September 2020 Minutes

Hagworthingham Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held remotely via video conferencing on Monday 28 September 2020 commencing at 7.00 p.m.

Present: With Cllr Richard Hammond (Chairman) there were present, Cllrs – Mr Mark Clayton, Mr Edmund Done, Mr David Freeman, Mrs Jan Morris-Holmes, Mr David Powell

In attendance: Clerk Mrs Susan Archibald

Also present: Cllr W Grover – ELDC (part)

In the absence of any members of public, a report of District Councillor W Grover was received. Councillor grant funding availability for charitable groups was discussed and application forms on behalf of the Church would be forwarded to the Clerk and Chairman. The Chairman declared the meeting opened at 7.06 p.m.

19. Chairman’s Announcements

The Chairman wished to pay tribute and remember those important members of the village community who had sadly recently died, namely, Mrs Wendy Done, Mrs Rachel Elliott and Mr John Redman, with sincere condolences to their families.

20. Apologies for absence and reasons given

There were none.

21. Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 not previously notified and/or consideration of any written request for Dispensation

Cllr Hammond wished to declare a pecuniary interest in the payment schedule in relation to grass cutting at the Church.

22. Notes of the Annual meeting of the Council held on Monday 11 May 2020 to be approved as Minutes and signed by the Chairman at a later date

It was proposed by Cllr Done, seconded by Cllr Powell and:-

RESOLVED – That the notes of the Annual meeting of the Council held on Monday 11 May 2020 be approved as a correct record to be signed by the Chairman at a later date.

23. Casual Vacancies

Members noted two casual vacancies on the Council with Mr David Freeman standing for co-option.

It was proposed by Cllr Hammond, seconded by Cllr Done and:-

RESOLVED – That Mr David Freeman be duly co-opted to the Parish Council, taking his seat immediately.

24. Highways Matters

(i) Speeding Concerns

Members acknowledged concerns of a local resident over speeding in and around the village, and, in particular, considered a possible request for traffic calming measures on Bond Hayes Lane, such as speed bumps/one way system.

(ii) Overhanging Trees

To consider overhanging trees at main road opp. JJ’s Café and Church Lane at secondhand shop with regard to ownership and carrying out remedial works to overhanging branches.

The Clerk undertook to pass on requests to Cllr H Marfleet with regard to traffic calming measures and would report the overhanging trees on Main Road and at Glebe Bungalow, Church Lane.

25. Compliance with GDPR in respect of dedicated Councillor email addresses

Members acknowledged the requirement to use dedicated Councillor email addresses in order to comply with GDPR regulations; IT support would be sought as necessary to action same.

26. Quantum Air Fibre – Fibre to the premises superfast broadband provision

Members considered whether or not the Parish Council would lend its support to Quantum Air Fibre in pursuit of fttp broadband provision in the village, under the government’s rural gigabit voucher scheme.

It was proposed by Cllr Hammond, seconded by Cllr Powell and:-

RESOLVED – That the Parish Council supports Quantum Air Fibre and would follow up the article in the next edition of the VV with a leaflet drop to households.

27. Working Groups

There was nothing to report.

28. Zoom Pro

It was proposed by Cllr Hammond, seconded by Cllr Freeman and:-

RESOLVED – That, in light of the continuing government recommendation of remote Parish Council meetings, the Parish Council subscribe through LALC to Zoom Pro at a cost of c.£65.

29. Acceptance of Gift

Members noted the gift of a p.a. sound system for use by the village from Lincs Rural Housing, in memory of Mrs Wendy Done. Members received and accepted the gift, with thanks. The Clerk undertook to write letters of thanks to the housing association and the Done family.

30. Financial Matters

(a) Monies at bank

Current account - £7161.25

Bus account - £6031.45

(b) To approve payment of outstanding invoices as detailed in Appendix A

It was proposed by Cllr Done, seconded by Cllr Freeman and:-

RESOLVED – (a) that payments detailed at (b) be noted and approved.

Note: Having declared a pecuniary interest in respect of the payment to the PCC, Cllr Hammond took no part in the consideration thereof or the voting thereon.

(c) To receive interim accounts and bank reconciliation to 31 August 2020

(d) To note the satisfactory report of the internal auditor and successful submission of 2019/20 Annual Governance and Accountability return

(e) Bank signatories; review and increase number of those authorised to sign cheques, as appropriate.

It was proposed by Cllr Hammond, seconded by Cllr Freeman and:-

RESOLVED – (b) that items (c) and (d) above be noted, and

(c) Cllr Hammond undertook to enquire at the bank as to the current state of signatories on the mandate.

31. To receive reports from Councillors relating to outstanding projects

Cllr Done wished to highlight drug taking/dealing activity in the lay-by bus shelter; this would be monitored and reported to the Police by the Clerk.

32. To receive reports from the Clerk in relation to Council matters

There were none.

33. To receive general correspondence

There was none.

34. To confirm the date of the next meeting of the Council

It was proposed, seconded and:-

RESOLVED – That the date of the next meeting of the Parish Council be agreed as Monday 16 November 2020 to be hosted by Zoom video conferencing.

35. To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 to discuss the following matter:-

Clerk’s annual appraisal and matters relating to the terms and conditions of the Clerk’s contract of employment.

It was proposed, seconded and:-

RESOLVED – That the above matter be discussed in closed session

This part of the meeting closed at 8.00 p.m.

Minute arising from confidential item –

Clerk’s annual appraisal and matters relating to the terms and conditions of the Clerk’s contract of employment

The Clerk had no issues to report. The Chairman thanked the Clerk for her work.

It was:-

RESOLVED – That the Clerk’s hourly rate be increased by two spinal column points.

The meeting closed at 8.10 p.m.