October 2021 Minutes
Hagworthingham Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 11 October 2021 commencing at 7.00 p.m.
Present: With Cllr Edmund Done (Chairman) there were present, Cllrs – Mr Mark Clayton, Mrs Heather Devereux, Mr David Freeman, Mrs Jan Hewitt (Vice-Chairman) (part)
Absent: Cllrs Mr Richard Hammond, Mr David Powell
In attendance: Mrs S Archibald, Parish Clerk
In their absence there were no reports of County or District Councillors, or the Police.
The Chairman declared the meeting opened at 7.00 p.m.
36. Chairman’s Announcements
The Chairman wished to congratulate Cllr Jan Hewitt (Morris-Holmes as was) on her recent marriage and all concurred.
37. Apologies for absence and reasons given
Apologies for absence with valid reasons given were received and accepted from Cllrs Hammond and Powell.
38. 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 Done wished to declare a non-pecuniary interest in matters relating to the Church.
39. Notes of the meeting of the Council held on Monday 16 August 2021 to be approved as Minutes and signed by the Chairman
It was proposed by Cllr Hewitt, seconded by Cllr Freeman and:-
RESOLVED – That the notes of the meeting of the Council held on Monday 16 August 2021 be approved as a correct record to be signed by the Chairman.
40. Village Repairs and Renovations
(i) Members noted that renovations to the village street furniture had been completed with works carried out to a good standard;
(ii) Members noted an update on timeframe for repair/renovation of War Memorial to November and the Clerk undertook to ensure that works did not coincide with Remembrance Sunday;
(iii) Members considered a quote obtained for flowering troughs at the telephone box for next years’ spring/summer season and, whilst no decision was taken to progress, Cllr Devereux would obtain a further quote for a floor standing planter and ideas for a library would be explored, with research carried out at other nearby villages.;
(iv) An idea from a local resident for artwork to progress the renewal of the village signs was considered and Cllr Freeman would get a quote for specialist printing; a request would be made for an alternative image to incorporate Stockwith Mill and the Ford at Water Lane – it was noted that a public consultation would need to be carried out before any work was undertaken to replace the village signs;
(v) Members considered again the response of LCC with regard to the obligations and necessary permissions involved in replacing stiles with kissing gates:-
It was proposed by Cllr Devereux, seconded by Cllr Done and:-
RESOLVED – That due to the problems of ownership and future maintenance responsibility, and being wary of the benefit of replacing stiles with kissing gates not being commensurate with the cost to the Parish the decision was taken not to proceed further at this time.
41. Litter Picking Equipment
Members noted the provision of hi-viz vests and preparation of an updated risk assessment.
Volunteers had come forward and an exercise proposed for Saturday 30 October 2021, at 10.00 a.m. meeting at the telephone box would be advertised on social media.
42. Dilapidated Church Perimeter Fence
Due to the considerably deteriorated perimeter fence at the Church, it was proposed by Cllr Hammond that the Parish Council funded a replacement fence at a cost of c.£1,500 (subject to quotes). Members were asked to consider this proposal and decide how, if at all, to proceed. The Clerk advised Members that the Parish Council had no duty or responsibility to replace the Church fence, but could, if it wished, through S.137 provision, contribute to its replacement. Cllr Done undertook to bring quotes to the next meeting for further consideration.
43. Financial Matters
(a) Monies at bank
Current account - £7994.37
Bus account - £6032.10
(b) To approve donation to Church for grass cutting at increased level of contribution for 2021 - £600;
(c) To approve donation to PCC for church light - £30.00
(d) To approve donation (if event proposed to go ahead) to village fireworks - £200.00
(e) To approve S.137 donation to The Poppy Appeal for poppy wreath - £20.00
(f) To consider retrospective donation to PCC to assist with costs of village activity weekend held on 11th and 12th September the sum of c.£130 (tba)
(g) To approve payment of outstanding invoices (as per Appendix A)
It was
RESOLVED – (a) That monies at bank (a) and payments detailed at (b), (c), (e) and (g) be noted and approved.
It was further
RESOLVED – (b) That due to no request for a donation having been received nor having knowledge of any firework event being planned for the village, the donation to village fireworks at (d) not be made;
(c) that the proposed donation to the PCC, (f) above, in respect of the September event be increased to £150, to be made from the Anglian Water earmarked reserve; and
(d) Interim accounts and bank reconciliation were noted and approved.
Note: Cllr Hewitt was working with the bank to change the Councillor nominated to receive statements/cheque books. Members noted the foregoing.
44. Highways Matters
Various overgrown trees were noted with reports outstanding on the LCC web portal. An overgrown hedge encroaching on the footpath at Blind Lane would be reported by the Clerk. Drainage issues on Church Lane remained ongoing with matters being in the hands of LCC Highways. Members noted the foregoing.
45. Lincolnshire Treescapes Fund Survey
Cllr Hewitt updated the meeting that whilst a request for large trees had been made and interest expressed in the village, no allocation would be made in this round but would be noted for future allocations.
46. To receive reports from Councillors relating to outstanding projects
Speeding concerns were once again raised and the Clerk undertook to again approach the Police with regard to deployment of the speed check van.
47. To receive reports from the Clerk in relation to Council matters
The Clerk reported that a letter of condolence had been sent to Mr Jon Evans.
A new speed awareness campaign by the Police was reported, with an offer of car air fresheners with a printed road safety message being requested. Cllr Freeman undertook to distribute these from JJ’s Café.
48. To receive general correspondence
The Clerk reported that an enquiry had been received from an agency tasked with investigating the recurrent flooding on Church Lane and she undertook to respond with the comment that the flooding is due to failed drains and the lack of urgent replacement of same as identified by LCC Highways at the end of 2020. The Chairman offered to meet the investigator on site, if wished.
49. 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 29 November 2021 at 7.00 p.m. in JJ’s Cafe.
50. 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 8.30 p.m.
Minute arising from confidential item –
51. Clerk’s annual appraisal and matters relating to the terms and conditions of the Clerk’s contract of employment
The Clerk advised Members of her 10 year anniversary with the Council. The Chairman thanked the Clerk for her work.
It was proposed by Cllr Clayton, seconded by Cllr Done and:-
RESOLVED – That the Clerk’s hourly rate be increased by two spinal column points.
The meeting closed at 8.39 p.m.