July 2024 Minutes (held on June 28th 2024 in lieu of publicised meeting of 4th July due to the General Election)
SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD
AT SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL NORTHORPE ROAD DN21 3RB
THURSDAY 28TH JUNE 2024 AT 6.00PM
(This meeting replaces the publicised meeting of 4th July due to the General Election and necessary use of the Village Hall for voters.)
Present: Councillors R. Walker, S. Walker, H. Alexander, and Y. Huddleston
In attendance: Leticia Cooper - Clerk & RFO
Item 56/6/24 Chair’s opening remarks
All were welcomed to the meeting.
Item 57/6/24 Public session
There were no members of the public.
Item 58/6/24 To hear reports from County or District Councillors
There were none. Cllr. Carless sent apologies.
Item 59/6/24 To hear apologies and accept reasons for absence
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to receive and accept apologies
from Cllr. Dr. Johnson.
Item 60/6/24 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the
Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensation
There were none.
Item 61/6/24 To receive and approve notes of meeting held 6th June 2024
The council voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the notes of 6th
June 2024 as a correct record and signed as minutes.
Item 62/6/24 Finance
a. The Council noted the financial budgets and expenditure report, including an up
to-date banking statement for all bank accounts.
b. The quarterly bank reconciliation was noted and signed.
c. To consider and approve payments and expenses: -
• Clerk’s salary – July £397.80 Mileage £40.05
Amazon USB for Council back up £16.99
• Stationery - £5.85
• Grass cutting June – Mr. C. Williams £180.00
Item 63/6/24 Annual Governance Accountability Return 2023-24 – PKF Littlejohn
The Council’s certificate of exemption had been emailed to the external auditor. The
dates of Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Annual Governance and
Accountability Return (Exempt Authority) would be 17th June – 26th July 2024.
Item 64/6/24 Chairperson’s allowance
Cllr. R. Walker purchased two vouchers of £25.00, directly from Amazon. Recipients
declined invitation to attend a parish council meeting. Cllrs. R. Walker and H.
Alexander hand-delivered vouchers.
Item 65/6/24 To discuss arrangement for the combined Councillor and District
Councillor surgery and consider any actions
Deferred until September due to absence of Cllr. Carless.
Item 66/6/24 Community Orchard to receive general updates
The vegetation growing around the trees had received a quick cut, but more work
would be needed due to rapid rate of growth.
Item 67/6/24 To receive any updates about the Pinfold to include landscaping if
applicable
Cllr. Alexander reported that the refuge truck had damaged the reinstated verge
whilst turning. Council requested the clerk to write to WLDC to appraise them of the
matter.
Item 68/6/24 To discuss the ‘Rights of Way’ survey and consider any actions
Council voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED that any Councillor who wished to
submit comments could do so individually
Item 69/6/24 To consider what to do with the older, unused HP printer
Following discussion the Council voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to store
the unused printer in the storage area of the Village Hall. The printer handover sheet
was checked and signed by Cllr. R. Walker, noting condition of equipment was
accurate. Clerk will notify insurers of change of location. It was suggested that the
printer could be donated or sold.
Item 70/6/24 HMRC software transfer to new PC laptop
Clerk had obtained professional IT assistance at no cost to the Council and the
HMRC payroll data had been migrated to the new laptop. It was explained that all
files were regularly saved to an external hard drive and held securely. Cllr. R. Walker
suggested that Council should keep a record of relevant files on a separate USB
stick and held by the acting chairperson. Council voted upon and unanimously
RESOLVED to purchase a USB stick for this purpose and to update this, at least
monthly.
Item 71/6/24 Emergency Planning
Deferred until September due to absence of Cllr. Dr. Johnson.
Item 72/6/24 To review amendments and RESOLVE to accept updated Financial
Regulations policy 2024
Council voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the updated Financial
Regulations policy 2024.
Item 73/6/24 Village Hall update (Cllr. S. Walker)
• Building work for the MUGA project had begun. Cllr. S. Walker indicated that
the project costs of £72,500 had been financed through grants.
• Preparations were underway for the village fete.
Discussion of finances strayed more generally into Village Hall financial matters
between Council members. As this was not on the agenda, and no dispensation had page 16
been requested, the clerk suggested discussion should move to the next item on agenda
Item 74/6/24 Planning matters – Information only
a. Decisions reached
• Application 147921extensions and external alterations
3 Crapple Lane, Scotton DN21 3QT
Granted with conditions.
b. Applications under review
No further updates about these applications had been received to date.
• Application 145041- Granted permission 27.06.22
Description: Planning application for change, the use of part of an arable field
into a wildlife and private fishing pond.
Location: Land off, Scotter Road, Scotton, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire,
DN21 3QU
No further updates.
• Application 140545 – Plot 9, south of Eastgate Scotton DN21 3QR
Approval of reserved matters for the erection of 1no. dwelling and detached
garage with annex accommodation, considering appearance, landscaping,
layout, and scale – following outline permission 139520 granted 16.01.20.
Under investigation.
Cllr. R. Walker expressed disquiet that the Enforcement Team had not been in
contact or appeared to have upheld planning conditions. It was agreed that Cllr. R.
Walker should write a draft letter of complaint, for ratification by the council, which
would be sent to the Enforcement Team and leader of WLDC.
Action: Cllr. R. Walker to circulate letter to council for approval and copy to clerk to
forward onwards.
All planning applications are available on the WLDC website at: -
Planning | West Lindsey District Council (west-lindsey.gov.uk)
WLDC may reach a decision on listed applications following the issue of the agenda.
The council may subsequently discuss these decisions during the meeting.
Item 75/6/24 Parish Councillors Reports – Information Only
• Councillors raised issued of overgrown vegetation on PROWs. Clerk to
contact LCC Rights of Way to raise the issue.
• Cllr. Alexander thanked the clerk for reporting worn and rusting directional
signs.
• Cllr. Huddleston enquired about the possibility of siting a bench on the T
junction of the Green Lane in the direction of Laughton.
Action: To be placed on the agenda for discussion in September.
Item 76/6/24 Date of next meeting
September 5th, 2024, but Council could convene a meeting over the summer, if required.