December 2022 Minutes
BIGBY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 6th DECEMBER 2022
CHAIRMAN – COUNCILLOR D. COWLING
PRESENT: Councillors – D. Cowling, N. Francis, W. Pinney, D. Servat, C. Wilson
Also in attendance: -
Mrs. A. Hannath – Clerk to the Council
Cllr. Tom Smith - LCC
BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED
76 Notice convening the meeting.
Taken as read and approved.
77 To Receive Apologies and Reasons for Absence
Cllr. N. Francis
Cllr. B. Orr
Cllr. P. Morris - WLDC
78 a) To Record any Declarations of Interest by any member of the council in respect of the agenda items listed below. Members declaring interests should identify the Agenda Item and the type of interest being declared.
None
b) To Note any Dispensations given to any member of the council in respect of the Agenda Items listed below.
None
79 TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR CO-OPTION TO THE COUNCIL.
It was resolved that Claire Gandy be co-opted onto the Council
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. D. Servat
80 Police Matters
The newsletter has been circulated. Councillor Morris has advised that PCSO Dawn Cowling has agreed to come to a parish council meeting to explain the current structure and take any questions from Councillors.
81 To Receive any Correspondence (for information only).
None
82 To Receive the Clerk’s Report and Update on any outstanding issues.
a) The Charity Commission Return for Acre Dykes has been submitted
b) Further to the report from Cllr. Francis about dog fouling, the Clerk and Cllr. Cowling met with Tom Rawle of WLDC. This is his report as to what he has done to date.
“I’ve put out three signs at the moment and a couple of stickers – I’ve put one near where my van was parked and the other two down the lane we walked down at the end of our walk around. I’ve also put a sticker on the bin we talked about down that lane and a sticker on a lamppost at the top of Bigby Green
I’m going to come out next week and cut down the older signs and put some new ones up in their place. I’ll then have a walk down the public footpath and assess the situation again for signs or stickers. I’ve attached a picture of what the signs look like and I’m going to speak with my manager tomorrow to see if we can get these in sticker format. If I get the ‘Okay’ I’ll wait and put these up as well as signs in the suitable areas down the public footpath.”
c) Bigby Green has been sprayed with weedkiller.
d) Bulbs have been planted in the planter.
e) Donation of £250.00 received from Cllr. Morris to help fund the new laptop. The laptop is up and running. A new printer has also been purchased as the old one refused to print.
83 To Receive any Questions from Members.
Cllr. D. Servat reported that over the last 2 weekends it has been difficult to get passed Brigg Garden Centre due to queues of traffic trying to access it. It can take up to 20 minutes to get passed the junction. The Clerk will speak to the Garden Centre Manager to see if there are measures in place to alleviate the problem
84 Public Question Time.
There were no members of the public present.
85 a) TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE MINUTES, AS CIRCULATED, OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 31st OCTOBER 2022
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 31st October, 2022, having been circulated should be taken as read and approved.
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. D. Servat
b) TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE MINUTES, AS CIRCULATED, OF THE MEETING OF THE VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY, 31st OCTOBER 2022
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 31st October, 2022, having been circulated should be taken as read and approved.
Proposed: Cllr. D. Servat Seconded: Cllr. D. Cowling
86 ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
a) To Receive the following Financial Report and Approve the Accounts for Payment: as at 30th November 2022
It was resolved that the accounts for payment listed above and the Statement of Accounts be approved.
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. C. Wilson
b) To Undertake a Quarterly Review of the Accounts. (Documents attached)
It was resolved that the Review of the Accounts for the first quarter be accepted.
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. C. Wilson
87 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND DECISION NOTICES
Members are reminded that applications can be received after the deadline for the publication of the agenda. The clerk will forward any further applications to you before the meeting for your consideration.
No planning applications had been received.
88 TO CONSIDER ENTERING INTO THE PARISH AGREEMENT WITH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL FOR URBAN HIGHWAY VERGE CUTTING FOR 2023/24
It was resolved that the Parish enter into an agreement with LCC for Urban Highway Verge Cutting in 2023/24
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. C. Wilson
89 TO CONSIDER TENDERS FOR THE URBAN HIGHWAY VERGE CUTTING IN THE VILLAGE OF BIGBY AND THE GRASSED AREA IN FRONT OF PINGLEY PARK
The Clerk advised that 4 contractors had been asked to tender for this work. Only two companies quoted for the work. This is very disappointing as the companies contacted had all sent emails to the Clerk, asking if they could tender for the work when the contract was up for renewal.
The council considered the two quotations. The quote from the current provider, JB Rural Services, remains unchanged for the third year in a row and is significantly cheaper that the other quotation received. (8 hours per cut charged at £22.00 per hour.)
It was resolved that given that there was no change in the price from last year, ie, £65.00 +VAT per cut, JB Rural services will be given the contract
As this year, the frequency of cuts to be determined by summer weather conditions. (7 cuts were undertaken this year.)
Proposed: Cllr. D. Servat Seconded: Cllr. W. Pinney
90 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM COUNCILLOR SMITH ON COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS
a) The issue of potholes on Smithy Lane is still ongoing.
b) The use of the re-cycling centre at Melton Ross by residents is still being chased by Cllr. Smith and Cllr. Morris
91 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM COUNCILLOR MORRIS ON DISTRICT COUNCIL MATTERS
Councillor Morris had proffered his apologies in advance of the meeting. He had nothing major to report.
92 TO CONSIDER THE PURCHASE OF A NEW NOTICEBOARD FOR SMITHY LANE
The Clerk advised that the noticeboard is becoming increasing difficult to use. The original locks have broken and have been replaced by a bolt. The bolt keeps the door closed, but does allow some rain and humidity to develop, so that the papers withing become damp.
She also advised that to replace it like for like would cost around £2000.00 + VAT
It was resolved that a new noticeboard be purchased using funds from the Community Infrastructure Levy, with a budget of £2000.00
Proposed: Cllr. D. Servat Seconded: Cllr. W. Pinney
93 TO NOTE AND AGREE THE PAY RISE AWARDED TO EMPLOYEES BY NATIONAL JOINT COUNCIL (NJC) FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE EMPLOYEES
The Clerk advised that the pay rate had risen by £1.00 per hour, giving a new yearly salary of £2511.00 per annum and an extra days holiday, pro rata
Noted and agreed
94 COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY (CIL)
a) To note that the Clerk has to file returns on community infrastructure levy spending
In completing these returns, the Clerk realised that the waste bins purchased by the Council in 2021/22 could be funded by the CIL
b) To note that the remaining funds, £3710.03 need to be spent by 30th April 2024
Noted
c) To determine suitable projects on which to spend the remaining funds
It was resolved that a new Parish council Noticeboard be purchased.
Proposed: Cllr. C. Wilson Seconded: Cllr. D. Cowling
95 PRECEPT REQUIREMENTS – FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024
a) To Consider the Budget Proposals prepared by the Clerk.
The Clerk’s recommendations were noted. This gives a budget of £11777.83, including expenditure from the Community Infrastructure Levy.
b) To Determine the Precept to be levied for the Fiscal Year 2023/2024.
It was resolved that a precept of £6500.00 be set.
Proposed: Cllr. C. Wilson Seconded: Cllr. D. Cowling
96 BIGBY SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT
To receive an update from Councillors Wilson and Cowling on the project
Cllr. C. Wilson advised that Barnetby Parish Council is also interested in the project. The Centrica Power Station in Brigg is going to start using Hydrogen gas.
The meeting closed at 7.17 pm