Minutes - 7th November 2022

Minutes of the meeting held 7th November 2022, 7:30 pm at St Vedast Church, Tathwell
 
Public Forum. There were three members of the public present, one of whom is the candidate for co-option, Minute reference 22/11-4. Mr S Samuel commented that there was a dead tree near the bench on the Haugham crossroads.  The Chairman will check on whose land it was and take appropriate action. The Churchwarden attended to provide his report.
 
There were no reports from ELDC, LCC and the Neighbourhood Police Team.  
 
22/11-1 Record of Members Present and Apologies. 
Present: Cllr Mr Lou Fear (Chairman), Cllr Rowena Larkin (Vice-Chairman), Cllr Jo Walsh, Cllr Mrs Cheryl Shaw, Cllr John Stainton, Cllr John Williams and Cllr Mrs Elizabeth Hairsine who joined the meeting at 7:45pm
Also in attendance: Mr Russell Howard (Church Warden), Mrs N Must (Clerk) and Mr Steve Samuel (resident)
 
22/11-2 To receive any Declarations of Interest on any item on the agenda. None
 
22/11-3 Minutes from 1 August 2022.  It was RESOLVED that the notes of the meeting were accurate and the Chairman signed the minutes. 
 
22/11-4 Councillor vacancy. The Council unanimously voted to co-opt Mr John Williams to the parish council. Cllr J Williams signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and will complete the Register of Interests at a later date.  He will have a dedicated email address purely for council business.
 
22/11-5 Council Matters
a) Chairman’s Remarks.  
i. A book of condolence was available at St Vedast Church following the death of the late Queen.  
ii. On behalf of the Council and parish, the Chairman thanked Cllr R Larkin for all the work to create a Boules pitch at Wightman Corner.
b) Actions from Previous Meeting. Noted.  The Vice Chairman will take photos of the two trees planted for the Queen’s Green Canopy and forward to the Parish Clerk to complete registration on the official website.  
c) Communications.  Noted. There was availability of more free trees but no suitable places for planting have been found.
d) Civility and Respect Pledge.  The Council resolved to sign up to the Pledge and the Parish Clerk will notify the relevant authority.
e) Parish Elections 2023 and merging Tathwell and Haugham as one council. 
i. Nomination papers and submissions.  East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) will continue to provide hard copies of the nomination papers and will allow the Parish Clerk to submit all completed papers on behalf of the candidates.
ii. Merging of Tathwell and Haugham as one council.  ELDC advised that the parish council is required to write to the Returning Officer requesting that consideration be given to the merge.  It would be ELDC Full Council to approve or not. ELDC advised that there was no cost involved in the process.  Any change would however not be in place for the forthcoming elections.  The Parish Council agreed to request a merger and for the Chairman to sign on behalf of the Council.
22/11-6 Finance and Budgets
a) Payments approved for November 2022
 
 
 
To note invoices paid since last meeting under delegated powers in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations 5.5
 
b) Bank Mandate. The Parish Council agreed to add Cllr J Williams as a bank signatory.  The Clerk will contact Lloyds Bank to arrange and to enquire why Cllr J Walsh’s online banking arrangement has not been received.
c) Budget Monitoring and Latest Receipts and Payments. Noted.  
d) Proposed Budget for 2023/24. The proposed budget items were considered and the portaloo hire budget was reduced and the salary and wages increased in line with the recent pay award agreement. The Clerk will amend the budget and send the revised financial plan. Based on the amendments, the Council agreed that the precept requirement which will be submitted to East Lindsey District Council is £3,505. The Council also noted the projected parish council precept bill per property band assuming the same tax base as in the previous year.
 
22/11-7 Community Amenities/Issues
a) Portable loo.  The Council resolved to limit the hire of a portable loo only for the whole month of May which will cover any events to celebrate the King’s Coronation and the Arts Festival.  It was agreed to place the facility on the grassed area close to the Church.
b) Remembrance Sunday Service. It was agreed to meet at the war memorial at 10:30am for the commemoration.  The Chairman to lead and lay the wreath.
c) Defibrillator. The defibrillator training scheduled for October did not take place and will be rescheduled at a later date.  It was deemed important to have more people learn how to use the machine and for others to have refresher training.  The Chairman will arrange and will send Cllr J Williams the weekly checklist form to enable him to check the machine at Haugham.
d) Churchwarden’s Report.  Mr R Howard reported that it has been an eventful year with the (i) resumed Arts Festival which was a success and raised just over £2000, enough to cover some of the annual costs.  (ii) The Thomas Chaplin memorial was successfully restored in June, thanks to the generosity of descendants.  (iii) The font has been moved.  (iv) Provision of Church services will change and will be a mixture of those led by Lay Readers, other trained lay people, occasional retired clergy, and very occasionally regular clergy. There will not be a large number of services, but is hoped to be more than of late. (v) Important high level structural work without the need for expensive scaffolding can now start that there is reasonable access to the tower via the new staircase. Grant funding availability is being considered for other works including heating.  (vi) Upcoming Church Services starting with the Remembrance Sunday Service on 13 November at 10.30am, commencing with wreath laying at the War Memorial, continuing the service in the church, followed by refreshments.  Carol Service at 6.30 pm. On 9th December (Friday) 2022.  In February 2023 (either 5th or 12th), there will be a Morning Service to mark St Vedast’s Day.  All services are followed by refreshments.  (vii)  The Art Exhibition should hopefully take place again in May 2023.  The church will normally  be open daily from April to October for residents and visitors, and specifically for Heritage Open Days, and the Wolds & Coast Churches Festival Days.  All help gratefully received including cleaning and refreshments at services, organising and manning the art exhibition, help with the two churchyards and all other events.  Events newsletters will be emailed to those who have provided e-mail addresses, and will be publicised on the parish council website and the village Facebook page.  Hard copies can be hand delivered, if required. Anyone who wishes to help, or just to be kept informed should contact the Churchwarden.
 
22/11-8 Planning Matters.
a) Approval of N/174/01340/22 Harbourne House, Thackers Lane, Tathwell noted
b) Haugham Slates Farm Telecommunications Upgrade Pre-application PC- no further update
c) No new planning application notified by ELDC
 
22/11-9 ELDC/LCC Services
a) ELDC.  None to report
b) LCC.  The A16 Boston Road signpost to Haugham has not been replaced as yet.
 
22/11-10 Date of Next Meeting.  The next meeting is on Monday, 6th February 2023 at 7:30pm at St Vedast Church.
 
The meeting closed at 8:50pm.