September 2022 minutes

Sturton by Stow Parish Council met on Wednesday 7 September 2022 in the Old Schoolroom.  Meeting started at 7.30pm.

Meeting chaired by Cllr Gilbert.  Present:  Parish Clerk, Cllr Christie, Cllr Cook, Cllr Hawke, Cllr Hoyland, Cllr Taylor, County Councillor Butroid and 6 members of the public.

  1. Recording of Meeting

It was noted no one was recording meeting.

 

  1. Apologies

 

  1. To receive declarations of interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.  

Cllr Hoyland declared an interest in Item 29 and declared he would leave the room whilst this was discussed.

 

  1. Meeting opened to the public at 7.32pm.

A representative from the local Co-op advised council that they would be willing to help with a xmas based afternoon tea following the success of the jubilee event.It was suggested possibly the end of January

A resident asked if there was any update on St Hughs Church as they had seen WLDC making a visit.Clerk to speak to WLDC Enforcement who was advised about the works which had started.

Cllr Butroid advised he is still pursuing the speed limit, looking to extend the 40mph further out the village and the hedging on Fleets Rd.It was noted some of the footpath from Fleets Rd to Manor Farm Drive had been repaired, but not all the way.Cllr Butroid to follow up on this.

 

Meeting closed to public at 7.50pm.  1 member of the public left the meeting.

 

  1. To approve minutes of August  Meeting

It was noted Item 5 should read July minutes not June minutes.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes following this amendment.

To approve minutes of Extraordinary Meeting on 24 August.

It was RESOLVED to approve the Extraordinary Meeting minutes of 24 August.  Cllr Hawke was not present at the meeting so did not vote.

 

  1. Matters arising

History Society request for funds-no update

Potholes Thorpe Lane-area ok

Light Fleets Rd-clerk to chase

New bank account-clerk still looking into

Verge Stow Rd-clerk advised that Highway had responded saying they do not keep a record regarding the history of who had agreed to maintain the verge.It was agreed, that as it appears to be maintained to monitor.

Sunken manhole Medway-clerk to check and chase is not repaired

Potholes Fleets Rd/Fleets Lane-area ok

Larners Fields-new sign installed

Pavement opp school-repaired

Quaker site-to discuss under Item 15.

Saxilby Rd brambles-as above

Removal of virgin boxes-It was suggested that these remain as a voucher scheme may soon be available for faster broadband and the boxes could be utilised.

It was agreed meeting could be opened again at 8.03pm to allow Cllr Butroid to update.He advised there may be a Village Gigabit Voucher Scheme available soon.

Meeting closed at 8.05pm.

Area behind OSR-cleared

Bransby reply re new right of way-clerk to chase

Dog rose by Bradshaw seat- cut back

 

  1. Correspondence received-General correspondence circulated

 

  1.  Planning Application

145349  38-40 High St-change of use of 2 dwellings to commercial premises to be used for Class E(g) including extension to rear.  No objections,  it was RESOLVED comments as follows referencing Neighbourhood Plan.

Policy 41-non listed heritage building-frontage to be preserved along with portico and windows.

Policy 7-reuse of existing buildings is welcomed

Policy 13-flood risk, new foul water drainage connection, rainwater harvesting.

Location of first floor bathroom to kitchen not ideal, 2 spaces in car park for electric charging, PEA assessment needed.

Full comments available on WLDC Planning portal.

 

  1. Other Planning Matters. None.

 

  1. Accounts:Cheques to be issued            

a)Payments already i)                    a)Payments agreed                   i)Salaries:Clerk and expenses/litter picker/OSR cleaner/handyman and expenses

                                                                                                          ii)Continental Landscapes-playpark hedge £88.55 plus vat  FP72 £14.25 plus vat

                                                                              

                                                 

b)Payments to be agreed        i)Y Clark-Newsletter photocopying £71.50  NP x 9 £112.50

)Zurich Insurance £717                                                                   It was RESOLVED to pay.

                                                     ii)Soft surfacing-wetpour £347 plus vat

                                                     To wait for ROSPA report before ordering in case more materials are required.

                                                     iii)Jewsons, materials £124.61 plus vat                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                     It was RESOLVED to pay.                                                          

                                                     iv)PKF Audit fee £240

                                               It was RESOLVED to pay.

                                              

C)monies received                 WLDC internet village hall  £439.10 Bank interest £0.51  Bond interest £329.22 Stow parish Council £30

                                                       Bank Balances following all  payments:  C/A £9482.88  D/A £5,947.27  Nat Savings   £26,853.18

  1. Accounts 

Sept  2022 accounts: It was RESOLVED to agree the accounts.

 

 

  1. Reports from Local Organisations

Speedwatch-4 potential new volunteers for October.

Youth Club- numbers are returning.

No contact from Recreation Field re meeting.

Village Hall-minutes circulated.

Jubilee Wood-works continuing, brambles and branches lopped.

 

 

  1. General maintenance issues-to include quote received for repairing gatepost at village hall

It was RESOLVED to agree to quote received of between £200 and £300 plus vat.

i)Dog bin on Ashfield needs clean

ii)Road sweeper needed along with weeds cleared from gutters

 

  1. To discuss and agree works required on tree report

It was noted that no works were required this year, to be looked at again 23/24.

 

  1. To discuss information received from Lalc re dealing with hedging issues in village and how to proceed

Due to Lalc advising that the parish council do not have any power to ask residents to cut their hedging, unless the land affected is parish council land, Fix My Street to be used and the link to be placed in the next newsletter.  This also applies to the Quaker site, but clerk to make some local enquiries.

 

  1. To discuss and agree recording of voting in minutes

It was RESOLVED to use phrase “It was RESOLVED” instead of recording proposer and seconder.

 

  1. Risk assessment Page 2 review and agreement

Cllr Christie to be mentor for new councillors.  Delegation for keeping up to date with insurance requirements to an individual councillor removed, this is for the clerk to ensure.

RESOLVED to agree following the above amendments.

 

  1. General Maintenance and Litter Picker risk assessment  review and agreement

General Maintenance- hand tools, section 4, additional control measures altered to using own tools.

Litter Picker-no changes, lone working to be looked at.

RESOLVED to agree following above changes and lone working to be looked at.

 

  1. Lone working policy agreement

Deferred until next meeting.

 

  1. To discuss village gateways/signs at entrance to village and how to proceed in 23/34 in preparation for preparing budget

Clerk to look at prices for new signs, Stow to be contacted.  Logo to be circulated, possibly involve children to design.

 

  1. To discuss whether to hold a xmas party in village hall for residents

It was RESOLVED to hold a party for the over 65s at the end of January.

 

  1. Remembrance Day arrangements

Arrangements to go ahead with no parade.  Village Hall booked.

 

  1. Jubilee event budget-to discuss use of remaining monies

It was RESOLVED to use the remaining monies of £254.85 for the xmas party at the end of January.

 

  1. Best kept Garden results

Best Kept Large Garden:  4 Fleets Road.

Best Kept small Garden:  10 The Beeches

Best Kept Business Premises: The Tastery.

 

Presentations to be in October.

 

  1. To agree to automatic inspections by Rospa to receive reduced rates for future years

It was RESOLVED to go with automatic inspections each year.

 

  1. To discuss parking issues around primary school and the noticeboard resulting from Bradshaws new entrance

It was noted noticeboard location is not affected.  The school are sending out emails regarding parking.  PCSO to be contacted.

 

  1. Items to be noted or dealt with at next meeting-

 

  1. To agree to go into closed session to discuss appointment of new clerk.  If agreed press and public will be asked to leave

Meeting closed to the public at 9.50.  Cllr Hoyland also left the room.

 

  1. To agree appointment/contract of new clerk and arrangements with existing clerk

It was RESOLVED to accept the application from Stacey Hoyland.

Cllr Hoyland re entered the room along with Stacey Hoyland who was welcomed as new clerk.  It was hoped the existing clerk would train up Mrs Hoyland in the coming months.  Existing clerk has not yet handed in her resignation.

 

Meeting closed at 9.58pm.