Minutes of the meeting of 27th July 2021
Minutes of the meeting of Minting and Gautby Parish Council held on 27th July 2021 at Minting Village Hall at 7.00pm.
Present:- Cllr. E.B.Clark [ EC] Chairman and acting Clerk, Cllrs. J. Stuchfield [JS], H.Padfield [HP], J.Padfield [JP] and C.Bruntlett [CB]
[1] Public forum.
There were no members of the public present.
[2] Chairman’s welcome and apologies for absence.
The Chairman opened the formal Council meeting at 7.10pm, and welcomed councillors to the meeting. Cllr. Hughes sent apologies for absence, citing personal reasons. Acceptance was proposed by CB, seconded by JP and resolved.
[3] Declarations of interests.
The Chairman declared a pecuniary interest in Item [8]a[3]
[4] To confirm, or amend, the draft minutes of the extraordinary meeting of 14th July 2021.
JS proposed adoption without amendment, seconded by HP and resolved. The Chairman duly signed the minutes as a true and correct record of the previous meeting.
[5] Matters arising, and activity since 14th July.
The Chairman reported that the Council’s responses to the planning applications discussed at the last meeting had been conveyed to ELDC Planning Dept. The new road sign for Minting and Gautby near Waddingworth had been erected.
[6] Correspondence.
A letter of thanks had been received from Rev. H.Jeffries on behalf of the Bardney Food Bank.
The Council had received a complaint from two residents regarding what they considered to be inaction concerning the untidy property ‘Brookwood’. The Chairman had sent a detailed reply, noting that the property was visited in early 2020 by ELDC Environmental Health staff following a complaint by the PC, but that no action resulted. The recent eviction of the occupier by ELDC was not a demolition order, and that the eyesore will remain until the new owner is granted planning permission to build a house on the site.
Other correspondence was related to agenda items
[7] Reports from District / County Councillors.
District Councillor W.Gray had sent a report. Matters covered were an update on the Strategic Alliance between ELDC, Boston BC and South Holland DC, Customer Access points and bottle banks
[8] Finance.
a] To approve payments :-
[1] D Horsley - audit £54.90
[2] Bardney Grp. Of Parishes - foodbank donation £370.46
[3] D Allsop - plaque £40.00
[4] Cllr. E. B. Clark- 3rd party payments for:-
Viewtec Signs Ltd £ 74.74 }
Notice board magnets £35.88 } = £ 110.62
Approval was proposed by JP, seconded by JS and resolved.
To review and approve payments for AED electricity to :-
[5] Gautby Village Hall Committee [ 2 years]
[6] Mrs V.Brown [ 1 year]
The Chairman commented that the annual payment of £9.60 had never been raised since installation of the AED’s. After discussion it was agreed to raise the annual payment to £20. HP proposed the increase and approval of the payments, seconded by CB and resolved.
b] To agree a bank reconciliation.
The balance of £15,998.41, as at the latest statement of 4th June 2021 was agreed and proposed by CB, seconded by JS and resolved. The RFO signed the Bank statement.
[9] To discuss possible arrangements for a 2021 Parish Meeting.
After discussion, in which it was thought that there would be limited interest in a Parish Meeting, and difficulty attracting a speaker, the Chairman agreed to consider whether it was practical to hold one or not.
[10] Planning matters.
Councillors expressed dismay and incredulity at the decision of ELDC Planning Dept’s decision to approve Application S/057/01007/21, in which it was obvious that the PC’s concerns regarding the legality of the Application had been ignored. Whilst there is no right of appeal for a 3rd party in planning decisions, the validity of the decision-making process that resulted in that decision can be challenged. JS proposed that the Chairman write a complaint to the Chief Planning Officer and request details under the Freedom of Information Act. HP seconded the motion – which was unanimously resolved.
[11] Parish maintenance.
a] To consider a request by Gautby Village Hall committee for funding to cover Spring bulb planting in Gautby and bench maintenance.
The bench maintenance element was withdrawn. JP proposed approval of the £160 cost of bulb planting, seconded by CB and resolved. It was hoped that regard would be taken for the practicalities of verge mowing when planting the bulbs.
b] To consider spending priorities on maintenance projects for the current year.
Minting noticeboard is deteriorating, Chairman to look into options to be discussed at the next meeting. Roadside flower boxes were a possibility, having been suggested by a resident. Both defibrillators were now due to be fitted with new batteries etc.
c] To make a final decision on the location of the Minting defibrillator.
All other possible locations having been investigated, councillors agreed that the only practical option was to re-locate the unit by the side door of Minting village hall, by permission of MVH committee. JS proposed, seconded by CB and resolved.
[12] Any other business.
The perennial matter of overgrowing roadside hedges was raised.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.15pm.