2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL NORTHORPE ROAD DN21 3RB THURSDAY 2nd DECEMBER 2021 AT 6PM

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

In attendance: Leticia Cooper (Clerk & RFO)

The chairman opened the meeting at 18:00, as there were no members of the public business moved to the first agenda item.

• 111/12//21 Chairman’s welcoming remarks
  The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
• 112/12/21 To receive apologies and ratify reason for absence
  Apologies were received from Cllrs. S. Walker, J. Robinson, and A. Ramsay. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept reasons for absence.
• 113/12/21 Disclosure of interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensation
  There were none.
• 114/12/21 To receive and ratify as Minutes the notes of the meeting on 4th November 2021
  It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the notes as a correct record and signed as Minutes.
• 115/12/21 Clerk’s Report
  - Cllr. R. Walker was thanked for installing the replacement parts on the defibrillator.
• 116/12/21 Finance matters
  a) It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve expenses for December 2021.

b) Balances against budget expenditure up to 9th November 2021 were noted. All invoices and the monthly reconciliation were available for scrutiny. The bank statement was duly signed.

Ø  117/12/21 Revised Budget 2022-23
Following discussion it was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the revised budget with the following amendments:-
a) to increase the budget for Grants to £2,650.00 an increase of £150.00
b) a virement of £150.00 from Misc. Unbudgeted Expenses to the Grants budget – reducing this budget to £370.46.
Ø  118/12/21 Precept 2022-23
Updated tax base figures for the precept increase were noted.
Ø  119/12/21 To consider Grant requests for 2022-23
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to award the following grants:-
a) £900 to Scotton Parochial Church Council for grass cutting and maintenance of the churchyard. Awarded under LGA s.137 (4)(a)
b) £150.00 to Scotton & District W.I. for purchase of notice boards. Awarded under LGA s.137 (4)(a)
c) £1,600 to Scotton Village Hall for maintenance of grounds. Awarded under LGA s.133
Ø  120/12/21 Speed Indicator Sign (SID)
The invoice was reviewed, and it was vote upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve the additional VAT (which could be reclaimed).
Ø  121/12/21 Grass maintenance tender
a) It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve the procurement policy.
b) Following discussion it was noted that March could see rapid growth and should continue to be included in the work schedule. It was requested that the tender document be submitted for approval at the meeting in January.
c) Cllr. R. Walker kindly offered to be a named contact should prospective applicants wish to be shown around the village.
Ø  122/12/21 Scotton Beck
The council discussed the silting and overgrowth of the Beck and noted that a long-term solution was needed to tackle the issue, dredging the Beck could only be a short fix, and could possibly exacerbate issues further down the water course. The Council were discussing the issue with Scotter Parish Council and Cllr. Rollings with the aim of creating a joint working strategy to tackle the Beck as a whole. To be returned for discussion in January 2022.
Ø  123/12//21 Allotment
a) A small number of trees received from Northorpe Parish Council had been planted at the recreation area. It was noted that more trees could be planted on the recreation ground. Cllr. R. Walker asked those present to look up the  Woodland Trust’s ‘free trees’ packages, which included a mix of trees and hedgerow plants.
b) The first order had been sent to ‘Apples & Orchards’ and delivery was expected in early spring. The samplings would be delivered to Cllr. R. Walker and stored safely until planting. A second order would be placed with further contributions received for the project. Cllr. R. Walker was given £20.00 in cash from a resident towards the project. This was passed to the Clerk during the meeting and would be banked. No further purchases were currently planned.
c) The Clerk was asked to create a separate tender for grass cutting and maintenance of the Recreation ground. 

• 124/12/21 To discuss correspondence received
  a) It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to allow the Eau Valley Singers to use the second filing cabinet at the village hall in perpetuity.
  b) Following in-depth discussion, it was agreed not to take part in the church’s Christmas Tree Festival as there were no legal powers which would allow the Council to spend precept funds on the structure and fabric of the church.

• 125/12/21 Purchase of bench to commemorate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
  Cllr. R. Walker reported that the Village Hall committee and W.I. were buying a bench which would be placed in front of the village hall. Therefore, it was suggested that a bench could be bought and placed at the Recreation ground. Cllr. R. Walker to obtain quotes and report back to the committee in January 2022.
• 126/12/21 To hear any update from the Village Hall Committee
  Cllr. R. Walker mentioned the Village Hall committee had organised a quiz night to raise funds.
• 127/12/21 Banking
  a) The Clerk had been approved for internet banking and small payments would be trialled in January 2022 so all could familiarise themselves with the procedures involved. The Clerk would obtain paperwork from TSB so that Cllr. A. Robinson could apply for internet access.
  b) It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve the updated Electronic  Payments policy.
• 128/12/21 To approve amended Standing Order 2021-22 and the Website Accessibility Statement
  It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve Standing Orders 2021-22 and the Website Accessibility Statement.
• 129/12/21 Training
  It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to give permission for the Clerk to attend the ‘Clerk’s Networking Day.’
• 130/12/21 Parish Councillors Reports
  There were none.
• 131/12/21 Date of the next meeting
  6th January 2022

The meeting ended at 18:40.