2020 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Great Hale Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held remotely on

Monday 5th October 2020 via Zoom Video Call

Present: Chairman Cllr N. Turner, Cllrs J. Cope, A. Broom, L Mountain and S.Needham and M. Barnatt.

In attendance: Clerk K. Sinclair and District Cllrs S Tarry.

Public Forum.

There we no members of the public present.

The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm.

Official Business of the Council

1. To receive apologies and reasons given (20/137)

Apologise were received from Cllr N Dady and reasons given.

It was unanimously resolved to accept the reasons for absence.

District Cllr S Tarry gave apologies for District Cllr S Ogden.

2. Chairman’s welcome and opening remarks (20/138)

The Chairman welcomed all Councillors to the meeting and thanked the Clerk for purchasing a 12 month Zoom license so that future meetings were not restricted to a 40 minute limit.

3. To approve the draft minutes from the meeting held on Monday 7th September 2020 (20/139)

It was unanimously resolved that the draft minutes from the previous meeting were a true record and could be approved and signed as minutes.

Action: Chairman to sign the minutes when next possible. Clerk to upload to the website.

4. To receive declarations of interest and to receive written requests for new DPI dispensations (20/140)

None declared.

5. To receive reports from any District Councillors, County Councillors or Police in attendance (20/141)

District Cllr S Tarry asked if the Cllrs received and were content with the responses given to the queries mentioned at the last meeting. These were regarding recent anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and planning applications. The Council were also made aware of a full district meeting due to take place on Thursday 8th October.

District Cllr S Tarry left the meeting at 7.35pm

6. Planning Applications

Planning application 20/1243/HOUS 18 Church Street Great Hale was received after the agenda was published. Cllrs were asked to inform the Clerk if they would like an extension to make comments on the application.

7. Financial matters

7.1 To approve the bank reconciliation and spend to date (20/143)

It was unanimously resolved to accept bank reconciliation and the spend to date.

7.2  To approve the accounts for payment (20/144)

It was unanimously resolved to approve the accounts for payment.

Action: Clerk to make BACS payments for all outstanding payments.

7.3 To consider the need for a council debit card (20/145)

It was unanimously resolved for the clerk to obtain a debit card for the treasurer’s account for some council transactions.

7.4 To ratify the expenditure for the zoom license (20/146)

It was agreed via email that the clerk purchase a 12-month license prior to the meeting.

It was unanimously resolved to ratify the expenditure for a zoom license.

8. Highway matters for discussion

8.1 To receive an update on any outstanding potholes (20/147)

No repairs to all previous pot holes had been noticed.

Action: Clerk to report all potholes to Highways again.

8.2 To Discuss Recent Flooding in the Village (20/148)

A resident assisting with the matter had forwarded an email from Network Rail stating that work to the culvert would be carried out the w/c 26 October.

8.3 To receive update on grass cutting in Great Hale (20/149)

The contractor believes that we may have reached the end of the grass cutting season and therefore will not carry out any more cuts unless instructed.

Action: Clerk to request the tender for next season.

8.3 To receive update on previous discussions with County Councillor Baryy Young (20/150)

There has been no update.

Action: Clerk to email County Cllr B Young requesting an update.

8.4 To discuss the fallen tree on Church Street (20/151)

The fallen tree has been removed. However, the tree stump remains and could be a potential hazard.

Action: Clerk to contact LCC Highways about the removal of the tree stump.

9. Orchard Green

9.1 To receive an update on Orchard Green inspections (20/152)

Cllr J Cope carried out inspections the most recent inspections and reported little to no litter. However, he feels that another cut may be needed within the next couple of weeks. Cllr L Mountain to carry out the next inspections.

It was unanimously resolved to allow Cllr N Turner would instruct the contractor to cut the grass in Orchard Park when needed.

9.2 To receive an update on the development of the Orchard Green working party (20/153)

As there will not be any updates until the official opening can be arranged, this item will be removed from the agenda until March 2021.

10. Matters for discussion and resolution

10.1 To receive an update regarding the Great Hale COVID-19 Community Support (20/154)

The support scheme is still in place and await further updates and guidance in relation to COVID-19.

10.2 To receive update on the bus shelter timetable display (20/155)

The timetable display has not yet been erected in the bus shelter.

10.3 To receive an update on the sycamore trees in the Churchyard (20/156)

There was no update at this time.

Action: Clerk to obtain quotes for supply of tree report.

10.4 To discuss speeding along Little Hale Road/Heckington Road (20/157)

After further discussions on obtaining a speed indicator device for the parish, the Council do not feel that the benefit would be proportionate to the expenditure. However, they may consider some fundraising opportunities for a device in the future.

10.5 To receive an update on the progress of the new Parish Council website (20/158)

The Clerk has made progress on the new website, completing 15 hours of the 40 awarded so far.

Action: Clerk to continue to develop the new website.

10.6 To discuss thoughts on the future of the Great Hale newsletter (20/159)

The Council all agreed that it is a valuable publication to the village and they would continue to support its future via grants, where possible.

10.7 To discuss the NKDC taxi and private hire licensing consultation (20/160)

The Council did not have any comments on the above consultation.

11. Correspondence (20/161)– as per list

All correspondence was discussed at the meeting.  

12. Future agenda items (20/162)

No other items were raised.

13. To resolve to move into closed session in accordance with the public bodies (admission to meetings ) Act 1960 due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed in relations to HR matters (20/163)

It was unanimously resolved to award the Clerk the new pay rate in line with the NJC pay scales and for this pay to be backdated.

It was unanimously resolved to pay the Clerk for the 15 hours worked on the website so far.

14. Date of next meeting (20/164)

Monday 2 November 2020

The meeting closed at 8.26pm.