December 2023 Minutes
A Meeting of Canwick Parish Council was held on Monday 11 December 2023 at the Village Hall, Montagu Road, Canwick. The Clerk was also present.
Present:
Councillor L.J. Pennell – Chairman
Councillor I.D. Carrington – Vice-Chairman and District Councillor
Councillor H.L. Dowson
Councillor C.M. Griffin
Councillor R.C. Narborough
Councillor L.T. O’Melia
The Chairman welcomed all present.
1. Apologies and Declarations of Interest: Apologies had been received from District Cllr Goodwin, District Cllr Harrington and County Cllr Cawrey. Cllr Carrington had informed the Clerk he would be arriving late due to a prior commitment. There were no Declarations of Interest. The Chairman reminded members they could make the appropriate declaration at any stage should it become necessary.
2. Clerk’s Notes from the Meeting held on 20 November 2023: The notes from this meeting had been distributed to each member. The Chairman proposed that the notes be accepted and approved as minutes for signing and this was unanimously agreed.
3. Matters Arising:
3a. Information Packs for New Residents: Cllr Narborough reported that he is in the process of updating the pack.
3b. Website: Routine maintenance.
3c. Parking Outside Uppingham: The Clerk reported she had spoken to the police about the issue with the white vans parked on the pavement but they were unable to act unless the van was parked there when it was reported. The Clerk to pass the phone number on to Cllr O’Melia who will monitor the situation and phone accordingly.
4. Planning: The Chairman reminded members that any District Councillor present could not express an opinion on any of the planning items.
4a. 23/1298/TPO – Tree Works – The Grange, Grange Lane: Passed by NKDC.
4b. Items Notified since Publication of the Agenda: 23/1421/VARCON – New Dwelling and Garage – Glebe Farm, Heighington Road – This had been e-mailed to members. After discussion it was agreed by all that we had no comments. The Clerk to reply accordingly.
5. Environment:
5a. Highways Issues: Cllr Narborough wished to express his thanks to the road sweeper who had made an excellent job of School Lane. He also reported a large quantity of empty alcohol bottles that had been left around the water hydrant on Grange Lane. To be investigated and reported as required.
6. Correspondence:
6a. NKDC Parish Updates: Nothing received
6b. Police Correspondence: This had been emailed to members. It was noted there was a link to the recording of the Parish Council Engagement Session on 7 December.
6c. Playing Field Equipment: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman stated if the grant application was successful we would forward a cheque for £2650.95 as previously agreed.
6d. Town and Parish Council Newsletter November 2023: This had been e-mailed to members. It was noted that the County Council’s Executive had approved an additional £4m to support flood relief measures in the next year.
6e. Greater Lincs Devolution Consultation: This had been e-mailed to members and was noted. The enclosed poster to be displayed on the Notice Board.
6f. Edan Lincs – 16 Days of Action: This had been e-mailed to members and was noted.
6g. School Admission Policy Consultation: This had been e-mailed to members and was noted.
6h. Christmas Bus Service: This had been e-mailed to members and was noted.
6i. Items Received since Publication of Agenda: A Highways News e-mail had been received from LCC. This had been forwarded to members and was noted.
7. County and District Councillor Reports:
Cllr Carrington reminded members about bin collection changes over the Christmas period. A relevant poster had been displayed on the Village Hall door and on the Notice Board.
He then spoke about the flooding in Heighington where the school would be closed until September 2024. He stated radical solutions were needed to the flooding issues.
8. Finance:
8a. Bank Account Update: The Chairman reported that on 30 November the balance of the deposit account was £41,520.29 with £41.37 new interest. The current account balance was £1126.06 with 3 outstanding cheques totalling £646.99 leaving a net balance of £479.07.
8b. Public Works Loan: A direct debit payment of £187.25 was debited from the bank account on 4 December 2023.
8c. Village Hall: Cllr Carrington and Cllr Griffin declared a non-pecuniary interest as Trustees of the Village Hall.
The Chairman stated works are needed to the Village Hall to bring it up to standard and the Trustees are researching funding schemes. More will be known as to the way forward in the New Year.
8d. Grants: An e-mail of thanks for the PCC Grant had been received and e-mailed to members.
8e. Clerk’s Salary Oct-Dec 2023: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman reported the Local Government pay rise at the Clerk’s spine point was a straight increase of £1 per hour backdated to 1 April 2023.
The Clerk’s salary for the period October-December 2023 totalling £526.68, which included £72 back pay, was due for payment. Payment agreed.
8f. Payments Due in December: See 8e.
8g. Transfer of Funds: The Chairman proposed transferring £500 from the deposit account to the current account to cover the payment due. All agreed.
8f. Precept: No new proposals for items to be included in the Precept had been received. The Chairman reported we had received the NKDC calculator. He suggested keeping the Band D tax rate the same to enable us to continue to help the Church, Village Hall, Playing Field and the residents off Westminster Drive. The Precept would need to be decided at the January meeting.
9. Urgent Items for Information: Cllr Griffin stated the heating in the room goes off when the meeting starts so it gets cold during the meeting. It was agreed the heating needs to be on for the duration of the meeting.
The Chairman reported that, following communications with NKDC Electoral Services, it had been agreed that a new polling station would be created in the Bracebridge Heath Pavilion for the Canwick residents off Westminster Drive and residents living to the west of the B1188.
10. Date of Next Meeting: The next meeting was scheduled for 7pm on Monday 15 January 2024 at the Village Hall, Montagu Road, Canwick.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.05pm