November 2018 Minutes
Witham on the Hill Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting of Witham on the Hill Parish Council (Min 18-04) 19th November 2018 at 7.00 p.m. in St Andrew’s Parish Hall
Present:
Councillors: Andrew Greenwood, Charles Henriques (presiding), Janet Kirkwood and Lynne O’Hara.
Residents: Frances Plummer.
Others: Bernard Champness – Clerk, Cllr B Adams (County Councillor)
Not Present: Sue Pennant -Jones
Open Forum
Frances Plummer requested an update on the new play equipment for the Village Green and also if there were any plans for the Pétanque pitch. Regarding the latter it was agreed it was in a bad state and overgrown. Frances Plummer mentioned she had some wild flower seeds and wanted to know if she could plant them on the pitch. However it was recognised that as no one is prepared to maintain it this would only add to the problem. There followed a brief discussion on the good progress being made with the grant of funding for the new play equipment for the Green which it was hoped would be installed by the end of February.
The meeting was opened at 19.15
48. Apologies for absence, acceptance of Apologies
48.1 Apologies were received from Cllr M Wilkins, District Councillor.
49. Declaration of Interest – To receive Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Interests, as set out in Chapter 7 of the Localism Act 2011 and the nature of those interests relating to any Agenda item
49.1 No one declared an interest in any matter that was on the agenda.
50. Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on the 17th September 2108 (Min18-03)
50.1 Resolved: That the minutes of the 17th September 2018 were signed by the Chair as a correct record.
51. Matters to Report
51.1 The following matter was reported:
- The problem with dog fouling in Bottom Street persists. It was suggested that periodic contact with Witham Hall School was necessary to remind new parents in particular, who walk their dogs after dropping off children need to be aware of the requirement to clean up any mess. It was thought that signs should be placed in and around the area giving notice that dog owners could be prosecuted. It was agreed that signs would be made and placed in the obvious places.
52. To receive a report from the County and District Councillors.
52.1 County Cllr B Adams said that he was trying to catch up after a two month lay off and asked if there was anything that we wanted him to look into and or be updated on. He was aware Cllr Wilkins was not going to be available for PC meetings for the remainder of the Civic year and of his intention not to stand for re-election in May, as he is retiring to Cornwall, however he offered to help in any way he could, in Cllr Wilkins absence.
- Regarding the crossroads we are still waiting for feedback from Cllr Davies on any remedial options such as double white lines etc in order to slow traffic approaching the junction. Cllr Adams said that he would look into the position.
- He asked if the speed camera was working and it was explained that as far as we knew it was not but even if it was it was only activated over 60 mph, which is too fast..
- He was asked if he could help in getting the vegetation on the footway from the village to the crossroads cut back. Cllr Adams suggested we get the Big Clean to do this but he was advised we had asked but as the footway was outside the village curtilage they could not help. He said that he would look into this matter
- Regarding the problem of speeding in the village. It was suggested that if we could not afford a reactive sign we could contact the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership to see if we could purchase some signs that we could put up in and around the village to remind motorists of the speed limit.
53. Clerks Report and Correspondence received.
53.1 A list of e-mails/correspondence received was circulated.
54. Planning applications:
54.1 S18/2058 – work to trees at Witham Hall Preparatory School Main Street Witham On The Hill PE10 0JJ. Resolved: No objections.
54.2 S18/1866 - Extension and new side garage at Redlands Main Street Witham On The Hill PE10 0JH. Resolved: No objections
55. To consider the budget for 2019-20 and to set a figure for the Precept for that financial year,
55.1 The Clerk presented a spreadsheet setting out what was spent in the last financial year. What the budget was for this financial year. What we had spent to date and what we expected to pay out at the end of this financial year. The same calculations were shown for income received in those periods. The only thing left blank was what we anticipated we would need in the budget for the year 2019-20. The Clerk reported the relatively strong bank balance available. A likely expenditure figure it was discussed and agreed at £2345 in the coming year. Resolved: that rather than increase the Precept to that sum the figure to ask for would be £1,947 and that the Precept be set at that sum.
56. To agree and approve the amount we should pay towards a third-party contribution in relation to a grant for play equipment from Mick George.
56.1 Cllr Lynne O’Hara reported that she now had confirmation from the Mick George Fund (MGF). The final quote for the new play equipment was £20,959. The grant offered by MGF is £17,048 the balance being made up with £1,000 generously donated by Witham Hall School, £500 generously donated by Mrs Susie Grigson and the remaining £2,411 being met by the Parish Council. It was noted that part of this sum would comprise money raised in previous years by Mrs Dick for improvements to the play equipment on the Green.
Resolved: that the Parish Council agrees to pay the £2,411 towards the cost of the agreed improvements to the existing play equipment and the installation of the new ‘Adventure Trail’.
Cllr O’Hara explained that it was possible that surplus funds might be available on conclusion of the project and wondered whether we wanted to purchase another small piece of play equipment or possibly two picnic benches. One would be a standard picnic bench and the other would have wheelchair access. Both would cost in the region of £365.00 each.
Resolved: that if the Parish Council had surplus funds available then 2 picnic benches be purchased.
57. To confirm Expenditure
£194.28 – B M Champness (salary for July, August and September £129.60 – HMRC (PAYE & NI) [ ]denotes those payments paid between meetings, which have been approved by the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Parish Council or at a previous meeting but not listed Payments made by Direct Debit - £
57 1 Resolved: that the above payment be made.
58. Any other business – Reminder – by law no decision can be made under this item only information exchanged.
58.1 There being no other business the meeting was formally closed at 20.18
59. The date of the next meeting – to be held on Monday 21st January 2019 at 7.00 p.m. at St Andrew’s Parish Hall, Witham on the Hill.