2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of the Annual Parish meeting held at Washingborough Community Centre on Thursday, 21 March 2019 at 7.00pm.

In attendance:

• Councillor D Fothergill (Chairman)
• Councillor Mrs J Aspinall
• Councillor R Clark
• Councillor G Crawford
• Councillor G Kent
• Councillor Mrs Y Pierce
• Councillor G Peck
• Councillor Mrs L Simons
• Councillor Mrs R Whipp
• Clerk, Miss K Broddle
• Mrs M Romaine (Assistant Clerk)
• Parishioners were present

2486. CHAIRMAN'S WELCOME

CIIr Fothergill opened the meeting and welcomed all in attendance.

2487. PRESENTATION BY GALLIFORD TRY AND LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

A presentation on the update of the Eastern by Pass and its effects on residents.
A number of questions were asked by residents.

2488. NOTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING held on the 15th March 2018 had previously been circulated and were signed as the minutes.

2489. MATTERS OUTSTANDING

• There were no matters outstanding.

2490. VILLAGE CHARITIES' REPORT

1. PIKE AND EURE
   1. The annual accounts were read out at the meeting.
   2. This charity awards grants to students and apprentices, from the interest earned on capital savings and had awarded £4100 during 2017.
   3. The George Walker Foundation, which is incorporated with this charity, awards grants for sporting purposes and had awarded no grants during 2017.
2. WASHINGBOROUGH GARRATTS
   1. The annual accounts were read out at the meeting.
   2. This charity provides small payments to villagers who may appreciate a gift at Christmas.
   3. Twenty-nine grants of £15 each had been awarded during 2018.

2491. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

• Cllr Fothergill gave a report on Council's activities during the past year (appended).

2492. FINANCIAL REPORT

• Cllr Mrs Simons reported on the Council's precept and finances (appended).

2493. ELECTORS' QUESTIONS

1. A parishioner asked about the significant problems with traffic on School Lane, the Chairman replied that it was for the school to request traffic restrictions as necessary. Cllr Mrs Simons added that the Parish Council had looked into this problem within the last year and had offered the use of the Community Centre car park to the Headmaster, allowing parents to park and then walk their children over to the school, but this offer has not been taken up. Cllr Miss Cawrey also explained that she had taken this problem to LCC Highways, but they explained that although restrictions can be put in place without enforcement it means very little.
2. A parishioner added comments regarding parking at the Doctors surgery on School Lane, a discussion followed where other parishioners made the point that some people visiting the surgery are not always able to walk any distance making restrictions a problem.
3. A parishioner asked for any details regarding the proposed Gladman's development on Fen Road. Clir Mrs Aspinall advised that whilst Outline Planning had been approved, as yet there appeared to be no interest from developers in this site. CIIr Carrington also explained that, from his role on the NKDC Planning Committee, the infrastructure requirements needed to be in place before the Committee would consider approval of a Full Planning Application and that this was a very rigorous procedure.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.20pm.

APM Welcome 2019

Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Annual Parish Meeting of the Council.

The requirement to hold an Annual Parish Meeting between March 1st and June 1st is enshrined in law dating back to the middle Ages where all local decisions were made at a meeting involving the whole community.

This year we have asked Galliford Try and Lincolnshire County Council to start this evening with a presentation of the Latest Update on the Eastern Bypass and its effect on Village ResidenVollowed by a Question and Answer session.

After this presentation refreshments will be available.

Following this APM there will be a Parish Council meeting where normal business will be conducted and you are most welcome to stay and take part in the "Parishioners Forum", as you are at any Parish Council Meeting throughout the year, This gives you the opportunity to put your point of view or ask questions of the Council which we will endeavour to answer a little later when the Council is in session, if not, we will let you know when we can provide you with an answer.

Finally, The Parish Council can only do what you want if we know about it, it's your village so let us know and we can see what's possible within our limited powers and budget. Thank you

Annual Report 2018/19

This year has been a quieter one for the Council but one that has required a lot of effort. to meet changes to legislation. The new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) came into force requiring a review of our data storage, staff training and changes to internal communication and changes to local Council guidelines all requiring new standing .rders to accommodate these changes.

Following the sale of the Village Hall we have been in contact with the Charities Commission to find suitable local charities where the residual funds can be placed, after much conmunication between the parties we are hopeful that a solution is close to being agreed.

Council staff and Councillors planted a total of close to 1000 bulbs at the top of Church Hill, top of Pitts road, Longstrongs Crescent, the entrance to Ferry Lane and the grass area at the junction of School Lane and Main Road. They are now in bloom and look rather splendid and will get better when they multiply.

The 22nd of April saw the rededication of the memorial plaque to the 73 men of Washingborough who volunteered to serve in the First World War. The plaque was recovered from the old Village Hall prior to its sale and is now located in the small hall of the Community Centre. The event started with The Bassingham Choir's presentation of "Lost Voices - Remembrance" featuring songs from the period interspersed with readings from men who lost their lives including Wilfred Owen. As a remembrance there was no applause after each rendition as requested by the choir but after the last post was sounded to conclude the presentation the audience of over 100 people, including the Washingborough detachment of the Army Cadet Force, gave a standing ovation in appreciation of a moving and thought provoking performance.

This was followed by the dedication service, conducted by the Reverend George Goalby, which started with the lowering of the Union Flag from the plaque and ended by the sounding of the "Last Post"

A book with a brief history of each of the men listed on the plaque was compiled by a local historian and a Parish Councillor.

Trees around the Village and in Chapel Park have been and are being surveyed on a regular basis with affected, overgrown or diseased trees dealt with to prevent harm to residents or property.

The Council are continuing to pursue LCC Highways with regard to the poor state of the roads and pavements, in particular "Pot Holes" where some work has been completed but with more to be done.

The viewing jetty at the Jubilee Pond in Chapel Park was removed as it was becoming unsafe with protective fencing erected to make the area safe.

We have introduced a "Grants Policy" whereby local clubs or associations can request a modest grant for the continuance of, or, upgrade of their activities or a new group asking for assistance in starting up. Application forms are available from the Civic Office however anyone applying for a grant must make their application by 1st December each year so that the Council can, if the grant is approved, include the request in the Precept which is set in January with funds being made available in the following financial year.

Plans to redecorate the Community Centre are in hand with work starting and completed in the Bar Area which will be followed by the Main Hall. Hopefully this will make the Community Centre more appealing to a wider range of users improving utilisation of these facilities.

Work has started on the new housing development on land between Pitts Road and Church Hill which will provide a residential care home, affordable and private housing thus serving the whole community. Hopefully this will see an influx of new residents breathing new life into the community.

If you want to keep abreast of Parish Council activities throughout the year there is a Parishioners Forum at 7.20pm before each monthly Parish Council meeting where questions, requests, suggestions and observations can be put to the Council with part of the agenda being reserved for responses to the parishioners' comments.

If anybody is interested in joining the Parish Council, there is an election this year on 2nd May, nomination packs are available from NKDC.
 
Cllr. D C. Fothergill, Chairman

Finance Report for March 2019

We have had a very successful year in 2018/19 in that the Council have stayed within the budget that we set at the start of the year. This is despite having unexpected expenditure this year including having to pay Non Domestic Rates on the Community Centre of £3,700 and having to pay for refuse collection.

However despite this we have managed to continue paying for the Youth Club (at a cost of £4,500) for young people on a Tuesday night which has been so well attended. We have also re-decorated the Bar area of the Community Centre and installed more up to date LED lighting. At the same time, the Civic Office has been redecorated and provided with new filing cabinets following the review of our data storage in line with the new GDPR (general data protection regulation).

One of our largest budget expenditures is for staff and our staff have been given a pay rise in accordance with the rise in the cost of living. Our other biggest expense is the loan for the building of the pavilion which has reduced to £20,500 but is still a considerable outgoing. We have provided more dog waste bins for the village, and have also installed a bench on the green area at Raynton Close.

We are continually looking at ways in which we can economise and this year one of the things we have done is to change our phone and broadband contract to a much cheaper supplier. Also, the civic office was decorated by our own staff saving on costs.

This year we will be asking for a precept of £147,590.00 in order to run the village for 19/20. This is a 6% increase on last year and represents a reduction in the percentage increase on the precept request for the third year running.

Cllr Mrs L Simons, Chairman F & GP Committee