January 2019 Minutes
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held in the Community Centre Tuesday, 8 January 2019
Councillors present: Cllr R Johnson – Chairman, Cllr A Pywell – Vice Chairman, Cllr K Sweeney, Cllr J Johnson, Cllr K Cook and Adrian Illingworth – Clerk.
1 Member of the public present. No issues
Council meeting commenced 7.32
1.0 Welcome remarks by Chairman
Chair welcomed all present.
2. Apologies (18/143)
Apologies received from Cllr Weller and Cllr Hague. Reason for absence noted and accepted by council members
3.0 Declarations of pecuniary interest and dispensations (18/144)
Cllr Sweeney and Cllr Pywell declared an interest in point 8.4 of the agenda.
4.0 Signing of the minutes (18/145)
The Clerk’s notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 11 September 2018, were resolved to be a true reflection by all members present. The Chairman duly signed and dated.
5.0 Matters arising from any items not on the agenda (18/146)
5.1 Clerk was reimbursed the sum of £32 for ink. Cheque signed by the Chairman and Vice Chairman.
6.0 County and District Council Matters (18/147)
Cllr Cook presented her report.
Planning online is currently unavailable.
NKDC have been chosen to trial Voter ID at the up coming election in May. Voters will need to provide photographic evidence (Driving Licence or Passport) If not available two utility bills, one of which can be the voting card.
NKDC are holding a Joining Dots seminar, at Wilsford, for councils looking to fund raise.
Councillors can now arrange for text alerts to be sent in the event of major issues.
7.0 Planning Applications (18/148)
7.1 Applications received
7.1.1 S18/1318 Highgate Barns – Change of use from commercial to residential
7.2 Application approved
7.2.1 S18/1318 Highgate Barns – Approved 26 October. No comments made by Council
7.2.2 S18/0984 Poplar Farm – two storey side extension. Approved 11 September. No comments made by Council.
7.3 Update given on planning application S18/1182 Land at Northbeck – Erection of agricultural building – Prior notification. No further correspondence since 6 September 2018
8.0 Finance (18/149)
8.1 Income received
8.1.1. VAT Refund 557.04
8.2 Payments made
8.2.1 LCC Speed Signs 40.00
8.3 Council resolved to accept the Financial statement as at 8 January 2019. No queries raised.
8.4 Cllr Sweeney put forward the case for an increased contribution from the Council to continue to produce and print the Beconnect. Existing funds are diminishing. Printing costs are currently £60 per issue. However, the Beconnect can be printed, professionally, at a cost of £50 per issue. Cllr J Johnson asked if online printing had been considered. Cllr Sweeney informed council there was very little difference.
The Clerk pointed out Cllrs Sweeney and Pywell could not vote therefore there was not a quorum. However, the Chairman and Cllr J Johnson both agreed to increase the contribution and for payment to be made at the Annual General Meeting. (If Cllr Weller had voted against the majority prevailed, 2 to 1)
The existing printer is to be stored.
8.5 £500 is currently paid to the PCC for servicing of the church clock and to maintain the church yard. As the church clock is no longer being serviced the Responsibly Finance Officer (Adrian Illingworth) asked the council to consider reducing the contribution. After discussion Council resolved to continue with the same donation.
8.6 The Responsible Finance Officer proposed the precept be increased by 2.4%, to cover inflation. After discussion the Chairman proposed to increase the precept to £3600 an increase of £158.13 or 4.59%. A vote was taken, and all Councillors resolved to apply the increase.
9.0 Highways (18/150)
9.1 Potholes are still a concern and not all have been repaired. Clerk to report holes Main Street to Helpringham Rd, Gorse Drove and Station Road.
Cllr Cook and Cllr Haque to be advised if work is not carried out. This will then be discussed with Highways.
All residents are encouraged to report any Highway problem via Fix My Street on LCC’s Website.
Clerk to report the missing 30mph sign coming into the village from Helpringham.
9.2 Cllr Pywell to obtain two quotes to replace the broken glass in the bus shelter. Quotes to be sent to Cllrs for approval.
9.3 Cllr Sweeney to chase ownership of the Heritage Sign on Station Road. Cllr Cook to contact County Council.
9.4 Gorse Road has been renamed Clay Road. Thanks to Cllr Cook for her involvement.
10.0 Conservation Issues (18/151)
Tawney Owl boxes have been built and are ready to be placed, on the Green at Northbeck and the other to the rear of the Community Centre.
A Barn Owl box is also to be situated behind the Community Centre.
The Chairman thanks Cllr Pywell who has made Swift boxes.
Mr John Porter to be kept up to date with events.
11.0 Correspondence
None
12.0 No items to be carried forward to the next meeting
13.0 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place at the Community Centre on Tuesday 12 March 2019