January 2023 Minutes
Sturton by Stow Parish Council met on Wednesday 4th January 2023 in the Old Schoolroom. Meeting started at 7.32pm.
Meeting chaired by Cllr Gilbert. Present: Parish Clerk, Cllr Christie,
Cllr Hoyland, Cllr Taylor, Cllr Hawke and Cllr Cook.
Cllr Gilbert welcomed everybody to the January Meeting.
1. Recording of Meeting
It was noted no one was recording meeting.
2. Apologies
No apologies- All Cllrs present
3. To receive declarations of interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.
None
4. Meeting opened to the public at 7.33pm and closed
5. To approve minutes from December Meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes be approved
6. Matters arising
Light Fleets Rd- Placed on Fix My Street and the status is under investigation as of 21/12/22
No response from the Quakers regarding the Friends Burial Ground.
The letterbox for The Old Schoolroom is up and ready for use. The clerk will begin to change addresses. The Sturton by Stow Parish Council grit bins have also been personalised.
The British Royal Legion would like to gift the wreath to the Parish Council for the Remembrance service Council agreed to send £40 as a donation as no invoice had been received.
The clerk has started the process of switching banks. Information needed from bank signatories.
Clerk to pick up phone next week- ID Mobile, Unlimited data, calls and texts. 5g available for hot spotting of the laptop for use and banking in the Old School Room £20.99 a month including VAT.
Clerk has re reported the hedging on Upper Close and Eastfield, Enforcement action. Status closed 03/01/23
Clerk sent letter of support for Stow Minister.
Highways meeting scheduled for Monday 9th January. Cllr Gilbert to meet with Highways and Cllr Butroid at School Lane to discuss parking issues as well as parking problems on High Street.
Clerk has not had a response from the Recreational Field Committee regarding the ROSPA reports and invoice.
Allotment Update- The Church Warden has suggested a potential land swap, but this is not as straightforward as first thought. The site is already under planting for 2023 up until 2024. The church warden has contacted the landowner and is awaiting a response from them.
Clerk and Cllr Gilbert have set up a Bookers account to purchase the soup and rolls for the warm space, hoping this will spread the budget further. Rolls and soup to be purchased ready for warm space Monday 9th January 23.
There has been communication back and forth regarding the Riparian Project. A meeting is scheduled on Friday 13th January 23, time to be confirmed in The Old Schoolroom. The representative from the Riparian Project is bringing with him largescale maps of the village highlighting highways and ditches. Cllr Gilbert and Cllr Cook are putting together an information leaflet to be distributed with the newsletter to start informing residents of their responsibilities and rights, there will be a date and time added for a village meeting in the village hall between mid-February and mid-March. Clerk to liaise with the village hall for available dates.
Networking and communicating with Upper Witham drainage board, Highways and Anglian Water is ongoing.
7. Correspondence received -General correspondence circulated in bag
8. Other Planning Matters.
None
9. Accounts: Cheques to be issued
a) Payments agreed i) Salaries-Clerk/trainee clerk and expenses/litter
picker/OSR Cleaner
b) Payments to be agreed i) Pickles Corner Lettering for post-box and grit bins
£25.00
ii) Fillingham Christmas Trees £386 + VAT
It was RESOLVED to pay
c)Direct Debits paid Multidata £43.91
British Gas OSR £49.55 including VAT
British Gas Village green £21.03 including VAT
d)Monies received Multidata (Nov) £43.91
Village Hall Ground Rent £1
English Woodland Grant £157.55
Interest (Nov and Dec) £1.97
Bank Balances following all payments:
C/A £4,277.56 D/A £6,357.79 Nat Savings £26,853.18
10. Accounts January 2023 accounts:
It was RESOLVED to agree the accounts.
11. Discuss replacement litter bin near the village hall. Max £600
The replacement little bin was discussed and two quotes that had been sourced by the clerk. Clerk to await response from Highways for further quote and research two other UK based bin suppliers. CIL money could be used to cover cost.
12. Reports from Local Organisations
Cllr Taylor- Village Hall- There will be no market this Saturday, this time of the year is usually the low point of the year, so it is being postponed until next month.
The village hall is looking at installing a handrail to go alongside the stairs to aid those using the upstairs room.
Cllr Hawke- Jubilee wood has had a 2nd work party. A contractor has cleared the area with his bush cutter and strimmer, he has done an excellent job. A 3rd working party has been scheduled for the 15th January 23 where they hope to do some tree work.
Too many trees were originally planted in the area. They are going to be removing the smaller/ weaker trees to help give the stronger trees space to grow. Considering the clay ground the trees have grown well, the survival rate is a huge 95%.
Cllr Hoyland- Youth Club-no report- next meeting is on the 18th January 23.
13. General Maintenance in the Parish
Cllr Hoyland has removed the tree near the OSR.
Cllr Cook made the Councillors aware of an online team meeting in relation with elections on the 13th February 23 at 6pm.
Door handle on the OSR needs maintenance or replacing. Contact handyman to see if the plastic strip can be repositioned. Cllr Hoyland suggested he could file down the lock plate to see if this helps.
14. Results from the Christmas light display competition
1st Place – Honeysuckle Cottage
2nd Place – Benting Bungalow
A big thank you to the Chairman of Willingham by Stow Parish Council for judging and to everybody that took part. Both properties will be awarded with certificates and results will be posted on social media.
15. To discuss whether to go out to tender for grass cutting.
It was discussed and decided that we may get a better response if we were to separate the grass cutting spec/contract into grass cutting and hedge cutting. Clerk to send both documents to businesses along with updated maps of the village.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to go out to tender for grass cutting.
16. Solar Farm- To discuss statement for feedback – West Burton.
It was decided not to give a statement for feedback as we have already given feedback in relation to Cottam.
17. To discuss update of the Community Emergency Plan
Mr Bruce is happy to update the plan. Clerk to communicate to see if he requires assistance from one or two councillors with up-to-date information. Cllr Christie and Cllr Taylor have volunteered their support.
18. Review and agree grass cutting spec 23/24
Some amendments regarding detail were made. To define the footpaths on the map(s) and change wording regarding Marton Road as the white gates are no longer there.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to amend the grass cutting spec and to split the grass cutting spec into separate grass and hedge cutting specifications.
- Finalise plans for update on Mid winter’s Lunch to be held at the village hall on the 21st January 23
Cllr Cook will provide some music and a quiz for entertainment
Cllr Gilbert and the Clerk will source jars and lights to create centre pieces with cuttings from the Christmas tree.
Cllr Christie, Cllr Taylor to help on the day.
Clerk to post spaces still available on social media.
Cllr Hoyland to help set up the tables.
- Items to be noted for the next meeting
Further quotes for the replacement litter bin.
Volunteer day supported by Highways – to define what project, if any, is suitable.
Funding towards the play park- deadline 8th March.
31.To agree to go into closed session. To discuss staff appraisals. If agreed press and public will be asked to leave.
It was agreed to go into closed session.
Meeting closed to the public at 9.16pm
As a Parish Council, no one councillor can appraise a member of staff. It was agreed that the Chairman and Vice Chairman will appraise the Clerk and the Clerk will appraise other members of staff.
Appraisal will happen once a year to review progress and discuss any issues.
Meeting Closed at 9.24pm