Minutes
WILDMORE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Wildmore Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 11th January 2021 at 7.30pm on Zoom
Present: Chairman Cllr A Everard
Cllr P Bargh Cllr M Jones
Cllr A Harrison Cllr J Lawes
Cllr R Kirk
County Councillor: Cllr T Ashton
District Councillors: Cllr S Avison Cllr M Foster
Clerk: Mrs A Appleyard
1246. Welcome by Chairman
Cllr Everard welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1247. To receive and approve apologies for absence
There were no apologies brought to the meeting.
1248. To receive declaration of interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct related to business on the agenda
There were no declarations of interest brought before the meeting.
1249. To receive and approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 9th November 2020 for signature
The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 9th November 2020 had been circulated before the
meeting. It was proposed by Cllr Harrison and seconded by Cllr Jones that the minutes be accepted
as a true and accurate record. All in favour. Cllr Everard signed the minutes. He will drop the signed copy of the minutes off at the clerk’s home for filing.
1250. To note any matters arising from the minutes not included on this agenda for report only
Cllr Harrison advised that he still hasn’t done anything about removing the bus shelter down Mill Lane. He will arrange to get this done as soon as possible.
The clerk had reported the poor condition of the road down Scarborough’s Lane but is awaiting an answer from Highways.
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The sign at the school, which had been reported a while back, has now been sorted and is standing straight up, pointing in the right direction. LCC are starting to get caught up with outstanding jobs and are now able to start work on road signs etc. Thanks, were expressed to the County Council staff.
1251. Correspondence
Correspondence had been circulated prior to the meeting. This included the LALC E -Newsletters and regular updates from LALC and NALC. Other correspondence included information on fake Covid vaccination texts, LCC 2022-2023 Lincolnshire Schools Admissions Policy Consultation and Citizens Advice Bureau request for donations.
It was noted from LALC correspondence that the ELDC Coronavirus figures were showing 4932 positive tests and 303 deaths within 28 days of testing positive.
On fix my street, problems with bus stops and shelters can now be reported.
Various grants are available for Community groups to help support people affected by the pandemic.
Cllr Ashton advised that LCC were currently looking at their budget and it looks likely that residents will see a rise in their Council Tax bills although they will try to keep any increase to a minimum.
1252. Planning – To comment and receive updates on outstanding planning applications
EC/207/00325/18 – Land off Langrick Road, New York – Change of use of land for the siting of 2 no. static caravans and storage of tyres. The appeal has been dismissed on both cases. There are still several animals in the field and the number of tyres seems to be increasing.
S/207/02242/20 – Waite Farm, Leagate Road, Thornton Le Fen, Lincoln, LN4 4YN – Listed Building Consent – Internal alterations to existing Pigeoncote to replace existing wooden telegraph pole with a steel beam to support the roof structure – Support.
1253. Low Tointon Trust/Village Hall – To update and discuss any Village Hall issues
There had been no meeting of the Low Tointon Trust since the last Parish Council meeting and therefore nothing to report.
A letter had been received from the Hall Managers asking for financial support from the Parish Council again for the next year. The hall has received a £10,000 grant from ELDC during the lockdown period. Some of this money has been used to resurface the flat roof, a project which would have been done once monies from fund raising activities had allowed. The roof repair will last a good number of years. Councillors were asked to consider how much, if any, they would like to see added to the precept for the village hall. This was discussed later in the meeting.
The lock on the gate still hasn’t been sorted but it looks like the fastenings need altering to make it easier to get a lock on.
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1254. Churchyard – To update on work being undertaken and other issues
The planned tree work has been carried out at a cost of £2524.05. This came in lower than estimated due to a lower daily rate charge. All the dead trees have been removed and urgent pruning completed. There is still work which needs carrying out including pruning of some of the trees in the Spring, removal of smaller trees with Ganoderma fungus along the ditch side, further work on the horse chestnut trees to balance the weight of their crowns. The stumps of any felled trees will also be ground out. The estimate for the remainder of the work is £1800.00. New trees to replace those felled had been planted in the churchyard. The churchwarden had sent an email saying what a wonderful job the tree surgeon had done but that the new saplings, which was a lovely idea, had been planted in the wrong places. It was felt that it would be better if the new trees were put on the boundary. It was proposed by Cllr Harrison and seconded by Cllr Kirk that the reminder of the work be carried out. All in favour.
There is still no clarification regarding if the old part of the churchyard is closed as no records advising of this have been found. If it hasn’t been closed the church, not the Parish Council, would be responsible for any maintenance work.
The future of many of our Churches is in question as the Diocese of Lincoln is in a massive deficit financially.
Cllr Kirk asked who had paid for the work to the roof of the Church and Cllr Everard advised that this was paid for by the Church Commissioners. This repair work should now last for a few decades.
1255. Precept/Budget – To discuss and agree Precept/Budget for the Financial Year 2021/2022
The clerk had prepared budget figures for the Councillors to help set the precept for the coming year. The support for the village hall was discussed and it was proposed by Cllr Jones and seconded by Cllr Harrison that the Parish Council grant the hall £500.00 this year. All in favour. The figures for the precept decision were as follows: Hall Insurance £400, Parish Insurance £190, LALC Subscription £159, Churchyard Grass Cutting £1350, Churchyard Tree Work £1800, Clerk’s Salary £1967, Hall Hire/Zoom £75, Audit Fee £40, Donation Hall £500, Poppy Wreath £25, Training £20, Printer/Ink £100, Petty Cash £50. This gives a total of £6676. It was proposed by Cllr Harrison and seconded by Cllr Jones that the precept be set at £6500 again for the coming year. All in favour. The clerk will
1256. Financial Update and Authorisation of Payments
The clerk had circulated the following accounts for the period 10th November 2020 to 11th January 2021 prior to the meeting.
Allotment Account
Opening Balance £1,438.17
Paid into Account
17/11/2020 Allotment Tenants – Half Year Rent £ 445.52
20/11/2020 Allotment Tenants – Half Year Rent £ 222.76
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30/11/2020 Haltham Parish Meeting – Half Year Rent £ 170.00
Closing Balance £2551.97
General Account
Opening Balance £4559.18
Paid into Account
22/10/2020 HMRC – VAT Reclaim £5139.74
Paid since last Meeting
13/12/2020 Sally Shearer – Tree Work £2524.05
Cheques Presented for Payment
11/01/2021 Andy Jackson – Grass Cutting £ 165.00
11/01/2021 LIVES – Defib Pads/Battery £ 66.00
11/01/2021 RBL – Poppy Appeal £ 45.00
11/01/2021 HMRC – PAYE December/January £ 71.20
11/01/2021 A Appleyard – Salary December/January £ 284.64
Closing Balance £6543.03
It was proposed by Cllr Harrison and seconded by Cllr Kirk that the above accounts be authorised. All in favour. It was agreed that the clerk would take the cheques for signing to Cllr Harrison who would then pass them onto Cllr Kirk for second signature. Cllr Kirk will then return them to the Clerk.
1257. To discuss Rural Fibre Broadband
Rural Fibre Broadband – The infrastructure for this is in at Haven Bank but the project has been abandoned. It seems a waste of time and money for some of the work to be carried out. The matter has been raised with ELDC, LCC and the local MP without any joy. Openreach are saying that ELDC haven’t paid their contribution for the scheme but ELDC are unaware of any payment issues and feel that this should now be up and running. Hundle House Lane is another area where the fibre has been installed but is not accessible. Community schemes have been set up to install fibre to rural area and this is an avenue which Langrick have explored. An approximate cost of the Community broadband is in the region of £36,000. Councillors were asked what internet was like at their properties, Cllr Jones said that on a good day his was not too bad, Cllr Kirk said that his had declined but this was probably due to more people working from home and Cllr Lawes said that hers drops out quite a lot during the day, again because more people are currently working at home. Cllr Bargh advised that the school is currently using less internet as they only have 12 children in. Cllr Ashton will try to get someone to join the next Parish Council meeting to address the problems and concerns raised.
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1258. To discuss any other parish matters that require any urgent or immediate consideration, such as, Police/Crime, Development, Education, Health, Highways, District and County Council, Training
Police – There were no police issues to bring to the meeting.
Development – There was nothing to report on this matter.
Education – The school is open for vulnerable/key worker children, with a third of the school attending.
Highways – Councillors were reminded about reporting any Highway issues through Fix My Street. The roads, in general, are deteriorating with specific concern at Castledyke Bank, Hurnbridge Road and Sandy Bank Road.
Fly Tipping – Cllr Harrison advised that he had reported the fly tipping which had taken place at the weekend along the Langrick Road.
ELDC – The District Councillors had nothing to report from ELDC.
RAF Coningsby – There is a problem with a light on the apron of the camp dazzling motorists when driving down Dogdyke Road. This is somewhere on the end of the runway near the sewerage works. Cllr Foster will speak with the clerk for Coningsby Town Council and ask her if she will mention it to the Community Relations Officer when next speaking with them.
1259. – To review and adopt Accessibility Statement and to discuss the new Parish website.
The clerk had circulated a copy of the new Accessibility Statement prior to the meeting. It was proposed by Cllr Harrison and seconded by Cllr Bargh that this be adopted. All in favour. The clerk will ensure this is put on the new website.
The new website is now up and running although a few items need amending/adding. Cllr Bargh asked if a link to the school website can be added, this will be sorted.
1260. Future Meetings and Items for Consideration
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday 8th March and depending on the coronavirus situation and social distancing regulations may well be held as another Zoom meeting.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.47pm.
Signed: Date:
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