September 21 - Minutes of Ordinary Meeting
HEMSWELL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of an ordinary meeting held by Hemswell Parish Council on Monday 20th September
at 7.30 pm at Hemswell & Harpswell Village Hall.
Present:
Cllr. B. Mander (BM)(Chair); Cllr. J. Roberts (JR) (Vice-Chair); Cllr. M. Foster (MF); Cllr. P. Watkinson (PW).
District Cllr. P. Howitt-Cowan (PHC),
1 member of the public
1. Apologies.
Cllr C. Black, Cllr P Watkinson (required to leave early), PCSO McFaul.
2. Adjournment for Cllr reports and members of the public.
a. County Councillor Report
County Counsellor Clio Perraton-Williams submitted a written report (see County Councillor's Brief September web page) which was distributed to the councillors prior to the meeting. No requests for clarification were received.
b. District Councillor report
PHC submitted a written report (see District Councillor Report August 21 web page) which was circulated to the council prior to the meeting and provided a further update -
Afghan Resettlement Program - details are being worked out by WLDC which has a good record at providing such support.
Budgets and Markets Consultations - consultations are now taking place. Members of the public are encouraged to provide their views.
Planning Development session on 'Heritage In Planning' is taking place 29th September at 18:00 via TEAMS. Open to town and parish councils.
WLDC operation issues are being closely monitored with regard to the HGV driver shortage and mitigating actions put in place.
Former WLDC leader to appear in Magistrates Court.
PHC offered to answer any questions. No questions were forthcoming.
c. PCSO Report
None received
3. Declaration of Interests.
None declared.
4. Approval of Minutes from previous meeting.
It was unanimously resolved to approve the presented draft minutes as an accurate account of the council's ordinary meeting held on 21st July 2021.
5. Actions from Previous Meeting
a. Oil tank positioning (Limestone Houses).
The clerk advised that a WLDC Building Control officer had made a site visit to the property and identified that the tank met the relevant requirements. No further action required.
b. Overhanging trees / overgrown hedges - Dawnhill lane, Bunkers Hill.
The clerk advised that they have been in contact with the land owner's management team but the trees were yet to be pruned. PHC offered to contact the owner directly.
Action clerk to await feedback from PHC and progress.
c. Speeding traffic and increased volume of traffic through village.
The clerk has been in contact with LCC Highways and Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership to progress the possible moving of the speed limit on Church street and for obtaining details of speed indicator devices. Action ongoing.
d. Middle Street Bus Shelter – maintenance.
The clerk advised that they had been unable to identify any contractors willing to provide a quotation for the workscope to repair the bus shelter and was awaitng responses from local handymen. A discussion was held whether a local handyman could carry out the repairs. It was unanimously agreed to authorise the clerk to spend upto a defined amount on labour plus materials at cost, if a local handy man could carry out to the work before the next meeting, in order to make the shelter useable before winter.
Action: Clerk to contact local handyman to see if they will take on the activity.
e. Brook Street notice board – maintenance.
PW advised that the notice board has been repaired. The council wishes to express their thanks to Mr W Calton for repairing the noticeboard and to such a high standard.
f. Street furniture.
Outstanding action - Clerk to progress.
6. Planning Matters.
a. The Forge - Brook Street - a discussion regarding this property, including the planning status and the future plans for the property were held.
Action: Clerk to request an update from WLDC for the planning status and proposed actions / plans for the property.
7. Annual General Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2021.
a. Exercise of public rights notice period 14th June - 23rd July 2021.
The clerk informed the council that the time for the exercise of public rights expired on the 23rd July 2021. No requests to review the council's financial affairs had been received.
8. Finance
a. Financial Status Review.
The clerk provided the council's financial position for review. No remedial actions were identified.
b. Cheques to authorise.
It was unanimously resolved to pay the following invoices
i. Grass cutting (July & August) £300.00
ii. Brook Street noticeboard repairs (1) £30.00
iii. Brook Street noticeboard repairs (2) £48.84
c. Payments Received.
i. Saving account interest £0.28
d. Purchase Orders Received.
i. The clerk advised that a purchase order has been received from LCC for £213.65 as a 'Contribution to urban safety cutting'
e. Auditing Services LALC.
A motion to utilise the auditing services provided by LALC for the future auditing of the Parish Council activities was put forward by BM and seconded by JB.
Motion carried unanimously.
9. Reports
a. Village Hall.
An update on the village hall activities was provided by PW.
The chair and secretary have resigned. Two new trustees have been appointed.
The following committe appointments have been made -
Chair - Sally Everatt
Secretary - Stephanie Franklin
Treasurer - Paul Watkinson
Planned Activities
A McMillan Coffee Morning is to be held Saturday 25th September.
The committee are trying to source a pilates or similar class.
Social events have not previously been well attended, so the committee have a dilemma whether to put on additional social events.
b. Neighbourhood Plan.
The plan is in its final review stages by the steering group, prior to submission to WLDC. It is expected the submission will be made before the next parish council meeting.
10. Clerk Recruitment.
No progress has been made in fulfilling this position.
11. Councillor Vacancies.
No progress has been made in fulfilling these positions. There remain two councillor vacancies.
12. Burial Authority Activities.
No activities to report.
13. Meeting Closure.
Meeting closed 20:45 hrs.