December 2022
Wickenby Parish Council
“Composed of local people, representing local people, about local issues”
Draft Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting dated 6th December 2022 held in St Peters Church, Wickenby
Present: Cllrs J Hairsine, J Gill-Stafford, Mrs T Keat, Mrs J Grant, D Chilton, C Banks (18.53) and A Clack (18.40)
Also Present: Ms Tracey A Davis PSLCC Parish Clerk to Wickenby Parish Council and one member of the public.
Public Forum
Cllr Gill-Stafford read out his concerns and questions on a number of subjects directly relating to the duties and services of West Lindsey District Council. He requested that an informal meeting should be arranged to address his questions and concerns. One of his concerns was that despite multiple requests there have been no answers on the identified differences in council tax valuations for other parishes. It was questioned as to why Wickenby Parish are paying higher council tax rates. It was stated though that Wickenby has a lower population than some of the other parishes noted in comparison. There were also a number of planning concerns and it was agreed that a summary of these concerns should be put together to be presented to the Planning Manager at West Lindsey District Council.
22/12/28 To receive apologies and reasons for absence of any Councillors
None.
22/12/29 To receive any declaration of interest applicable to agenda items in accordance with the 2000 LG Act
None.
22/12/30 To approve notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 6th September 2022 and authorise the Chairman to sign these as official and true minutes of the meeting
AGREED Proposed Cllr T Keat, Seconded Cllr J Hairsine
To approve the Parish Council minutes dated 6th September 2022 as a true record and authorise the Chairman to sign the minutes.
Unanimous
22/12/31 To receive, discuss and action any reports from outside meetings and outside bodies
There were none.
22/12/32 To agree the issues to raise with West Lindsey District Council
It was agreed for Clerk to contact the relevant department to request an explanation into the potential council tax variations with comparable parishes. Also a summary of the Planning concerns to be put together to present to the Head of Planning at West Lindsey District Council. It was also agreed to ask West Lindsey District if the Electoral Register that is the unedited version is correct with all residents on it
22/12/33 Financial Issues
a) To Receive and approve bank reconciliation 30th November 2022
Clerk prepared the Bank Reconciliation to the 30th November 2022.
AGREED Proposed J Hairsine, Seconded Cllr J Grant
To note the correct Bank Reconciliation 30th November 2022.
Unanimous
b) To agree the Precept request 2023/24 and next year's budget
AGREED Proposed Cllr Hairsine, Seconded Cllr A Clack
To agree a 0% precept, increase of £4003.00 with £1580 to be taken from reserves to be included in the budget of £5583.00
Unanimous
c) To approve payment of accounts
09.11.22, Youth Wages 36.00
15.11.22, Cloudy IT Oct 49.86
15.11.22, Cloudy IT Nov 49.86
15.11.22, Cloudy IT 49.86
30.11.22, Oct Salary Clerk 124.40
30.11.22, Nov Salary Clerk and Back Pay 158.22
30.11.22, Dec Salary Clerk 167.60
30.11.22, HMRC TAX 39.09
30.11.22, HMRC TAX 30.92
30.11.22, HMRC TAX 31.00
30.11.22, Clerk Travel Nov Dec 50.40
30.11.22, Church Quiz J GS 45.00
30.11.22, Bus Shelter Repair J GS 23.33
30.11.22, S Wheeldon 35.00
30.11.22, T Keat Plates 4.00
30.11.22, T Keat Plates 61.82
30.11.22, T Keat Planters 9.00
30.11.22, T Keat Compos 56.99
30.11.22, T Keat Planters and Plants 197.94
AGREED Proposed Cllr Grant, Seconded Cllr J Hairsine
To approve the payments above.
Unanimous
It was stated that the Church Quiz hire payment should be paid direct to the Church. The new bench needs to be added to the Asset Register as well as the new tubs. The Notice Board has cost £69.70 to repair.
d) To approve the Financial Regulations as tabled.
AGREED Proposed Cllr J Gill-Stafford. Seconded Cllr T Keat
To approve and adopt the new Financial Regulations as tabled.
Unanimous
22/12/34 Administration
a) To discuss and take any action regarding the Parish Council Website Page
Clerk is working around the site but is having difficult with the editing side and there is no formal training offered from the provider. Word Press site would be a lot better to edit and manage. Cllr Chilton will make enquiries with a local resident who has experience with building websites.
b) To agree to table the proposed amendments to Standing Orders with any further amendments for approval at the next Ordinary meeting of the Council
AGREED Proposed Cllr T Keat, Seconded Cllr J Hairsine
To accept the NALC Standing Orders to be tabled and approved at the next Ordinary meeting of the Council.
Unanimous
c) Parish Council to consider passing a formal resolution to adopt an amended code of conduct in favour of moving to the LGA Model Code
AGREED Proposed Cllr J Hairsine, Seconded Cllr T Keat
To adopt the amended LGA Model Code of Conduct.
Unanimous
d) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding the Parish Newsletter
Cllr Gill-Stafford is happy to continue putting the newsletter together and will require articles for April/May on up and coming village activities.
e) To receive an update from the Village Fete Committee
The Christmas Dinner event is on Friday 16th December. There will be games and soup, rolls and cake for food. This will start at 6pm
Christmas Eve event will be at 6pm and will take place in the Church Yard and on the path and grass verge. Not the road. There will be mulled wine and mince pies served afterwards in the Church.
f) Parish Audit
Cllr T Keat added this item to the agenda to ask the council to consider an survey of what the residents would like to see the council providing. It was suggested a survey in the New Year. This to be online and Face to Face. It was agreed members get together in the New Year to work out how best to run a good survey.
22/12/35 Parish Maintenance
a) To discuss any necessary maintenance work required to the village picnic area
It was stated that the safety fencing in the picnic area would benefit from better
signage.
(b) It was agreed to contact the Environment Agency to report the discharge from the septic tanks into the ditch on the west side of Station Road.
c) To discuss the village planters and future planting
Cllr Banks explained that a flower tub was stolen recently. This has now been replaced. Cllr Gill-Stafford suggested some bolting mechanism to secure the planters with a buried slab. Clerk commented that Highways would need to be informed of this. It was suggested to form a Working Group to look at the future planting and costs and bring back to the council at the next Ordinary Meeting.
22/12/36 Planning
None. Clerk explained the process of Neighbourhood Planning and the fantastic financial and expert support there is available from Locality if the council should wish to commence the development of a Neighbourhood Plan. Clerk to send some links of comparable plans to members.
22/12/37 To receive any reports from Councillors
Clerk has received information from the local police on the reports of speeding in the village and will forward to members.
There was a request as to whether Broadbent Theatre can benefit from a Parish
Council grant to allow the village children access to the Christmas performance
either at a reduced cost of free of charge.
There was a proposal to provide the theatre with financial funding however this p proposal was lost.
22/12/38 Future employment discussion and potential implications
Members discussed the possibilities of future employment for village maintenance
jobs. It was agreed to adjourn this item to the March meeting. Maintenance days could be organised with volunteers after the elections and until a decision is made.
22/12/39 To agree the date of the next meeting
Tuesday 7th March 2023 at 7pm
Tuesday May ??? 2023 at 7pm
Tuesday September 5th at 7pm
Tuesday December 5th at 7pm
Meeting closed at 20.10