Minutes of an ordinary virtual meeting held by Hemswell Parish Council on Monday 15th March at 7.30 pm

Present:

Cllr. B. Mander (BM)(Chair); Cllr. J. Roberts (JR) (Vice-Chair); Cllr. M. Foster (MF); Cllr. C. Black (CB); Cllr. P. Watkinson (PW).
District Cllr. P. Howitt-Cowan (PHC)

1. Apologies:

None received

2. Adjournment for Cllr reports and members of the public.

A written report from PHC was circulated prior to the meeting (attached below). No clarifications were requested.

Meeting reconvened at 19:35 hrs.

3. Declaration of Interests.

None presented.

4. Approval of Minutes from parish council meeting 18th January 2021.

Proposed:      JR         Seconded:  MF                        Carried: unanimously.

5. Planning Matters.

None received.

6. Highway’s Update.

The grit bin has been returned to its previous location on Church Street and the Brook Street drain overflow to the public sewer has been cleaned.

7. LCC Grass Cutting FY 21/22 Parish Agreement Scheme.

The clerk advised he has returned the completed agreement paperwork to LCC as per council instructions. The council unanimously agreed to add Dawnhill Lane verge and St Helens Way roundabout to the areas to be cut via the council contractor. The council unanimously agreed to submit a revised contract to Mr R. Marfleet for a revised quotation.

Action: Clerk to update the grass cutting contract with additional areas and provide to Mr R Marfleet for revised quotation.

8. LALC Subscription Renewal.

The benefits of subscribing to LALC were discussed. The council unanimously agreed to renew its subscription for FY 21/22.

Proposed:      MF       Seconded:  CB             Carried: unanimously.

9. Problem of Dog Fouling.

PW advised that some signs have been installed by WLDC. They are not easy to see and contain a lot of information making them difficult to read. PW also advised that WLDC had informed him that they would not install a dog bin at the A631 end of the Hemswell to Harpswell footpath due to the danger of cleaning the bin.

10. Parish Council Website.

The new parish council website http://hemswell.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk content was discussed. No additional information was suggested by the council.

11. Document Fire Safe.

The clerk advised the council that the new document fire safe had been received and installed.

Action: Clerk to add Fire Safe to council asset list.

12. Census 2021 (Sunday March 21st) – Digital First.

The clerk reminded the council of the census day.

13. Return to Face-to-Face Meetings.

The clerk updated the council on the advice provided by LALC on the return to face-to-face council meetings. The law allowing council meetings to be held virtually will expire at midnight on the 6 May 2021. The decision not to extend the date is being challenged. Depending on whether this challenge is successful, the council will need to decide if they wish to move the planned May meeting from 17 May to on or before 6 May, if they wish to continue with a virtual meeting in May.

Action: Clerk to update the council later in April on the status, and a decision made on the date of the May meeting nearer the time.

14. Finance.

14a. Financial Status Review.

The financial records were reviewed. No remedial actions were identified.

14b. Cheques to authorise.

the following cheques were accepted for payment.

Cemetery rates                                                                               £  65.09

LALC subscription                                                                          £140.38

14c. Payments Made.

 The clerk advised the following invoices had been paid.

Fire Safe (authorised November 20)                                              £471.60

Cemetery Green Bin (operational budget)                                     £  35.00

14d. Payments Received.

– the following receipts had been received.

Cemetery fees                                                                                £100.00

15. Reports.

15a. Village Hall.

No report provided - please refer to Annual meeting notes.

15b. Neighbourhood Plan.

No report provided - please refer to Annual meeting notes.

16. Clerk Recruitment.

The clerk advised that the advertisement for the Clerk’s position closed on Friday 12 March. Applications will be reviewed, and interviews held by the recruitment panel.

17.  Councillor Vacancies.

The council remains two councillors below a full council. No further updates received.

18. Burial Authority.

No activities reported.

19. Date of next meeting.

To be advised – see item 13.

Signed: B C Mander                  Date: Date: 19th March 2021