SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL NORTHORPE ROAD DN21 3RB
THURSDAY 5TH MAY 2022 AT 7.10PM

Present: Councillors R. Walker (Chairman), S. Walker, A. Ramsay, J. Robinson, A. Robinson

In attendance: Leticia Cooper (Clerk & RFO)

There was one member of the public.

The chairman opened the meeting at 7.10pm.

Item 019/5/22 Election of Chair and signing of the Declaration of Acceptance of Office
Cllr. R. Walker put himself forward for re-election. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to re-elect Cllr. R. Walker for the coming year. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed.

Item 020/5/22 Election of Vice-chair
There were no nominations.

Item 021/5/22 To receive apologies and reasons for absence
There were none.

Item 022/5/22 Disclosure of interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensation
There were none.

Item 023/5/22 To receive and approve the notes of the meeting on 7th April 2022
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the notes as a correct record and signed as Minutes.

Item 024/5/22 Election of Allotment wardens 2022-23
Cllr. A. Ramsay, Mr R. Ramsay, and John Laughton were re-elected.

Item 025/5/22 Clerk’s Report

• The co-option process had started and was being advertised on the Council’s website, Facebook page and notice boards with a closing date of 23rd May 2022.
• Letters of thanks had been received for the 2022-23 grant awards from Scotton Parochial Church Council and the Village Hall Management Committee. A representative from Scotton & District W.I. had thanked the Council in person, at the Annual Parish Assembly meeting earlier in the evening.

Item 026/5/22 To note, review and approve the following policies:

• Internet, telephone, and debit card policy - amended
• Financial Regulations policy – amended
• Procurement policy – updated
• Asset Register – amended
• Reserve’s policy – updated

It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the amendments and updates for all policies excepting the Asset Register. It was noted that the freehold value of allotment land had risen, and the value of the land should be updated to reflect this. To be considered and brought back for discussion at the next meeting.

Item 027/5/22 Finance Matters
a) The WLDC grant award for £700.00 had been credited on 14th  April.
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve the following expenses of £534.68 for May 2022.

The breakdown of expenses comprised the following:
Clerk’s salary – May
Clerk’s mileage - £19.34
Printing cost - £9.99
Clive Williams – grass cutting £180.00
Training Website maintenance - £27.00

b) It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to set up a standing order to pay the Clerk’s salary until the next financial year.
c) It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to set up a direct debit with HP Ink for payment of printing costs.
All standing orders and direct debits would be reviewed annually.
d) A request for additional working hours for May had been received from the contractor. It was agreed to ask the contractor for further specifics before granting any additional hours. It was noted that the contractor might also be asked to help manage existing Himalayan Balsam, later in the year.

Item 028/5/22 WLDC Grant application – Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Benches Project
a) There was in depth discussion about the installation of the benches, the preferred makes and models and the increasing cost of the benches since quotes were obtained earlier in the year.
b) It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to delegate responsibility to Cllr. R. Walker and the clerk to begin arrangements for the purchase and installation of the benches, within the budget allocation of £1,600.00.
c) It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to allow the clerk and / or Cllr. R. Walker to make internet purchases using the Council’s debit cards, for the sole purposes of paying for the benches and arranging installation. The clerk gave Cllr. R. Walker his named debit card during the meeting.

Item 029/5/22 Eastgate Development
a) The agreement between AF Developments and WLDC regarding the Eastgate Development had been circulated prior to the meeting. There had been complaints from residents that work had continued during 2nd May, Bank Holiday Monday – which contravened the above agreement.
b) It was noted that residents who had complained to the Enforcement officers at WLDC had not received replies and it appeared that emails were being deleted before being read. Communication from Enforcement to the Parish Council had been slow and did not address the concerns raised.
c) Cllr. R. Walker requested permission to send the letter, circulated prior to the meeting to the Enforcement Department at the WLDC Planning Dept. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to send the letter, as written by Cllr. R. Walker to WLDC, copying in all District Councillors. Action: Clerk to forward the letter on.

Item 030/5/22 Allotment & Community Orchard
a) There were no allotment matters.
b) Cllr. R. Walker had visited the Orchard to feed and water the trees. Residents had suggested planting wild flowers. This was considered and would be investigated.

Item 031/5/22 Updates on the Speed Indicator Device (SID)
There was a discussion about the latest statistics and the speeds recorded. There had been some benefit on Scotter Road, as vehicles reduced speed approaching the SID. One vehicle had been recorded driving through the village during the early morning at speeds exceeding 70mph. Cllrs. J. & A. Robinson would be fixing a 30mph speed sign exiting the village from Northorpe Road.

Item 032/5/22 Village Environment Matters
a) A silver lime had been planted to replace the tree, which was removed, and an attractive surround had been placed around it. There was discussion about what could be done to replace the existing plaque. It was suggested that a wrought iron plaque could be attached to the new surround, which would weather well. Cllr. R. Walker would investigate options and report back to the Council.
b) Cllr. A. Robinson had been to see the book kiosk and had begun making plans to repair the broken slats and repaint. There was a discussion about the type and colour of paint which should be used. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to repaint the kiosk in red and approve the purchase of the required paint. Cllr. A. Robinson to keep receipts of purchase and claim back costs.

Item 033/5/22 To hear any reports from the Village Hall Management Committee from Cllr. S. Walker
There were none.

Item 034/5/22 Planning Applications
a) Decisions Pending

• Application No.144232 – Land south of Eastgate Scotton DN21 3QR
• Application No.144558 – Plot 8 Land south of Eastgate Scotton DN21 3QR
  b) Appeals pending
• Application No.143045 – Bleak Farm Northorpe Road DN21 3RB
  The appeal hearing had been heard on 4th May 2022. Cllr. R. Littlewood had attended the hearing at the Guildhall.
  c) Applications determined
  None to report.

Item 035/5/22 Parish Councillor’s Reports for information only
It was reported by residents that some owners had dogs off leads, which were jumping up at passers-by, causing concern. It was noted that WLDC could be asked for a dog control order to try and control the problem. Notices could also be placed on private land asking dog owners to ‘Keep dogs on close control.’

Item 036/5/22 Date of next meeting
9th June at 6pm.

There being no other business the meeting ended at 7.50pm.