2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL NORTHORPE ROAD DN21 3RB THURSDAY 4th NOVEMBER 2021 AT 6PM

Present: Councillors R. Walker (Chairman), S. Walker, P. Kulleseid, R. Littlewood A. Ramsay, J. Robinson, and A. Robinson

In attendance: Leticia Cooper (Clerk & RFO), Cllr. L. Rollings and one member of the public.

The chairman opened the meeting with the public forum at 18:00.

• 93/11/21 Chairman’s welcoming remarks
  The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
• 94/11/21 To receive apologies and ratify reason for absence
  There were none.
• 95/11/21 Disclosure of interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensation
  There were none.
• 96/11/21 To receive and approve as Minutes the notes of the meeting on 7th October 2021
  It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the notes as a correct record and signed as Minutes.
• 97/11/21 Clerk’s Report
  - Delivery of free grit offered by West Lindsey delayed until later in November
  - the old parish laptop had been donated to a secondary school
• 98/11/21 Finance matters
  a) It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve expenses for November 2021.

b) Balances against budget expenditure up to 19th October 2021 were noted. All invoices and the monthly reconciliation were available for scrutiny. The bank statement was duly signed.

• 99/11/21 Speed Indicator Sign (SID)
  Cllr. J. Robinson was progressing with the purchase of a SID sign. It was confirmed funds had been allocated and were available for payment of the invoice.
• 100/11/21 Budget 2022-23
  The amended budget for 2022-23 was discussed. It was proposed to increase the Clerk’s hours to 18 hours per month and to incorporate a small amount for miscellaneous expenses. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the budget proposals which would result in an increase of £500.00 to the precept. It was noted that election costs were ring-fenced in reserves and would not need to be drawn from the precept.
• 101/11/21 Precept 2022-23
  Following discussion it was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to increase the precept from £10,500 to £11,000.
• 102/11//21 Village Maintenance
  a) It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to seek tenders for the grass cutting contract.
  b) The replacement of missing and worn street signs was in progress.
  c) The neighbouring parishes of Northorpe and Scotter were asked about prevalence of Himalayan Balsam in their areas. Scotter advised it would be looking into it. No response had been received from Northorpe PC at the time of the meeting.
• 103/11/21 To discuss the open area and pond at Westfield housing development
  A resident of the housing development was present and encouraged to speak about the matter. Two other residents had helpfully provided information about the current maintenance agreement but could not be at the meeting. Unfortunately, the parish council did not have majority agreement from residents of the development to suggest a way forward or any separate legal powers to act on their behalf. It was suggested that residents could form a ‘Residents Association’ or obtain legal advice about the current contract.
• 104/11/21 Update on Eastgate development Highway modification
  The Clerk had been in contact with enforcement officers at WLDC and was seeking confirmation that modifications at the development had been conducted according to the planning permissions granted.
• 105/11/21 Allotment
  a) There was not further update about the offer of trees from Northorpe PC.
  b) Cllr. R. Walker had ordered a mixture of fruit trees from ‘Apples & Orchards’ for a cost of £173.50 as stocks were becoming low. The purchase was VAT exempted with a delivery charge of £30. The trees would be delivered in the spring and stored by Cllr. R. Walker prior to planting. Donations totalling £143.50 had been received from residents. Residents who had expressed an interest in planting a tree would be contacted nearer the time. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to reimburse Cllr. R. Walker’s purchase for the trees on the Council’s behalf.
  c) Cllr. R. Walker, A. Robinson and A. Ramsay would meet on-site to discuss siting of the trees and any preparatory work required to make ready for the spring planting.
  d) There was a discussion of allotment provision which was considered adequate. There were no parish residents waiting for allotments.
• 106/11/21 Planning
  Planning applications - APPROVED
  - 143721 – Old Rectory Eastgate Scotton DN21 3QP
  Application for a two-storey extension and new front boundary fence, gates, and entrance arrangements.
  - 143606 – 44 Westgate Scotton DN21 3QY
  Application to add a first floor, two storey front extension and part single / part two storey rear extension, including balcony to rear.
• 107/11/21 Update on application for internet banking
  The clerk was in the process of arranging access.
• 108/11/21 To hear any update from the Village Hall from Cllr. S. Walker
  Cllr. S. Walker indicated that the Village Hall would be submitting two grant applications for 2022-23. There was nothing further to report.
• 90/10/21  Parish Councillor’s reports
  - Cllr. S. Walker had enjoyed the Councillor training day and recommended it to any Councillors as an opportunity to gain experience and meet with other Councillors. Interest was expressed in learning more about the planning process. Clerk to check available courses with LALC.
  - It was noted that there was a quantity of rubble on one of the allotments. Clerk was requested to write to the allotment holder and ask for its removal.
• 91/10/21 Date of the next meeting
  2nd December 2021

The meeting ended at 19:30