16th January 2024 Full Council Minutes
Bardney Group Parish Council
Minutes from the Full Council Meeting
Bardney Village Hall Tuesday 16th January 2024 at 7pm
Present
Cllr Ian Fleetwood (Chair), Cllr Barry Newlove, Cllr Barry Percival,
Cllr Frank Bates, Cllr Lou Reeves, Cllr Ruth Lane
Cllr Robin Darby, Cllr Ken Hutchinson, Cllr Keith Laughton,
Cllr Brian Lintin, Cllr Mary Corbould, Cllr Samantha Wright,
Clerk/RFO Angela Smith.
Members of the Public
4 members of the public were present.
Meeting commenced at 7pm
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
The public forum was invited to commence:
A summary of matters raised by members of the public and responses are listed below:
Member of the public enquired if the Council had all the tablets returned. Chair confirmed that we now had11 tablets, and 11 tablets had been bought. Member of the public asked if tablets had been wiped of all information, and if so why, as this should only have Council information and may hold information needed from the previous Council. Chair advised the tablets had not been opened to see if any information was held on them, and the Council would have to decide how to proceed with any information held on them.
258-23/24 Apologies for absence – To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting in accordance with Local Gov. Act 1972, Sch 12, para 40.
Apologies were received from Cllr J. Papworth (Vice Chair) and Cllr L. Newlove. Proposed by Cllr Lane, seconded by Cllr Percival, all approved.
259-23/24 To receive any declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests and any written requests for dispensation.
Declarations of Interest – Cllr B Percival, Cllr Hutchinson and Cllr Darby all declared Interest in item 266-23/24.
260-2324 To approve as a correct record the notes and to authorise the Chair to sign the official minutes.
The minutes from the 21st November 2023, proposed by Cllr Lane seconded by Cllr Wright all approved. Extra-Ordinary Meeting 15th November 2023 proposed by Cllr Lane, seconded by Cllr Laughton, approved with 1 abstention, Extra-Ordinary Meeting on 5th December 2023 proposed by Chair noticed typo on Chairs report, “minutes silence typed help”, should have been “held” proposed to amend Cllr Fleetwood seconded Cllr Lane approved, propose minutes from 5th December 2023, proposed Cllr Wright seconded Cllr Percival all approved.
Cllr Laughton proposed that minutes should detail Cllr names rather than Cllr for clarity and transparency, this was seconded by Cllr Fleetwood and approved with 1 against.
261-23/24 Chairs report. Chair was delighted with the support he received with the Christmas lights, the upcycled crib etc. New Christmas lights, PA system, Hearing loop, flags can now be bought with the Grant monies received. Speed radars have been erected on Horncastle Road and Henry Lane. Two VAT claims have been returned today to HMRC totally approximately £3600. Council previously agreed the old ride on mower should be sold and will be imminently put up for sale/tender. Clerk and Chair are now in dialogue with SBK auditors regards their external audit report.
County Council issues – Devolution process is ongoing and any councillor wishing to make a comment on this needs to do so by the end of this week. This year in May there will be the Police and Crime Commissioner election. There will be a general election this year at some point. Next year in May 2025 there will be County Council elections and also the opportunity depending on the devolution vote an opportunity to elect a Mayor. The Causeway is still due to close for just over a week in February. Concerns have been expressed regards making Bardney an island as Short Ferry is still in flood, this comes under North Kesteven Council. Cllr Fleetwood has expressed all the concerns that residents have to the relevant authorities. Environment Agency have suggested it may be 3 months before work is completed due to financial constraints. Council asked the Clerk to write to Highways on behalf of the council and residents expressing the concerns of the Parish Council, proposed by Cllr B Newlove, seconded by Cllr Lane, approved. Cllr Darby enquired if Bardney would be having a meeting held by the Environment Agency due to the flooding in the village as the Environment Agency have held a meeting in Fiskerton recently regarding the floods. Cllr Fleetwood advised he didn’t think there were any plans for a meeting for Bardney, as the reason the Fiskerton meeting was held was due to the high risk of breach of some banks, which would cause a lot of flooding in Fiskerton and potentially Cherry Willingham. Cllr Darby asked if the Speed Radars are the same as previously bought and would they have the same problem. Cllr Fleetwood advised these were bought from Elancity and believed they were the same as previously bought, with the risk of the batteries being stolen/vandalised.
262-23/24 Clerks report. Clerk reported that contact had been made from a resident complaining about parking on grass verges outside the Hawthorns on Station Road. Clerk emailed the Home regarding this and received a reply stating they have acted upon this have reminded all staff and visitors to use the car park and not to park on the grass verges. Clerk also advised resident to report this on fix my street Lincolnshire County Council as well. Reminded Cllrs that there is Induction and refresher training available in February and to contact the Clerk if wanting to be booked on for training. As previously agreed at the November meeting, to apply for Unity Debit Card, unfortunately they do not use Debit Cards, however, do have (Corporate) Credit Cards at a monthly charge, this will be added to the next meeting agenda to be agreed by council to apply for Credit Card. The Village Hall Parish Office update. Some boarding has now been fitted and electrical wire in place. We have been told that the Office will be ready by the end of January. We now have all the tablets returned to the office, this will be an agenda item on the next full council meeting. St Oswalds survey will be on the next FCM agenda. Resident reported that there is a dog poo problem around the village. Clerk advised she has put a Notice out on the Parish Council Facebook page reminding dog walkers of their responsibilities, the resident also asked if signage can be posted around the village to remind dog walkers they can be fined. Clerk is going to investigate cost of signage. Cllr Reeve advised that Southrey has the same problem. Handyman had an accident last week where he fell and cracked a rib. Has been off sick since, however, he feels the pain is easing and may return to work next week.
263-23/24 – Handyman working at Wragby. Cllr Lane advised that 2 month’s notice to given. Cllr B. Newlove advised this has been agreed at a previous meeting that we would give notice to Wragby to give Handyman more availability for this Bardney Group Parish Council.
264-23/24 – Grass cutting Cemetery - At a previous meeting it was agreed that this should not go out to tender. Cllr Lane advised she had spoken with the Handyman where he suggested that a revised tender could be advertised for the old cemetery to have grass cut and trimmed around the gravestones, and the handyman to cut the new area of the cemetery, and cut all hedges. This would also leave the Council with grass cutting of some of the cemetery if ever the Handyman were to be off through illness. Cllr Lane proposed that a revised tender be done for the old cemetery area, seconded by Cllr Percival, approved with 1 against.
265-23/24 New Cycle Rack position. Cllr Laughton proposed the rack be placed on the grass area where the crib was, seconded by Cllr Darby approved. Highways need to be informed of the proposal to ensure their agreement.
266-23/24 Bowls Club Grant - £500 applied for, proposed by Cllr Wright, seconded by Cllr Lintin, approved with 3 abstentions, Cllr Percival, Cllr Hutchinson and Cllr Darby due to Declaration of Interest.
267-23/24 Payments – To ratify the payments made in December, note the receipts, and approve list of payments made in January 2024. Proposed by Cllr Fleetwood, seconded by Cllr Corbould, approved with 1 against. Cllr Hutchinson queried why there was an invoice for Tudor grass cutting in December. This was due to late payment of invoice as we had requested an amendment to the invoice for breach of contract (not collecting grass).
268-23/24 Bank Reconciliation was not available - this will be available for the next meeting. Deferred proposed by Cllr Fleetwood, seconded by Cllr Lane, approved.
Planning applications
269-23/24 - Application Ref – 147623 2 storey side extension Abbey Road Bardney. No Comments.
270-23/24 Application Ref – 147573 increase height of chimney pot Lowthorpe Southrey. No Comments.
271-23/24 Application Ref - 147629 14 Queen Street Bardney remove existing garage / outbuildings and erect side extension. No Comments.
272-23/24 Application Ref – 147673 demolish existing single storey takeaway building and erect 2 storey detached dwelling, being variation of condition 3 of planning permission 143229 granted on 1st December 2021. No Comments.
273-23/24 Application Ref – 147535 Erect single storey orangery to rear of property, Chambers Farm Hoop Lane Apley. No Comments.
274-23/24 Application Ref – 147718 development of telecommunications systems operator. Removal of an existing monopole mast and installation replacement of 25m sharable mast. Fairfield Farm Abbey Road Bardney. No Comments.
275-23/24 Correspondence - Email received from Lindum Group Endurance GB to have use of St Oswalds on 25th February 2024 as a base to park up Horse lorries, trailers etc. I have replied asking for more detail and insurance cover. If we receive the information this will be an added agenda item to the extra meeting on the 29th January 2024. D-day 80 is on the 6th June 2024, I will email Cllrs details I have received regards this and bring to next Full Council Meeting for a decision to be made.
276-23/24 Cemetery Committee - To dissolve Cemetery Committee and be a Working Group - Cllr Laughton proposed this stays as a Committee and not be dissolved to a Working Group, seconded by Cllr Fleetwood, approved with 1 against.
277-23/24 Cllr M McIlroy has resigned as Parish Councillor. We wish him well for the future and thank him for his service as Councillor to Southrey.
278-23/24 Internal Auditor for 2023/2024 for BGPC accounts - Proposed to appoint LALC Internal Auditor by Cllr Hutchinson, seconded by Cllr Reeve, approved.
279-23/24 Policy/Procedure Committee - To update / amend current Policies and Procedures - 5 members needed. Proposed by Cllr Laughton, seconded by Cllr Fleetwood, approved. Members volunteered, Cllr Laughton, Cllr Lane, Cllr Percival, Cllr Hutchinson and Cllr Fleetwood.
281-23/24 To resolve to move into a closed sessions in accordance with public bodies (admission to meetings) Act 1960 due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed in relation to the following matters.
Proposed by Cllr Fleetwood, seconded by Cllr Wright, approved.
282-23/24 Chair of P and R Committee report.
The committee has had a look at the agreement with Wragby Parish Council using our Handyman and has found that if BGPC decided to come out of the agreement they would need to give Wragby Parish Council 2 months' notice to end the contract.
P and R committee members have checked on all chemicals the Handyman uses and are putting together a COSH sheet register, one will be held with the clerk and the other will be given to the Handyman.
Following a question asked in the closed session of the committee meeting held on 21.11.23 the Cllr emailed back and informed the P and R committee the answer given on that evening was incorrect.
The Cllr was informed all the information needed to answer the questions raised were being held with the Clerk.
The Cllr has not accessed the information available with the Clerk, regarding a payment made from Bardney Group Parish Council to a previous member of staff.
A resolution was therefore made through the Chair to remove Cllr from Banking System. Recorded vote.
Cllrs voting for the above recommendation is as follows: - Proposed by Cllr Lane, seconded by Cllr Fleetwood, approved by Cllr B. Newlove, Cllr Hutchinson, Cllr Wright, Cllr Lintin, Cllr Bates, Cllr Reeves, Cllr Laughton, Cllr Percival.
Cllrs voting against recommendation: - Cllr Corbould and Cllr Darby.
Majority council approved.
Resolution through the Chair the information be passed to External Audit. Recorded vote.
Cllrs voting for above recommendation: - Proposed by Cllr Lane, seconded by Cllr Wright, approved by Cllr B. Newlove, Cllr Hutchinson, Cllr Lintin, Cllr Bates, Cllr Reeves, Cllr Laughton, Cllr Percival, Cllr Fleetwood.
Cllrs voting against recommendation: - Cllr Darby. Abstention Cllr Corbould.
Majority approved.
Meeting Closed @ 8.49pm