May 2019 Minutes Annual Parish Council Meeting
BARKSTON and SYSTON PARISH COUNCIL
Clerk: Mr M. L. Hall
32 Gorse Road
Grantham
Lincolnshire
NG31 9LQ
Tel: 01476 566984
Email: starlight_hall@hotmail.co.uk
AT THE ANNUAL MEETING of the BARKSTON AND SYSTON PARISH COUNCIL held in the Village Hall, Barkston on Monday 13th May 2019, at 7.45pm
PRESENT
Councillors A.C.Card, P.C.Connor, S.T. Elnor, Mrs S.B.Evans, A. Hine, and A. Rowell. 2378.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED
That Councillor Miss M.E. Nussey be elected Chairman for the ensuing year. Councillor Miss Nussey signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Chairman.
2379. ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED
That Councillor A.C. Card be elected Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.
2380. VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR FOR BARKSTON
Miss Maxine Costall was proposed and seconded. There being no further nominations, Miss Costall was declared elected. The declaration of acceptance of office was signed and Councillor Costall was welcomed to the meeting.
2381. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Kelly (accepted for the purposes of an attendance) and Councillor Wootten (County Council) and Councillors Mrs Kaberry-Brown and Stokes (District Council).
2382. MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 11th March 2019, a copy of which had been circulated to all Members, were taken as read and approved as a correct record.
2383. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none declared.
2384. REVIEW OF POLICIES
(a) to (e) The Council reviewed the Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, Risk Assessment, Audit Plan and Planning Policy. No changes had been made to any of the Policies, although the Clerk reminded Members that the Planning Policy had only been agreed at the meeting on 9th July 2018 (minute 2330 (b)), and no changes were proposed. The Council therefore confirmed the listed Policies.
(f) Internal Auditor
The Clerk reported that, unfortunately, Mr A Anderson, who was the appointed Internal Auditor, had been taken ill and was unable to carry out the audit. He had, therefore, and in view of the urgent need for an appointment to be made, approached Mrs G Noon, former Clerk to Great Gonerby Parish Council, who had agreed to carry out the audit, and had in fact completed it.
The Council confirmed the Clerk’s action.
Mr J Jackson had indicated that he was prepared to carry out the internal audit for the year 2019/20 and the Council confirmed this appointment.
2385. ROADS AND FOOTPATHS
Matters raised at previous meetings, which had been referred to the County Council and other agencies for comment, were discussed as follows, together with further matters raised at the meeting:-
1. Speeding, A607 – the Clerk advised the Council that the proposals for a reduction of the 40 mph limit leading up to Manthorpe Church to 30 mph were now out for consultation.
2. A607 central refuge – work completed. It was noted that recent white lining in the village had stopped just short of the refuge, and the Clerk was asked to ask if the lining would be completed.
3. War Memorial area – the County Council had published details of proposed waiting restrictions, and these were now out for consultation, the deadline for comments/objections being 7th June.
4. Petition – West Street issues – the Clerk gave details of the proposed waiting restrictions, which had now been published, in the same consultation as those for Church Street/War Memorial area, and reminded Members that they had expressed support. The deadline for comments was 7th June.
5. Bedehouses area, Honington Road, Barkston – the Clerk advised that he had written to the Area Surveyor, who had indicated that he was trying to establish the history to the issue, before considering how to deal with it. The LCC officer concerned had been identified, and the Clerk said that he would pass this on to the Area Surveyor.
6. Flooding, garage entrance, A607 – the gulleys were on the programme to be cleansed in the next few weeks, when any issues found would be addressed.
7. A607 verges – Councillor Rowell reported that although some of the verges had, as promised, been reinstated, others remained to be done. He would continue to monitor.
8. River Lane, Syston – the Area Surveyor was arranging for a visit, although he had pointed out that at the date of the last visit, no intervention level defects had been found. Anything found on the proposed visit would be actioned.
9. Street nameplate – The Drift, Syston – SKDC had said that The Drift nameplate had been placed in its existing position due to The Old School House being addressed as Main Street. It was felt that by placing The Drift nameplate outside this property, additional confusion would be caused due to visitors believing that The Old School House was on The Drift. It was therefore suggested that the sign be relocated to the left of the driveway to The Old School House, making it slightly more visible from Main Street, without hopefully misleading visitors. After discussion this suggestion was accepted.
10. A607 speed limit, West Willoughby to Ancaster – a request had been received from Ancaster Parish Council for the Council to support a request for the speed limit from the Ancaster crossroads to the Barkston side of West Willoughby to be 40mph all the way. At present the limit through West Willoughby was 50mph, then 60mph through to the 40mph limit starting at ‘Woody’s’ through to the crossroads. Following a discussion it was agreed to support this request.
11. Pothole – West Street, Barkston – a fresh pothole was evident, near to The Close, and the Clerk was asked to refer this to the Area Surveyor, as well as reporting on the “FixMyStreet Pro’ website.
12. Waiting restrictions enforcement – Clerk to establish the enforcement regime, when the Orders were implemented.
2386. PLANNING MATTERS
The Clerk advised that the application for development at 12 West Street, Barkston, was to be considered at the SKDC Development Management Committee on 29th May. It was agreed that the Chair would speak on behalf of the Council.
Decisions had been taken on planning applications as follows:
Installation of a woodchip biomass boiler system to heat surrounding commercial and domestic buildings, within an existing building, Heath House, Heath Lane, Barkston – approved
Following consultation, comments had been made on planning applications as follows:
Detached single storey garage/workshop, 3 Farm Cottages, Main Street, Syston – no objection (application submitted following reference by the Parish Council)
Erection of a storage building, Heath House, Heath Lane, Barkston – no objection
In regard to the application for retrospective approval for the holiday let at the rear of 5 Church Street, Barkston, the application would be determined by the case officer on his return from leave.
2387. PICNIC AREA
The Clerk said that the County Council had now confirmed that the land was now registered with the Land Registry, and now therefore officially belonged to LCC. Arrangements would now be made for the land to be made surplus to requirements and transferred to the Parish Council.
2388. BURIAL GROUND
The works to the Bier Shelter had been completed, and in addition, an insulated cover had been provided for the water pipe and tap. During the recent risk inspection it was noted that the barge boards to the rear of the building had not been refurbished, and it was felt that this should be done. The Clerk was asked to arrange for an inspection and repair if necessary.
2389 PLAYING FIELD
On behalf of Councillor Kelly the Clerk read the annual report from the Playing Field, for the information of Members, and also advised that since the last meeting the regular inspection of the children’s play area had been carried out, with no issues reported.
The garages had recently been broken into, and nearly all equipment stolen. However, this had been recovered, and returned. The Playing Field Committee had decided to purchase a steel container for more secure storage, and the costs of ground preparation for this had been approved at the AGM. The cost of transport for the recovery would be invoiced to the Council but settled through the Insurers.
The insurance would be paid to the Council.
2390. CORRESPONDENCE
The Council noted circular 168, which had been previously circulated via email. Also circulated via email was Councillor Wootten’s annual County Council report. Members expressed thanks for the report and Councillor Wootten’s support throughout the last year.
2391. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(a) Financial update
The Council received and noted the financial updates for the period ending 31st March 2019, and so far for 2019/20, and the Clerk explained these for the information of members.
(b) Annual Audit for 2018/2019
The Clerk told Members that the audit regime introduced last year, whereby the Council could certify itself as exempt from a limited assurance review if the higher of the Council’s income or expenditure did not exceed £25,000 was continuing. The Council was within these limits, and the Clerk therefore recommended that the Council certify itself as exempt. The appropriate form had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting to help discussion.
Also circulated to Members were the Annual Governance Statement for 2018/19, and the Accounting Statements for 2018/2019. The Clerk explained the elements requiring consideration, and Members also took into account the Annual Internal Audit report, which was read by the Clerk, noting that the Auditor had concluded that all the required objectives had been achieved throughout the financial year, and the Clerk’s report at (a) above. Having considered the reports and circulated documents, the Council
(i) agreed to certify the Parish Council as exempt from a limited assurance review;
(ii) acknowledged and agreed the Annual Governance Statement for 2018/2019 as circulated; and
(iii) acknowledged and agreed the Accounting Statements for 2018/2019 as circulated.
(c) Accounts paid and for payment
RESOLVED:-
(i) That payment of the following accounts be approved and confirmed (all online):
Miss M E Nussey (Retirement gifts) 64.36
M L Hall (Expenses 2018/2019) 294.07
BDG Mowing Contractors (Mowing – March) 203.00
Community Heartbeat Trust (Annual support costs) 302.40
Lincs. Association of Local Councils (Annual subscription) 221.37
Fineturf Machinery Ltd. (Service for mower) 1406.19 *
St Nicholas Church PC (Contribution – In Touch) 238.00
Barkston PCC (Contribution – Maintenance of clock) 147.00
Lincs. Association of Local Councils (Training-A. Hine) 27.50
Mrs G Noon (Internal audit fee) 45.00
BDG Mowing Contractors (Mowing – April) 406.00
The payment marked * was agreed by the Chairman and two members, as it was over the Clerk’s permitted limit.
(ii) That the following accounts now submitted be approved for payment (both over the Clerk’s permitted limit):
£ Zurich Town and Parish (Renewal premium) 1,500.72
Simon M Williams (Repairs to Bier Shelter) 800.00
2392. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION BUT NOT DECISION
The inspection was carried out on 9th May. No issues had been found which required attention.