Minutes of the meeting of 22nd November 2022
Minutes of the meeting of Minting and Gautby Parish Council held on the 22nd of November 2022 at Minting Village Hall at 7.00pm.
Present:- Cllr.E.B.Clark [EC] Chairman / acting Clerk, Cllrs. H.Padfield [HP], J.Padfield [JP] , J.Stuchfield [JP] and Dist .Cllr. W.Gray.
7.00pm Public forum.
No members of the public were present.
7.10pm Formal Council meeting.
[1] Chairman’s welcome and apologies for absence.
Cllr. Bruntlett sent apologies, citing family commitments. JP proposed acceptance, seconded by JP and resolved.
County Cllr. P.Bradwell also sent apologies.
[2] Declarations of interests.
EC declared an interest in item 7[a].
[3] To confirm, or amend, and sign the draft notes of the meeting of 27th September 2022.
There were no proposals for amendment. JS proposed that the draft notes be adopted as the true and correct Minutes of the meeting of 27th September, seconded by HP and resolved. The chairman duly signed the Minutes.
[4] Matters arising from the Minutes, and activity since the last meeting.
EC reported that the proposed Broadband extension in Minting was making slow progress, due to some confusion regarding the vouchers.
A meeting had been held with Gautby churchwardens and Gautby VH committee regarding certain maintenance work.
[5] Correspondence.
County Cllr. Bradwell had enquired whether the Council was interested in having a meeting with a Highways officer regarding road maintenance. EC said that he would arrange a meeting.
[6] Reports from District / County Cllrs. if any.
Dist. Cllr. Gray gave a report covering avian flu, the cost of living crisis, and the warm spaces initiative. ELDC had now taken occupancy of the new building in Horncastle. A Christmas market will be held in Horncastle on Sunday 11th December.
[7] Finance.
[a] To approve payment :- Cllr. E.B.Clark -3rd party payment viz:-
Information Commissioner’s Office £40.00
Minting V H hire [ x3] £40.00
£80.00
HP proposed approval, seconded by JP and resolved
[b] A brief review of finances so far in the current year.
EC reported that the current year’s revenue was approx. £7,100 – [ £5500 precept plus £1600 V.A.T. repayments] of which approx. £3,000 will be taken up by normal annual costs. Another £1,000 will be needed to cover small maintenance projects already agreed, leaving around £3,000 available for larger projects.
[c] To consider and approve updated payments for defibrillator electricity.
Cllrs. discussed the recent very dramatic rise in electricity costs. JS proposed raising the payment for the last 12 months from £20 to £60, seconded by JP and resolved.
[8] Planning.
Planning application S/122/01996/22 [ proposed erection of a dwelling on land adjacent to the Sebastapol Inn] was discussed. It was noted that the location was in the central part of the village, near to where the PC had supported previous applications. With no strong feelings voiced either way, JS proposed that the Council’s response should be ‘ no objection’, seconded by JP and resolved.
Dist. Cllr. Gray reported that the revised application S/122/00950/22 would now be on the ELDC Planning Committee agenda in the new year.
[9] Parish maintenance.
[a] To consider quotations, and appoint a contractor for the supply and erection of new gates for Gautby churchyard.
JS proposed that the quotation from B.Knight and Son of £1875.57 + V.A.T. be accepted. Seconded by JP and resolved.
[b] To consider quotations, and appoint a contractor for the tree felling and trimming in Gautby churchyard.
H.P proposed that the quotation from Lincolnshire Hardwoods of £1300.00 + V.A.T. be accepted, seconded by JP and resolved.
[c] Gautby Village Hall. To decide on action regarding necessary repairs to the outer doors.
With no quotations yet received, it was decided to authorise repairs up to a maximum cost of £300 + VAT.
[d] To consider a request for a Jubilee / Coronation bench for the grounds of Gautby Village Hall.
Cllrs. felt that this request was of somewhat low priority, and considering financial constraints it was not something to be considered at the moment. With no proposals in favour, the request was declined.
[e] To discuss progress on minor maintenance matters previously agreed.
EC reported that he was ordering two steel posts to replace badly rusted and broken sign posts in Minting, and the dog bin request was in progress. The beck fence repair had not yet been done.
[10] Any other business, and matters for the next meeting.
EC suggested the date for the January 2023 meeting should provisionally be set at Tuesday the 17th. This may vary according to when the deadline for submitting precept applications will be set by ELDC.
With no further business, the meeting closed at 8.00pm.