2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

BARKSTON AND SYSTON PARISH COUNCIL

AT THE ANNUAL MEETING of the BARKSTON AND SYSTON PARISH COUNCIL held in the Village Hall, Barkston, on Monday 15 May 2023 immediately following the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.54 pm

PRESENT

Councillor Miss M.E. Nussey in the Chair

Councillors A.C. Card, P.C. Connor, S. Elnor, A.Hine, C. I. Pell and A. Rowell.

Also present – County Councillor R. Wootten from 8.35 pm

2674. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
 
RESOLVED

That Councillor Miss M E Nussey be elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

Councillor Miss Nussey signed the Declaration of Office as Chair and thanked members for electing her.

2675. ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED

That Councillor A C Card be elected Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.
  
2676. VACANCIES FOR TWO COUNCILLORS FOR BARKSTON

The Clerk reminded the Council that there were two vacancies for Councillors for Barkston, following the recent elections.  Notices advertising the vacancies had been published, resulting in interest being expressed by two residents, Mr Steven Micklewright and Mr Richard Parke in  being nominated to fill the vacancies

Mr Micklewright was unable to be present at the meeting owing to work commitments, but he had sent an email in support of his nomination, which the Clerk read to the meeting.  Mr Parke addressed the meeting in support of his nomination.  

Both Mr Micklewright and Mr Parke were proposed and seconded.  There being no further nominations, both were declared elected.  Mr Parke signed the declaration of acceptance of office as a member and was welcomed to the meeting.  It was agreed that Mr Micklewright would sign the declaration of office at a later date.

2677. APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from District Councillors Ian Stokes and Peter Stephens.  

2678. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2023, a copy of which had been circulated to all members, were taken as read and approved as a correct record.

2679. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were none declared.

The Clerk reminded members that it was necessary to complete a fresh Declaration of Interests form, following the elections, and the acceptance of the new Code of Conduct at the last meeting.  These forms were required to be sent to SKDC by 1 June.

2680. ROADS AND FOOTPATHS

Members considered the update circulated by the Clerk on 6 May, with reference to issues raised at and since the last meeting in relation to the following:

(a).   Blocked drains, Minnetts Hill/Church Street – this, together with the works to the verge in front of the Bedehouses, was being discussed within the relevant sections of the Highways Department, and a site meeting was planned to finalise work to be carried out in this financial year.  Clerk to strongly request action to take place as soon as possible, given the long outstanding nature of proposals for this site.

(b).   Parking provision, end of West Street, Barkston – the Area Surveyor had replied stating that the request for wider grass verge cuts could not be acceded to, and that there were also no plans to place additional restrictions on the passing places.

(c).   Community Speedwatch – the Clerk reported that it was apparent that there was insufficient interest in the Speedwatch scheme to ensure that it would be able to run properly.  Belton & Manthorpe Parish Council were also in a similar position.  In the circumstances, it was suggested that participation in the scheme be postponed for the time being.  The Parish Council agreed.

(d).   Road sign, A607, near refuge/garage – the sign had been straightened.

(e).  Footpath opposite Village Hall, Barkston – the condition of the path had been reported to SKDC again, but nothing had been heard.  Clerk to request an update as soon as possible.

In connection with the same area, Councillor Connor had investigated the dyke running alongside the A607, which should discharge water from the fields to the west through the culvert and into the river.  The culvert appeared to be blocked and was a possible cause of the flooding at The Stag corner.  This had been passed onto, and acknowledged by, the Area Surveyor, who had promised a site visit in the near future.

(f) Speed limit reduction, Hough Road, Barkston – further consideration was given to the request made at the Annual Parish Meeting, and the Clerk was asked to pass the request to the Area Surveyor for action.

(g) Syston Bus Shelter – Councillor Hine had reported the dirty condition of the bus shelter on Main Street and had considered reporting it via FixmyStreet.  Eventually he and his wife had cleaned the shelter as part of the Big Help Out Day, following the Coronation.  During the clean it had been noticed that there was some rot around the window frames which needed addressing. The Clerk reported that he had reported this to the County Council.

(h) Street light, Syston – it was reported that the street light at the junction of The Drift and River Lane was not working, although it had been reported before, and attended to.  The Clerk was asked to report again.  

2681.  PLANNING MATTERS 

(a)   Comments/decisions:

i Decisions received:

Lawful development certificate for the installation of solar panels, The Grange, Hough Road, Barkston – no objection – approved

Lawful development certificate (existing development) for the erection of a 1.8m close boarded fence to southern boundary, Richmond House, Main Road, Barkston - approved 

ii Comments made following consultation:

Re-positioning of approved rooflights (S21/2223), insertion of 3 additional rooflights, adjustment of previously approved rooflights and reinstatement of chimney to curtilage listed stable range, Syston Old Hall, Main Street, Syston – no objection

(b)   Land off Drift Lane, Barkston – the Clerk advised that SKDC had said that they had been contacted by the owner’s agent, who wished to submit an application for the retention of the caravan for residential, and had requested until the end of June for the submission.  This was unacceptable to SKDC who had set a deadline of the end of May, following which formal action would be considered.  Clerk to update at the next meeting.

(c)   Dog training/walking site, Hough Road, Barkston – members were reminded that this application, which was still undecided, had been the subject of comment at the Annual Parish Meeting.  It was noted that the dog waste bin had been provided, tree planting was underway and, if the new application to extend the number of dogs permitted was approved, a timeframe would be given for the carpark to be provided.  Clerk to ensure an update was available for the next meeting.

2682.  BURIAL GROUND

Nothing to report.

2683. PLAYING FIELD 

The Clerk reported that the three-monthly inspection for April 2023 had been carried out. No issues requiring attention had been reported.

Councillor Card reported that there was a meeting of the Playing Field Committee arranged for the 17 May, at which issues regarding membership and the appointment of new officers would be discussed, the Secretary and Treasurer having resigned.  It was agreed to await the result of the meeting before considering any further action.

2684. PICNIC AREA

The Council noted that the information board had been unveiled on the 21 April.  It was agreed that the board was an extremely useful addition to the area.  Thanks were expressed to Councillors Connor and Hine, and the Clerk, for their work in liaising with the College, and agreeing the final design.

It was agreed that there was a need to monitor the use of the site.  There was a large puddle at the site entrance which should be repaired. The Clerk advised that he was unsure of the ownership.  It was agreed that the Clerk would check with the County Council.

A member suggested that consideration be given to a request to the County Council to provide a footpath to the area, along Station Road, given that the approach was currently dangerous, owing to the bends and hump backed bridge.  The Clerk reminded the Council that this had been suggested about a year ago, and no further action had been taken.  Nevertheless, it was agreed that the County Council be asked to look into the suggestion, possibly using an access through a spinney on the north side of the road, near the river. Ownership was uncertain, and the Clerk was asked to check this with LCC.

2685.  CORRESPONDENCE

The Clerk reported a letter from LIVES thanking the Council for the donation of £80 towards the cost of defibrillator pads.

2686. FINANCIAL MATTERS     

(a)   Financial update 

The Council received and noted the financial updates for the period ending 31 March 2023, and so far for 2023/24, and the Clerk explained these for the information of members.

(b) Annual Audit for 2022/23

The Clerk told members that the audit regime introduced several years ago, whereby the Council could certify itself as exempt from a limited assurance review if neither the income nor expenditure was in excess of £25,000 was continuing.  The Council was within these limits, as noted on the appropriate form which had been circulated to members prior to the meeting, and the Clerk therefore recommended that the Council certify itself as exempt.

Also circulated to members were the Annual Governance Statement for 2022/23, and the Accounting Statement for 2022/23.  The Clerk explained the elements requiring consideration, and members took into account the Annual Internal Audit Report, which was read by the Clerk.  It was noted that the Auditor had concluded that all the required objectives had been achieved throughout the financial year.  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 2022/23 as circulated;

(iii)   acknowledged and agreed the Accounting Statements for 2022/23 as circulated.

(c)   Accounts paid and for payment

RESOLVED:-

 i That payment of the following accounts be approved and confirmed (all online):

(ii) Account for payment:

That the following account now submitted be approved for payment:

Zurich Town and Parish (Insurance renewal 2023/24)    £1867.53   

2687.  ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION BUT NOT DECISION

The Council considered the location of the Barkston Coronation commemorative bench, the provision of which had been agreed at the budget meeting in January.  It was agreed that the best location would be the area between the School and Church wall, although there was some doubt as to ownership.  The Clerk was asked to contact the School to check.

The meeting closed at 9.02pm.