Minutes - 31 July 2023

Minutes of the meeting held 31st July 2023, 7:30 pm at St Vedast Church, Tathwell
 
Public Forum. There were two members of the public present, one being the candidate for co-option
Both ELDC and  LCC Ward Members were not present and did not send any reports.
 
23/07-1 Record of Members Present and Apologies. 
Present: Cllr Mr Lou Fear (Chairman), Cllr Mrs Elizabeth Hairsine,Cllr Jo Walsh, and Cllr John Williams who joined the meeting at 7:35pm and Cllr Steve Samuel
Apologies accepted: Cllr Rowena Larkin (Vice-Chairman) who was poorly
Absent: Cllr John Stainton
Also in attendance: Mr R Howard (Churchwarden) and Mrs N Must (Clerk)
 
23/07-2 To receive any Declarations of Interest on any item on the agenda. None
 
23/07-3 Minutes from 15 May 2023.  It was RESOLVED that the notes of the meeting were accurate and the Chairman signed the minutes. 
 
23/07-4 Co-option. The Council unanimously approved Mr Steve Samuel to be coopted to the Parish Council.  After signing the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, Cllr Samuel participated for the rest of the council meeting.  A Declaration of Pecuniary Interest form was provided to complete and return to the Clerk for submission to the district council.
 
23/07-5 Council Matters
a) Chairman’s Remarks.  The request to cut down trees and hedges for road visibility had not been actioned.  However, the potholes on Poverty Lane had been filled. New defibrillator pads for the Tathwell machine were purchased as the old ones were no longer working.
b) Actions from Previous Meeting. Noted. The Chairman signed the 2023 Performance Appraisal notes.
c) Communications.  Noted.
d) Merger of Tathwell and Haugham.  ELDC had no update on the request.  The Clerk had asked when to expect progress and if there is a timetable which the parish council can focus on.
e) LCC Highways.  It was resolved that each councillor will complete the Highways network survey and that the Clerk will also post it on the Community Page on Facebook for residents to also complete.  It was noted that there were no drains mapped for Tathwell nor Haugham. There was also no further action on the exposed large stone on the junction with A16 and Haugham road.  LCC reported that it was not on the carriageway and cannot be removed as it is a heritage subject.
 
23/07-6 Finance and Budgets
a) Payments approved for July 2023
 

 

To

Amount (£)

1

Parish Clerk Salary and expenses - June and July 2023

633.07

2

SLCC Membership Fee 2023/24 - Pro-rata

26.28

3

Reimbursement to Cllr LF - Defibrillator pads

77.99

4

ELDC - Parish Election Fees

97.00

5

Tathwell Parochial Church Committee – churchyards grant

300.00

 

 Total

     1,134.34

 
b) Budget Monitoring and Latest Receipts and Payments.  It was noted that some of the budget provisions were underspent for the year, including insurance cost and training.
c) AGAR 2022/23 – External Auditor has acknowledged exempt status and no further action required.
d) Next year’s budget proposals.  It was agreed that the Parish Council will again pay for the hire of a portaloo for the whole of May 2024 for Church visitors and the Arts Festival.  It was also agreed to pay for the repair and refurbishment of the bench just outside the Church near the entrance porch.  The Clerk to get quotes.  Cllr Williams also proposed a bench for Haugham to be located near the churchyard and he will get some feedback from the residents.  It was noted that there is a Councillor Community Grant from ELDC which can be accessed.
 
23/07-6 Community Amenities/Issues
a) Litter picking kits.  LCC has given the parish council eight sets of litter picking equipment including hi-vis jackets.  The Council thanked Cllr Hairsine who picked them up from Lincoln and is happy to store them until required.
 
23/07-7 Planning Matters.  There were no updates nor new planning applications for consideration.
 
23/07-8 Date of Next Meeting.  The next meeting is on Monday, 6th November 2023 at 7:30pm at St Vedast Church.
 
The meeting closed at 8:15pm.