January 2021 Minutes
Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting of Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council held on 26th January 2021 at 7pm. The meeting was held online.
Present: Cllr Philip Baumber (chairman), Cllr Janet Flett (vice-chairman), Cllr David Nelson, Cllr Alistair Brackenbury, Cllr Owen Davies, Cllr Tim Banks, Cllr Rob Kendrick (County Councillor)
In attendance: Jules Wilkins (Clerk and Proper Officer)
One parishioner viewed the meeting
1/21. Chairman’s welcome
The chairman opened the meeting and welcomed all attendees. He invited comment from the parishioner in attendance who stated they were interested in hearing about the pumping work ongoing by the beck in Scopwick.
The chairman informed them that Anglian Water over-pumping had been taking place since Christmas. Anglian Water have improved the filters used and have provided reassurances regarding the quality of the water being pumped into the beck.
2/21. Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given
Apologies were received from Cllr Money (ill health).
3/21. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Brackenbury declared an interest in agenda item 7(a) (New Planning Applications)
Cllrs Flett, Banks, Davies and Nelson declared their interest in agenda item 6(b) (approval of proposed 2021/22 budget and precept requirement).
4/21. Minutes of previous meetings
Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on the 22nd December 2020 and 12th January 2021 were accepted and it was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record.
5/21. Clerks Report
(a) Matters Outstanding
(i) Newsletter
The Clerk updated the meeting on development of the newsletter to be distributed in February 2021. Cllr Flett is leading on this and once the final draft is complete it will be circulated to members.
It was agreed that the newsletter should be restricted to Parish Council business but a separate sheet with other village information would be produced and distributed with it. It was also agreed that the Chairman’s name would be shown below the introduction.
(ii) Tree Inspection
The Clerk updated the meeting on the Tree Survey for Kirkby Green. It was RESOLVED to use NKDC for the survey as this would provide continuity and consistency with the Scopwick survey in 2019.
(iii) Future Tree Planting
This matter was discussed at agenda item 9(c) Proposed tree planting project.
(iv) Cllr Nelson provided an update following his attendance at the Scopwick Groundwater Flood Task & Finish meeting (LCC).
(b) Neighbourhood Planning Group
The chairman invited comment on the minutes from the most recent meeting. No comments were received.
(c) Village Hall Committee Report
The chairman invited comments on the written update provided before the meeting. Cllr Flett informed the meeting that the expected grant had not yet been received.
(d) Playing Field Committee Report
The chairman invited comments on the written update provided before the meeting. The Clerk confirmed that phase two of the play park project will now start on 8th March so as not to clash with the roadworks on Vicarage Lane and that a bid to the National Lottery Fund was being considered for additional work on the playing field.
(e) Community Speed Watch Report
The chairman invited comments on the written update provided before the meeting. No comment made.
(f) Police Report
The chairman invited comments on the written update provided before the meeting. No comment made.
(g) District and County Councillor(s) Reports
The chairman confirmed receipt of Cllr Kendrick’s regular written updates and invited him to comment. Cllr Kendrick informed the meeting that a number of local projects are now progressing including the speed limit on B1188. He confirmed that he will follow up his previous enquiry regarding a pedestrian crossing on the B1188.
In relation to the footbridge replacement work, Cllr Davies requested that the material proposed (fibreglass) be reconsidered as he did not agree that it was any more sustainable than wood and would not fit with the aesthetics of that area of the village. He also asked for a response to a previous query. Cllr Kendrick agreed to follow these up and update the Council.
Cllr Kendrick left the meeting at this point.
(h) Clerks Items for Noting
The Clerk informed the meeting that the Census will be going ahead on Sunday 21st March 2021. Appropriate local advertising will be undertaken by the Clerk in addition to the national campaign by the Office for National Statistics.
6/21. Financial Matters
(a) To approve accounts summary and payments
The members noted the budget statement and payments made since the last meeting:
Co-operative Bank current account: £5,346.81
Co-operative Bank deposit account: £22,010.65
Total funds: £27,357.46
Receipts and payments from 13th November 2020 to 19th January 2021
16/11/20 Creative Play UK ltd Invoice 21973 £4,112.40
30/11/20 H Metcalfe NPG Invoice 416 £2,500.00
30/11/20 J Wilkins Salary November £ 406.80
30/11/20 O Davies Poppy Wreaths £ 34.00
30/11/20 R Baumber (electrician) Invoice 154A £ 71.88
02/12/20 HMRC VAT Refund £4,299.06
17/12/20 H Metcalfe NPG Invoice 419 £4,000.00
23/12/20 LexisNexis Local Council Admin book £ 119.99
04/01/21 J Wilkins Salary December £ 406.80
04/01/21 J Wilkins Expenses Nov-Dec £ 33.78
12/01/21 T Gash (hedges) Invoice 0223 £ 241.80
It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments to be made before the next meeting:
31/01/21 J Wilkins Salary January £ 406.80
31/01/21 J Wilkins Expenses January £ 19.39
28/02/21 J Wilkins Salary February £ 406.80
28/02/21 J Wilkins Expenses February £ 20.38
(b) To approve adjustments to proposed 2021/22 budget and precept requirement
The Clerk confirmed that the proposed budget had been reduced in order to ensure that the 2021/22 precept requirement is the same as 2020/21.
It was RESOLVED to accept the adjusted budget for submission to North Kesteven District Council.
The chairman requested that this news is included in the newsletter.
7/21. Planning Matters
The chairman commented on the lack of detail in some new planning applications. There were no further comments made regarding the new applications.
8/21. Correspondence
The chairman invited comment on the Correspondence Log. The Clerk informed the meeting of an introductory email received from the Safer Together Team and suggested the Team could be invited to the Parish meeting in May.
9/21. Matters for Resolution
(a) Charitable donation for website support
The request from LALC for voluntary contributions to a charitable donation in recognition of the support provided to Parish Councils in moving onto the new LCC websites was discussed and it was RESOLVED that a contribution of £50 be made via LALC.
(b) New recruitment and selection policy & procedure
The chairman invited comments on the proposed new policy and procedure. No amendments were proposed, and it was RESOLVED that the policy be adopted and published on the website.
(c) Proposed requirements for tree planting
Cllr Nelson informed the meeting of the proposed plan for tree planting along the beck to replace trees felled last year and in anticipation of older tree loss. He also informed the meeting that a grant was available through the Tree Council and must be applied for before March 2021.
Following a discussion it was RESOLVED that Cllr Nelson obtain 3 quotes and that the final planting plan could be agreed by the council outside the meeting.
Cllr Nelson expressed concerns about the proposed verge works opposite the village hall on Beckside, specifically that no allowance for drainage had been incorporated in the plan. Cllr Nelson agreed to work with the Clerk to respond to LCC on this.
Cllr Flett enquired whether members thought it would be appropriate to organise a litter pick in March. Some concerns were expressed and it was agreed that the Clerk would as NKDC for guidance.
10/21. Date of Next Meeting
The chairman thanked those in attendance and confirmed that the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 30th March 2021 and will be online.
Minutes submitted by:
Jules Wilkins, Clerk and Proper Officer. Email: clerkscopwick@gmail.com