DRAFT Minutes - 22nd April 2025
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Held on Tuesday 22nd April 2025 at 7.00pm
MEMBERSHIP:
Chair: Councillor Andy Hone
Vice-chair: Councillor George McDonnell
Councillors: Paul Browne, Richard Robinson, Richard Marshall, (2 vacancies)
Clerk: John Money RFO: Gordon Roe
ATTENDANCE: Chair: Councillor Andy Hone; Vice-chair: Councillor George McDonnell
Councillors: Richard Robinson; Richard Marshall, (2 vacancies), Clerk: John Money.
3 members of the public
Public forum: No Comments made
County and District Councillors' reports:
The Chair and Councillor Ian Carrington introduced Mr Richard Fenwick who is a senior highways manager from Lincolnshire County Council, he talked briefly about his position with the county council and what it involved along with the associationship with Lincs Lab design service, he went on to say that Lincolnshire County Council are responsible for 5,000 miles of roads. And how they assess these roads scientifically every four years with AI equipment. He went on to talk specifically about the roads in Nocton these being the condition of Main Street, Nocton Park Road, Weberg Road and the bridle path to Dunston. He said that the potholes and general surface issues on Main Street would be addressed this year and in a years’ time the whole of Main Street will be re-metaled. Mr Fenwick also announced that repairs to Nocton Park road would be carried out within the next 2 to 3 years. With regard to the Bridle Road to Dunston and the signage of such, he said that after the meeting he would go and inspect it personally. Additionally, village entrance signs will be installed in the near future.
Cllr Ian Carrington went on to report about matters including the business support scheme for SME businesses. He went on to update members on the position of the Lincoln South East Ring Road which is stymied due the lack of funding from Central government’s £22.5 million is required.
District Councillor Dave Parry reported about the new car park in Seaford on the old ambulance depot to attempt to replace the one lost in the marketplace. He reminded members about the VE Day Grant aid scheme and that VJ Day was coming later in the year and grants were available for that too. 9 1/2 million pounds has been spent, or allocated to make social housing warmer with a similar amount allowed for installing heat pumps.
The Chair moved the meeting into formal session reminding members of the public he would only move the meeting out of formal session in extenuating circumstance
Agenda Items:
1. Apologies for Absence: Cllr Paul Browne
2. Declarations of Interest: None made.
3. Minutes: Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 11th March 2025: it was resolved to accept the draft minutes as written and they were signed as a true record of the meeting.
4. Matters arising from previous meetings; the Chair stated the fitting of the dado rail in the events hall is still outstanding; Action Clerk.
5. Chair’s Report: The Chair reported that since fitting solar panels we had seen an period to date saving of 2% but that the March saving of 50% gives cause for optimism - but we would not have a true picture until 12 months had elapsed. He went on to say that the Ripon Arms decoration was a credit to those who had carried it out. He went on to speak about updating the assets register and the risk register.
6. Hub Manager’s Report: no report.
7. Parish Clerk’s Report: The Clerk reported that all correspondence was up to date with no issues outstanding. He also went on to talk about the state of the council owned street lamps and said that he was investigating this with the RFO, he also said he had contacted a volunteer group of litter pickers who had contacted him regarding doing charity type litter picking in the parish.
8. To consider a theme for the Annual Parish Meeting taking place on 13th May 2025 (starting at 6.30pm and followed by the Annual Parish Council meeting): The Chair mentioned the upcoming annual parish meeting to be held in the second week of May and wondered if we should address the resident survey that was carried out by the villagers in 2013. Action Clerk
9. To consider an application for Nocton 200 Club funds. The Ripon Arms have made an application for a contribution toward their hearing loop system already installed, the grant application was debated and it was resolved not to award any grant aid retrospectively. Action Chair
10. To present the findings of the LALC internal audit and to consider actions resulting: The Chair informed the meeting that Elaine Atkin of LALC the internal auditor had mentioned the situation of Section 137 expenditure within the account. This process along with other recommendations will be brought to Council for resolution. Action Chair/Clerk/RFO.
11. Planning Matters: It was resolved to support both 25/0333/TPO (tree works) and 25/0252/LDEXI (dwelling retention): Action Clerk
12. Financial Matters:
(a) To note the current bank balances: Duly noted.
(b) To ratify payments for the month of March 2025 and to approve the list of upcoming payments. Members supported the RFO’s report and it was resolved that the chair was to sign all March expenditure as approved. Action Chair.
13. Date of Next Meeting: To agree the date of the next meeting of the Council: The date of the next meetings which will be the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Parish Council Meeting, they are to be held on the 13th of May 2025 beginning at 6:30pm. Action Chair/Clerk
Public forum: No comments.
14. The Chair to move the meeting into private session where the press and members of the public are asked to leave; ( Under the requirements of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 and as further described in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972: The Chair moved that the meeting continue in closed session. This was so resolved.
To discuss membership. This item related to a Members status within the Council: it was resolved to notify the said Member that under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 his membership of the Council (due to six months of non-attendance of meetings) had now ceased and a vacancy now exists.