16th July 2024 - minutes
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Held on Tuesday 16th July 2024 at 7.00pm at The Hub Nocton
MEMBERSHIP:
Chair: Councillor Andy Hone
Vice-chair: Councillor George McDonnell
Councillors: Paul Browne, Martin Duff, Richard Robinson, Richard Marshall, (1 vacancy)
Clerk: John Money RFO: Gordon Roe
Attendance: Cllr A Hone (Chair); Cllr G McDonnell (Vice Chair); Cllr’s M Duff and R Robinson. Cllr D Parry (District Cllr) and one Member of the Public. J F Money Parish Clerk.
The Chair welcomed both Members and Members of the Public and informed the meeting that proceedings would be recorded for minute taking purposes.
Public forum (15 minutes) No matters raised.
County and District Councillors' reports: Cllr D Parry spoke regarding the effect the new Labour Government may have on local government; the CLLP of which NKDC are a member along with Lincoln City LCC and WLDC have won an award from the RICS for their Local Plan; the CEO Ian Fytche and the DCEO Phil Roberts are both retiring from NKDC. Cllr Parry was asked questions regarding: speed limits and local flooding and was asked to investigate the missing litter bin following repainting of the bus shelter.
Agenda Items:
1. Apologies for Absence: It was resolved to approve apologies for absence from, Cllr Browne, Cllr Marshall, and Cllr Carrington (LCC).
2. Declarations of Interest: None declared
3. Minutes:
a) To approve as a correct record the draft minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 11 June 2024 and resolve to authorise the Chair to sign them as the official minutes. It was resolved the Chair sign the draft minutes un-amended. Action The Chair.
b) Matters arising from the approved minutes that are not agenda items: the Chair reviewed the outstanding actions:
Lounge floor surface Cllr’s McDonnell reported the materials had been procured and delivery was imminent Action Cllr McDollell
The Chairman and the Clerk met with Jamie Cheevers of Better NKDC Community Sports provider (see Informative below) Action Chair & Clerk.
Hub maintenance procurement to be decided (Cllr Browne to make recommendations at the next meeting), a discussion took place and it was agreed the Clerk research tradesmen who may to suitable to use for both reactive and planned maintenance to NPC property.. Action the Clerk.
4. Chair’s Report: To receive a report from the Chair of the Council. He began by thanking Members who repaired the Hub rainwater system; A recent party in the Hub had occasioned substantial damage to the fabric of the building, this damage has been rectified by the Chair and the Hub Manager, but the costs involved were in excess of the £50 deposit; a discussion took place it was agreed to further address this matter in finance. Welcome Packs are distributed to new occupiers on Nocton Park, the Member of the Public present agreed to distribute these packs in the future. The Hub User Group’s meeting took place on the previous Monday, the standard of lighting was discussed and Cllr McDonnell agreed to address this matter. Action Cllr McDonnell.
5. Hub Manager’s Report: The Chair read the Hub Managers report stating that bookings were healthy, the Committee Room was used for just 20hours last year, a discussion took place relating to the future use of this room, it was agreed to research turning this room into a multi-functional facility with a smaller table and enlarge the storage area which is limited within the building.Action Members & the Clerk.
6. Parish Clerk’s Report:
a) The Clerk informed Members the 34sp gov.uk email platform will soon be due for renewal, all agreed it is an old fashioned system and it was further agreed the Clerk research other providers and report back to Members. Action Clerk.
b) Since the last meeting the Clerk and Chair had provisionally managed to procure FOC from the LCC Highways Volunteer Scheme improvement works to the Hub Access areas, all agreed this was a good idea and look forward to the works taking place. Action Chair & Clerk.
c) Proposed Hub capital projects were listed which included: Solar panels to the west facing Hub roof; Climate control facility in the Events Hall and the Lounge; Improvement in the amount of air changes within the Events Hall; Convert the Main Entrance Door into a wheelchair user friendly access and further insulation within the roof space. The Chair encouraged Members and Members of the Public to come forward with ideas for improvement that may be considered.
d) The above items to possibly be funded from grant aid from: FCC Community Action Fund (Leap) formally Wren; Heath Farm Energy Community Fund; Community Energy Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund etc.
The Clerk informed Members the Partnership Officer at NKDC is responsible for advising organisations like PC’s on grant aided schemes. When the projects are identified he asked Members to delegate authority to deal to the Chair & Clerk to research and match the funding available, on the basis that no commitment to expense is to be made at this stage. This was agreed. Action Chair & Clerk
7. To agree proposed changes to policies and procedures that have been reviewed by councillors to date (GDPR Policies). The Chair said this is proving difficult to update on the Website but he would hopefully resolve it in the coming weeks. Action the Chair.
8. To discuss/consider next steps for discussions with AG Properties (papers previously sent) The Chair outlined the progress made so far and it was resolved to hold an Extraordinary Meeting in August to execute the documents should this prove necessary. Action Chair & Clerk.
9. Planning Matters:
a) Tree works in the Avenue Nocton: Resolved to support. Action Clerk
b) AD Plant Wasps Nest (PL/0052/24) Digestate lagoon, Resolved to support. Action Clerk
c) AD Plant Blankney Parish on the Old RAF Metheringham airfield: it was Resolved the Members of the Blankney PC Task and Finish Group may respond through the Clerk to LCC Head of Planning in the period between meetings (if necessary). Action the Chair, Cllr Robinson & the Clerk
d) 72a Steamer Point Road application: the Clerk reported he had heard from the case officer the reason for non determination was the involved planning history which related to this site., the Clerk said he would keep Members informed regarding the progress of this application. Action the Clerk.
10. To outline the co-option process for the current councillor vacancy: the Chair asked the Clerk to update Members of the next procedure involved in this process. Action Clerk
11. Financial Matters:
(a) To note the current bank balances Noted
(b) To ratify payments for the month of June 2024 and to approve the list of upcoming payments. Ratified.
(c) To review the quarterly budget update as prepared by our RFO. Reviewed, after some debate it was agreed the accounting processes and procedures are much improved
d) Relating to previous debate it was proposed to increase the deposit for hiring the Hub facilities from £50:00 to £100:00 with a caveat that more than the deposit sum may be charged if the damage is qualified to be in excess of that sum, the motion was resolved unanimously.
12. Date of Next Meeting: 10th September 2024.
Public forum (10mins): Questions were asked regarding the proposed AD plan lagoon at Wasps Nest and regarding 72a Steamer Point road, these questions were successfully answered by the Members and the Clerk.
The Chair thanked all for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8:38pm
Informative: the Chair and the Clerk recently met with Jamie Cheevers (as stated in the Clerks written report) of Better NKDC Community Sports provider - Jamie provisionally suggested he (and his colleagues) would provide services to the parish such as exercise and
sport sessions to both children and over 50’s, these activities would take place within the Hub and the hire charges are in abeyance. The Chair has emailed Jamie and when further information becomes available he will inform all Members and staff of any developments prior to the next meeting.
John F Money Parish Clerk 17/07