2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Washingborough Parish Council.

Minutes of the Full Parish Council Meeting 16 June 2021 at 2pm, held in the Community Centre

Public Forum - no members of the public attended the meeting

Reports from NKDC and LCC Councillors (appended)

Present:

• Cllr D Fothergill (Chairman)  
• Cllr Mrs Bland            
• Cllr R Clark
• Cllr R Harrington 
• Cllr G Kent
• Cllr G Peck
• Cllr Mrs L Simons
• Cllr Mrs R Whipp
• Miss K Broddle (Clerk)

• Also present: Cllrs Carrington & Tinsley (NKDC)

16. In accordance with the Localism Act 2011, recieved -

1. Apologies were received and resolved to accept the reason from Cllr Mrs Aspinal and Cllr Scigala, apologies also received from Cllr Cawrey (LCC) and Cllr Goodwin (NKDC)
2. Declarations of Interest received - None
3. Applications for Dispensation - None

17. Draft notes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 6 May 2021 were approved for signature as the minutes.

18. The resignation of Cllr Parker was noted

19. Clerks Report:

1. The scarecrow festival will run from 23 - 30 August.  Interest has been very good.
2. Correspondence received from Branston Traffic Calming, clearly states that they will not be trying to divert HGV's through Washingborough.
3. Paperwork is due to be received regardin the railway station sign, asking for further information.

20. Annual Governance and Accountability Returen (AGAR) for the financial year 2020/21.

1. the internal audit report, page 3, was noted.
2. section 1 - the Annual Governance Statement, page 4, was proposed, seconded and resolved.
3. section 2 - the Accounting Statements, page 5, were proposed, seconded and resolved.
4. the dates for the Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance and Accountability Return were noted. 

21. The Internal Audit for the financil year 2020/21 was noted and it was proposed seconded and resolved that the Clerk researches costs for the recommendation of an accounting system.

22. The updated Terms of Reference and the updated NALC model Standing Orders were proposed, seconded and resolved for adoption

23. The following items were discussed with the resolutions as stated:

1. Grass cutting on Pynder Close - it was proposed, seconded and resolved to;
   1. find if there are other grassed areas in the village where there appears to be no owner,
   2. to have a full picture of the situation and
   3. to then look into the cost implications for the Council, if they so choose to cut any of these areas.
2. Request for an electric supply for a Christmas tree on the grassed area of Main Rd/Oak Hill - as this is not the Parish Council land and an electric supply would be very costly, it was proposed, seconded and resolved to turn down this request.
3. Unity Aid Free Energy Audit and Invoice Validation - it was proposed, seconded and resolved to accept this offer to ensure that Council are receiving the best value for money prices for their energy accounts. 
4. Offer of assistance for the Councils website - it was proposed, seconded and resolved to accept the offer received through LALC.
5. Request to site an Eskimoo Milkshakes mobile in the Community Centre for a maximum of two days per month during the summer - it was proposed, seconded and resolved to agree to this request.
6. LCC Constitutional Parades - it was proposed, seconded and resolved that a possible three Councillors/Clerk attend the training, if space allows and to wait until the training has been undertaken to discuss the road closure for the poppy laying ceremony.
7. Volunteer Litter Pickers - it was proposed,seconded and resolved to set up a Working party of Cllrs, Peck, Kent and Clark to discuss how this may be introduced.

24. Planning Matters.

Applications received:

1. 21/0838: 8 Reading Close – single storey extension & garage conversion.
   1. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that Council do not wish to make any comment on this application.
2. 21/0742: 15 Becket Close- extension and garage conversion.
   1. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that Council do not wish to make any comment on this application.

25. Financial matters:

1. The payment schedule was proposed, seconded and resolved and the salaries etc were noted(see below).
2. The accounts/budget for May 2021 were noted.
3. The Unity Trust Bank statement of account as at 31 May 2021 was noted and signed

26 . Under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 it was proposed, seconded and resolved to move into closed session for the following item: NONE

There being no other business the meeting closed at 3.15pm.

District Councillors' Report - Heighington, Washingborough & Canwick (June 2021)

Covid

North Kesteven (13 Jun 21)

• no deaths within past 28 days
• 19 positive tests per 100,000 (65 per 100,000 in England)
• 81.6% of adult population have had 1st dose
• 62.8% have had 2nd dose

The Pfizer vaccine is now available at the Lincolnshire Showground Mass Vaccination Centre which will allow under 40s to access the recommended Pfizer vaccine at a convenient location.

Last of the Covid Business Grants: Restart

30 June is the final deadline to apply for the Restart Grant – up to £18,000 - for any small business in retail, hospital-ity, leisure and personal care.  

https://smallbusiness.co.uk/where-to-get-your-small-business-restart-grant-worth-up-to-18000-2552317/

Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries

The Boundary Commission for England has launched the 2023 review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries. There are currently 533 constituencies in England and there is a recommendation to increase this to 543 with the East Midlands region increasing by one.

Boundaries included in the North Kesteven region will be those currently in effect as the results of the recent BCE review need to be laid before Parliament before they are adopted in 2023.

The consultation stage is open for comments until 2 Aug 21. An information page is available on the NKDC website.

EU Settlement Status

30 June is the final deadline for EU, EEA or Swiss residents and their families to get settlement status in the UK.  Applicants will need to download the app onto their phone, scan their passport and complete the form, including their NHS number. 

Deposit Return Scheme

Keep Britain Tidy is heading a drive for the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme for drink containers of all sizes and materials. Drinks containers make up 75% of litter found on our streets. The scheme is at the consultation stage and a link is as follows: https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/deposit-return-scheme-and-extended-producer-responsibility?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Battery Power In Action

The UK’s first battery powered excavator is being used on the current Holdingham roundabout improvement scheme. With zero emissions, the excavator is as efficient and powerful as similar diesel-powered excavators

County Councillor Report (16 June 2021)

Pelham Bridge

As you know, from Monday 7 June, large-scale repair work is taking place on Pelham Bridge. While safety concerns necessitate the total closure of the bridge, I hope everyone understands that, this way, the work can be completed much more quickly. Like many of you, I have been stuck in a number of traffic queues trying to get in and out of town, but I am sure things will start to ease as people find new routes.

Full Council

The first full council meeting following the county council elections was held on 21 May. I was unable to attend as, two days beforehand, I received a ping on my NHS app instructing me to self-isolate for nine days. However, I can report that full council agreed that Cllr Martin Hill was to remain Leader and his new executive was also voted through, as were committee chairmen, vice-chairmen, executive support members and appointments to outside bodies.

Cllr Martin Hill also gave his vision for the county council’s service delivery over the next four year term including: supporting well-being; ongoing Covid support; highways maintenance and new road building; community safety, in-cluding further investment in fire and rescue; measures to support a resilient economy and; measures to protect our environment.

County Council Executive

As I was promoted to serve on the executive, as the Executive Member for Fire & Rescue and Cultural Services, I attended the first executive meeting on 2 June. My first paper to the Executive was on the future of the Usher Gallery. More news on this is to follow.

I am genuinely thrilled to have been returned as your representative at Lincolnshire County Council and I give you my promise that I will continue to serve your interests and be your voice at county hall. I haven’t forgotten the commitments I made to getting the Washingborough Road footway reinstated, championing the call for resurfacing of Fen Road and resolving parking issues on Park Lane.