2022 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

                               KIRTON PARISH COUNCIL

 
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL 
HELD ON THURSDAY 24TH MAY 2022

Present:        Councillors:     P. Watson, Chair, C. Brotherton, Vice Chair, D. Jarvis, L. ’Connor, 
S. Watson
Acting Clerk D. Fairweather.
Also Present:        County Cllr M Brookes 2 members of the public

PUBLIC FORUM
Ann Booth originally to give annual report of Town Hall Committee but will now leave until the Annual Parish Meeting on 31st May.

    REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES
Cllr Brookes advised that roadworks in the village.  The main reasons given by the Flood and Water Manager of Lincolnshire County Council are ground conditions and unforeseen shortage of supplies.  The project team are working closely with the contract and are hoping the works will be completed within the initial time scale for the end of June but being realistic it may extend over that period.  Cllr O’Connor suggested public should be advised of this.
Complaints have been received from the Co-Op and Kirton Cottage.

Cllr Watson reporting for Boston Borough that £150 rebates are now being processed.

Cllr Brookes left the meeting.

46-22 THE ELECTION OF CHAIR AND COMPLETION OF DECLARATION OF OFFICE.
Proposed Cllr Jarvis, seconded Cllr S Watson that Cllr P Watson continue for another year.  With no further nominations Cllr P Watson accepted and the Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed.

47-22 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND REASONS GIVEN.
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs Baillie, Brown, Pryke and County Cllr Austin.

48-22 RECEIPT OF ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH 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.

49-22 THE ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR AND COMPLETION OF DECLARATION OF OFFICE
Proposed Cllr O’Connor, seconded Cllr that Cllr Jarvis be elected to Vice Chair.  No further nominations, Cllr Jarvis accepted, and the Declaration of Office was duly signed.

50-22 TO ELECT PARISH COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES
Cllr O’Connor proposed these elections be deferred to the following meeting when all Council will be there.  All agreed

51-22 TO ELECT PARISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
Cllr O’Connor proposed these elections be deferred to the following meeting when all Council will be there.  All agreed

52-22 TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE NOTES OF THE EXTRA ORDINARY MEETING OF 4TH APRIL AND THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING FROM 26TH APRIL 2022
Extra Ordinary Meeting of 4th April – proposed Cllr S Watson seconded Cllr Jarvis that these being a true copy to become minutes – unanimous
Parish Council Meeting of 26th April – proposed Cllr S Watson seconded Cllr Jarvis that these being a true copy to become minutes – unanimous.

53-22 TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM CLERK
Held meeting with resident from last meeting at cemetery regarding the sunken grave and agreed that PC would have our cemetery man fill and make good.
Visited numerous sites with tree problems and received quotes, hence would like delegated powers at finance point to deal without having to return to meetings each time, just for the time being as these have been going on for more than a year now.
Meeting with Barbara next week, with staff appraisal and pay rise.
Bench installed in cemetery with no support – unhappy with contractor.  Also not happy with maintenance contractors as had to ask for areas to be cut i.e. cemetery very overgrown.
Received PC quote for Middlecott Close residence but she is still awaiting hers.

54-22 TO RECEIVE JUBILEE UPDATES
Cllrs Watson had successful walk around village obtaining sponsors and raffle prize offers.
Flag and memorabilia arrive.
Oak Tree to be collected coming Friday
Music from Primary School on memory stick to play on day.
Everything going to plan at present.

55-22 TO RECEIVE UPDATES ON TOWN HALL PARKING
a)    Restrictions for Town Hall Parking – initiated following the comments from A. Booth of the parking problems in their Town Hall Car Park when functions are on, and parking has been restricted by unlawful parking.  Needs to be two separate signs for Town Hall parking and Parish Council parking.
b)    Time Restrictions for Parish Council Car Park. Suggested a 4-hour maximum time limit to resolve problems of all day parking and overnight parking, particularly of trade vehicles.
c)    To Resolve Parking Issues to the rear of the Town Hall near Fire Brigade Access.  A retractable bollard was perhaps required to stop parking at school times, potentially blocking fire tender.
Clerk had brought details of company being used by another council with no cost to the Council.
Proposed Cllr P Watson seconded Cllr Jarvis informal meeting with Town Hall Committee on the way forward. Unanimous

56-22 FINANCE – 
To Approve Payment of Accounts as per schedule. Proposed Cllr S Watson, seconded Cllr Jarvis.  All agreed
To Discuss/Approve format for payments to appear on website. Clerk had brough to the table examples from other Parish Councils. All agreed the tidiest would-be payments listed in a box at the bottom of minutes published.
To Discuss/Approve purchase of sound system for Jubilee initially.  Required for the Jubilee but would be an asset on other occasions at the Town Hall.  Proposed Cllr Jarvis seconded Cllr O’Connor.  Unanimous.
To Discuss/Approve donation towards RBL flagpole.  Following the installation of the flagpole at the war memorial, prior to obtaining permission, Royal British Legion had asked if donation originally offered could be made.  
Cllr O’Connor felt this should be a donation towards their funds with no specific spending. Balance short of purchase and installation was £97.  Cllr proposed £100 be donated, seconded S Watson.  Unanimous.
To Discuss/Approve Delegated Powers for Tree Works in Village.  As previously mentioned, some of the tree works in the village have been outstanding for some time and the clerk had requested delegated powers for works to be carried out without the need to bring to meetings each time quotes had been received for works to be done.  As £10,000 had been budgeted for trees it was proposed Cllr S Watson seconded Cllr O’Connor to give delegated powers.  Request made by Council for updates of what trees and where were being attended to.
To Discuss Cost of Half Plot in Cemetery. £732 - £366.  Clerk had previously mentioned numerous requests for larger memorials for ashes interments.  At present if a full-sized memorial is required a full plot has to be purchased at a cost of £732.  Clerk suggested a row for such cases be set aside in the cemetery with plots being 4’ by 4’ instead of the full 8’ by 4’ at a purchase price of £466.  Council agreed this to be a sympathetic idea.  Proposed Cllr S Watson seconded Cllr Brotherton.  Unanimous.

57-22 PLANNING – DISCUSS AND REPORT ON APPLICATIONS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST MEETING.
B/22/0180 51 London Road – erection of 6no dwellings including associated garages, roads and sewers. No objections
B/22/0187 Plot 7, The Paddock, Donington Road, Kirton End – application for change of use of land from agricultural to Domestic Garden. No objections
B/22/0167 Ashton House, Skeldyke Road – proposed two storey side extension and alterations. No objections

a) DISCUSS NAMING OF TWO STREETS IN THE NEW DEVELOPMENT OFF LONDON ROAD.  After discussions, with this being a significant year for the reign of the Queen, it was proposed Cllr P Watson seconded Cllr Jarvis that Jubilee Street and Queens Street be put forward to planning.
  
59-22 TO RESOLVE TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS JUDICIAL MEDIATION
Resolved to go into closed session for updates of Tribunal.  Agreed that a one-off payment be offered, as per legal advice with a non-disclosure agreement attached.  Offer to be made as per legal advice.  Proposed Cllr Jarvis seconded Cllr Brotherton.  4 in agreement, 1 abstention.
Claim against PC for unpaid salary payments. Responded to Claim, PC not liable for any amounts claimed.  
Suggested Clerk take legal advice regarding this, and a contra claim and as to whether additional actions are required with any other parties.

60-22 TO RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE
Resident at 30 Station Road, initially complaining of state of grassed area which forms part of the PC’s contract.  Asking if he maintains it can he just put up some 18” poles with chain linked fencing to stop parents parking on it and basically call it his.  It appears to be one of those areas that belong to no-one as the school say it is not theirs.  Cllr Brotherton requested further investigations be made as to the ownership.  Clerk to update resident.

Date Of next Meeting 28th June 2022