Minutes - 10th March 2022

MINUTES
 
HACONBY & STAINFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
 
THURSDAY 10TH MARCH 2022 AT 7.15 PM IN THE HARE & HOUNDS
 
Present: Councillors Richard Dixon-Warren (Chairman), Derek Bailey (Vice Chairman),
Brian Blackbourn, Laura Leyland, David Winn, Parish Clerk Wendy Gray
 
1) Chairman’s Introduction and Announcements.  Cllr Dixon-Warren welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He announced his election as Aveland Ward District Councillor in SKDC’s by-election on 24th February and consequent decision to stand down from the Parish Council at Annual Parish Meeting on 5th May 2022 giving two months transition.
 
2) Casual Vacancy.  Co-opt new Member – Mr Dennis Sharman.  Cllr Dixon-Warren proposed, Cllr Blackbourn seconded, all agreed that Mr Sharman be co-opted as a Councillor on the Parish Council.  Relevant forms completed, Cllr Sharman was invited to leave the public area and join the Council for the rest of the meeting.
 
3) Public Questions, Comments or Representations.  None – one member of the public present until co-opted onto the Council.
 
4) Apologies for Absence.  PCSO J Possnett.  Also Maisie McMahon, PCC’s Safer Together Co-ordinator for SKDC – will be invited to brief May meeting.
 
5) LCC/SKDC/Parish Council/Police Update.  No report from LCC or Police.
.
SKDC: 2022-23 budget passed – approved an increase of £5 a year in its share of the Council Tax bill for the average Band D property (around 9.5p per week) – enable important services expected by residents (including refuse collection, street cleaning and CCTV) to run smoothly and also help offset costs of longer-term projects across the district.  
Ukraine: South Kesteven District Council stands ready to do its part.  "All council leaders in Lincolnshire stand with the people of Ukraine at this terrible and deeply worrying time”.  Plans in place to welcome any Ukraine refugees who seek safety in Lincolnshire.
 
Police: Cllr Dixon-Warren highlighted work on improving communications.  www.Police.UK record for Jan 22 shows 3 crimes of violence / sexual offences in Haconby, one crime of public order near the football club, one crime of ‘other theft’ at the layby, and 10 stop and searches in the NPA.
 
6) Disclosures of Interests. Cllr R Dixon-Warren (PCC Secretary), Cllr Bailey (Parish Land Tenant), Dennis Sharman member of PCC.
 
7) Minutes. To resolve that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council meeting held on 13th January 2022 be signed as a correct record.  Cllr Leyland proposed, Cllr Blackbourn seconded, all agreed that Minutes be signed.
 
8) Matters Arising from the Minutes of 13th January 2022.  None.
 
9) Administrative Report and Correspondence Received. Various correspondence re the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.  
 
10) Invoices.  Discuss and resolve payment and ratification as required.
 
Parish Clerk salary £183.34
Parish Clerk expenses £22.50
HMRC (January to March) £54.60
LALC Affiliation Fee 2020-2022 £161.35
Cllr Bailey proposed, Cllr Winn seconded, all agreed to settle invoices presented.
 
Income Received since last meeting: None.
 
11) Planning Applications.  S22/0401 – Erection of dwelling on land adjacent to Greenacre, Elsthorpe Road, Stainfield.  No Cllrs’ comments to make – SKDC Planning to be advised.
 
12) Risk Assessment.  Cllr Dixon-Warren will draft Risk Assessment for Parish Land.
 
13) Business Items:
 
a) Budget and Precept 2022-2023.  Thanks to Cllr Bailey for work on this long overdue addition to PC governance.  Draft Budget for discussion is simple and effective – not always easy to do this.  Cllr Bailey confirmed on request that grass cutting figure includes previously agreed subsidy to PCC for closed churchyard maintenance (£540.00).
 
b) Parish Land – Thanks to Cllr Blackbourn for liaison with Henry who has done a good deal of work on hedges and ditches.  Resolve to settle account when invoice presented – anticipate around £600.  Cllr Dixon-Warren proposed, Cllr Sharman seconded, all agreed to pay for work done so far. Review CLT agreements – consider rent review, invoices, extend to 3 year terms.  Further discussion re rent review (market value per acre is £150).  Cllrs Bailey and Winn support leaving it as it is, keep people aware.
 
c) Grass Cutting and Community Cleaner Tender.  LCC Budget approved on 18th February, and contribution rate for 2022-23 confirmed at £0.0249 per m2, per cut to LCC’s standard of three cuts per annum. Therefore, contribution figure for Haconby and Stainfield Parish Council for 2022-23 is £100.32.  Kirby Tender – Cllr Bailey proposed, Cllr Sharman seconded, all agreed to accept Mr Kirby’s quote for 6 cuts a year (between April and October).  Consensus: advertise for Community Cleaner.
 
d) BDUK Rural Gigabit Voucher Scheme.  Email sent to LCC Broadband Programme Manager for update on LCC contractor (Quickline Communications) on setting up radio mast positions in the area to provide faster service to communities.  Work in progress.  
 
e) Transfer of Responsibility for Churchyard Maintenance.  Cllr Dixon-Warren update: PCC working towards making necessary improvements to closed churchyard.  Await tree survey done and quotes for work required to bring up to standard for Parish Council to assume responsibility.  Monuments not Parish Council responsibility.
 
f) Online Banking.  Application for online banking on hold pending new account holder.
 
14) Any Other Business.  
Transition – Future.  Cllr Dixon-Warren highlighted his email of 25th February 2022 and draft ‘Forecast of Workstreams’ and current ‘Standing Responsibilities and Task’.
Two lights not working No. 2 and No.3 Hanthorpe Road, Stainfield.  Clerk to report.
 
15) Date of Next Meeting.  Thursday 5th May 2022 at 7:15 pm in Hare & Hounds Public House, Annual Parish Meeting, Annual Parish Council Meeting and normal Parish Council Meeting.
 
16) Closed Session.  Not required.
 
The Meeting closed at 8.50 pm.