January 24 2023
NOCTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the meeting of Nocton Parish Council held at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 24th January, 2023 in The Nocton Hub.
PRESENT: Councillor Ian Goldsworthy
Councillors Mike Kaye, Andy Hone, Richard Marshall and MaryAnn Williams
Also present: Laura Allen (Parish Clerk elect)
5 Members of the public were also present
1. CHAIR’S WELCOME TO THE MEETING
The Chair welcomed councillors and members of the public to the meeting. He also took the opportunity to welcome and introduce Laura Allen who had recently been appointed the Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer and was attending the meeting as an observer. She would be taking up her formal duties with effect from 1 February 2023.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor George McDonnell had submitted an apology for absence, the reason for which was accepted.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
4. REVENUE BUDGET AND PRECEPT 2023/24
The Parish Council considered a detailed report on a proposed budget and Precept for the financial year 2023/24. The proposals had been prepared by the Acting Clerk and the Responsible Financial Officer in accordance with the process followed in previous years and in the light of the guidance, etc issued to all Parish Clerks by NKDC in an email dated 12 December 2022. The report contained proposals and a budget for both the Parish Council and the Nocton Hub. All members of the Parish Council had been consulted and any comments made were reflected in the version published on the website.
In summary, the proposed Parish Council budget represented an increase in net expenditure of £2,030 over the current year to £32,140 which, with an assumed Litter Grant from NKDC of £175, a small contribution from the General Reserve of £300, bank interest of £325 and a contribution from Hub income of £3,000, would result in a Precept requirement of £28,340. Although this represented a small increase of £4.14 a year for a Band D property, it would continue to compare favourably with the precept charged by similar sized parish councils in the area.
It was particularly noted that an increase in the budget for street lighting repairs and maintenance was proposed to begin responding to the issues highlighted by E.ON in its survey of those lamp posts which are the responsibility of the Parish Council. However, it was clear that the significant costs involved in dealing with all of the recommendations were considerably beyond the Parish Council’s ability to meet in the short to medium term without placing unacceptable financial burdens on local residents. It was, therefore, suggested that discussions be held with the County Council and energy supplier to see how the situation might best be resolved.
It was also noted that the proposed budget made no specific provision for the annual peppercorn rent of £100 to use part of the paddock behind the Hub as an overspill car park, given that it was hoped that agreement would shortly be reached with the owners which would remove the requirement to make this payment going forward. However, should agreement not be reached then the sum involved would be met from the General Reserve and payment made when due.
The General Reserve at the start of the new financial year was estimated to be in the region of £12,000 which represented an increase over that for the previous year and was considered to be sufficient to meet any possible unforeseen calls on the Parish Council’s budget over the coming year.
It was MOVED by Councillor Mike Kaye; SECONDED by Councillor Richard Marshall and RESOLVED unanimously that (i) the Parish Council’s Revenue Budget for 2023/24 be as set out in Appendix A to these minutes with a consequent Precept request to North Kesteven District Council of £28,340; and (ii) the budget for Nocton Hub in 2023/24 be as set out Appendix B to these minutes.
5. APPOINTMENT OF PARISH CLERK
Further to Minute No. 1 (above), It was MOVED by Councillor Mike Kaye, SECONDED by Councillor MaryAnn Williams and RESOLVED that Laura Allen be (i) added as a signatory to the Parish Council’s Bank Account with the authority to submit and approve payments; (ii) be given access to the Parish Clerk’s email account; (iii) be added to the Parish Council’s Equals Card account and provided with a linked Debit Card to purchase any necessary items of equipment and stationery, etc; and (iv) authorised to spend up to £500 on the purchase of a new laptop and mobile phone/SIM card for use in connection with her role as Parish Clerk.
6. REPLACEMENT BENCH – VILLAGE GREEN
Further to Minute No. 12 of the meeting held on 8 November, 2022 it was MOVED by Councillor Andy Hone; SECONDED by Councillor Mike Kaye and RESOLVED that the final decision to replace the bench on the Village Green be deferred to the next meeting in order to allow time for (a) Councillor Andy Hone to review the cost with the supplier and to ensure that the bench was of an appropriate size to fit onto the existing base; and (b) Councillor MaryAnn Williams to ascertain from CommunityLincs and others whether any grants were available to support the purchase given the forthcoming Coronation of King Charles and that the previous bench had been commissioned to mark the occasion of the former Queen’s coronation. It was noted the Chair had also spoken to the Promoter and provisionally agreed that once the costs had been finalised a grant of up to £200 could be made from the Nocton 200 Club.
7. VILLAGE GREEN – CORONATION EVENT
It was MOVED by Councillor Richard Marshall; SECONDED by Councillor Mike Kaye and RESOLVED that permission be granted to the organisers of a “street party” event to use the Village Green for this purpose on Sunday, 7 May to celebrate the King’s Coronation and which, this year, would replace the annual “Picnic on the Green”.
8. NOCTON HUB
The Chair reported on the following urgent/important items of business which had arisen since the publication of the agenda:
(a) Revised Cleaning Arrangements
Consequent upon the recent resignation of a member of the Hub cleaning team, it was MOVED by Councillor MaryAnn Williams; SECONDED by Councillor Mike Kaye and RESOLVED that:
(i) The temporary Cleaner’s existing contract be extended by twelve months with effect from 17 January 2023 incorporating an additional one hour’s cleaning per week (to three in total);
(ii) The Hub Manager’s existing hours be increased by one to hour per week (to six in total) for a period of three months at which point it will be reviewed;
(iii) The Village Keeper’s existing contract be increased by two hours per week to enable the postholder to undertake cleaning and other relevant duties within the Hub.
(b) Damage to Hub Drain Pipe
It was noted that a car had recently damaged the waste pipe to the Ladies Toilets by driving into it and then parking. The pipe was now leaking and required repair. Photos had been taken of the vehicle and the damage caused and the Parish Council was aware of its registration number. It was MOVED by Councillor Mike Kaye; SECONDED by Councillor MaryAnn Williams that efforts be made to trace the owner of the vehicle from the information in the possession of the Parish Council, including a review of the CCTV footage, and to seek payment for the damage caused. In the meantime, the Chair would contact a local tradesperson to obtain a quote for a permanent repair.
(c) Rainwater Pipe
It was noted that the rainwater pipe to the rear of the Hub by the Parish Council’s garage had come adrift from the guttering. This particular pipe had been leaking badly since the Hub had been completed and was the subject of ongoing discussion between the Contractor and Councillor Mike Kaye in an attempt to obtain a permanent solution to this and other problems, including the porch roof and cellar floor. Councillor Mike Kaye confirmed that he would continue with his efforts in this regard.
9. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS
It was noted that for various reasons, including the forthcoming Parish Council elections, it would be necessary to amend the dates of the remaining meetings in the current Municipal Year and to establish dates for the year 2023/24. It was, therefore, MOVED by Councillor Richard Marshall; SECONDED by Councillor Mike Kaye and RESOLVED that the Parish Council meet on the following dates:
Public Questions and Comments
There were no questions or comments from those members of the public present.
In thanking the members of the public for their attendance, the Chair said that the Parish Council was arranging an Open Evening in The Hub on Thursday, 2 February between 7.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. for those residents who were interested in becoming parish councillors given the elections to be held on 4 May. An article providing more details of the event had been included in the recent edition of the Limespring Hundred and a reminder would be posted on the “What’s On in Nocton” Facebook page a little nearer the time. Councillor Andy Hone again emphasised the importance of the benefits of having an effective Parish Council to represent the interests of the village and that this would be particularly important in responding to the anticipated development proposals for Nocton Hall and the former RAF Hospital sites.
The meeting concluded at 7.35 p.m.
APPENDIX A and B - available to see here as a PDF