January 2021 Minutes
Brant Broughton and Stragglethorpe Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council meeting held by Zoom on Thursday 14th January 2021 at 7.30 pm.
Present: Cllr M George (MG) (in the Chair), Cllrs K. Cain (KC), P. Dunning (PD), J. Salmon (JS), K. Salmon (KS), and S. Swain (SS) also Dist Cllr M Green and Cty Cllr M Overton . There was one member of the public present.
MG welcomed all present and explained that she would not be taking any comments from visitors once the items on the Agenda had commenced, after the public forum.
20/55: Declarations of interest: Cllrs J and K Salmon in planning application 21/18.
20/56: Public time: The member of the public said that the state of the footpath in Swans Lane was very poor and she has reported this on Fix My Street. Cllr Green said that her report had been issued and it was confirmed that it had been circulated to all Councillors. The Cycling Strategy survey ends soon. It was confirmed that the PCSO report had also been circulated to Councillors. Cllr Overton had sent reports in December and January and it was confirmed that Councillors had seen these. She also said she had done a door to door distribution of useful telephone numbers. Re Covid - Hospital admissions and deaths are increasing and “hands – face – space” is the best way to avoid contracting this virus. People should exercise and do essential shopping but note 15% of cases are sourced from shops. Cllr Overton then left the meeting.
20/57: Apologies – There were none.
20/58: Minutes of the meeting held on 26th November had been read, approved, and it was resolved that they be signed.
20/59: Passive Speed Watch signs – these are now in place – 3 in Stragglethorpe and 9 in Brant Broughton. KC is concerned at the number of cars travelling at well over the speed limit along the High Street, BB. Clerk to enquire of the PCSO if they will come out with a handgun on an ad hoc basis.
20/60: Highways – No works had taken place at the pavement outside Spring Cottage (121 High Street) - this work was supposed to have been done in November – clerk to chase Marianne Overton. The footpath outside Broughton College is actually outside The Bothy where building works are taking place – hopefully this will be remedied once those works are completed. An Order for the stopping up of Green Lane, Stragglethorpe has now been made.
20/61: Planning - 20/1127 – Creation of vehicular access and erection of gates at The Bothy – approved ; 20/1457 – new dwelling at 9 West Street – refused; 20/1461 – change of materials at New Grange, Sleaford Road – approved; 20/1488/1499/1516 – change of use and adoption of telephone kiosk – approved; 20/1538 – tree works at 112 High Street – approved; 20/1548 – new air source heat pump at Village Hall – pending consideration; 20/1603 – new car port at 101A High Street, BB – pending consideration; 20/1713 – tree works at 10 Meeting House Lane – approved; 21/18 tree works at 26 High Street - pending.
20/62: Adoption of Phone Box: planning approval given and contract signed and returned to BT. Confirmation that equipment will be removed by 22nd January. Cllrs Swain and Cain to lead the project with the two interested residents. Asset Register to include the phone box at £1. Clerk to inform Insurers of acquisition.
20/63: Christmas tree – the tree was superb. Thanks to the helpers who put the tree up and put the lights on. Doddington Hall did a grand job. Two people required to dismantle the tree – difficult as we are in lockdown. Rectory Field looked great being lit up.
20/64: Grants – the total for grants for 2021/2022 is £9,454. and it was resolved to agree these. Discussion took place regarding funds for a Queens Platinum Jubilee celebration and it was agreed that the £400 in reserves will be held for this purpose but no further funds would be allocated. Councillors agreed unanimously that previous celebrations had been very successful with the community providing donations and people bringing their own food.
20/65: Finance: Clerk had circulated a spreadsheet looking at the precept for 2021-2022. It was resolved to request £18,384 – the same as the current year.
Resolved to sign the bank reconciliation/income/expenditure sheets at 30.11.20 and 31.12.20. The bank balance at 31.12.20 is £18,888.71. Clerk had picked up on a fraudulent direct debit on the bank account – the Bank and Action Fraud had been made aware. They provided a report number but would not take any further action – Bank informed accordingly.
Payments since last meeting: Salaries and expenses £662.62; Bank service charge £18.
Clerk explained that the existing Internal Auditor had retired and put forward Victoria Clark as the new Internal Auditor – resolved to appoint her.
20/66: Next meeting – 18th February 2021.
Meeting closed 8.25 pm.