2022-23 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 18 January 2023 at 2pm.

Present:

• Cllr G Kent (Chairman)
• Cllr Mrs B Bland
• Cllr R Clark
• Cllr D Fothergill
• Cllr Mrs M Gibbons
• Cllr R Harrington
• Cllr G Peck
• Cllr Mrs L Simons

In Attendance: Miss K Broddle (Parish Clerk) & Mrs E Salter (Assistant Clerk)

Also Present: Cllrs Carrington, Goodwin, Tinsley (NKDC) and Cllr Cawrey (LCC)

1. Public Forum – two members of the public were in attendance
2. Report from LCC
3. Report from NKDC - Attached

70. Localism Act 2011 requirements

    1. Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs Mrs Aspinall and Mrs Whipp.
    2. Declarations of Interest were received from all Councillors present regarding the approval of the Precept for 2023/24 – item 74c and from Cllr Harrington regarding the grant application from the Penfold Players – item 79b.
    3. Applications for Dispensation were granted to all Councillors present in respect of approving the Precept for 2023/24.

71. Draft notes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 14 December 2022 were proposed, seconded and resolved for signature as the minutes.

72. To Discuss matters raised at public forum

    1. two members of Penfold Players queried the agenda item proposal, to cap the Grants Budget at £2000. It was explained that the money the Council spends comes from our residents in the form of their Council Tax Bill. Due to the current economic situation, that is being faced by everybody the Council have been extremely careful with their Precept request for the coming financial year and have kept the increase as minimal as possible so as not to add to the burden already faced by our residents.  This has impacted on some areas of spend, that are not essential and one of those areas is Grants.  It was also advised that the Grant allocation will be reviewed annually by the Finance and General Purposes Committee for approval by Full Council.

73. Clerks Report:

    1. It was advised that the Co-op had kindly donated a hamper of refreshments for the Council’s Warm Room project – the clerk will contact the Co-op and thank them for the hamper.
    2. The Army Cadet Force applied for use of Chapel Park for their activities, as there have been no complaints, the Clerk, under delegated powers has agreed to the request.      

74. Recommendations from the Finance and General Purposed Committee of 9 January, including the approval of the Precept for 2023/24. The notes were circulated prior to this meeting and the following recommendations were proposed, seconded and resolved:

    1. To put on hold the upgrade of the IT equipment in the Civic Office and replace this with the initial work of changing all interior and exterior lighting on Council’s properties to more efficient, cost effective LED’s. Quotes will be sought for costings. This work will start once the replacement windows and doors project to the Community Centre has been fully completed.
    2. To sign up to the LALC training scheme for 2023/24 and for all Councillors to attend the appropriate training within that year.  Further required training will be paid for on an ad-hoc basis.
    3. The precept request for 2023/24 be £187,000 as recommended.
    4. The Grant budget for 2023/24 was capped, as recommended at £2000. (There were two abstentions on this vote).

75. The following items were resolved as stated:

1. Comments on the Budget and Council Tax proposals for 2023/24 from LCC – it was proposed, seconded and resolved to make no comments on the proposals.
2. Work to update plug sockets for outdoor use – this item was deferred to the February meeting to allow for further information to be sought.
3. Updates from Working Parties:
   1. Play Park Upgrade – the outstanding work on the swings has been completed and the final payment made. This project is now complete.

76. Planning Matters.

77. Financial Matters

1. The payment schedule for January 2023 was proposed, seconded and resolved and the salaries noted.
2. The accounts and budgets for the third quarter of the year were noted with no comments made.
3. The Unity Trust Bank balance of account for December 2022 was noted.

78. Under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, it was proposed, seconded and resolved to move into closed session for the following item(s).

79. Grant Applications for 2023/24 (Cllr Harrington left the room whilst the grant application, received from Penfold Players was discussed.)

1. Application from the Church of St. John the Evangelist – it was proposed, seconded and resolved that a grant be awarded, providing that their latest accounts are received. The vote being 5 Cllrs for, 2 Cllrs against and 1 abstention.
2. Application from Penfold Players – it was proposed, seconded and resolved that a grant be awarded and noted that the latest accounts for Penfold Players had been received. The vote being 6 Cllrs for, 1 Cllr against and 1 abstention.
3. The award for both applicants will be 30% of the project costs, therefore the Church of St. John the Evangelist was awarded £255 and the Penfold Players were awarded £1746.84.

• There being no other business the meeting closed at 3.40pm.

District Councillors' Report

Heighington, Washingborough & Canwick

January 2023

Budget Setting

The District Council have commenced the process of setting the budget for 2023/24 which will include setting of Council Tax and Council house rents.

District, Town and Parish candidates, agents and clerks briefings

A series of briefings will take place for candidates, agents and clerks involved in the upcoming local elections.

For District Council candidates and agents two sessions will be offered:

• Thurs 9 Mar at 6.30pm in the Civic Suite at NKDC
• Tues 14 Mar at 6.30pm online on Teams

For Town and Parish Councillor candidates and interested Clerks:

• Wed 22 Feb at 6.30pm in North Hykeham Town Council offices

• Thurs 23 Feb at 6.30pm online on Teams
• Mon 27 Feb at 6.30pm in the Civic Suite at NKDC

To register, email nk-corporatecivicsupportteam@n-kesteven.gov.uk stating Election Briefing and Date and include number of attendees with contact details for each.

Voter ID legislation

Provisions for this requirement will be in place for the May local elections. NKDC will actively promote the new requirements through various methods.

For those who register to vote at a polling station, a revised poll card will state which type of ID is acceptable.

For those registered to vote but who do not have Photo ID, a Voter Authority Certificate can be obtained through the online portal which opens on 16 Jan 23.

More details can be found at https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/residents/electoral-registration-and-elections/presenting-voter-id-at-elections/

Warm Space Registration

Organisations which have set up warm spaces are asked to register at www.warmwelcome.uk/#register-your-space.

Village Hall Funds

The platinum jubilee Village Hall Fund has opened for applications. Village halls can apply for a grant to improve and modernise their facilities. Grants from £7,500 to £75,000 are available and the application window closes on 20 Jan 23.

More information can be found at:  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/village-halls-to-see-major-revamp-as-platinum-jubilee-fund-opens

Happy New Year everyone!!