Annual Parish Meetings

Minutes of Fiskerton’s Annual Parish Meeting held on Thursday 30TH May 2024 at Fiskerton Village Hall

Present: Cllr A Walker (Chairman), Mrs M Vail (Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer), and residents

Meeting started at 7pm.

1. Welcome and Introduction: Cllr A Walker welcomed everyone and thanked for attending.

2. Approval of Minutes from the Last Meeting: RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the last Annual parish meeting as a true record

3. Chairman's Report: Cllr A Walker discussed various activities and updates, including the installation of speed indicator devices, management of allotments, quarterly cleaning of bus shelters, and initial investigations into upgrading park equipment

Speed Indicator Devices Update: Cllr A Walker provided an update on the installation and maintenance of speed indicator devices, including issues with stolen batteries and plans for additional posts

Allotments Management: Cllr A Walker reported on the improved management system for allotments, reallocating lesser-used plots, and plans to extend the allotments

Quarterly Clean of Bus Shelters: Cllr A Walker mentioned the quarterly cleaning of bus shelters and the positive impact on their condition

Park Equipment Upgrade: Cllr A Walker discussed the initial stages of upgrading park equipment and the associated costs

Gateway Project: Cllr A Walker outlined the plans for the Gateway project, including the installation of extra cameras, fence marker boards, and new planters

Development in the Paddock: Cllr A Walker provided an update on the housing development plan by the church commissioners and the council's response

Flooding Concerns: Cllr A Walker expressed concerns about the lack of response from authorities regarding flooding issues and the need for a joint plan

Budgets and Reserves: Cllr A Walker highlighted the council's budget and reserves, noting a slight decrease in council tax

4. Financial Report: Michelle Vail - Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer reported the following:

The accounts for 2023 – 24 have successfully passed through the internal audit stage with no issues having been flagged up.  The internal auditor, having inspected the full range of financial documents kept, was able to confirm that the accounts have been appropriately kept; with Fiskerton Parish Council meeting all required internal audit and financial control objectives.

The accounts are now due to pass through a rigorous external audit inspection carried out by PKF Littlejohn LLP; and their report is expected in September.

All audit documents will be published on our website as they become available; or please do ask if you would like to be provided with a hard copy (photocopy/printing charges will apply).

Financial income/expenditure during 2023 – 24 can be broadly summarised as follows.  If you would like more details, please do ask and these can be provided.

Income:

Total income: £43,099.41 including:

• Precept - £24,587.00 (excludes £100.00 WLDC grant)
• VAT reclaimed - £12,623.61
• Grant towards speed indicator devices - £1000.00
• Combined solar panels on Scout Hut and Village Hall - £1998.45

(£40,209.06)

Total expenditure: £29,175.28 including:

• Grass cutting - £3247.27
• Loan repayments - £2052.54
• Speed Indicator Devices - £6679.84
• Office rental - £1200.00

(£13,179.65)

Bank balances were as follows:

At financial year end on 31 March 2024:

• Current Account closed at £2035.70
• Deposit account closed at £81,653.50
• Petty cash closed at £0.00, having been disbanded by resolution

Allocation of monies:

Monies held by the Parish Council are allocated into various Earmarked Reserves pots against anticipated future need. 

5. Village Hall Report: Cllr A Walker mentioned the absence of a statement from the chairman of the village hall and the ongoing audit of accounts

6. Police Matters: Cllr A Walker reported on a new community police team and the focus on traffic management and speeding issues

7. Hodgkin's Charity Accounts: Cllr A Walker noted the absence of audited accounts from Hodgkin's charity due to the retirement of the responsible person

8. Primary School Report: Cllr A Walker mentioned no report available from the primary school

9. Neighbourhood Plan Update: Cllr A Walker provided an update on the neighbourhood plan and the need for support from landowners

10. History and Archaeology Group Report: A representative reported on the cataloguing of photographs and the investigation into their storage

11. Neighbourhood Watch: Cllr A Walker mentioned the absence of a neighbourhood watch coordinator and the need to identify someone to run it

12. District Councillor Report: Cllr T Bridgwood provided an update on district council activities, including waste disposal, planning, and the levelling up fund

13. County Councillor Report: None

14. Ideas from residents: Concerns about the condition of the park and the need for better equipment

15. Questions: A discussion took place regarding the importance of community engagement and the need for volunteers for the Community Speed Watch

No further matters raised, Cllr A Walker thanked everyone for attending.