April 2023 Minutes
Kettlethorpe Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 11th April 2023 in Kettlethorpe Village Hall
PRESENT:
Cllr R Elliott, Chairman
Cllr R Barnard
Cllr C Turner
Cllr J Willis
Mr Geoff Cleworth, Clerk
APOLOGIES
Cllr P Bussoopun, D/Cllr J Ellis
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The Minutes of the meeting held on 14th March 2023 had been circulated to all councillors and were proposed, seconded and approved by all Councillors.
PROGRESS REPORTS
Jubilee Park
There had been no progress in. Cllr Barnard will enquire as to the state of Mr Bingham’s health with a view to arranging a date for the work. Cllr Elliott will enquirie regarding an alternative contractor to re-instal the missing bricks. In order to make some progress, it was felt that councillors could undertake the installation of the new springies.
Christmas lights
The Clerk had written to SSE to enquire if they could supply power at an economic rate, but had not received a reply to date.It was felt that this was realistically the last avenue open to finding a power supplier and if unsuccessful, the Council will pursue the fitting of an exterior power socket at the Clerk’s address.
Parish notice boards
There had been no progress.
Update of website
The Clerk’s course at LALC was on 21st April. When completed, he will liaise with Cllr Turner to arrange taking over the management of the website. .
Contribution to Church grass cutting expenses
The Clerk had analysed the invoices supplied by Mrs Gilbert and found the Church’s costs for 2021 were £1560, not £1680 as claimed. Looking at our agreement with All Round Gardens, the cutting of the grass in the Parish cemetery formed part of this. The possibility existed that this cost was being paid both by the Church and the Council and the Clerk will ask Mrs Gilbert to check the Church’s agreement with All Round Gardens. The meeting agreed to pay our 2021 contribution of £529. Mrs Gilbert will be requested to send invoices for the Council’s contribution by our November meeting, to assist with the Precept claim.
Speeding
The Clerk had contacted Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership about further action to deter speeding motorists. LRSP had replied to the effect that several stages needed to be completed, starting with the deployment of Community Speedwatch.Given the lack of volunteersfrom the Parish in the past, a flyer will be produced in an attempt to drum up volunteers. The Chairman will sound out Mr Smith regarding leading the project.
Dog fouling / dogs attacking parishioners
There had beenno progress. It was decided to add a reminder to dog oweners on the flyer dealing with speeding mentioned above,
Facebook account
There had been no progress. The Chairman will speak to former Cllr Smith to request the existing account be closed down. The Clerk will open a new account designated Kettlethorpe & Laughterton Parish Council.
LOCAL POLICING ISSUES
The Police crime report for March had been received. No incidents affected the Parish.
CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence for March/April to date had been distributed to all Councillors.
PLANNING
Application reference 144120
There had been no progress. When the eight week waiting period has elapsed, the Clerk will raise the matter with the Ombudsman.
FINANCE
The payment of the following invoice for March/April to date was agreed by the Council:
already paid: F5 COMPUTING – invoice 12271 monthly charge - £40.86.
CLERK – PAYE AND SALARY for March had been paid.
PARISH ACCOUNTS
end of March – balance £8800.62; expenditure £20021.76
These were agreed and accepted by the meeting
The Clerk had completed the accounts following the year eand and these were ready for audit. He explained that owing to domestic issues, he would be grateful if Cllr Barnard could deliver the accounts to Mrs Simpson for the audit.
The Clerk asked the Council to consider setting a finite amount aside as the balance remaining from the moneys received to fund Jubilee Park. This would enable the Council to be clearer about future budgeting. This was agreed and the amount set at 50% of the balance remaining at the year ended 31st March 2023, namely £4400.
The Clerk had updated the Asset Register to reflect items bought in the Rectors Walk project, the new laptop and printer, and festive lights. The flagpole was placed in the uninsured section, as the cost was less than the excess on the insurance policy.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
(1) The Clerk had completed and submitted the pre-renewal questionnaire from our insurers.
(2) The Clerk had delivered the election nomination papers received by him to WLDC. We will have five candidates for the election, and it will therefore be uncontested. Cllr Willis had neglected to submit his papers. The Councilis obliged vto bring the number of councillors to the maximum number within 35 days of 9th May, when elected councillors take office. If this is not fulfilled, the Returning Officer may order a new election. The vacancies will be advertised by poster on the notice boards and on the new Facebook page.
(3) The condition of the propeller memorial will need to be checked, to ascertain if remedial work is require.
(4) It was decided that St George’s flag will be flown on April 23rd and the Union flag on Coronation Day, May 6th. Cllr Willis will put up the bunting in time for the Coronation weekend.
(5) It was decided to ask local organisations if they wished to submit a report to the Parish Meeting. The Clerk will approach Kettlethorpe United Charities, the Village Hall committee, the Church and the Women’s Institute.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place in Kettlethorpe Village Hall at 7pm on Tuesday 9th May 2023, to be followed by the Council AGM and meeting.
The Chair closed the meeting at 8.30pm.