2020 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

FULBECK PARISH COUNCIL

Notes of Parish Council Meeting held by video link (ZOOM) – 6th July 2020

Present: Councillors Caunt (Chairman), Fane, Greenhalgh, Hodcroft, Hughes, Morison and Sampson.  Parish Clerk, Carol Tointon.  There were 3 members of the public present including DC Miles.

1.   Apologies for absence – CC Maughan

2.   Chairperson’s Remarks:  The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting and commented that during these difficult times Fulbeck village had done exceptionally well.  He wished to record special thanks to Paul Gertner and Tina Nolan who had organised the volunteers.

3.   Declarations of interest – Cllr Morison Item 8b and 8c.  Cllr Caunt Item 8c.

4.   Approval of the notes of the last meeting of the Parish Council.  The notes of the last meeting had been circulated to all Councillors.  It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED by a show of hands that these notes be accepted as a true record of the Parish Council meeting held on the 9th March 2020 subject to 6d) extending the number of shooting days from 50 to 150.  Not 28 to 150 as shown.  The Parish Clerk would let the Chairman have the notes for signing.

Action: Clerk

5.   It was proposed and seconded and RESOLVED by a show of hand to agree to the continuation of the Chair and Vice-Chair until normal service resumes.

6.   It was proposed and seconded and RESOLVED by a show of hands to confirm the delegated powers to the Clerk/RFO in conjunction with the Chair and Vice-Chairman.

7.   Reports on matters outstanding

a)   Ditch in Beck Lane

Cllr Morison reported that the gulley at the bottom of Northend Hill opposite Beck Lane appears to be satisfactory in drier weather with no excess water in it.  However, during a period of heavy rain it overflows to the extent that he believes a gulley further up the hill drains into the one at the bottom.  However a trench has been dug out close to this gulley on Bulby Lane and when it rains the trench gets full and the gulley was empty.  For the time being the situation seems to be under control.

The Chairperson stated that every drain down Sudthorpe Hill was overflowing.

RESOLVED by a show of hands that an email be sent to CC Maughan.

Action: Clerk

b)   Speed Camera

The speed camera was installed in April and has been going ever since.  Concern was expressed that when the trees start to grow they might impinge on the battery and stops it charging.  To date there has not been a problem.  No information has been downloaded from the camera.  It was noted that nothing definitive has been decided about the payment date.

c)   HGV and Village signs.

It was noted that we are still awaiting the signs.

8.   Financial matters

a)   Financial Report – The Clerk reported that the balance as at 31st May was £12442.14 in the Yorkshire Bank and £10494.03 in the Melton Mowbray Building Society (total £22936.17) including £20,203.30 in the General Account, £1513.26 in the Playing Field Account, £67 in the Defibrillator account.  The Playing Field reserve is £800 and there is £352.61 in the Election Fund.

b)   Ratify the following payments made:

It was proposed and seconded and RESOLVED by a show of hands to confirm the above payments.

It was proposed and seconded and RESOLVED by a show of hands to approve the increase in the National Living Wage from £8.21 to £8.72 for the Litter Picker.  This increase became effective from 1st April 2020.

c)   Accounts for payment – there were four invoices for payment:

Action: Clerk/Cllrs with signature authority

It was proposed and seconded and RESOLVED by a show of hands that the invoices be paid.

d)   Payments made: The Clerk reported that the following payment had been made since the previous meeting.

e)   Payment Received

e)   End of Year accounts for 2019/20 had been previously circulated and the figures were as follows:-

The third and fourth columns show how the money is distributed between the accounts.

f)   Section 1 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) 2019/20 was read out by the Chairman.  It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED by a show of hands that Section 1 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR 2029/20 be filled in and signed by the Chairman.  This was recorded as Minute reference 8f).

g)   Section 2 Accounting Statement 2019/20 of the AGAR had been circulated to all Councillors.  It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED by a show of hands that Section 2 Accounting Statements 2019/20 of the AGAR be signed by the Chairman and when received back by the Responsible Finance Officer.  This was recorded as Minute reference 8g).

h)   It was proposed and seconded and RESOLVED by a show of hands that Fulbeck Parish Council wish to certify themselves as exempt from a limited assurance review under Section 9 of the Local Audit (Smaller Authorities) Regulations 2015 as during the financial year 2019/20 the higher of the authority’s gross income for the year or gross annual expenditure for the year did not exceed £25000 and that the Certificate of Exemption should be forwarded to the external auditors.

Action: Clerk

i)   The Internal Audit had taken place and the report circulated to all Councillors.  It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED by a show of hands to accept the Internal Report.  As Mr Urquhart was present he gave and overview of the accounts and outlined areas where he considered improvements could be made.  The question of online banking was raised and Cllr Greenhalgh stated that he had done research into this but the present Clerk was not keen to proceed.

The Chairman thanked Mr Urquhart for his time and effort on behalf of the Council and thanked him for being so thorough.

Mr Urquhart left the meeting.

9.   Up-date on Fulbeck Parish Resilience Forum

As Mr Gertner was present it was decided to bring this item forward on the agenda.

Mr Gertner gave the background as to how he and Tina Nolan and got involved.  At the end of the first week 40 volunteers had come forward.  Flyers were distributed to every house in Fulbeck.  To date 97 prescriptions had been collected and 124 shopping errands undertaken.  He had been in touch with various organisations during this period.  He confirmed that according to GDPR all personal information is under lock and key and will be destroyed when the situation becomes more normal.  He stated that it was fantastic the way the Village had pulled together.

The Chairperson reiterated his thanks to Paul and Tina and all the volunteers.

DC Milnes reported that SKDC are looking at ways to capitalise on volunteer groups.

Mr Gertner left the meeting.

10.  Planning Matters

a)   Planning Applications received –

• S20/0911 – Prune back to boundary – Yew – at Keepers Cottage, North End Lane
• S20/0875 – Erection of two replacement poultry buildings associated feed bins and control room at Leather Bottle Farm.  Planning application S17/0203 dated February 2017 also referred to this site.

b)   Planning Applications determined –

• S19/0457 – Change of use of storage building to maintenance and storage of motor racing vehicles at Richmond House, Brant Road.  Planning permission granted 18th March 2020.
• S19/0458 – Change of use of land to storage of materials and siting of open storage building at Richmond House, Brant Road.  Planning permission granted 19th March 2020.
• S20/0598 – To carry out tree work at Fulbeck Hall, Lincoln Road.  Work allowed 22nd May 2020.
• S20/0602 – To reduce in height and width a yew at Ermine Cottage, Washdyke Lane.  Work allowed 1st June 2020
• S20/0628 – Erection of single storey dwelling – resubmission for S19/1125 – on land adjacent to Shalom, South Heath Lane.  Planning permission granted 10th June 2020.
• S19/2096 – Section 73 application to vary condition 2 of S18/2034 to amend position of storage building at Hurlingham Business Park, Fulbeck Heath Road.  Planning permission granted 12th March 2020.
• S20/0204 – To reduce height of trees at Church View Cottage, The Green.  Work allowed 13th March 2020.

c)   Planning Appeal – S19/0834 – Change of use of land for siting of caravans off Bulby Lane.  DC Milnes stated that the Inspector has still to decide how and when the appeal hearing will be held.

d)   Building at Richmond House – it was agreed that discussion on this item be deferred to the next meeting.

Action: Clerk

11.  Highway Matters

Cllr Hodcroft reported that she had put on Fix-My-Street on 30th June that the white railing which denotes the Brant river on the Low fields had rotted away and fallen over.  This wants fixing before the nights get dark as it is on a sharp bend and a very big drop from the road to the river.  Agreed by a show of hand to inform CC Maughan.

It was noted that the Public Bridleway sign to Gorse Farm had got broken and was hanging off.  Agreed by a show of hand to inform CC Maughan.

Action: Clerk

12.  Correspondence – the Clerk notified the members that correspondence had been received as per the circulated list.

13.  District Councillor’s Report

DC Milnes had circulated a report prior to the meeting in case she had difficulty in attending and this is attached to the notes of the meeting.

14.  County Councillor’s Report

As CC Maughan was unable to attend the meeting he had submitted a report which is attached to the notes of the meeting.

The Chairperson thanked DC Milnes and CC Maughan for supporting the Scrubs.

15.  Village Organisations’ report – Village Hall & Playing Field Committee

Although the Village Hall had been closed Cllr Hughes reported that re-painting work 

Had been carried out.  He considered that it would be at least the 1st September before the Hall would re-open but would wait to see what happens in the meantime.

Likewise with the play area he was waiting to see what other organisations were doing but envisaged it would not be open before the 1st August.  The Government guidelines were convoluting.  There were issues with the Girospiral and Cllr Hughes would have to demount it and examine it closely.  It was agreed by a show of hands that Cllr Hughes uses his judgement as to when to open the facilities.

Action: Cllr Hughes

All being well the car boot sales would commence the second Saturday in April 2021.

It was noted that the Village Hall had also donated £250 to Scrubs.

16.  Matters for urgent discussion

The Chairperson reported that the Clerk had contacted him and tendered her resignation.  He thanked her for all her hard work and the support she had given him during his year of office.

Date of next meeting – Monday 7th September 2020 at 7.30 p.m.  Format of meeting to be determined.

The meeting concluded at 9.15 p.m.