June 2023 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF GREETWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 5 JUNE IN SUDBROOKE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Councillors John Taylor (Chairman), Mrs Sarah Bates (Vice Chair), Mrs J Dimelow, Ms Sue Pullen, Vernon Stuffins, Chris Thatcher, Mike Taylor
District Councillors Trevor Bridgwood and Maureen Palmer
Clerk Mrs Christine Myers
32 – 2023/24 SIGNATURE OF DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE – CHAIRMAN COUNCILLOR JOHN TAYLOR
This was duly signed.
33 - 2023/24 TO SUSPEND THE MEETING TO ALLOW FOR PARISHIONERS ITEMS
Councillor Mrs Sarah Bates reported on the Junior Litter Pick which had been held recently. The event had been successful with parents carefully supervising children but it had been enjoyed by all those attending.
34 – 2023/24 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS GIVEN
None.
35 – 2023/24 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Councillors Ms Sue Pullen and Vernon Stuffins declared an interest in item 5 of the Agenda – Co-option of member – as colleagues of the applicant.
36 – 2023/24 NOTES OF ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON 15 MAY 2023 TO BE APPROVED AND SIGNED AS MINUTES
That the notes be signed as minutes unanimously Resolved.
37 – 2023/24 CO-OPTION OF MEMBER TO PARISH COUNCIL IF APPLICATION RECEIVED AND SIGNATURE OF DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE
Mrs Joanne Dimelow had applied for the vacancy and gave a brief introduction about herself.
That Mrs Dimelow be co-opted as a member of Greetwell Parish Council proposed by Councillor Mrs Sarah Bates, seconded by Councillor Mike Taylor and Resolved.
Note – Councillors Ms Sue Pullen and Vernon Stuffins had declared an interest in this item as a colleague of the applicant and took no part in the appointment.
38 – 2023/24 COUNTY/DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS
The newly elected District Councillors Trevor Bridgwood and Maureen Palmer introduced themselves and stated that they were both hoping to be of benefit to the parish of Greetwell.
DC Bridgwood would be available for planning advice.
District Councillor Trevor Bridgwood – June 2023 Report: -
I would like to thank all those who elected me and assure all Ward members that I will endeavour to represent everyone, regardless of how they voted to the best of my ability and in the best interests of the Ward. To that end I am contactable by email on cllr.t.bridgwood@west-lindsey.gov.uk
It doesn’t feel like a nearly a month since the election. Following the count, I travelled done to London to attend the coronation of King Charles III where we joined the onlookers along the Mall. On returning from the weekend, it was straight into the WLDC training programme for elected councillors and the sorting out of who sits on what committees. I have been selected to sit on two committees - Licensing & Regulatory and Overview & Scrutiny. I have attended the Licensing & Regulatory training session and also the Planning training which will be useful for any issues that come up regarding planning applications in the ward. Although I am not on the Planning Committee I can attend hearings. I receive copies of all the planning applications in the ward, if there are any that parish councils are not happy with please let me know and I am happy to go over any issues with you. I would recommend that if your parish does not have a neighbourhood plan in place, you do consider taking steps to produce one. There is lots of assistance available from WLDC, Nev Brown is Senior Neighbourhood Planning Policy Officer.
As well as being one of your District Councillors I have for a number of years been a member of the Witham Valley Access Project, this is a group formed of people from villages in the District who are interested in walking and cycling in the area. It was originally formed with the aim of gaining access from Cherry Willingham to the bank of the river Witham and has pushed for the improvement of the existing network and adding new routes to form connecting walking/cycling routes. You will shortly be receiving a letter from them explaining what their current objectives are and asking for your support.
On 23rd May a new Business Grant was launched in West Lindsey; I have attached a copy of the press release for your information which you may wish to publicise to businesses in your parish.
39 – 2023/24 POLICE MATTERS
The Chair reported of recent incidents in North Greetwell, being break in to garage and theft.
An email had been received from the Community Inspector stating that with effect from December 2023 and thereafter every six months, Community Police contact meetings would be via Teams to Chairmen of Parish Councils. Members received this with disappointment as it had been hoped that a more personal approach with parishes was to be introduced.
40 – 2023/24 CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS
A Correspondence received since last meeting *sent to residents’ email list
22.5.2023 – KPF Littlejohn - Data logged – notification of exempt status (Audit 2022/23)
22.5.2023 – LCC Pensions – notification of data pension dashboards
*24.5.2023 – LCC Towns and Parish update
*Forwarded to residents’ email list
B Community Speed Watch – Nothing further to report
C Volunteering by Anglian Water – update re cutting back encroaching grass on footpath between Westfield Approach and roundabout, Wednesday 7 June – Councillor Mrs Sarah Bates was co-ordinating this project. It was hoped that the planter at the junction of Greetwell Lane could also be emptied in order to place a liner in the bottom.
D New Puffin Crossing – After a 13 year wait and perseverance the crossing had finally come to fruition and was now in use.
It was agreed to have an official opening of the crossing on Saturday 17 June at 14.05.
41 – 2023/24 FINANCE
Income
The Chase Account Interest - £47.03
Account paid
Mrs B Solly – Internal Audit - £40.00
Accounts for payment
Mrs C Myers – expenses (May) – £18.40
Glendale – Grounds maintenance - Net £267.44, VAT £53.48 = £320.92
Glendale – Fencing repairs at The Chase – Net £395.00, VAT £79.00 = ££474.00
*Staffing costs - £567.00
That the above accounts be paid unanimously Resolved.
42 – 2023/24 CLERKS REPORT
The Clerk reported as follows:-
• That the Audit for 2022/23 is now complete, exemption having been approved by the External Auditors. All documents are posted on the Greetwell website and public inspection of documents is open from 5th June 2023 to 14th July 2023.
• That LALC currently have an extensive training programme in place for Councillors and Clerk. Any member wishing to take advantage of a training course to please notify the Clerk.
• Following advice from BHIB Insurance Councillor Mike Taylor had been undertaking weekly inspections of The Chase play area since the last meeting. A checklist had been devised and was shown to members for approval.
• A drafted letter for residents of Greetwell Fields had been circulated to all members for approval. It was suggested that a paragraph be added asking for volunteers to deliver Greetwell News in that area. It was hoped that this would try to integrate residents into the parish of Greetwell.
It was also agreed that a similar letter be sent to residents of The Chase.
The Clerk would deliver these letters.
• A written request had been made to the developers of Cherry Fields for the supply of a noticeboard in that area, acknowledgement had been received that this was being considered.
43 – 2023/24 CHAIRMANS REPORT
The Chair reported that he had written to Sir Edward Leigh MP thanking him for his support and input into achieving the Puffin Crossing.
44 – 2023/24 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday 3 July 7.30pm, Bramham Lounge, Sudbrooke Village Hall.