October Minutes
Great Hale Parish Council
Notes taken at Parish Council Meeting held on
Monday, 7th October 2024 at 7pm at Hale Magna Village Hall
Present: Councillor N Turner (Chairman)
Councillor G Cooke MBE (Vice-Chairman)
Councillor M Barnatt
Councillor A Broom
Councillor J Cope
Councillor N Dady
Councillor L Mountain
District Councillor S Tarry (North Kesteven District Council)
District Councillor C Collard (North Kesteven District Council)
Apologies County Councillor A Key (Lincolnshire County Council)
In attendance: Mrs Tracy Cooke – (Parish Clerk & RFO)
Public Forum
The Public Forum Opened at 7.00pm
There was 1 member of the public present.
The member of the public had no issues and thanked the Parish Council for its work.
Chairman closed the Public open forum at 7.01 pm
Chairman opened the Parish Council meeting at 7.01pm
Official Business of the Council
1. Chairman’s Welcome (24/106)
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies (24/107)
Apologies were received from CC Key.
3 Previous meeting held on Monday 2nd September 2024 (24/108)
It was unanimously agreed that the draft minutes from the meeting held on 2nd September 2024 were a true record. The Chairman duly signed the minutes.
4 Clerk’s Report (24/109)
Moved the interactive speed sign with Cllr Cooke (and back again!)
Contacted all grass cutting contractors
Met with new grass cutting Contractor to sign the new Contract for 2024/25
Contacted 2 tree surgeons regarding recent tree advice
Met with tree surgeon in Churchyard
Investigated replacement park parts following park inspection.
Contacted Highways regarding gullies
Applied for Litter Picking grant 2024/25
5. To receive declarations of interests (24/110)
Cllr Cooke made a declaration of interests on Item 8
6. To receive reports from County and District councillors (24/111)
DC Collard said that Pension Credit is one of the most under claimed benefits in the County. This can trigger other benefits. She continued to say that there is a National Helpline and that anyone struggling can contact the Shared Benefits and Revenue team. DC Tarry said that she would forward information.
The Gables - DC Tarry said that she had received an email from the enforcement manager and that there will need to be a site visit prior to contacting developer. She has had no update from the enforcement manager yet.
The Clerk had contacted DC Tarry regarding a resident burning rubbish in the day. She will email the Clerk when she has some definite information.
DC Tarry announced that the NKDC new Chief Executive will be Kath Marriott, who will take up her role in early 2025
D Cllrs Collard and Tarry left the meeting at 7.08pm
7 Planning Applications (24/112)
(7.1) No Planning applications received
8 Finance matters
(8.1) To approve the September 2024 bank reconciliation and spend to date. (24/113)
Council approved the September 2024 bank reconciliation and acknowledged the spend to date.
(8.2) To approve accounts for payment (24/114)
It was unanimously resolved to approve accounts for payment.
The Clerk & RFO explained that it looks as though there is an overspend on Grounds Maintenance and Tree Maintenance. She has now inserted a line onto the budget sheet showing income from Grants and VAT refunds. Grounds Maintenance is now within budget. Tree maintenance will be managed by moving some Reserves identified for Tree Maintenance when work is done and invoices for the work are received.
(9) Highway matters for discussion and resolution
(9.1) Highways – Orchard Park (24/115)
Nothing to report
Action:
(9.2) Highways – any other issues (24/116)
Cllr Turner said that Highways still haven’t attended to the gully on Chapel Lane and that it is overgrown.
Cllr Turner said that the verges down Leas Road and Crow Lane have been churned up by recent fibre fitters.
Signs down the fen road up at both ends.
Cllr Broom - Fix my Street update – some work had been done on the road but surplus tar had been dumped. Cllr Cooke had submitted a Fix my Street for the Public footpath opposite Chapel Lane off Leas Road.
Action: Clerk to send a reminder to Highways for the gully. To contact Highways regarding verges and the damage caused by the fibre fitters.
(9.3) Data feedback from speed sign on Grove Street
Cllr Cooke said that there is limited speeding down Grove Street and that the speed sign is acting as a good deterrent. Wherever the speed sign is positioned, cars slowdown in response to it.
Action: Move the speed sign further down Grove Street to warn vehicles coming from the fen road.
10 Orchard Green for discussion and resolution
10.1 To receive an update on Orchard Green Inspections (24/117)
Cllr Dady said that there was some litter, but the park was generally fine.
Cllr Turner said that he’d had a quick look round today at Orchard Park and the Churchyard and both looked good after their cuts.
Cllr Broom said that he still has a bench in his garden. He questioned where in the village that this might be positioned. Orchard Park was discussed and also the Village Green. When the cherry tree on the green is reduced then the bench could be positioned there to replace the Millennium bench, which is severely eroded.
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The Clerk had made enquiries regarding free trim trail for Orchard Park. She will circulate information regarding the trail to Councillors and ascertain where it might be placed.
Some of the park is very muddy around the equipment. Cllr Dady wondered if rubberised matting could be purchased. Cllr Cooke said that he had enquired, and this is extremely expensive. The Clerk said that she would ask as part of the new funding application.
Action: Next month’s inspections: Cllr Mountain
11 Other matters
(11.1) Cherry tree – village green (24/118)
Cllrs Cope and Turner looked at the cherry tree on the green. It does not appear as badly diseased as reported. However, it does need the lower branches removing to take the weight from the tree. It will then make it easier see the extent of any rot or disease. A date for Councillors to do this work was discussed but due to commitments, it was decided to postpone this until November’s meeting.
Action: Add to November’s agenda to arrange a date
(11.2) Churchyard trees (24/119)
We have had 2 quotes for work on trees in the Churchyard. A further Contractor is coming on Tuesday 8th October.
Action: To add to November’s agenda to discuss all 3 quotes.
(11.3) Contribution to HCVS (24/120)
The Clerk has received an email from Richard Higgs, Treasurer of the HCVS asking if Great Hale Parish Council would be willing to provide a Grant for 2024/25. Whilst this has been budgeted for, statistics of use by Parishioners needs to be provided alongside a grant application form.
Action: Clerk to contact Richard Higgs with a grant form and to ask for statistics.
(11.4) Replacement park parts (24/121)
The Clerk had contacted Kompan regarding some replacement park parts following the park inspection. A quote had been received showing £5.80 in parts costs and £32 in postage.
Action: Clerk to contact Kompan to enquire where the parts come from and whether they could be collected to save the postage
12 Future agenda items (24/122)
(12.1) Cherry tree village green
(12.2) Churchyard trees
(12.3) Gulley Chapel Lane
(12.4) Footpath update Leas Road
(12.5) Replacement park parts
(12.6) HCVS
(12.7) Remembrance arrangements
(12.8) Village volunteers Christmas thank you
(12.9) Hall hire price
14 Date and place of next meeting (24/123)
Monday 4th November 2024 @ 7.00pm in Hale Magna Village Hall.
The Chairman thanked all for attending and closed the Parish Council meeting at 7.48pm