May 2023 Minutes
Present
Cllr Brooman (Chairman), Cllr McLaughlin (Vice Chairman), Cllrs Hayward and Goode.
In attendance
County Cllr C Vernon, District Cllr P Robins, 3 members of the public.
During the Public Forum Mrs Angela Davies spoke on proposed improvement works to make the village hall more energy efficient and the cost of the project. The Councillors will discuss a request for financial assistance at the 21 June meeting.
1.Signing of Acceptance of Office and DPI forms
The Councillors completed and signed their Acceptance of Office and DPI forms.
2.Declarations of interest
None
3.Approve minutes 19 April 2023
The notes of the meeting held on 19 April 2023 were approved as minutes and signed by the Chairman; proposed by Cllr Goode, seconded by Cllr Hayward, all in favour.
4. Councillor co-option
Mr Ian Dugmore had attended the 19 April PC meeting and introduced himself as candidate to the Parish Council. Mr Dugmore was co-opted as Councillor; proposed by Cllr Brooman, seconded by Cllr McLaughlin, all in favour.
5.Matters arising
Cllr Brooman said that it had been agreed with the owners of The Old School to cap the cemetery water pipe in their garden.
6.County Council matters
Cllr Vernon said that online workshops aimed at protecting children from harm on the internet were available. Utility companies will in future liaise more effectively on planned works in the same areas. All potholes repair materials had gone up in price.
7.District Council matters
The Councillors congratulated Cllr Robins on her re-election. Cllr Robins said all positions at SKDC had not been filled yet. Application S22/0271, Little Bytham Road had been discussed at SKDC as planning permission recommendations had not been adhered to; the issue was now being addressed.
8.Audit
The internal audit was carried out by Mr D Pandya; the Councillors unanimously approved the internal audit and agreed that the AGAR forms could be signed by the Chairman and the Clerk; the forms will be sent to the external auditors, PKF Littlejohn.
9.Discuss and implement new suggestions from Internal Auditor
Internal Auditor Mr D Pandya made the following recommendations which were endorsed by the Councillors: a) the Parish Council cannot make purchases for another village group with the intention to claim back VAT; b) the Parish Council should never make cash donations.
10.Insurance renewal
The insurance renewal cost of £865.90 with Zurich was unanimously approved; proposed by Cllr McLaughlin, seconded by Cllr Hayward, all in favour.
11.Planning issues - verbal report from the Planning Working Group; mowing schedule
Cllr Goode said that work had started at Pepperidge Farm – S20/0770. Planning application S23/ Owls Lodge had been approved. It has been established that the patch of land at the crossroads on which publicity for the Community Shop and The Castle Inn had been placed belongs to LCC – the resident who had objected to the advertising bicycle and A-board will be directed to LCC.
12.Planning.
No new planning applications had been received.
13.Village pump
Deferred
14.Amenities Working Group report
The Parish Council will carry out essential mowing this year; Cllr Hayward was liaising with Paul Weimann who had taken on M Wright’s tasks in his absence. The swing seat at the playing field will be replaced.
15.Speed Indicator Device report
Deferred
16.Request for additional street light at the junction of Glen Road and Counthorpe Lane
Cllr McLaughlin said that the cost would be far too high for the Parish Council.
17.Burial Committee matters
None
18.Correspondence
oResident – cemetery water supply capping off
oZurich Insurance – renewal documents
oLALC e-news
oResident – fly posting at the crossroads
oCastle Bytham HNS housing needs survey questionnaire
oLincolnshire Police – PCSO newsletter
oResident – upper green unannounced earthworks
oSKDC – weekly planning lists
oLALC – management committee nominations
oRural services network – funding digest
oParish online newsletter
o9 residents – Coronation grant allocation
oLALC – training bulletin
oSKDC Planning Enforcement ENF23/0073
oLCC parish council newsletter
oYMCA Lincolnshire newsletter
19.Accounts
The following payments were approved:
- Zurich Municipal - insurance renewal £865.90
- Aims Accountants - internal audit £840.00
- P Weinmann - grass mowing £435.00
- Wicksteed - swing cradle seat £187.57
- Castle Bytham Village Hall - rent £120.00
- AquaLoos Ltd - coronation grant (party in the park) £216.00
Credited by BACS:
SKDC community cleaner grant £231.66
20.Councillors’ verbal reports
Cllr Goode will not be able to attend the June meeting.
Cllr McLaughlin said that the litter bin in Church Lane had not been emptied; Cllr Brooman will look into arrangements to remedy the situation.
Cllr Hayward said that some flooding had occurred near the village pump; Cllr Vernon suggested reporting the problem on FixMyStreet.
Cllr Brooman said that the site for a proposed dwelling at plot 7, Holywell Road should be cleared up as three planning applications had been refused planning permission. Cllr Brooman said that the GoFundMe application for the War Memorial had raised £1000; the Parish Council will be able to match fund £300.
The meeting closed at 20.30