grounds:
- Lack of amenities
- Unmitigated flood risks
- The proposed development is not considered in-fill
- Noise and light pollution to existing properties
- Affordable housing
b. 147486 (change of use from touring caravan site to open air swimming lake, Watermill Farm Leisure Park, Moortown). It was noted that objections and comments were submitted on 15 November 2023 and that WLDC have confirmed when further information regarding ecology is received the application will be out for re-consultation.
169/23 Community Speed Watch:
a. Speed awareness sign update:
Cllr A Niven reported that the lead time for Elan City was x5 working days.
Cllr A Niven reported that LCC Highways have made recommendations for the location of the signs within both Moortown and South Kelsey. It was noted that the PC are awaiting confirmation from LCC as to when the poles will be installed
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the recommended sites be the location for the poles and speed awareness signs. Locations as follows:
Moortown - ///soggy.bunny.mopped https://w3w.co/soggy.bunny.mopped
South Kelsey - ///dogs.salutes.grasp https://w3w.co/dogs.salutes.grasp
b. Allocation of budget for interim speed awareness signs spend:
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the balance of £1,000, plus any VAT due, in respect of Elan City’s invoice be paid out of CIL reserves. It was noted that when the £1,000 is received from WLDC (the second instalment) and the VAT paid is claimed back, the funds will be restored to CIL reserves.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the £300 (estimated cost per pole for signs) be paid out of CIL reserves.
c. Tender process for trees - budget allocation & timetable:
It was noted that trees would obstruct the view to the proposed speed awareness signs.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that:
- x3 quotes be sought for the cutting back of trees;
- the cut off for accepting quotes be 5 January 2024; and
- that the budget be allocated at the meeting on 8 January 2024.
170/23 Dog Fouling - bag dispenser:
After discussion, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to purchase post, fixing and dispenser at £160 (plus VAT) and 800 bags at £37.75 (plus VAT) with funds from CIL Reserves.
171/23 South Kelsey Park & Play Area:
a. Current situation
It was noted that a previous RoSPA inspection raised concerns with elements of the play area.
It was noted that the Parish Council made the decision to close the play area at South Kelsey Park until it was deemed safe to use by a qualified professional.
b. RoSPA playground inspection
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to book an up-to-date RoSPA inspection of the play area as a starting point for repair and replacement discussions and this be funded from the Park/Parish Repairs budget.
c. Playground / Play Areas Risk Management Policy - Review/Adopt
After review, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Playground / Play Areas Risk Management Policy be approved and adopted.
d. Playground checks/risk assessments
After review, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve and adopt the Checklist for Children’s Outdoor Play Areas & Equipment with the inclusion of ‘Molehills’ as an additional item to be checked under ‘Site General’.
e. Procedure Following a playground accident
After review, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve and adopt the Procedure Following a Playground Accident and Accident Form AND Playground Accident Report form AND that Cllr G Dickinson be appointed the nominated responsible person.
f. Moving forward
After discussion, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that Councillors look into grant and funding opportunities for the play area.
It was noted the Parish Council is the trustee for the registered South Kelsey Park charity. After discussion it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the charity be dissolved so that the remaining funds can be used for the original purpose of the charity (as set out with the Charity Commission; Play area for children, walking area, football and cricket for the community).
In order for the South Kelsey Park charity to move forward with this a “Park Sub Committee” needs to be set up.
172/23 Councillor Volunteer Scheme - update:
Cllr T Wiles confirmed that WLDC will be conducting their own risk assessment and bringing their own equipment for works to be carried out at the bus shelter in Moortown.
173/23 LALC Internal Audit - resolve to engage services:
After discussion, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to appoint LALC as the internal auditors.
174/23 Items for the next Agenda - 8 January 2024:
- Finance Summary / Accounts
- Precept 2024/25 - approve
- Planning applications
- Community Speed Watch / Trees tenders
- Policies for review
- Dog fouling bag dispenser
- South Kelsey Park (Playground/park Play Area update, park gate, molehills, Park Sub Committee, Charity Commission)
- Community Event (March 2024)
Parish Council meeting closed at 21.30
Date and Time of Next Meeting
to be held at the Village Hall, South Kelsey
on Monday, 8 January 2024 at 7pm