December 2023 Minutes
Washingborough Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 13th December 2023 at 6.00pm in the Community Centre small hall, Fen Road Washingborough, Lincoln. LN4 1AB
Present:
• Cllr R Harrington (facilitator)
• Cllr Mrs B Bland
• Cllr Mrs L Hannam
• Cllr Mrs W Skelton
• Cllr Mrs R Whipp
In Attendance: Miss K Broddle (Clerk) and Mrs E Salter (Assistant Clerk).
Also Present: Cllr L Cawrey (LCC) & Cllrs Carrington and Goodwin (NKDC).
Members of the Public: Two members of the public were present.
a. Public Forum: None.
b. Reports from LCC and NKDC – the report for LCC was circulated prior to the meeting and no questions asked. NKDC – Cllr Harrington advised that there was nothing to report apart from the waste collections days.
70. Localism Act 2011 requirements:
Apologies and reason for absence were received and resolved from Cllr Mrs J Aspinall, Cllr Mrs M Gibbons, Cllr Mrs L Simons and Cllr G Peck.
Declarations of interest: None.
Applications for dispensation: None.
71. Draft notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 15th November 2023 were proposed, seconded and resolved as the minutes.
72. Matters raised at Public Forum: None.
73. Clerks Report (for information only).
a. To note that Council’s Insurers (BHIB) have integrated with CLEAR Insurance group.
b. To advise that both the Bowls and Tennis clubs would like to thank the Council for not increasing their costs for the 2024/25 financial year and both clubs are in agreement to the extension of the Service Level Agreement date and do not wish to discuss any further.
c. NKDC would like to advise that the Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SDP) has been adopted by the Joint Strategic Planning Committee and that the Energy Statement Guidance & Template have been updated.
74. To discuss and resolve the following:
a. The re-signing of the Civility & Respect Pledge: It was proposed, seconded and resolved for Cllr Harrington to re-sign the pledge.
b. The extension of the Coffee Mornings currently being held in the Community Centre: it was proposed, seconded and resolved to continue with the coffee mornings until March 2024. The dates for 2024 will be 11th & 25th January, 8th & 22nd February, 7th & 21st March.
c. Report from the public meeting with LCC, NKDC, IDB & EA regarding storm Babet: approximately 70 people attended the meeting, as far as possible all questions were answered. Topics included – information of the run up to storm Babet; road closures & communication. LCC fulfilled their statutory obligations (e.g. road closure signs). It was agreed that many lessons had been learned and an enquiry by LCC is being undertaken.
d. The setting up of a Flood Emergency Plan. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that the Flooding working party look into having an appropriate plan for future incidents.
e. To agree that the flooding issues working party are allowed to work with North Kesteven District Council’s enquiry into the recent flooding, as and if requested. It was noted that this enquiry is being undertaken by LCC not NKDC. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that the flood working party are authorised to work with LCC, should this be requested by LCC.
f. To update the community via the Sheepwash Times with the list of questions Council sent to the IDB. It was proposed, seconded and resolved to include the questions, sent to the IDB in the February edition of Sheepwash Times and also to include the answers from the IDB that had been received.
g. Projects for 2024/25. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that the project for 2024 will be the fitting of window dressings in the main hall of the Community Centre.
h. To consider a speaker for the 2024 Annual Parish Meeting (6th March 2024). It was proposed, seconded and resolved to make enquiries into having a talk on Alzheimer’s/Dementia.
i. A meeting with Anglian Water regarding the possible new sewer pipe, which could cross Parish Council property. It was proposed, seconded and resolved for Cllrs Harrington, Hannam, Skelton and Whipp to meet with the Anglian Water representative.
j. Following correspondence from Cllr Cawrey, to consider double yellow lines on a stretch of Main Road. It was proposed, seconded and resolved for this to be an item for Cllr Cawrey’s ward walk, due in the new year and for Cllr Cawrey to update the resident who has requested this.
75. Planning Matters.
To resolve any comments on the following applications received. None.
76. The decisions from NKDC, on the following applications received were noted by Councillors.
a. 23/0958/FUL: 30 Canterbury Drive. Conversion of garage to a beauty salon - approved.
b. 23/0835/FUL: Cloudside Stud, Fen Road. Temporary siting of mobile home (retrospective) – refused.
c. 23/1153/HOUS: 5 Ravenwood. Erection of detached garage with solar panels to roof – approved.
77. Financial Matters.
a. The payment schedule for December 2023 was proposed, seconded and resolved and the salaries payments were noted.
b. The accounts and budgets for November 2023 were noted.
c. The Unity Trust bank statement for November 2023 was noted and signed.
d. The quote for 5x replacement LED exterior lighting from Selmec, costing £1,295, was proposed, seconded and resolved.
78. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that Cllr Mrs L Hannam facilitates the January Full Parish Council meeting.
79. Under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 it was proposed, seconded and resolved to move into closed session for the following items:
80. Staffing Matters
a. The advert, for the cleaning post was proposed, seconded and resolved and will be advertised from 1st – 20th January 2024 and interviews held on 1st February 2024.
b. The recommendations following the recent job evaluations undertaken, on the advice of the Internal Auditor, by the Staffing Panel, were proposed, seconded and resolved.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 7.20pm
