18th November 2021
HACONBY & STAINFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2021 AT 7.15 PM IN THE HARE & HOUNDS
Present: Councillors Richard Dixon-Warren (Chairman), Derek Bailey (Vice Chairman),
Brian Blackbourn, David Winn
1) Chairman’s Introduction and Announcements. Cllr Dixon-Warren welcomed everyone. He announced the resignation of Cllr Janine Rayfield with regret and recorded his thanks for her work with the Council over the past three years.
2) Public Questions, Comments or Representations. None – no public present.
3) Apologies for Absence. PCSO J Possnett, Mrs Wendy Gray (Parish Clerk), Cllr Laura Leyland.
4) LCC/SKDC/Parish Council/Police Update. No LCC, SKDC, Police or Safer Together Co-ordinator attendance.
Police Update. Neighbourhood Policing Team update is on Parish Council website. Cllr Dixon-Warren suggested finding out how NPT reportedly listens to public concerns every three months to determine its local priority, so that the parish could contribute to this.
5) Disclosures of Interests. Cllr R Dixon-Warren (PCC Secretary), Cllr Bailey (Parish Land Tenant).
6) Minutes. To resolve that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council meeting held on 23rd September 2021 be signed as a correct record.
Cllr Bailey proposed, Cllr Blackbourn seconded, all agreed that Minutes be signed.
7) Matters Arising from the Minutes of 29th July. ‘Fix my Street’ is on the website but not flagged on Facebook. Contact list awaited.
8) Administrative Report and Correspondence Received. Cllr Dixon-Warren reported that the Clerk has received correspondence from LCC on the grass cutting contract for 2022 and from SKDC about the grant for the Community Cleaner, which will be distributed.
9) Budget and Invoices to be agreed for payment:
a) Budget – Precept. Cllr Bailey highlighted the requirement to define the precept required to meet expenditure in the financial year 2022/23. It was agreed that the Parish Clerk produce a forecast of expenditure for the next Council meeting, on which to determine the precept and agree for submission by 21 January 2022.
b) Invoices. Statement of payments due (Parish Clerk salary £183.34, Parish Clerk expenses £35.00, Contractor Grass Cutting £30.00 and Community Cleaner £236.72) were noted. Parish Clerk to circulate invoices for scrutiny and payment.
c) Expenses. Cllr Dixon-Warren submitted an expense claim for £17.00 (Remembrance Sunday wreath). Payment authorised by Cllr Bailey as Vice Chairman.
d) Income Received since last meeting: Nil.
10) Planning Applications Update. No new applications received.
11) Risk Assessment. Risk assessment for Parish Land pending – Cllr Dixon-Warren.
12) Business Items:
a) Casual Vacancy. SKDC has initiated the procedure on second vacancy.
b) Parish Land. Discussion and decision on plan developed for autumn maintenance.
i. Arrange local contractor to carry out work on hedges and dykes; engage for future routine maintenance.
ii. Review Common Law Tenancy (CLT) agreements, consider notice of CLT rent review and / or individual surcharges to rents for work carried out by Parish Council.
iii. Investigate feasibility of moving trees along western boundary of Plot 1 to facilitate maintenance of dyke along that boundary.
iv. Organise a Parish Land 'walkabout' as soon as convenient – Cllr Dixon-Warren.
v. Cllr Dixon-Warren proposed and Cllr Winn seconded a budget of up to £ 1,700 to clear outstanding remedial work on Parish Land in order to enable future routine maintenance. Agreed by a majority with one abstention.
c) Grass Cutting Tender. Parish Clerk to approach selected local contractors.
d) BDUK Rural Gigabit Voucher Scheme. Cllr Dixon-Warren updated:
i. Informed by LCC Broadband Manager that Quickline Communications looking to set up radio mast positions in the area to provide faster service to communities. Expect to know more in late December 2022 subject to necessary permissions to use local mast sites. Looking for a clear level of demand from the communities which will allow them to draw down Government funding.
ii. Cllrs agreed that assessing level of demand would be conditional on definitive guidance on likely costs to individual households.
e) Transfer of Responsibility for Churchyard Maintenance. Cllrs await PCC action to bring closed churchyard to an acceptable condition and remain committed to assuming responsibility when this is achieved. Cllrs noted the need to factor in additional cost for future precepts and the possibility of taking this at risk for 2022-23.
f) Online Banking. Cllr Dixon-Warren updated on progress – he has registered for online banking and will follow up on authorising signatures on necessary forms.
13) Any Other Business.
a) Admission Policy Consultation. Not applicable to Council.
b) Business Links. Four businesses registered on Parish Council website, room for more.
c) Queen’s Green Canopy Project. Agreed to follow up, check space on Parish Land.
d) RBL Poppy Collection. £206.40 raised, need for wider advertisement in future noted.
14) Date of Next Meeting. Thursday 13th January 2022 at 7:15 pm in Hare & Hounds Public House.
15) Closed Session. Not required. Meeting closed at 9.00 pm