2025 Minutes

MEETING OF SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 2ND JANUARY 2025 AT SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL 6PM

MINUTES
PRESENT COUNCILLORS

1)    Cllr R Walker (Chair), Cllr S Walker (Acting Clerk), Cllr Alexander, Cllr Huddleston,
Cllr K Ibbeson 

2)    CHAIRS OPENING REMARKS
Cllr R Walker opened the meeting at 6pm

3)    PUBLIC SESSION-  No members of the public present

4)    REPORTS FROM COUNTY/DISTRICT COUNCILLORS  -  None present

5)    APOLOGIES-  Apology received from District Councillor K Carless
(Apology received at 5.08pm but not picked up till after meeting)

6)    DECLARATION OF INTEREST/S  Cllr Ibbeson retains permission to speak on village hall matters

7)    MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 5th DECEMBER 2024-  It was agreed that the minutes were a true representation of the proceedings.

8)    FINANCIAL MATTERS
a)    Website assistance provided by LALC has 44mins remaining.
It was agreed to purchase a further 10hours at a cost of £180.00 +VAT
b)    The VHMC have requested a further grant for further improvements at the village hall. These are a suspended ceiling in the kitchen, new lighting in the kitchen (including emergency lighting), a new heater in the kitchen and further heating for the main hall. 
After a discussion, a further grant of £4,000 was agreed
c)    It was agreed that the precept application would stay at £12,000 for the 2025/26 
Year. Cllr R Walker to submit to WLDC
d)    Invoice from VHMC was submitted for £192 (Hall Rental 2024). Payment was agreed.
e)    TSB bank statements were circulated and signed.
 AUDIT UPDATE
a)    All new policies and procedures are now completed and on the council website. Councillors to report any new policies/adjustments needed to existing ones to keep these up to date
b)    A full audit will take place at the end of the financial year.

9)     VILLAGE HALL
A further grant of £4,000 was agreed for improvements at the village hall. See 8b.

10)    PINFOLD UPDATES-  Cllr. Alexander reported that the pinfold remains in good condition and containers will be replanted for the spring. Cllr Huddleston reported a further rut to the grass area caused by a turning lorry. 

11)    ORCHARD UPDATES  -  Cllr Alexander reported that the orchard was in good condition. The saplings received from The Woodland Trust would be planted out in the spring of 2025 when some surrounding bushes will require pruning.
No updates from the two villagers wishing to plant fruit trees in memory of loved ones.

12)    DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCILLORS UPDATE-  No district/County councillors were present at the meeting so a decision about the proposed District/Parish Councillor surgery was deferred till the February 2025 meeting

13)    PROPOSED SEAT ON BECK LANE-  Approval still not received from LCC. The proposed site was discussed, and, after the discussion, it was concluded that the site would not be suitable. It is proposed to wait until the saplings are planted in the Spring and then to choose another location,

14)    PLANNING MATTERS  -  No new applications.

15)    LUDDINGTON TRUST-  Cllr R Walker reported that the 28 days allowed for any applications had expired with no known applications received. Parish council to wait contact from Mr Langford regarding any further action.

16)    COUNCILLORS REPORTS  -  No other reports.

         
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Friday 6th February at 6pm Scotton Village Hall