08 December 2023
Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council
Minutes of an ordinary meeting of Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council held at the Community Building, Spring Lane Playing Field on Monday 11 December 2023.
Present: Chair: Graham Arnold
Councillors: Jenny Bailey (Vice-Chair), Callum Chambers, Colin Hibberd, Steven Milligan, Frances Franklin and Susan Waring
In attendance: Mr Eddie Findlay (incoming Clerk) to Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council
Also in attendance: NKDC Cllr Jim Clark
2 Member(s) of the public were in attendance.
At 7:00 pm the Chair welcomed everybody to the meeting.
The Chair declared the meeting open at 7:00 pm.
1. Declarations of Interest & Apologies and introduction to meeting of new Parish Clerk Eddie Findlay.
Declarations of Interest: Cllrs Arnold, Franklin, Hibberd and Waring declared an interest in Minute ref: 17.f. page 250-2023, due to being Community Pub Shareholders.
Apologies: Cllr Adams was unable to attend the meeting and their reasons were accepted.
The Chair introduced Mr Eddie Findlay, as the new Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer for Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council. On behalf of the Council, the Chair also sincerely thanked Elizabeth Kennedy for her 49 years’ service to the Parish Council.
2. Open Forum.
A resident reported that following the recent storm winds, the flagpole, situated next to the memorial on Captain’s Hill, is now beyond repair. It was suggested that the Council might wish to consider replacing the flagpole in due course. The matter was already set to be discussed at minute ref: 10.b.
The Chair of the Duke of Wellington Community Pub delivered their annual report to the Parish Council.
3. Notes of the ordinary meeting of the Parish Council held at the Community Building at Spring Lane Playing Field on Monday 13 November 2023 to be approved as Minutes.
Action: The Council RESOLVED that the notes of the ordinary meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 13 November 2023 to be approved as Minutes.
Proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Franklin and approved unanimously.
4. Matters arising and additional Correspondence.
No were no matters arising.
5. Police Engagement Session North & South Kesteven 7th December online meeting - Lincs Police Priority Setting Meeting & Community Speed Watch update.
Cllr Franklin attended online, on behalf of Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council, along with 46 other delegates from both South and North Kesteven. The main issues for the Police were around County Lines, ASB by children and rural crime, with the biggest worry for delegates being the reduction in PCSOs, from 95 to 50. Cllr Franklin had circulated a link to the presentation should anyone wishing to listen first hand.
6. Neighbourhood Plan.
The referendum for the Leasingham and Roxholm Neighbourhood Plan was held on Thursday 9 November 2023.
The question asked in the referendum was: 'Do you want North Kesteven District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Leasingham and Roxholm to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?'
The results were as follows:
No. on Electorate: 1340
No. of votes cast: 259
Percentage turnout: 19.3
Yes votes: 211
No votes: 48
Spoilt ballots: 0
Percentage in support: 81.5
As the Plan achieved 81.5% support, Council will need to recommend to make (adopt) the Plan to become part of the Local Development Framework. This decision will be made at the meeting on Thursday 14 December 2023.
7. Highway & footpath matters.
Report - damaged highway sign top Captains Hill
According to Fix My Street, as of 30 October 2023, LCC Highways had issued the work to one of their delivery gangs. The Clerk will hasten the matter.
Request resurfacing footpath/overgrown hedge - The Square.
There appears to be no work logged with Fix My Street. The Clerk will investigate the matter with LCC.
8. Tree works – order given to NKDC tree department.
Cllr Bailey confirmed that the matter was not with NKDC but had bene passed to LCC Footpaths Officer. The Clerk will investigate the matter with LCC.
9. Community Building.
Maintenance update – Air Conditioning Units Service Agreement carried out 27 November 2023. Service reports received from RPMS Air Conditioning.
Busy Bees Early Years & Nature Centre proposal use of Community Green (contract matter to be dealt with in closed session) amended meeting up date.
Playpark development refurbishment of area –Community Facilities FCC Foundation grant application approved with Council set to receive £63,000 to extend and refurbish the play park. Special thanks was given to both Cllr Chambers and Milligan for their hard work and determination to complete the many stages of the application.
Discussions are ongoing with the supplier to start the work as soon as possible.
Grounds maintenance – update.
Concern over car parking at the playing field during the recent wet weather and moles.
The area will be monitored.
10. War Memorial & Flagpole.
Possibility of entrance gate to be moved update.
Cllr Bailey had been unable to contact the Blacksmith at Heckington for a quote to move the gate. The matter will be placed on the next agenda.
Flag Pole broken removed.
Cllr Hibberd volunteered to research a replacement flagpole. The matter will be placed on the next agenda.
11. Burial Ground, Church and Church Yard – condition following flooding.
The Burial Ground and Church Yard appear to have suffered no lasting damage following the flood. The state of the Church would be investigated.
12. Queen’s Jubilee & King’s Coronation – trees planted on site check– plaques to be erected following Coronation.
The Clerk would investigate whether plaques had been requested and if not, would look to bring costs to the next meeting.
13. Village Hall – sub-committee for additional land update proposed meeting.
There were no further updates.
14. Public seating – Guidance and statutory requirements from NKDC sent to Insurance Company for confirmation. Reply forwarded to NKDC for approval update and siting position.
Will check with outgoing Clerk to what if any response she has had from the Insurance Company and see what bench has been ordered.
15. Flooding Report – follow on future action plan – NKDC carrying out extensive surveys for whole District to be passed to LCC Lead Authority.
Adoption of a local Emergency Plan to be investigated by Cllr Bailey.
16. St. Andrew’s CofE Primary School – extension – application for works parking at playing field update.
Following discussion with Contractor, it was felt a maximum of 3 vehicles could be allowed permission to park at the Playing Field Car Park, with no movement until after 4:00pm. This was felt restrictive, in case of emergency, one or more of these vehicles might need to move before this time. As the contractor would be provided a Banksman for plant machinery movements, if the same was applied for any of these other vehicles, movement would be allowed.
17. Correspondence – received to date including;
NKDC Christmas and New Year Bin Collection dates
NKDC Domestic Abuse poster.
NKDC Digital Hubs details.
The Sleaford Navigation Trust Newsletter.
1st Leasingham Scout Group – Scouts requesting funds to replace tents etc across all levels, Cubs, Beavers and Scouts. 1st Leasingham Scout Group to be advised they need to submit a Community Benefit Fund Grant application for each group, which can be considered at the next meeting.
Duke of Wellington (Community Benefit Fund) request for grant towards Christmas Tree & Main light displays. The Duke of Wellington to be advised they need to submit a Community Benefit Fund Grant application which can be considered at the next meeting.
LIVES thank you Certificate £100.00 donation (2023).
Town & Parish Council Newsletter.
Springwell Solar Farm consultation on updated proposal.
Devolution in Greater Lincolnshire for combined authority booklet.
18. Planning matters received to date including.
Application Approval Notice– Erection 1m picket fence to front and side boundaries 53 St. Johns Close Planning Ref.23/1148/HOUS.
Application Refusal Notice – Erection of one and half storey dwelling Land off Lincoln Road Leasingham Planning Ref.23/0546/FUL.
19. Accounts – confirmation of accounts report previously circulated and authorisation of payments.
Action: The Council RESOLVED that the accounts report previously circulated was correct and they authorised payments.
Under delegated powers the Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) and following approval by PC Members at the meeting held on 13th November October 2023, the undermentioned accounts were paid:
Salaries and HMRC £1,250.77
EON Community Building Elect (DD Nov-2023) £506.74
E Kennedy Expenses April to December 2023 £648.21
Proposed by Cllr Franklin, seconded by Cllr Bailey and approved unanimously.
20. Items for information only plus date of next PC Meeting.
The next meeting was confirmed as Monday 8 January 2024, however as per email from NK - Corporate and Civic Support Team, dated 05 December 2023, the deadline for submission of the required Precept forms is the 26 January 2024. The Clerk advised that as no budget for FY2024/2025 had been started. there may be a requirement for an extra-ordinary meeting week commencing Monday 22 January 2024, to approve the budget and Precept demand.
21. 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.
Action: The Council RESOLVED to go into closed session to discuss the following matters;
a. To formally confirm new Clerk’s Contract of Employment (Eddie Findlay).
b. To confirm purchase of IT equipment lap top as per the new Clerk’s Employment Contract Eddie Findlay dated 01.12.2023.
c. Busy Bees – update on their request to use area of hard standing within the gated green area.
Proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Franklin and approved unanimously.
This part of the meeting closed 8:35 pm.
Due to work commitments Cllr Chambers left the meeting at 8:35pm.
The meeting continued in the absence of press and public at 8:35 pm.
(Not for publication by virtue of section 100(a) para 4 of the Local Government Act 1972, the items being of a confidential nature.)
Confidential Minutes
a. To formally confirm new Clerk’s Contract of Employment (Eddie Findlay).
The Clerk was presented with his contract and advised to take it away for review and to advise Cllr Bailey of any changes that may be required.
b. To confirm purchase of IT equipment laptop and mobile phone, as per the new Clerk’s Employment Contract Eddie Findlay dated 01.12.2023.
Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the purchase of a mobile phone (cost £42.00) and allow the Clerk to investigate prices for a new laptop. This will be brought back to the next meeting.
Proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Arnold and approved unanimously.
c. Busy Bees – update on their request to use area of hard standing within the gated green area.
Following receiving an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted grade, LCC were keen to capitalise on the excellent result Busy Bees had achieved and suggested assistance in expanding the setting. The hard standing within the Community Green area had been identified and draft plans had been submitted. Whilst the Council agreed in principle it was felt that further information and legal consideration would be required before making a final decision.
The meeting closed at 9:10 pm