18 June 2019

Thimbleby Parish Council

 

Minutes Of The Council Meeting Held Being At 7.30 Pm On The 18th June 2019 At Thimbleby Village Hall

 

Present

Councillors

Cllr M Jamieson

Cllr Mrs A Doody, M Doody & P Devlin

PCSO Nigel Wass

In Attendance Mrs C Newton (Clerk)

1 Member of the public

 

1 Apologies for absence

Cllr Mrs Bradwell (LCC) Cllrs Mrs Martin & Cllr Mrs Campbell Wardman (ELDC)

Noted

 

2 Declarations of Interest

None

 

3 To sign as correct the minutes from the last meeting held on the 7th May 2019 – It was unanimously agreed that these should be signed

 

4 Matters to Report from last meeting

None

 

5 Correspondence Received

LCC – Advance Notification of Bridge Refurbishment.

Noted

 

6 Correspondence Received

a) Zurich Policy and Employers liability Certificate Received - Noted

b) 3rd Resilience Communities Conference – Sent to Cllrs before the meeting - Noted

c) LALC Conference & AGM cost £20 including lunch, sent to Councillors before the meeting

It was proposed by Cllr M Doody seconded by Cllr Jamieson and unanimously agreed that Cllr Devlin should attend

 

7 Planning

a) Decision

S/181/00532/19

Planning Permission - Extension and alterations to the existing dwelling to provide a ground floor enlarged kitchen and utility room with a first-floor bedroom and bathroom over.

Garth House, Main Road, Thimbleby, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5RE

No Objections

Full Planning Permission Granted

Noted

b) ELDC - Planning Consultation

Letter received from ELDC requesting the Parish Council confirm in writing the arrangements for planning consultations

It was proposed by Cllr Jamieson, seconded by Cllr M Doody,

That the Parish Council wish to be consulted on Applications electronically, however do reserve the right to request Paper plans if the Council feels it is necessary, and unanimously agreed,

The Parish Council made this decision to assist with ELDCs wish to reduce paper and postage costs

 

8 Feedback from the ELDC & LCC Councilors

Not present

 

9 Finance

a) Bills to be paid

Salary June £74.56

Clarks Clerical Services - Internal Audit £24.00

LALC – Guides for Councillors £20.98 inc 0.58 reclaimable VAT

Printing of flyers to advertise Councillor vacancy £15.00 including £2.50 reclaimable VAT

b) Income

Precept received £3650.00 - Noted

c) Bank Balance £7063.67, Petty Cash £8.77 - Noted

d) Budget

The budget had been sent to Councillors before the meeting, and the Clerk took questions

It was agreed that the Council would like to see details of the grass verge cutting undertaken by LCC

The £450 grant to the Church for churchyard grass cutting was discussed and the reasons for this questioned

Councillor Devlin declared an interest but argued for retention of the grant

e) Asset Register

It was confirmed that the speed gun equipment had been added to the Asset register. A discussion concerning the bins, benches, bus shelters & lighting also took place. The Clerk will investigate how to add these items to the asset register

It was agreed that the Clerk should investigate obtaining salt bins for the top of Harper Garth and the top of Thimbleby Hill

f) Annual Governance & Accountability Return – sent to Councillors before the meeting

(i) To Sign the Certificate of exemption

It was discussed as to whether as a new Council a request for a full audit at an estimated cost of £200 should be made

It was proposed by Cllr Devlin, seconded by Cllr Mrs Doody & unanimously agreed that the certificate should be signed

(ii) To complete & sign the Annual Governance Statement

It was proposed by Cllr Doody, seconded by Cllr Devlin & unanimously agreed that the governance statement should be signed

(iii) To complete & sign the Accounting statements

It was proposed by Cllr Doody, seconded by Cllr Mrs Doody & unanimously agreed that the accounting statement should be signed

g) To sign the bank mandate

It was agreed that all Councillors should be included on the bank mandate, with 2 to sign all cheques.

 

10 Speed watch Cllr Doody

It is hoped that the team will be able to begin checking speeds in July.

Cllr Doody had e mailed Lincolnshire Police thanking them for their assistance in this matter, and received a positive reply

 

11 Highways

The following outstanding reports have been sent to Cllr Bradwell who will investigate them – Cllr Bradwell was not present

351640 349186 Fixed

4124600 349185 Fixed

351297 349184 Fixed

351270

349187

348968

4116603

343683

Cllr Jamieson advised the meeting of the reference numbers that had been fixed, and noted that he had written to Cllr Bradwell, asking her to thank the relevant division of LCC. Cllr Mrs Doody spoke of her concern that the Parish Council does not have the power to address highways issues, so reporting these may appear disingenuous. Meeting resolved to make this clear in the meeting minutes, to cease listing the issues, encourage residents to report issues through Fixmystreet which is easy to use

 

12 Training

a) The Parish Council has joined the training scheme for the year at a cost of £78 inc reclaimable VAT

The Council will however need to pay for lunches separately at

£9.00 +VAT

This is a large saving as individual courses are charged at

Full Day £28.50 Half day £ 12.50

Noted

 

13 Policies & Procedures

To Adopt the Following Policies – sent to Councillors before the meeting

Co Option

Proposed by Cllr Jamieson, seconded Cllr Doody and unanimously agreed that this policy should be adopted

Code of Conduct

Cllr Jamieson stated that he felt the current Code of Conduct. document is too wordy, as it regurgitates rather than references disclosable pecuniary interests, but that as NALC are seeking to develop a national code this council is not minded spending time revisiting at this stage

Therefore, Cllr Jamieson proposed, Cllr Doody seconded that this policy should be adopted – unanimously agreed

14 Co Option Arrangements - Cllr Jamieson

There had been one application for the Councillor vacancy, however, this applicant is unable attend meetings on a Tuesday night

It was proposed by Cllr Jamieson, seconded by Cllr Devlin that arrangements are made to alter the meeting night to a Wednesday unanimously agreed

15 General Housekeeping - Cllr Jamieson

To include – e mail addresses, group e mail address website

It was proposed by Cllr Devlin seconded by Cllr Mrs Doody and unanimously agreed that the Parish Council would continue using the Parish Council e mail address, with the Clerk acting as a post box there would be no group e mail at this time

Cllr Jamieson stated that he cannot guarantee security of his domestic email, therefore no personal information should be sent to him by email.

16 Communication Strategy – Cllr Jamieson

It was agreed that there is a need for a communication Policy, Cllr Jamieson will prepare a document and circulate for discussion

And adoption at the next meeting

17 Lap Top – The Clerk

The Clerk advised that a laptop is required, and the funds have already been set aside, the Clerk also advised that she uses Lap tops for other Councils

Cllr Jamieson voiced his concerns about spending public money on an asset until the Parish Council is clear on how this is to be setup from a security, anti-virus, data storage, password management, acceptable use perspective; and therefore, Cllr Jamieson will contact LALC / ELDC to determine whether they can offer any training in these areas

 

18 Councillor Feedback

Cllr Mrs Doody gave a brief outline on the Emergency Planning Course she attended. There will be a need to involve many volunteers, and there is a possibility that a welcome pack may be required

 

19 Agenda Items for the next meeting

Verge/Grass Cutting

New Internal Auditor

Communication Policy

 

20 Arrangements for the September Meeting

September 24th beginning at 7 pm with a presentation from Steve Harris on the Emergency plan

 

Meeting Closed at 10.13 pm