MAY 2024 - APCM
Great Hale Parish Council
Notes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held
Monday 13th May 2024 at Hale Magna Village Hall
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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
Apologies County Councillor A Key (Lincolnshire County Council)
In attendance: District Councillor S Tarry (North Kesteven District Council)
District Councillor C Collard (North Kesteven District Council)
Mrs Tracy Cooke – (Parish Clerk)
1 Member of the Public
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Official Business of the Council
1. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair (24/23)
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved for Cllr Nicholas Turner to remain as Chair and for Cllr Grahame Cooke to remain as Vice-Chair. Acceptance forms of office signed.
Action: Clerk to file acceptance forms.
2. To Receive Apologies and Reasons Given (24/24)
Council accepted apologies from CC Key for his non-attendance.
3. Notes of the Meeting held on 8th April 2024 (24/25)
It was unanimously agreed that the draft minutes from the meeting held on 8th April 2024 were a true record. The Chairman duly signed the minutes.
4. Clerk’s Report (24/26)
A list of actions completed by the Clerk were read to Council:
Internal audit completed.
AGAR form completed.
Election information placed on boards and website.
Previous Financial Year closed & new 2024/25 spreadsheet created.
HMRC year closed, and new year opened.
Contact with Churchwarden.
Publicity for Heckington Digital Hub.
Contact with Agricycle.
Email communication with Highways regarding grass cutting.
Planning objection re The Gables.
Poppy wreath ordered for Great Hale PC, Little Hale PC & Burial Board.
Actions: Wreath to be laid on Thursday 6th June 10am at the Cemetery.
To promote this on Social media and Notice Boards.
5. To receive declarations of interest under the localism act 2011. (24/27)
Cllrs Broom, Cope & Barnatt made a declaration of interests on Item 9.2
Cllr Cooke made a declaration of interests on Item 9.
6. To receive reports from any district councillors, county councillors or police in attendance. (24/28)
Cllr Collard discussed the new NKDC Climate Change Member Champion. The Climate Emergency Strategy and its Action Plan are designed to lead both the Council and the entire District towards achieving net zero emissions by 2030, and it will involve action by everyone to make this a reality. Effective delivery of the Strategy and Plan relies on a partnership between the District Council and town and parish councils like yours, as well as local stakeholders, businesses, and individual residents working together towards our collective carbon goal. She asked that as many people as possible complete the survey at the link provided.
Cllr Tarry said that the next Anglian Water consultation starts on the 30th May to 25th July. Cllr Turner asked that relevant Councils are consulted and better consideration for venues for the affected Parishes is given during the public consultation.
Cllr Tarry stated that there was no news on the planning application at the Gables.
Cllr Cooke asked about the standard of NKDC of grass cutting, especially the grass area off Hall Park. It was agreed that the standard so far has been poor.
Cllr Broom had an informal walk with a member of NKDC, and saw the builders yard area, that has been left at The Gables. It has a rat infestation, is unsightly and needs clearing up. Cllr Tarry said she would investigate this.
7. Planning applications (24/29)
7.1 Planning Application Reference: 24/0508/HOUS
Proposal: Erection of single storey extension to side and rear of property, internal
alterations and alterations to windows.
Location: Strawberry Fields 25 Hall Road Great Hale Sleaford Lincolnshire.
This was discussed and no objections raised.
District Councillors Tarry and Collard left the meeting at 7.54pm
8. To review and amend where necessary the council’s standing orders, financial regulation and other policies (24/30)
The Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Other policies have been reviewed and it was unanimously agreed to re-adopt these.
Action: Clerk to change the date on all policies and website.
9 Financial matters (24/31)
9.1 To Approve Statement of Accounts and Bank Reconciliation to Date (April 2024)
It was unanimously resolved to accept the statement of accounts and bank reconciliation to date.
9.2 To Approve Accounts for Payment (24/32)
It was unanimously resolved to approve accounts for payment.
9.3 The internal auditor’s comments were discussed, and all found to be in order.
9.4 The Annual Governance Statement 2023/24 (section 1) of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return were read out and signed where appropriate.
9.5 The Accounting Statements 2023/24 (section 2) of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return and the end of year bank reconciliation were completed and were unanimously approved and agreed.
10 Highway matters for discussion and resolution
10.1 Portable speed sign (24/33)
Cllr Cooke said that he had researched a portable speed sign to be placed at different points around the village. The cost for this is approximately £4000. The high cost was discussed, and it was decided not to pursue this at the current time.
10.2 Speed reduction – Orchard Close & other key roads (24/34)
Cllr Cooke said that speeding is an issue in Orchard Close. He suggested that Orchard Close should be a 20mph speed limit with prominent signs in the road and on posts.
Action: Clerk to contact Highways / CC Key
10.3 Other Highways Matters (24/35)
It was noted that the 40mph speed limit is now in force in East Heckington.
Some of the pull in areas on Great Hale Fen have been filled and resurfaced. More still needs to be done. The gulley on Chapel Lane has not been done yet.
11 Orchard Green for discussion and resolution (24/36)
11.1 Cllr Mountain noted that there was dog poo near to the football posts on the 24th April.
There is also pigeon / bird poo on the swings. Cllr Mountain provided some long tie wraps to attach to the top of the swings as a bird deterrent.
Action: Cllr Cooke & Clerk will put up the tie wraps and clean the park equipment.
Cllr Cope to undertake next month’s inspections.
11.2 Annual playground inspection May 2023 (24/37)
Wicksteed Park inspected the park on Monday 13th May 2024. The report has not been received yet.
12. Other matters for discussion and resolution
12.1 Churchyard tidy up – new date (24/38)
A potential date for the annual churchyard tidy up was discussed and Saturday 18th May at 9am was agreed upon.
Action: Clerk to contact Churchwarden, Mr Tippett and to advertise.
12.2 Insurance – policy renewal (24/39)
The Parish Council Insurance quotation has been received, taking into account all new purchases this year. The premium has increased to £1,197.49 which is only slightly over the budgeted amount of £1,100.00
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to pay the new premium of £1,197.49
12.3 Assets Register (24/40)
The Asset Register has been updated and forms part of the Insurance Policy.
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to the new updated Assets register (dated 13th May 2024)
12.4 Dog fouling – Orchard Park (24/41)
Cllr Mountain discussed dog fouling in Orchard Park Close in 11.1
Cllr Cooke to staple signs on the fencing stating no dogs and where to report dog fouling.
Action: Clerk to ask NKDC for metal signs to go on the park fencing.
12.5 Grass cutting (24/42)
Grass cutting in the village was discussed regarding the specification.
Action: Chair to contact grass cutter to request a full village cut.
12.6 Furniture for QE Garden (24/43)
The Clerk and Cllr Cooke had researched furniture for the QE Garden. Councillors discussed the options and agreed upon a heavy duty eight-seater round plastic picnic table with benches, in brown.
Action: Clerk to order the new picnic table and fixings.
12.7 Grass area – Hall Park / Leas Road – tree and conifers (24/44)
This had been discussed in Point 6.
13. Future Agenda Items (24/45)
1. Wicksteed inspected the park on Monday 13th May 2024.
2. Poppy wreath for November
14. Date and place of Next Meeting (24/46)
Monday 3rd June 2024 at 7pm in Hale Magna Village Hall
The Chairman thanked all for attending and closed the meeting at 8.56pm