March 2023 Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Fiskerton Parish Council held on Thursday 16th March 2023 at 7.00pm in Fiskerton Village Hall
Present: Cllrs A Walker, C Darcel, C Hill, K Brereton, J McGeachie, P Whitt, D/Cllr A Welburn, Mrs M Vail (Clerk) and ten members of the public.
Meeting started at 7.01pm.
065/23 Open session: suspend standing orders for 15 minutes for residents to speak:
One resident spoke at length to explain the usage of a field alongside Ferry Road; including to note that it was in private ownership and currently for their family use only.
A second resident advised of poor internet connectivity. Cllr A Walker noted that any resident’s ‘internet action’ group would have the backing of FPC; but that FPC would initially need to be approached in writing. Cllr J McGeachie would be amenable to being FPC’s link with any such resident’s group.
Other matters were raised as follows:
o Recently publicised information advising the need for photo ID to allow residents to vote in person at polling stations; had a heavy emphasis on following Internet links, but not everybody is able to do so. Action: Cllr A Walker to provide information to Fiskerton News.
o Local roads require attention from WLDC’s street cleansing team. Noted that WLDC have already been asked to visit. Action: Clerk to liaise with D/Cllr A Welburn.
o Parking – some verges are being ruined by parking.
o Drains on Five Mile Lane – these are not draining, thus cause flooding during rain.
o Footpath Hall Lane/Five Mile Lane – a signpost obstructs the footpath.
The resident was advised that such matters can be reported to the correct Authority on Fix My Street. He then noted that some matters reported previously have not been addressed.
066/23 Apologies for absence: None.
067/23 Declaration of interests: None.
068/23 Approve notes of meeting of 16th February 2023 as a true record:
Cllr C Darcel considered that a vote of 3 to 2 against him had not been included in the draft minutes. As 1) Cllr C Darcel was unable to confirm either the agenda item number, or the minute reference; and 2) other councillors could not recollect such a vote from the February 2023 meeting, it was RESOLVED to defer approval of the draft minutes as a true record until the April 2023 meeting to allow the Clerk to check the audio recording of the meeting. Action: Clerk
069/23 To receive observations of the District and County Councillors including:
D/Cllr A Welburn: the March 2023 report has been circulated.
D/Cllr C Darcel: WLDC’s Building Contract Manager has received a national award in recognition of being an inspiring team leader. He expressed disappointment in a recent Lincolnshire Echo article on RAF Scampton Airfield; as WLDC have invested much time and effort in planning for a future use for the airfield.
D/Cllr C Hill: nothing to report.
One resident left the meeting at 7.38pm.
070/23 Chairman’s report:
o Ex-Councillor Margaret Harrison has requested that money donated by herself a few years previously, and being held in the Woodlands Trust Reserves budget, should be spent. Action: all to give consideration. Action: Clerk – item for next agenda.
o Proposed that the amount invoiced annually to the Scouts for grass cutting should be raised by the same percentage increase as that applied to FPC by the contractor. RESOLVED unanimously to approve this proposal and for the Clerk to advise the Scouts. Action: Clerk
071/23 FINANCE
a. To note the following payments/receipts schedule for February 2023: Noted.
PAYMENTS
* Clerk, salary, Feb, £461.53
* PAYE, Feb, £52.60
* Pension, Feb, £152.33
* Sage, payroll & accounts package, Feb, £19.00 + £3.80 VAT = £22.80
* Virgin media call package, Feb, £9.45 + £1.88 VAT = £11.33
* Virgin Media, phone handset, Feb, £7.00
* Fiskerton Village Hall, Nov and Dec 2022 meetings, £72.00
* Fiskerton village hall, transfer of grant monies, £800.00
* LALC, Annual training scheme, £115.00 + £23.00 VAT = £138.00
* LALC, Annual membership fee, £296.09
* TSO Host, Annual website fee, £47.88 + £9.58 = £57.46
TOTAL = £2032.88 + £38.26 = £2071.14
RECEIPTS
* Interest, Feb, £20.96
* Scouts rent and grass cutting contribution, £125.00
* National Lottery, grant, £33.75
TOTAL = £179.71
b. To resolve to approve payment of the following accounts for March 2023:
RESOLVED unanimously to approve payment of the accounts listed below. Action: Clerk
* Clerk, salary, March, £461.73
* PAYE, March, £52.40
* Pension, March, £152.33
* Sage, payroll & accounts package, March, £19.00 + £3.80 VAT = £22.80
* Virgin media call package, March, £9.45 + £1.88 VAT = £11.33
* Virgin Media, phone handset, March, £7.00
* Hodgson Trust, allotments rent 2021 and 2022, £40.00
TOTAL = £741.91 + £5.68 = £747.59
c. Review asset register: Item deferred to April 2023 meeting.
d. Review financial risk assessment: Item deferred to April 2023 meeting.
PLANNING: to consider and agree actions as required:
072/23 Neighbourhood Plan: no update currently.
073/23 CLLP – Approaches have been made to Welton PC and to Cllr Owen Bierley concerning the Central Lincs Local Plan which contains proposed housing for a location in Fiskerton which residents did not want. Welton parish also has a similar issue; and Welton PC have forwarded Cllr A Walker’s email to the Chairman of their resident’s group. Cllr C Darcel has forwarded the Clerk’s original email to Cllr Owen Brierly on to him.
074/23 146067: siting of 9no. caravans for holiday use including external works and creation of new vehicular access: Land rear of Barlings View Ferry Road Fiskerton:
RESOLVED with one abstention (Cllr C Hill) to submit a response of ‘no objections.’ Action: Clerk.
One resident left the meeting at 7.57pm.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
075/23 Hodgson Trust - approve Trustees appointments:
Cllr A Walker has requested a copy of the Hodgson Trust Constitutiona and an updated lease agreement for the allotments. The Hodgson Trust constitution says the PC are responsible for nominating the trustees of the trust and have requested we consider nominating Robert Wall for a two-year term, and Ann Chesman for a four-year term, as this will provide continuity and stagger the re-appointment dates. Cllr C Darcel suggested that Cllr C Hill be considered. He also suggested waiting for receipt of the requested document, and to challenge it if necessary.
RESOLVED with one against, to approve nominating Robert Wall for a two-year term, and Ann Chesman for a four-year term. Action: Clerk.
076/23 Grant application – Kings coronation celebration:
The VHMC has requested a £500.00 grant towards providing a whole day coronation party for the whole village. Cllr C Darcel suggested approving either £250.00, or half the amount which the VHMC will be contributing, up to a maximum of £500.00. Following an explanation by Cllr A Walker of all possible sources of income which the VHMC could apply for; and the subsequent discussion of the matter:
o a proposal by Cllr C Darcel, seconded by Cllr C Hill, to award half the amount which the VHMC will contribute, received two votes in favour.
o a proposal by Cllr K Brereton, seconded by Cllr A Walker, to award £500.00 received four votes in favour. Action: Clerk
NEW ITEMS: to consider and agree actions as required:
077/23 Coronation gifts:
RESOLVED with one against (Cllr C Darcel) to purchase 1000 white bookmarks with appropriate wording at £670.00. Due to the imminent cut-off date for placing orders, and the Clerk due to go on annual leave, RESOLVED that Cllr A Walker place the order. Action: Cllr A Walker. To be paid from the Lark Energy Budget
At 8.18pm one resident left the meeting.
078/23 East Midlands Railway Station Community Fund – availability of funds:
Cllr J McGeachie provided an update on this fund, which reopens on 6th April 2023. The Fund prioritises the education of local young people on railway safety matters. If they can deliver their programme in a local school, supported by a Parish Council, this will then open the funding up to other local community projects. RESOLVED that Cllr J McGeachie applies for funding; and progresses with this to its natural end. Action: Cllr J McGeachie.
079/23 Bus stop on Fiskerton Road – consider removal of stop as bus now no longer
takes this route:
Concerns were raised that the bus stop sign could cause confusion given the bus service no longer takes this route. Noted that the sign is on private property. RESOLVED that Cllr K Brereton should approach the householder. Action: Cllr K Brereton.
080/23 Feedback from Parish Council Cluster Meeting with Community Police Inspector:
Seven local parish councils attended. Speeding, theft and ASB were identified as the current priorities; and police resources are to be targeted where possible. Communication with the parishes is to be improved, with the police planning to visit local groups to impart information relevant to each group’s attendees. The Clerk is to write to the VHMC and Scouts to request contact details of groups using both locations be provided to the Inspector. Additionally, local farmers will be approached for their details to be forwarded to the Inspector. Action: Clerk
081/23 To clarify statements made by Cllrs Hill and Darcel in their newsletter dated Feb 23:
This item is in relation to a newsletter delivered to local households. Cllr C Hill advised that she had no further comment to make. There then followed heated comments between Cllr C Darcel and other Members, during which Cllr C Darcel advised that he would not be changing what he had written in the leaflet. During the discussion both Cllr Hill and Cllr Darcel admitted they had never seen a document which they had publicly referenced and Cllr Darcel refused to share with the council another document which was also referenced in the newsletter.
During this item, D/Cllr A Welburn left the meeting at 8.43pm.
UPDATE REPORTS: to consider and agree actions as required:
082/23 Draft constitution documents for Village Hall: car park agreement, play area agreement, and Village Hall Management Committee constitution – any update from Charity Commissioners:
It had been agreed at the previous meeting that two recent emails, and documents in chronological order, would be circulated – confirmed that this action has been started.
083/23 Cleaning bus shelter roofs – consider any quote received:
A local window cleaner has agreed to provide quotes as follows:
1) An initial clean of the roofs only, 2) A quarterly clean of the bus shelters, including roofs.
084/23 Resident: field:
Brief consideration was given to information provided by a resident in the Open Session at the start of the meeting. Agreed that no action is required.
085/23 WVAG - improve access to river bank in Fiskerton:
The Group next meets on 3rd April 2023. Three Fiskerton residents have joined the group and they may be able to take on management of some of the desired Fiskerton footpath improvement works.
086/23 Paddock:
The Land Agent engaged by FPC, has advised that the landowner has no interest in leasing the paddock to FPC, therefore this matter cannot be progressed any further at this time. However, the Paddock has historically been the best location for a play/recreation area, due to it being centrally placed. RESOLVED to approach WLDC to ask what the extent of use is; and establish if WLDC would consider a compulsory purchase. Action: Cllr A Walker.
087/23 Village Gateway Project:
LCC has been chased yet again for a timescale for the installation of the gateway signs. Next steps are to consider speed indicator devices (SIDs), white gates and new planters. Action: Clerk to provide Cllr K Brereton with information on SIDs and gates.
088/23 Play Area – signage, approve quote of £500.00 + £100.00 VAT to fell one tree and remove deadwood from two other trees:
Confirmed that signage is in hand with the supplier. Action: Cllr K Brereton to chase.
The trees in the play area have been professionally inspected; with a recommendation to fell the one with a hole in the trunk as a H&S concern, and to remove deadwood from the remining two trees. RESOLVED to approve £500.00 + VAT to have the above-mentioned recommended works carried out. Action: Clerk to advise VHMC and to arrange work.
089/23 Allotments - proposed site visit with plot holders; Hodgson Trust request for rent
review:
It has proved difficult to find one date that all plot holders can attend. Action: Cllr A Walker to liaise with a resident, then to provide the Clerk with a date. The Clerk to then write to plot holders. Action: Cllr A Walker, Clerk.
Noted that the Hodgson Trust’s annual rent review should take place in December, with FPC paying the rent in April. There is to be no rent increase this year, but a rise is likely in 2024. Further noted that there are no horses on the grazing land, therefore this does not meet the Trust’s charitable purposes for the land. Rev Penny Green is to review the Agreement before sending it to the Clerk.
090/23 Summer bedding – any local company schemes which can help:
The Freemasons have agreed to donate plants to the village. RESOLVED that Cllr J McGeachie liaises with them to move this project forward. Action: Cllr J McGeachie.
091/23 Action log – to consider any items which have an update:
Many actions have been completed. Of those still ‘open’, work is ongoing to complete them.
MEETINGS:
092/23 Agree arrangements for Annual Parish Meeting: An agenda was agreed.
093/23 Matters for inclusion on next agenda:
o Approve expenditure for date panels for the APM banners.
o Agree how to spend monies held in the Woodland Trust Fund (Reserves).
094/23 Date of next meeting: Thursday 20th April 2023, 7pm, Fiskerton Village Hall
Meeting ended at 9.49pm.
Mrs Michelle Vail, Clerk/RFO to Fiskerton Parish Council Dated 03.04.23