May 2019 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE FISHTOFT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 13 MAY 2019 AT THE PLAYING FIELD PAVILION COMMENCING AT 7.25PM.
In attendance: Councillor E Armstrong (Chairman), Councillors H Staples (Vice Chairman), M Ordway, O Snell, J Skinner, P Skinner, R Lenton
Boston Borough Councillor J Noble
Mrs K Partridge (Clerk)
344.1 APPOINTMENTS:
Chairman – Councillor Armstrong nominated, proposed by Councillor Ordway, seconded by Councillor P Skinner.
Vice Chairman – Councillor Staples nominated, proposed by Councillor P Skinner, seconded by Councillor Lenton.
Representatives to outside bodies:
St Guthlac’s PCC – Mrs R Cooper
Hawthorn Tree School – Headteacher
Fishtoft Playing Field Trust – to be confirmed
St Leonards Hospital Trust – Councillor Ordway
Rochford Tower Hall – Mrs Vickers
Planning Committee – not appointed, all Members now receive planning applications via email therefore comments can be made at all times.
Personnel Committee – Councillors Armstrong, Ordway and J Skinner; substitute member Councillor Staples.
344.2 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None.
344.3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Councillor P skinner declared an interest in all planning matters through his role on the Planning Committee at Boston Borough Council and took no part in those discussions.
344.4 POLICE REPORT: Not received.
344.5 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15 APRIL 2019: It was resolved the minutes be approved and signed, proposed by Councillor P Skinner, seconded by Councillor Lenton and agreed.
345.6 REPORT ON OUTSTANDING MATTERS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Speed signs and calming: Replacement “30” signs had been ordered and should shortly be delivered.
Community Speed Watch Initiative costs somewhere in the region of £500.00 to purchase the necessary equipment. Training is available and it is suggested a group of at least 12 volunteers are needed in order to operate in the most efficient manner. Following discussion it was agreed to list sites within the parish, these will need to be assessed for safety reasons – agenda item for the next meeting.
Allotment Review: It has been ascertained that values in line with the national house price index (used as a generalisation only) has increased by almost 40% in the last 10 years. Advice given would be to increase all rents but to make them more in proportion. Clerk to present figures at the next meeting.
Rural Isolation: Councillors Armstrong and Staples had attended a meeting. Grant not yet applied for as Old Leake PC still undecided on what they require grant for. Funding should be applied for in June, approximately 2 weeks for the funds to be allocated.
Police Commissioner: Further to the request to invite the Police Commissioner to attend a meeting had not yet been arranged. Councillor P Skinner to invite him.
345.7 LITTER PICKING GROUP REPORT: Councillor Ordway reported she had cleared litter from Sibsey Drain Bank, Councillor Staples also cleared some litter from the local area.
345.8 CLERKS REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED: General correspondence received was available and included Clerks & Councils Direct.
Wooded area at Hobhole Pumping Station: North Sea Camp will attend to mow the pathways, however clearing of more brambles will need to wait until later in the year. Following discussion it was agreed the Clerk should ask if a dedicated team could attend on a more regular basis.
Litter Bin at Playing Field: Local resident concerned at the overflowing litter bin. Clerk waiting to hear from BBC when and how often the bin is emptied before reassessing the matter. Larger litter bins cost between £515 and £650.00 (excluding VAT and delivery).
345.9 BOSTON BOROUGH AND LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORTS:
Councillor P Skinner reported on the following:-
Road surfacing season is underway.
Mental Health Awareness week – Healthy Minds carrying out a stakeholder survey.
LCC promoting healthy eating in schools.
New display at the Dambusters museum
Personal letter from a grieving Queen Victoria to poet Alfred Lord Tennyson is the newest addition to the county’s extensive Tennyson archive.
346.10 FINANCE REPORT:
a) Budget update was circulated.
b) To approve payment of accounts:-
Clerks salary - £341.90
Clerks expenses - £29.47
War memorial weed killer treatment - £25.00
Mobile broadband half share - £8.85
Grass maintenance – BBC and LCC areas (1/12th of annual charge) £1,064.22 (£177.37 VAT)
LCC replacement of “30 mph” signs - £100.00
It was resolved the accounts be paid, proposed by Councillor P Skinner, seconded by Councillor Staples and unanimously agreed.
c) Investment of funds – Lloyds Bank required a letter signed by 2 signatories in order to set up a fixed interest account, duly signed by Councillors Armstrong and P Skinner. Clerk to forward to Lloyds for opening of account and transfer of funds. Bank mandate completed to remove Councillor Harrison as a signatory.
d) Grass maintenance contract – it was noted the contractor had increased charges by 2%, this will mean an overspend on the budget of approximately £770.00: this was not picked up on at the budget setting as last years charge was not for a full year. Contractor to be requested to forward his charges for the next year in November in order that the full amount can be included in budget setting. A review of the areas contracted for maintenance will be re-assessed at the end of the season. It was agreed to take the overspend from reserves; proposed by Councillor Staples, seconded by Councillor P Skinner and agreed.
346.11 MAYFLOWER 400: Woodcarvers have investigated costs for oak for carving, one piece thought to be ideal is approximately £180.00. Costs will be submitted shortly.
The woodcarvers artist has been working on other pieces and suggestions of some pottery pieces to be incorporated in the wood carving, more information on this at a later date.
346.12 PLANNING MATTERS: to discuss the following applications –
B/19/0150 – single storey rear extension at 33 White House Lane – no objections or comments
B/19/0156 – erection of single storey rear and two storey side extension at 1 Coronation Cottage, Cut End Road – no objections or comments
346.13 FUN DAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2019: Incorporated with the Rural Isolation initiative. Necessary to devise a list of local groups/organisations to invite to have a stall; it will be necessary to ensure stalls do not run competitions.
Dancing and singing a possibility – further enquiries to be made. Refreshments need to be agreed, discussion at the next meeting.
346.14 COMPLETE SECOND PART OF ANNUAL AUDIT: The accounting statement, section 2 of the Annual Audit Return was considered. It was resolved the figures be approved, and the statement signed, proposed by Councillor Lenton, seconded by Councillor P Skinner and unanimously agreed.
347.15 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on Monday 17 June 2019 at Rochford Tower Hall and will commence at 7.00pm with a 10 minute public forum, if required.
There being no further business to discuss the Chairman thanked those in attendance and closed the meeting at 9.00pm.