April 2020 Minutes
Navenby With Skinnand Parish Council Meeting Minutes
Date/ Time: Thursday 23rd April 2020 at 7.00 pm.
Location: via Video Link (Zoom).
Present (Cllrs): Mr B O’Sullivan, Chairman; Mr K Gunning, Vice Chairman; Mr G Morris; Mr M Burt; Mr A Watts; Mr K Lamyman; Mrs L Taylor, Mrs C Hall; Mr S Woollas & Mrs J Thompson-Burt.
In Attendance: Ms S Letham (Parish Clerk)
Absent/Apologies: Mr C East
1. Chairman’s - Welcoming Remarks
The Chairman welcomed Councillors to the Zoom Video Link.
2. Public Session
No session due to COVID-19 restrictions.
3. Apologies for absence and declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011. Consider any applications for dispensations in relation to disclosable pecuniary and/or prejudicial beneficial interests.
To be actioned by Mr C East.
4. To consider and sign the minutes from the previous Parish Council Meeting (EGM), held on Thursday 26th March 2020.
It was proposed by Cllr Gunning and seconded by Cllr Hall and therefore Resolved that the minutes from the previous Parish Council meeting, held on Thursday 26th March 2020, should be accepted as a true record of the meeting.
5. To consider the financial report and authorise payments (Appendix A). Discussion took place regarding the transactions listing presented for the month of April 2020. The Clerk advised that the quarterly Direct Debit for EON (iro street light electricity supply) for the sum of £530.16 needed to be added. The Current Account balance as reconciled at end of March was read out. It was proposed by Cllr Gunning, seconded by Cllr Taylor and therefore Resolved, that all expenses listed in Appendix A as well as the EON Direct Debit should be authorised to be paid.
6. To consider the Clerk’s report.
Please see Appendix B.
The Chairman invited observations & comments from Councillors in respect of the Clerks Report. There were actions in respect of the following:
Ser No 5 – Navenby Primary School Safety Zone. Proposed extension of time in respect of parking. The Clerk advised that there had been no response from Cllr Overton. The Chairman took an action to contact Cllr Overton regarding progress of the application.
To be actioned by Chairman
7. To consider updates from District/County Councillors.
No updates.
8. To consider updates from local police.
No updates.
9. To consider planning Applications
Please see Appendix C:
None to consider.
10. To consider correspondence.
Please see Appendix D:
The matters arising (Actions) & decisions from the Correspondence were:
Ser No 5 – NJFC Pitch Maintenance Programme. The chairman advised that NJFC required the Parish Clerk to submit a formal letter regarding her delegated authority to sign off letters on behalf of and for Navenby Parish Council. The Clerk took an action to forward a letter to NJFC.
To be actioned by Clerk
Ser No 10 – proposed Art Installation on the High Street. Following discussion, it was agreed that the Parish Council was not in a position to give approval as it did not own the telegraph pole in question. Only BT could give approval in this instance, and therefore the Clerk was to draft a reply to the resident which would be reviewed by Cllr Morris.
To be actioned by Clerk/Cllr Morris
Ser No 15 – ACTS Energize proposal during Covid-19. The Chairman advised on the proposal by ACTS to assist with welfare support and agreed to forward on a copy of the e mail to Council members.
To be actioned by Chairman
Ser No 19 – Community Hub Grant FY 20/21. Cllr Watts to update at Agenda item No 14h.
11. To consider & Resolve a request from the Revd Michelle Godling to fund a COVID-19 welfare support Mail Shot Leaflet Drop.
The Clerk advised that following the e mail from Cllr Taylor she had written to the Revd Michelle and asked that she confirm whether or not she had approached the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum for funding. At the time of the meeting, confirmation of funding availability and the style of Mail Shot were still awaited. After discussion, it was agreed that the matter be put on hold until the Revd Michelle confirmed the support she required. The Clerk took an action to hasten as required.
To be actioned by Clerk
To consider & Resolve the duties of the Assistant Parish Clerk during the Covid-19 emergency.
The Clerk advised that Assistant Clerk was now able to resume work following a period of absence. With Covid-19 restrictions in place, it was agreed that the Assistant Clerk be furloughed with effect from the 21st April 20. It was proposed by Cllr Burt and seconded by Cllr Gunning and therefore Resolved that NPC would pay 100% of the salary and reclaim 80% back from the Government. The Chairman took an action to speak with the Assistant Clerk, and the Clerk took an action to inform the Accountant of the decision.
To be actioned by Chairman/Clerk
13. To consider & Resolve the proposal to hold a 2020/21 New Year’s Eve function for residents in The Venue.
After consideration, it was agreed that Cllr Taylor would make enquiries with the Venue Manager regarding availability/use of a room on the night of 31st Dec 20 and report back at the next meeting
To be actioned by Cllr Taylor
14. Updates from Portfolios Holders:
a. Cemetery
No comments.
b. Highways
Cllr Woollas advised that the tarmac surface had eroded on the pavement outside Nos 3 & 5 on the High Street. The Clerk took an action to report the matter to Highways as a priority.
To be actioned Clerk
c. Youth Club
The Clerk advised that an amended Invoice for the period up to the 16th Mar 20 had been received from ACTS and a BACs payment made on the 17th Apr 20.
d. Navenby Car Scheme
Service suspended due to Covid-19 restrictions.
e. Play Areas
Following receipt of an e mail from NKDC, the Council discussed whether or not to reopen both the North Lane & Twenty Row Play Areas. It was agreed that both areas were small and did not constitute a normal park like environment. With the NKDC Open Spaces providing a suitable recreational environment for residents to exercise – it was decided that the areas would remain closed. The Clerk took an action to formally advise NKDC of the decision.
To be actioned Clerk
f. Schools House Trust.
No comments.
g. Cliff Cluster
The Chairman advised that he would be contacting Cllr Overton and suggesting that they use Zoom for the next meeting.
To be actioned Chairman
h. Library
Cllr Watts advised that he had just submitted an application for the Community Hub Grant for FY 20/21 and if successful would result in a revenue of £5,176 for the Library. The Clerk took an action to monitor the bank account for the receipt of funding.
To be actioned Clerk
i. Finance & Administration
NPC Remote meetings - the Chairman gave a brief on the Zoom Annual subscription proposal & costs. In order to get a remote meeting (lasting more than 40 mins) set up for the 23rd Apr 20, the Chairman advised that he had to pay the subscription fee up front. After discussion, it was agreed that Zoom be the accepted forum for future meetings and that the Chairman be reimbursed the sum of £72. Motion voted for and accepted. The Clerk asked the Chairman to forward the Invoice for payment.
To be actioned Chairman
Transfer of Funds to NPC Deposit Account – the Clerk advised that the End of Year Accounts Process Part 1 had been completed and that the new FY 20/21 had been set up on the EDGE Financial system.
Following advice from the Internal Auditor, it was proposed by Cllr Hall and seconded by Cllr Taylor and therefore Resolved that the Clerk would transfer all monies except the Precept to the Deposit Account where it would attract interest. The Clerk took an action to arrange for the transfer when she had spoken with the CO-OP Bank regarding the terms & conditions of the Deposit Account.
To be actioned Clerk
j. Website/IT
New Town & Parish Website – LCC continue to develop the new Website.
k. Venue Trustee Chairman
The Clerk advised that the Venue Manager had been successful in obtaining a £10K Grant from NKDC for the Venue
l. Mrs Smiths Cottage
The Chairman welcomed sight of the latest Mrs Smith’s Newsletter from NKDC which included LINKS to the various on-line articles regarding progress at the cottage.
m. Speed Indicator Device (SID).
The Chairman thanked Cllr Morris for his continued weekly efforts in respect of keeping the SID operational. Discussion took place regarding extending the battery life of the SID and the need to seek advice from Elancity regarding the choosing of infographics that were less power hungry. Cllr Watts advised that once Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, action also needed to be taken to seek the removal of the redundant “crossing” sign at the North end of the Village.
The Chairman thanked all present for their participation and declared the Video Link meeting closed at 8.45 pm
Date & Time of next meeting is TBA.