October 2024 Minutes
Date/ Time: Tuesday 8th October 2024 at 7.00 pm.
Location: The Parish Office @ The Venue, Navenby.
Present (Cllrs): Mr M J Burt (Chairman); Mr K Gunning (Vice Chairman); Mr A Watts; Mr C East; Mrs L Rooney & Mr R Baker.
In Attendance: Ms S Letham (Parish Clerk)
Absent/Apologies: Mr K Lamyman, Mrs E Carless & Mrs H McFaul.
1. Chairman’s - Welcoming Remarks
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and apologised for the date of the meeting having to be changed.
2. Public Session
There were no residents in attendance.
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.
Absences - Mr K Lamyman, Mrs H McFaul & Mrs E Carless.
Declaration of Interests – None.
4. To consider and sign the minutes from the previous Parish Council Meeting, held on Tuesday 3rd September 2024.
It was proposed by Cllr Gunning and seconded by Cllr East and therefore RESOLVED that the minutes from the previous Parish Council meetings held on 3rd September 2024, should be accepted as a true record of the meeting. NB All Cllrs voted in favour of the motion.
5. To consider and approve the co-option of new Councillors to replace Cllr Delves & Standen.
After consideration it was proposed by Cllr Gunning & seconded by Cllr Watts that Mrs Linda Rooney & Mr Roger Baker be co-opted onto the council. NB All Cllr voted in favour of the motion.
6. To consider the financial report and authorise payments (Appendix A).
It was proposed by Cllr Gunning and seconded by Cllr Watts and therefore RESOLVED that all expenses listed in Appendix A were authorised. Cllr Gunning advised that he’d approve the payments on the Bank. NB Four Cllrs voted in favour of the motion and 2 abstained.
Following an In Year Budget Review, the Chairman advised where the Council stood in respect of being able to subsidise the Venue to balance its books at the end of the year. From the figures portfolio holders had returned, it looks as if there will be an underspend of about £9K against the budget of £101K that was set at the start of the year. So far, £53K had been spent with another £39K to be spent between now and 31 Mar 24. The current account stands at £52K, so will have a surplus of £13K at the end of the year (£52K-£39K) which could be used to cover any loss incurred by The Venue. Updated figures for the Venue would be reviewed again in the New Year.
7. To consider updates from District/County Councillors.
Cllr Hagues – not in attendance. Newsletter supplied.
Cllr Overton – not in attendance. Newsletter supplied.
8. To consider updates from local police.
No report received.
9. To consider Planning Matters
a. Planning Applications – None.
b. Correspondence
24/0583/FUL Land to the east of High Dyke & Jubilee Way. Amended plans/additional information – no comments.
24/0701/FUL St Peters Church, Church Lane Navenby. Notification of “Approved” decision – no comments.
c. Tree Conservation
24/1086/TCA Smoots Top 23 Clint Lane Navenby – removal of oak tree height reduction to plum tree. Action: Cllr East to visit location.
24/1051/TCA 17 Clint Lane Navenby – felling of Cherry Tree. Action: Cllr East to visit location.
10. To consider correspondence.
Cllr Gunning advised that the Law Commission are carrying out a consultation process on burial and cremation law. There was not likely to be any changes in how the cemetery in East Road would be managed.
11. To consider and approve a request from the Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire for a donation.
After consideration it was proposed by Cllr Gunning and seconded by Cllr Watts and therefore RESOLVED that a donation would not be made to Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire. NB All Cllrs voted in favour of the motion.
12. Updates from Portfolios Holders:
a. Cemetery
Consideration of a quotation for tree work in East Road Cemetery – the Clerk advised that the Contractor was unable to carry out the work and that she was seeking another Contractor.
Action: The Clerk to source another contractor to provide a quotation for the tree work required in the Cemetery.
b. Highways
Community Speed Watch (CSW) – the Chairman advised that he was now a qualified speed watch trainer for local CSW volunteers. He also reported that the “hot spots” for speeding vehicles continue to be the High Dyke and Green Man Road.
Consideration of a quotation from JACS UK Ltd – after discussion, it was agreed that other quotations should be sought for the provision of village entry point “white gates”. The proposal to purchase was put on hold whilst the Chairman investigates alternative suppliers.
Action: The Chairman to source other suppliers for village “white gates”.
Resident’s complaints regarding Speeding & the Maidenwell Lane junction parking issue – the Clerk advised that several residents had now written to the Council regarding the difficulties they were experiencing when trying to exit the junction. Due to cars parked on either side of the road, they found it difficult to achieve a clear line of sight. After discussion it was agreed that the Chairman would review the individual letters and respond.
Action: The Chairman to respond to resident complaints regarding speeding & parking issues in the village.
c. Navenby Car Scheme
The Clerk advised that there had still been no response from the NCS Co-ordinator and that she would hasten again during the week.
Action: The Clerk to hasten the NCS Co-ordinator for a formal response to the Chairmans e mail.
d. Play Areas
To consider & approve a quotation for the sum of £425 to trim trees in North Lane Play Area - the Clerk advised that the Contractor was unable to carry out the work and that she was looking for alternative suppliers.
2024 ROSPA report for North Lane & Twenty Row Play Areas – Cllr East briefed on the remedials identified in the report and advised that he and Cllr Lamyman would carry out the repairs before Christmas.
Visit by Playdale to Twenty Row Play Area – Cllr East advised that he had met with Playdale regarding the proposal to install a roundabout and that they had quoted a price of £13,130. After discussion, it was agreed that the Council would proceed with the original idea of purchasing a slide for that play area.
To consider & approve the purchase of a new slide for Twenty Row Play Area – After discussion it was proposed by Cllr Watts and seconded by Cllr Gunning and therefor RESOLVED that the sum of up to £5K be approved for the purchase and installation of a suitable slide be approved. NB All Cllrs in favour of the motion,
e. Schools House Trust (SHT).
Nothing to report.
f. Library
Cllr Watts advised that the library saw its highest number of visitors in September 2024.
g. WEBSITE/IT
None.
h. VENUE Trustee Chairman
Finances – already covered in Item 6.
Vacancy for Events Co-ordinator – the Chairman advised that he had drafted a job advert for the position and circulated around the Council for comment. After discussion, it was agreed that the advert could now be published for a 2 week period commencing on the 18th October 2024. The advert would be advertised on all village noticeboards and the social media pages.
Bonfire Night Sat 9th November 2024 – the Chairman advised that the meeting with the volunteers had gone very well. Volunteers were assigned to roles iro parking, security, ticket checking, food & the bar. Ticket Sales needed to be pushed in order to ensure that the event was profitable. The next volunteer group meeting would be on 28th October 2024.
i. Community Wellbeing inc Youth Club & Youth Cafe
The Chairman advised that both the Youth Club & Café were reporting good attendance.
j. Speed Indicator Device (SID).
None.
k. Defibrillators.
Cllr Gunning advised that all 3 defibrillators had not yet been used this year. He also advised that the defibrillators would need to be considered for replacement and that £6K should be put aside in the Budget for FY 25/26.
l. Street Lamps.
Cllr Gunning advised that renewal of the unmetered supply of electricity contract was still a work in progress and that he would be contacting NPower later that week to discuss another 3 year contract.
Action: Cllr Gunning to contact NPower regarding contract renewal.
The Chairman thanked all present for their participation and declared the meeting closed at 20.10 hrs.
13. Date & Time of next meeting is the 5th November 2024 at 7.00pm.
Minutes Accepted: Original Signed M J Burt Chairman Date: 5 November 2024