April 2021 Minutes

Brant Broughton and Stragglethorpe Parish Council 

Minutes of Parish Council meeting held by Zoom  on Thursday 15th April 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), S. Swain (SS) and P. Thornburn (PT) also Dist Cllr M Green. 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.  

21/01: Declarations of interest:  There were none.

21/02: Public time: The member of the public had no comment.   Cllr Green said that her report had been issued and it was confirmed that it had been circulated to all Councillors.  There will be no Books of Condolence for the Duke of Edinburgh but people can sign online at NKDCs website. A mobile unit has been distributing test kits for Covid.  Bassingham has had travellers on its playing field – we should be aware.  The reference for the rendering plant at Norton Disney is PL/0012/21 should anyone wish to comment.

21/03: Apologies – There were none. 

21/04: Minutes of the meeting held on 18th February had been read, approved, and it was unanimously resolved that they be signed.  

21/05: Highways – The footpath outside The Bothy has been repaired.  There are still numerous potholes – some have been filled but are already opening up again.

21/06: Rectory Field – the fence next to the gate into the field at High Street needs 4 rails replacing – Cllrs Thornburn and K Salmon will repair it as necessary.  A horse appears to have been in the field judging by horseshoe prints at entrance.  Clerk raised the issue by PB that some apple trees were hanging very low down and he wishes to cut them back a little to make strimming easier.  It is the wrong time of year to cut back trees so this must be left till the autumn.

21/07: Planning -   21/0065 – new windows at 71 High Street – pending consideration. 21/0262 and 21/0272 – tree works at 106A High Street - approved; 21/0263 – tree works at 2-4 Meeting House Lane – approved.  Individual responses to Rendering Plant preferred.

21/08: Phone Box:  Defibrillator now ordered but will not be delivered till we ask for it.  Pro forma invoice awaited to enable funds to be called for. Free paint is available and the Chair will collect next week.  It was suggested and agreed that “before and after” photographs should be taken.  It was resolved that £50 should be made available for the purchase of initial equipment.  Covid Regulations and lighter evenings means that work on the kiosk should start soon.  

21/09: Trees -  Pruning of trees that were overhanging the Village Hall has already taken place as agreed with the Tree Warden.   Discussion took place considering a request for a blossom tree in  Rectory Field and it was resolved that two spring blossom trees be planted – one cherry  in Rectory Field and one on the Village Green.   Clerk to speak to resident who is involved in the new trees scheme.  Note the PC’s tree inspection by NK is done three yearly and is next due in 2022.

21/10:  Finance:

[a] Resolved to sign the bank reconciliation/income/expenditure sheets at 31.3.21.  The bank balance at 31.3.21 is £15,371.98.  

[b] Payments since last meeting: Salaries and expenses £1038..38;  LALC subscription £242.29 and - PFA £1664.02.      

[c] (i)  It was resolved to sign Section 1 of the AGAR form and 

[c] (ii)  resolved to sign Section 2 of the AGAR form, and

[c] (iii) the Certificate of Exemption.  Internal Auditor has signed off her Section.

21/11:  Next meeting – 27th May which will be the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council and the regular meeting.  We will review an Annual Parish Meeting at this meeting.  There is no legislation that allows virtual meetings after 6th May.   

Notes:

We will hold off renewal of our Zoom subscription for now, and Clerk to see whether Teams is any cheaper.   

Chair has drawn up a litter pick schedule of places to be covered. Clerk to forward to litter pickers.

Meeting closed 8.25 pm.