Minutes 2024

Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council

Minutes of a meeting of Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council held at the Community Building, Spring Lane Playing Field on Monday 12 February 2024.

Present:  Chair – Graham Arnold

Councillors:  Jenny Bailey (Vice-Chair), Angie Adams, Callum Chambers, Frances Franklin, Colin Hibberd, Steven Milligan and Susan Waring

In attendance:  Mr Eddie Findlay, Clerk to Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council

Also in attendance:  LCC Councillor Richard Wright and NKDC Councillor Andrew Hague

No members of the public were in attendance.

At 7:00 pm the Chair welcomed everybody and declared the meeting open.

20.  To receive apologies for absence and reasons given, i.a.w. Local Government Act 1972, Sch 12, para 40.
All Councillors were present.

21.  To receive declarations of interest and to consider dispensation applications in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
None declared at this time.

22.  Public Forum.
There were no members of the public present.

23.  Notes of the ordinary meeting of the Parish Council held at the Community Building at Spring Lane Playing Field on Monday 22 January 2024 to be approved as Minutes.
Action: The Council RESOLVED that the notes of the ordinary meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 22 January 2024 to be approved as Minutes
Proposed by Cllr Franklin, seconded by Cllr Bailey and approved unanimously.

24.  Receive reports from the Clerk and Councillors in relation to the minutes and other Council matters.
No resolutions may be passed under this item but requests for matters to be placed on the next agenda can be made.

Bench – minute ref; 6.f. page 3-2024.  Cheque received, plaque wording approved and bench being prepped.  Should be with Cllr Bailey mid next week.

.GOV.UK – minute ref; 15.g. page 6-2024.  Cheque not yet received.  Once cleared will receive instructions on setting up email addresses.  @landrpc.gov.uk was turned down due to being a full on acronym, giving no guidance as to which organisation it related to.  Council has been granted @leasinghamroxholm-pc.gov.uk

Building roof – it is hoped to have the roof and gutter cleaning carried out this week.

Cllr Milligan
Leasingham Community Speed Watch were after more volunteers.  Due to a drop in volunteer numbers, they were doing about 20% less sessions.  The number of vehicles found to be above the speed limit was down, which shows how effective CSW can be.

A number of residents had approached him regarding the recent flooding and had raised concerns of certain areas and had asked if any additional might be available, from say the Witham First District Internal Drainage Board.  District Councillor Hague asked for further details and he would look into the matter on behalf of the Parish Council.

Cllr Hibberd
A number of residents had approached him to raise concerns over a car, which was continually parked on the bend of Chapel Lane, which was felt to be in a dangerous position.  The Clerk would contact the Neighbourhood PCSO for guidance.

25.  Financial Matters

  a.  Approve payments made since the last meeting.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the payments made since the last meeting.
Proposed by Cllr Milligan, seconded by Cllr Bailey and approved unanimously.

  b.  Approve the payments of invoices etc. as listed on the Payments to be Authorised sheet.

Notification received that the PWLB payment of £760.06 will be taken by DD 11-Mar-2024.
Action:  The Council RESOLVED to approve the Payments to be Authorised.
Proposed by Cllr Milligan, seconded by Cllr Bailey and approved unanimously.

  c.  Approve the bank reconciliation from the previous months.
The Clerk reported that the bank accounts had been reconciled for the month of January 2024.
He reported that the current bank balance was £29,810.92, which included £586.31 held on behalf of the Neighbourhood Plan fund raising Village Fayre (Aug-2017) and £11,285.55 on behalf of the Community Benefit Fund, leaving £17,936.06 as “Council” money.
Action:  The Council RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation for January 2024.
Proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Bailey and approved unanimously.

  d.  Consider the cost to move the gate on the War Memorial to allow for easier access.
Action:  The Council RESOLVED not to consider the suggested works to move the gate, but look at laying a path from the gate, towards the Church.
Proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Franklin and approved unanimously.

  e.  Consider the quotes for the replacement of lights units in the Community Building.
Action:  The Council RESOLVED to approve the quote from Harland Electrical to replace the 9 light units for LED ones, at a cost of no more than £500.00.
Proposed by Cllr Franklin, seconded by Cllr Chambers and approved unanimously.

  f.  Consider the quotes to empty the septic tank at the Community Building.
Action:  The Council RESOLVED to approve the quote from Bates Environmental to empty the septic tank at the Sports Ground at a cost of no more than £125.00 (+VAT) per 1,000 gallons.
Proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Chambers and approved unanimously.

  g.  Consider the amended quotes for a replacement flagpole with internal halyards.
Following on from minute ref; 6.d. page 3-2024, the company had advised against the previously agreed flagpole, which had external halyard/ropes and would be subject to tampering by anybody.
Action:  The Council RESOLVED to approve the quote from Flagpole Express, for a 7m classic fibreglass flagpole. 96mm diameter with a smooth taper to 65mm at the top, complete with ground sleeve, gold finial, internal halyard and locking door at a cost of no more than £700.00 (+ VAT).
Proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Waring and approved by a vote of 7 for and 1 against.

  h.  Consider the cost of membership for 2024/2025 and whether to join the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils (LALC) and the LALC Annual Training Scheme.
As agreed during the budget meeting held on 22 January 2024, the fees for the coming year April 2024 to March 2025 had been notified.
£421.36                LALC Membership
£180.00                ATS 24/25
£ 90.00                 ATS 23/24, this would allow the new Clerk and Cllrs to attend some relevant training events for the remainder of the FY.
Action:  The Council RESOLVED to approve the fees listed above.
Proposed by Cllr Arnold, seconded by Cllr Bailey and approved unanimously.

  i.  Consider the request from the Football Club to have hardcore deposited at the entrance to the old Bowling Green.
Action:  The Council RESOLVED not to consider the request.  The car park is used at the vehicle owners own risk and it should not be used in very wet weather and if there is any doubt of the grass surface.
Proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Adams and approved unanimously.

26.  Planning Matters.
  a.  23/1503/HOUS – Erection of single storey side/rear extension at Cherry Trees, Roxholme Road, Leasingham.  Application approved by NKDC as of 07-Feb-2024

27.  Correspondence.
  a.  LALC e-news and Training Bulletin.  Circulated 30-Jan-2024.  SLCC podcast - conversation with NALC Chair; Funding for Capital Projects in North Kesteven - Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF); Section 137 spending limit for 2024/25 etc.
  b.  NSK Parish Council Engagement Session.  Circulated 30-Jan-2024.  MS Teams meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner, the area Local Policing Supt, District Ch Inspector and Neighbourhood Policing Insp all in attendance.
  c.  Roll up Roll up - NKDC Lottery Funding now available!  Circulated 02-Feb-2024.  End date for applications is the 01-Mar-2024.
  d.  LALC E-News 09/02/2024.  Circulated 11-Feb-2024.

28.  Confirm the dates of the next meeting.
The next meeting will be the ordinary meeting planned for Monday 11 March 2024.

29.  To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act  1960, as amended by Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972 to discuss the following matters.
  a.  Consider the proposal from Busy Bees with regard to potential expansions plans.
Proposed by Cllr Franklin, seconded by Cllr Bailey and approved unanimously.

This part of the meeting closed 8:05 pm.

The meeting continued in the absence of press and public at 8:05 pm.

(Not for publication by virtue of section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the items being of a confidential nature.)

Confidential Minutes

  a.  Consider the proposal from Busy Bees with regard to potential expansions plans.
Action: In line with the meeting held with Busy Bees on Thursday 8 February 2024 and after a lengthy discussion, the Council RESOLVED to approve, in principle, the proposal of a new building on the Bowling Green adjacent to the Community Building, with a long term lease (length to be confirmed after legal advice), with a ground rent to be determined upon Land Agent advice.
Proposed by Cllr Franklin, seconded by Cllr Waring and approved unanimously.

The meeting closed at 8:30 pm

Signature:  Original signed           

Printed Name:  Cllr Jenny Bailey

Date:  11 March 2024