May 28 - Annual Parish Council Meeting
Minutes of the Annual Langtoft Parish Council (LPC)Meeting on Tuesday 28 May 2024 at 19:00 in the Village Hall
Present: Cllrs. Colin Gamble (Chair), Brian Branch (Vice Chair), Yvonne McCulloch, Julian Tatam, Steve Valentine and Kevin Payne
In Attendance: 0 Members of the public and Sarah Gresty-Parish Clerk
Agenda
24/25-20 Election of Chairman. Cllr. Bev Farrington had expressed her interest to be considered for nomination in her absence. No other nominations received. Proposal: To elect Bev as chair for 2024/25. Proposed by Cllr. Gamble, Seconded Cllr. Valentine and unanimous in favour-RESOLVED.
a) Action: Signing of Declaration of Acceptance of Office would be arranged by the clerk.
24/25-21 Election of Vice Chairman Cllr. Brian Branch was nominated and elected as vice chair for 2024/25. Proposed by Cllr. valentine, Seconded Cllr. Tatam and unanimous in favour-RESOLVED.
a) Cllr. Branch signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office
24/25-22 Parish Councillors forming Langtoft Parish Council were also confirmed as Cllrs. Julian Tatam, Steve Valentine, Yvonne McCulloch, Colin Gamble and Kevin Payne.
24/25-23 Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Bev Farrington. These apologies were unanimously accepted.
Other Apologies: had been received from Cllr. Vanessa Smith, Pete Coles and Cllr. Rosemary Trollope-Bellew.
24/25-24 Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests: None received.
Suspension of the meeting was not required as no members of the public were in attendance.
24/25-25 Public Forum: None.
24/25-26 Minutes of :
a) 23 April 2024 Parish Council meeting were presented as a true and accurate record of events. Proposed acceptance Cllr. Gamble , Seconded Cllr. McCulloch. Cllrs. Tatam and Payne abstained due to absence, remaining Councillors unanimous in favour - RESOLVED.
b) Annual Parish Meeting – 10 May 2024 were presented as a true and accurate record of events. Proposed acceptance Yonne McCulloch, Seconded Julian Tatam - RESOLVED.
c) Actions from Minutes:
i. Costs obtained from Baston PC for Solar powered SID camera - £2700 inc VAT, this would be further considered in budget preparations for 25/26.
ii. Costs researched for Interactive audio boards as seen at a recent stately home - £2250-£2700 these were too expensive to pursue.
iii. Noted tree works required on the cemetery trees would commence on 13 June.
iv. Cllr. Payne would undertake the cleaning of the bus stop windows from now on.
v. Cllr. Payne would undertake the power washing of the park surfaces and play equipment.
vi. The Rides balance pond clearance by SKDC is scheduled for autumn 2024.
vii. Geese signs. It was noted with disappointment that the signs have been stolen.
24/25-27 Reports from :
a) Cllr. Vanessa Smith SKDC County Councillor. An annual summary report was distributed to Councillors.
It has been a privilege and a pleasure to have served as one of the District Councillor for Langtoft over the past year. Last May saw a change in Leadership at SKDC with Independents, Greens and Liberal Democratics forming a majority group. The council was initially led by Cllr Cleaver before Cllr Baxter took over in January 2024.
The council is working to improve its housing provision, deliver good value for money, engage more with communities, improve transparency, and meet the challenges of climate change.
Of note, over the past year, funds have been put aside to help with the reopening of Deeping Leisure Centre. LED street lighting has been approved. Twin stream recycling, with separate paper and card collection, has been rolled out. Twelve houses were purchased in Langtoft initially for Ukrainian refugees which will later revert to social housing. Money has been made available for various community projects. A tree officer at SKDC has now been budgeted for. SKDC's proportion of the council tax rose by 3%. For many residents of Tallington and Greatford the most notable event of the past year was the flooding caused by Storm Henk. SKDC assisted during the flooding itself and later with the clean up operation. Toilets and skips were provided.
Over the past year I have done my best to support the community and voice local concerns the council.
I can confirm the Ryefield fence repair is scheduled with the contractor to be undertaken on Thursday 30th May. I would like to thank everyone for supporting me with this.
b)Police Reports are received and circulated and made available on website/noticeboard upon receipt.
24/25-28 Appointments to Working Groups Leads:
a) Amenities - Cllr. Valentine
b) Finance and General Purpose - Cllr Tatam
c) Cemetery - Cllr. Branch
d) Events - Cllr. Farrington
e) Grapevine Magazine – Cllr. McCulloch
f) Penfield – Representative on Committee Cllr. Tatam
g) East End Pond Project – Pete Coles
Other Tasks
a) Speed Indicator signs – Cllr. Valentine
b) Facebook - Cllr. Valentine
Other Appoints of Representatives to outside bodies
a) Village Hall – Cllr. Farrington
b) Hyde and Mossop - Debbie Hallam. It was proposed to nominate Velma Denniston for a further 4 year term Cllr. Gamble, Seconded Cllr. Tatam and unanimous in favour-RESOLVED.
Planning – All Councillors are part of the planning response process, with Cllr. Gamble collating the final decision from LPC.
24/25-29 Updates and reports from Working Groups or Committees.
a) East End Pond – The question of fencing was discussed. Proposal: To approve a curved fence, with no gates at a knee/mid thigh height. Cllr. Valentine, Seconded Cllr. Gamble and unanimous in favour-RESOLVED.
b) Hyde & Mossop – Accounts were noted.
c) Amenities – gardeners job description and workload. – Action: Clerk to circulate a report for further consideration.
Clerk to circulate SKDC and LCC grass cutting map areas.
Grass has been missed outside Ash Close. Action: report on fix my street.
d) Events:
Parish Walk was well attended and a good evening. Next year ensure all dogs to be kept on leads.
Annual Parish Meeting - Cheese & Wine was a huge success bringing residents and groups together to share information. Thanks were expressed to Cllr. Farrington and McCulloch. Possible consideration for next year Councillors to wear lanyards for identification.
e) Penfield A grant has been received from SKDC Prosperity Fund for £17769 for viewing platform, signage and way markers.
There is an Open Day on Saturday 8 June, for which the committee would like to borrow the parish council’s marquee.
A nature day for year 6 pupils had to be postponed due to bad weather.
It is hoped that another Wildlife evening event will take place on 11 December.
24/25-30 Regulatory Documents (all documents available on the website)
a) Standing Orders – no amendments presented
b) Financial Regulations – new draft Action: c/f to next meeting
c) Fixed Asset Register – as per audited accounts 2023/24
d) SKDC Code of Conduct. – no amendments presented
e) Risk Assessment – Action: c/f to next meeting
f) All Policies – no amendments presented
Action: New policies to be drafted Social Media Policy and a Financial Reserves Policy.
Proposal: to resolve and adopt all the unamended documents reviewed above. Proposed Cllr. Gamble, Seconded Cllr. McCulloch and unanimous in favour.
g) Emergency Plan – Action: c/f to next meeting – Cllr. Gamble
24/25-31 Insurance provision from 1 June 2024 continuation of 3 year agreement with Clear Council (formally RHIB) £552.08 was noted. Proposed Cllr. Gamble, Seconded Cllr. Valentine.
24/25-32 Finance 2023/24 Year end all documents had been circulated prior to the meeting.
a) Acceptance of the audited account.
b) Recommendations from the internal auditor’s narrative report were noted
c) Annual Internal Auditor’s Report 2023/2024
d) Annual Governance Statement 2023-2024
e) Accounting Statements 2023-2024
f) Bank reconciliation 2023-2024
g) Explanation of variances
h) Agree the dates for the period of public rights 3 June-12 July 2024
Proposal: to resolve and adopt and sign all the 2023/24 accounting documents shown above. Proposed Cllr. Gamble, Seconded Cllr. Tatam and unanimous in favour.
24/25-33 Current Year 2024/25
a) Audit Procedures for 2024/25 was confirmed by the clerk to be Derek Risk
b) Salary scales with effect from 1 April 2024 for employees were confirmed as:
- Clerk currently in accordance with the NJC SCP scale 15 £12.84 per hour based on 624 hours per year which includes holiday entitlement.
- Gardner/Handyman in accordance with the NJC SCP scale 3 £11.82 per hour based on 520 hours per year which included holiday entitlement.
c) Budgetary payments such as salary and HMRC payments, direct debits, mowing contractors, grapevine, grant expenditure, Insurance, staff and councillor expenses if these fall between meeting dates were confirmed.
d) Financial Report for the period 01 April 2024 to 16 May 2024 with bank statements were received.
e) Resolve Payments as follows:
a/c Ref Date To Whom Subject £
1 10/05/2024 LALC inv 14743 website 5 hrs £108
2 10/05/2024 LALC inv 14514 subscription £464.72
3 29/04/2024 S Gresty clerk April salary £601.2
4 29/04/2024 N Bright gardeners April salary £409.8
5 17/04/2024 Clear Councils insurance 24/25 £552.08
6 17/04/2024 P Coles petrol receipt EEP £15.07
7 17/04/2024 N Bright reimbursement of Mower £200.00
8 17/04/2024 Ionos inv 203041566725 £6.00
9 20/04/2024 Wave cemetery water to 4.4.24 £18.21
10 20/04/2024 WDIDB rates agri. Drainage rates £15.19
11 20/04/2024 Ionos inv203041651748 £6.60
12 09/05/2024 TDP Ltd inv 113572 £513.56
13 09/05/2024 Graytones inv35866 £470.00
14 09/05/2024 A Harrison Penfield expenses £41.39
15 09/05/2024 BDG Mowing inv 24/1493 £246.00
16 09/05/2024 P Coles EE Pond expenses £961.50
17 09/05/2024 Branch Brothers invs 64755/64921 £39.68
18 09/05/2024 N Bright April expenses £36.90
19 16/05/2024 B Farrington Annual parish expenses£246.50
20 16/05/2024 D Risk audit account 23/24 £100.00
21 16/05/2024 N Bright Gardener May salary £409.80
22 16/05/2024 S Gresty Clerk May salary £601.20
23 16/05/2024 N Bright may expenses £91.75
Proposal: to resolve and adopt all the 2023/24 accounting documents shown above. Proposed Cllr. Gamble, Seconded Cllr. Tatam and unanimous in favour.
Emergency spending resolution.
The strimmer had broken. Proposal: To purchase a new strimmer up to the value of £350. Proposed Cllr. Branch, Seconded Cllr. Valentine and unanimous in favour-RESOLVED. Action: Clerk to work with gardener to source the best price and machine.
f) Income received was noted.
a/c ref Date From Whom £
1 04/04/2024 SKDC £17077.00
2 08/04/2024 Co op £135
3 08/04/2024 Co op £90
4 11/04/2024 SKDC UK Shared P Fund £17769.00
5 11/04/2024 Co op £45.00
6 16/05/2024 Kevin payne £16.24
7 15/05/2024 Co op £90.00
8 14/05/2024 HJM Memorial £45.00
24/25-34 Parish Council Meeting dates for 2025. 7 Jan, 18 Feb, 1 Apr, 13 May, 24 June, 2 Sept, 14 Oct, 25th Nov Annual Parish Meeting TBC were confirmed.
24/25-35 Planning Applications received since last meeting and any updates of existing planning.
S23/0808 Proposal: Section 211 notice to pollard willow trees labelled T1, T2 and G1 by 2.5m in height. Street Record, New Road.
S24/0755 Proposal: replacement dwelling with associated hard and soft landscaping. Langtoft Stables, Cross Road.
Outgang Road issues were still under investigation with SKDC planning and enforcement Officer.
24/25-36 Correspondence received from last meeting was noted from the agenda.
24/25-37 To receive Items for Future Meetings
Grapevine review
Date of future meetings: 2024: 16 July, 10 Sept, 22 Oct, 26 Nov
Meeting Closed at 20:46