Meetings 2024

Present:                               Cllr Lucy Robb, Cllr Anne Booth, Cllr Hannah Weston Smith, Cllr Nickey Pretty, Cllr Martin Smith

Also Present:                     Nicky Bush (Clerk)

Public Forum:                    Two residents

One of the residents thanked the Parish Council for installing the light on the alley on West Street and commented that the fence has now also been replaced by the housing association.  The same resident confirmed that he had seen LCC clearing the drain that had been reported by the park and they stated it had the wrong connections and so they would be back to fix it.

Meeting started 7.10 pm

24/181 Chair’s remarks.

None

24/182 Apologies for absence and reasons given.

Cllr C Lack gave apologies. It was resolved to accept the apologies.

Cllr M Turner (SKDC) had advised that he would not be able to attend.

24/183 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

            None

24/184 Draft minutes of the meeting held on 23-05-24 to be confirmed and signed as minutes.

It was resolved to accept the above notes as minutes.They were confirmed and signed by the Vice Chair.

24/185 Financial matters: Accounts for payment and budget figures, including report, up to 09.01.24.

Bank Balances

Lloyds Treasurers account     £  3,673.00

Lloyds Savings account            £     502.50

Natwest account                      £23,806.17

In addition, the clerk confirmed that she has received an additional invoice from J Kirby for grass cutting on 07/07/24

The Clerk also advised that a credit note has now been received from EON regarding the reconnection charge and presented a direct debit form for signing

It was resolved to accept the accounts for payment including the additional invoice, and the direct debit form was signed for EON.

The actual expenditure was reviewed against the budget to date.

Action: Clerk to make outstanding payments.

24/186 Planning:

S24/0871 application to vary conditions of S17/2440 conversion of shop/restaurant and apartment above into 2 dwellings

This application is changes to design which are in keeping with neighbouring properties, no comments or concerns

S24/0763 – replace annexe roof re-using existing ridge tiles and sourcing new slate of the same type and colour as existing slates

No comments or concerns

Cllr MS reported that he has tried to make contact with the solar farm with regards to times scales and plans but has had no response.It was resolved that the clerk would look back on previous correspondence and follow up.

Action: Clerk to pass comments onto the planning dept and contact GS Capital regarding the Washdyke Solar Farm

24/187 Correspondence

Cllr Lack has been in communication with the litter picker who has queried the bin that is beside the Pavilion.  It is though this may be the one that was previously at the gate and the Cllrs will look at moving it back there.

Action: Cllrs to look at this and if need be move it back.

24/188 Clerks report.

The clerk reported that the funding option that was being looked at for both the pavilion and the phone box had been suspended once the election was announced.  She is monitoring the situation to see if it reopens under the new governments.  It was resolved that Cllr MS go ahead with the planning permission for the phonebox

The clerk has looked into the Community Orchard funding, and the application is very extensive and would require expert knowledge.  This is more for much larger orchards than the Parish Council has considered.  A link to another option was explored, however these packages were for packs of around 100 trees.  It was resolved at this time not to go forward with this.

Action:  None

24/171 Updates from LCC/SKDC

None

24/172 Pavilion/CCTV

The Clerk reported that EON, despite speaking to them regarding taking over the electricity supply on 13th May, subsequently cut off the supply on 12th June, quoting a reconnection fee.  The supply is being reconnected on 17th May and a complaint opened, and we have now received a credit note for the reconnection fee paid.

The clerk reported that she had finally manage to get hold of the solicitors as the football club do not have the records that she requested.  It was agreed that deed of surrender letter could be drawn up based on the actions we have already taken with regards to key changes and insurance on the building, which would be signed by the Chair and submitted to the Land registry.  Currently the solicitors are being chased as this letter has not yet been received.

Action: Clerk to keep chasing the solicitor.

24/173 Playing field

Allotments

Following communications with the tenants, the clerk has been informed by one that plot no 9 will be surrendered in September and Cllr LR has been in communication with plot 10 who have now also confirmed they may be giving theirs up.

It was discussed and agreed that the rents need to be reviewed with an increase in deposit to cover any remedial works needed when plots are surrendered, along with a procedure being put in place with regards to plots that appear not to be used

Play area

Cllr LR confirmed that the funding for the roundabout has been unsuccessful, so she has therefore given the go ahead to the contractor as per the agreement at the last meeting to use ringfenced funds.  Work should potentially take place next week subject to the weather conditions.

No response has been received regarding the funding for the new benches yet and it was agreed that J Kirby would remove the old benches prior to the next playground inspection.

Action: Clerk to look at putting a procedure together regarding allotments and research into allotment rental costs.

24/174 Neighbourhood Plan

Cllr MS reported that he has sent out a lot of information to the group but has not yet received anything back.

Action: None

24/175 Grass Cutting

Following a second complaint regarding the grass cutting, the Clerk contacted LCC who have sent dates planned for the three cuts per year they carry out.  Cllr MT also forwarded the response that he received from SKDC following on from the discussion at the last meeting. There were two key areas of concern, which were both SKDC areas and following a compliant made to them we received a reply to apologies. These areas had been missed on the last visit and they have since been cut.  Cllrs AB and CL met up with our contractor to discuss the cutting and timescales going forward and Cllr AB will notify the grass contractor if weather conditions mean this need bringing forward.  A price has also been agreed for the edges of the verges to be strimmed, which will be done on the next cutting visit. It was resolved that the number of cuts remain as they are, in line with our current budget as any increase in cuts would have an impact on the precept requirement which ultimately has to be covered by the residents.

Action:. Clerk to feedback to the resident

24/176 Tree Management Plan

The clerk confirmed that she has spoken to a local company who would be able to assess the trees and who currently to this for other councils but was unsure or the areas that need to be covered.  It was resolved that the areas to be assessed are those that are on the grass cutting map.

Action:. Clerk to send details of the areas to be assessed to obtain a quotation for the assessment

24/177 Other village matters.

The Feastival held in the village last weekend was again a huge success with very positive feedback from the village residents and proceeds going towards the upkeep of the green.

It was resolved that the meeting go into a closed session and the residents left the meeting.

24/178 Co-option of Councillor

As no applications have been received it was resolved that the position would be readvertised and a discussion held with regards to who could potentially be approached.

Action: Clerk to readvertise the post, which will be shared on the local facebook site.

Meeting Closed 8.15 pm

Date of next meeting:  19 September 2024 7.00 pm

Signed:                                                                                                    (In the chair)