September 2023 Minutes
BIGBY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 19th SEPTEMBER 2023
CHAIR – COUNCILLOR D. COWLING
PRESENT: Councillors – D. Cowling, C. Gandy, B. Orr, C. Wilson
Also in attendance: -
Mrs. A. Hannath – Clerk to the Council
Cllr. P. Morris - WLDC
Cllr. Tom Smith – LCC
BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED
38 Notice convening the meeting.
Taken as read and approved
39 To Receive Apologies and Reasons for Absence
Cllr. D. Servat
40 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
41 TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR CO-OPTION TO THE COUNCIL
The Clerk advised that Helen Auckland was interested in the position, but would like to be an observer at the next meeting, before formally being considered for co-option.
42 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM CLLR. SMITH ON COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS
Cllr. Smith advised that
• He is aware of a ‘Fix My Street’ report for Smithy Lane. He will discuss this with the Highways Officer. He informed the meeting that the issues on Smithy Lane are currently low priority.
• There is an underspend at LCC of 8.7 million pounds. This is to be used by Highways for the maintenance of minor roads
43 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM CLLR. MORRIS ON DISTRICT COUNCIL MATTERS
Cllr. Morris advised that
• Due to a lack of business to discuss, this month’s WLDC Meeting has been cancelled
• The council now had fly tipping cameras in place.
• There are 2 electric vans, charged overnight at the Caenby Corner Depot, for small jobs around the district
• Bin lorries now have solar panels to power the vehicles’ ancillary activities
44 Police Matters
There have been no newsletters in recent months
45 To Receive any Correspondence (for information only).
a) Email received from Councillor Davies of LCC regarding a survey of drains – see Item 54.
b) Notification of road closure – B1434 Howsham Road, between A1084 and County boundary (11/09/2023 – 08/11/2023)
c) Notification of road closure – Kettleby Lane Level Crossing (05/10/2023)
46 To Receive an Update on any outstanding issues from the clerk.
a) Noticeboards have now been installed
b) Still waiting for Bigby Green to be sorted
47 Public Question Time
There were no members of the public in attendance
48 To Receive any Questions from Members.
None notified
49 a) TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE MINUTES, AS CIRCULATED, OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 18th JULY 2023
Cllr. Wilson asked that the questions he put to Niall Kelly of Breedon Aggregate be added to the minutes, namely
• How does the development fit in with the Net Zero Strategy for Parishes?
• Is the company considering solar energy for the plant and equipment?
• Is the company considering the production of hydrogen gas from solar energy to power vehicles?
• Has the local railway line been considered for the transport of the aggregates?
• Has an adequate number of trees been planned to offset the carbon footprint of the plant?
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 18th July, 2023, with the addition of the questions, should be taken as read and approved.
Proposed: Cllr. C. Wilson - Seconded: D. Cowling
50 ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
a) To Receive the following Financial Report and Approve the Accounts for Payment: as at 11th September 2023 (Documents attached)
It was resolved that the accounts for payment listed above and the Statement of Accounts be approved.
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling - Seconded: B. Orr
b) To Receive Notification that the Limited Assurance Review of the AGAR is now completed and that the Notice of Conclusion of the Audit has been published in line with the statutory regulations.
Noted
c) To determine the budget line for payment of the Limited Assurance Review
The Clerk advised that the Limited Assurance Review and the associated fee of £315.00 + VAT was because the spending and/or income in 2022/23 was greater than £25,000.00. This was the result of the grant received and associated spending on the Bigby Solar Energy Project. She suggested that the fee should, therefore, come out of the remaining Solar Energy budget.
It was resolved that the fees be taken out of the Solar Energy Budget
Proposed: Cllr. B. Orr - Seconded: Cllr. C. Wilson
d) To confirm the sale of the M and G Charibond.
The Clerk confirmed that the sale has proceeded and that the associated paperwork needs signing by 2 official members of the Acre Dykes Charity.
51 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.
None notified
52 TO CONSIDER THE MEANS OF ROAD AND PAVEMENT GRITTING IN WINTER GIVEN THAT THE VILLAGE HANDYMAN NO LONGER LIVES IN THE VILLAGE – Follow up from discussions earlier in the year
Cllr. Cowling suggested that an advert be placed on the noticeboard for a volunteer to grit the pavements during icy weather. If a volunteer is found, then a suitable spreader would be purchased.
Proposed: Cllr. B. Orr - Seconded: Cllr. C. Wilson
53 COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY
To determine suitable projects on which to spend the remaining funds, approximately £1000.00
A definite decision on spending was not taken, but the Clerk is to look at what is permissible under the Community Infrastructure Levy Scheme
54 TO CONSIDER A RESPONSE TO THE LCC DRAINAGE SURVEY
The Clerk advised that she has been unable to see on the link the position of the current drains. Therefore, it is impossible to place on record the additional drains. She has sought advice from LCC Highways, but is yet to have a reply.
The meeting closed at 7.20pm