April 2022 Minutes
KIRTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 26th April 2022 IN THE CHRIST CHURCH HALL, KIRTON HOLME
Present: Councillors:
P. Watson, Chair, C. Brotherton, Vice Chair, D. Jarvis, L. O’Connor, R. Pryke, and S. Watson
Acting Clerk D. Fairweather.
Also Present:
County Councillor Brookes and 7 members of the public
PUBLIC FORUM
Member of public asking why precept increased by 6%. Chair explained ongoing expenses justified the increase, particularly with the number of trees the Parish Council are responsible for. Resident to be sent a more detailed explanation. Also questioned if the potential costs regarding previous clerk would come out of public spending. Chair advised could not comment as this was an ongoing situation and further discussion were to take place in closed session, but there is insurance in place for this matter. Also questioned why monthly payments are not published on the website as they should legally be. Agreed to put on agenda to approve format.
POLICE REPORT vandalism on seat at war memorial CCTV couldn’t detect. Vandalism to church wall. Cllr Baillie checking if Church insurance covers these areas.
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES Cllr Brookes – information on Kirton Drainage works, Jubilee Close and Hardwick Estate which Chair was also aware of.
Lincolnshire County Council has a County Views Panel and asking for as many people to join as possible for surveys and consultation. Form left for nominees. Cllr Brookes left the meeting.
33-22 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllrs Baillie and Brown. County Councillor Austin.
34-22 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST UNDER THE LOCALISM ACT 2011
Cllr P. Watson declared membership of the Boston Borough Council Planning Committee and would not therefore take part in discussions on planning applications.
Cllr S Watson declared she is married to P Watson who is on the Planning Committee.
35-22 TO APPROVE NOTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING ON 22ND MARCH 2022.
Proposed Cllr Jarvis, seconded Cllr O’Connor that these be accepted as a true record to become minutes. Resolved.
36-22 TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM CLERK AND APPROVE ACTING CLERK TO BE PARISH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STANDARDS SUB COMMITTEE
British Legion Flag application, deadline passed, to start again as retrospective.
No success with CCJ Defendant. Will have to start claim again.
Dame Sarah Swift. Clerk speaking with BBC play inspector of ways forward. Grant funding sourced. Looking into gaining electric supply from adjacent development for CCTV. Clerk meeting with Alarmline. Table and chair previously vandalised now retrieved and is awaiting repair.
Previous clerk was representative on Standards Sub Committee, BBC asking for replacement. All agreed clerk to take on post.
37-22 TO RECEIVE JUBILEE UPDATES INCLUDING APPROVAL OF DISPERSAL OF ANY POTENTIAL PROFITS
Couple of local businesses willing to donate prizes. Chair to write to all suppliers of PC for donations to keep the event free to the residents, with minimum cost to PC. Trailer lent from local haulier, clerk to include on PC’s insurance for the event. Drinks bottles for primary school children. Pens for prizes on the day. Tree to be planted with Mayor attending with vice Mayor and Vicar, a red oak. Jubilee committee discussed where any potential profits could go to. Proposed Cllr S Watson seconded Cllr O’Connor to go to PCC funds. Unanimous.
38-22 FINANCE Accounting statements previously distributed with clerk emphasizing the importance of understanding what they are agreeing to sign.
a) To Approve Annual Government and Accountability. Proposed Cllr S Watson, seconded Cllr Jarvis to approve prior to completion of internal audit from Steve Fletcher. Unanimous
b) To Approve Annual Statement of Account all agreed with LALC internal audit this year proposed Cllr O’Connor, seconded Cllr Brotherton to approve prior to completion of internal audit from Steve Fletcher, Unanimous.
c) To Approve Payment of Accounts as per schedule. Proposed Cllr S Watson seconded Cllr Pryke. Unanimous.
d) To Discuss/Approve Donation to Kirton Holme for Their Jubilee Celebrations. Preparations going well with committee also wanting to make the event free to the residents. Following Cllr Brotherton attending a meeting, request made for contribution from PC. Proposed Cllr Jarvis, seconded O’Connor £500 donation. Unanimous.
e) To Discuss Contributions Towards Bench Repair in Kirton End resident that had planted bulbs at Kirton End Junction prepared to repair seat. PC agreed to pay for materials at a cost of £140. Proposed Cllr P Watson, seconded Cllr Brotherton, Unanimous
39-22 PLANNING applications received since last month
B/22/0144 Plots 12 & 13 off London Road after Baitstrands on right – no objection
B/22/0155 30 King Street – single storey extension – no obejction
B/22/0160 Seadyke Road conversion of agricultural to dwelling – no objection
B/22/0156 The Peacock – conversion of existing building to 5 dwellings. Objected on the grounds are too many residential plots in the area with no parking on site. Parking in the Market Place going to be an issue for local businesses. An area where children are crossing. PC to request that this application is put to full Planning Committee
40-22 TO DISCUSS COUNCILLOR TRAINING
Clerk had asked 5 surrounding parishes if they would like to join Kirton in a local training session for new councillors but only Wigtoft responded with no thanks. There is a zoom meeting for new councillor’s 13th and 19th July.
Cllr S Watson requesting if a planning session is to be arranged in the future.
41-22 TO DISCUSS KIRTON DRAINAGE PROJECT ROAD CLOSURE
Many local complaints regarding the closure of roads where no apparent work has yet commenced. Local done pictures on social media. Conversations with Drainage Manager advised there was a considerable amount of preparation works with Health & Safety issues, employee services etc. Works actually now in progress.
42-22 TO DISCUSS TOWN HALL COMMITTEE CAR PARK SPACE
Town Hall Management Committee requesting if anything could be done regarding rising problems with long term parking in both theirs and the PC car park. Clerk advised Donington had taken on a firm whereby parking was on a self-ticketing basis. Clerk to bring details to next meeting.
43-22 TO RESOLVE TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR UPDATES RE PREVIOUS CLERK, COUNTY COURT AND TRIBUNAL
Previous clerk had now made a claim in the small courts for repayment of underpayment of wages. P45 and confirmation letter explaining details had not been questioned. Unanimous to reject claim and make a counter claim, along lines of external audit, but extend to check records for the previous 3 years. Deadline 9th May to be extended for the 14 days allowed to accumulate details.
44-22 MEMBERS REPORTS
Cllr P Watson, regarding problems in Jubilee Close and Hardwick Estate. These issues were for Highways to resolve, Cllr P Watson to speak with Cllrs Austin and Brookes
45-22 TO RECEIVE CORESPSONDENCE
Request from relative for remedial works to a garden of rest memorial. Some in the first 5 rows are sinking and, although the lady thinks this is the new building works, I believe it is because at the beginning the memorials do not look as if they have been mounted on slabs. Health and safety hazard but may be a good exercise to survey plots they may require this remedial work and have £1,000 contingency under delegated powers in order that if further requests come forward it can be addressed. Looking at a quick glance there is approximately 20 that may also require works. Clerk to meet with relatives at cemetery.
Resident from Kings Court complaining of overgrowth in passageway adjacent to her residence. Contractors are cutting grass but not attending overgrown shrubs. Clerk spoken with Firth’s as this forms part of their contract.
Date of next meeting Tuesday 24th May 2022