2020 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Belchford and Fulletby Parish Council

Minutes from remotely held Parish Council Meeting 14th May 2020.
(These notes are a record of the meeting and are not accepted as formal minutes until duly signed on behalf of the Parish Council)

Present: Councillors: J Newby (JN), P Morris (PM). P Thompson (PT), J Smith (JS), I Goodall (IG), N Brigginshaw NB), Z Henden (ZH), J Leedham (JL), M Brown (MB). Also present D Cllr D Andrews and C Cllr H Marfleet.

Public Forum: There was no public forum. The meeting began at 7.30pm.

Annual General Meeting - Agenda

1.   Election of Officers

a.   Chairman - Mr John Smith

b.   Vice Chairman - Mr Peter Thompson

c.   Responsible Finance Officer - Mr Nigel Brigginshaw

Were proposed, seconded, voted and unanimously RESOLVED. Meeting - Agenda

2.   Apologies for absence and reasons given - No apologies were received.

3.   Declaration of interests and requests for dispensations - To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider granting dispensation(s), as per written requests received by the proper officer, to councillors under section 22 of the Act. There were none.

4.   Chairman's remarks - JS noted that the daffodils had looked splendid and thanks were offered to all those who had planted them also thanks were offered to all those who had helped with the delivery of the potatoes for parishes at the start of the lockdown.

5.   To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 121  March 2020 - following suggested amendments to the minutes it was proposed, seconded , voted and RESOLVED unanimously that the official minutes of the last meeting having been previously circulated were approved as a true and accurate record of the minutes, Chairman signed and dated.

6.   To receive reports from the Clerk and Councillors on matters outstanding:

a.   Ward Walk - the clerk advised that this has been postponed due to the current pandemic.

b.   Annual Parish Meeting - this is to be held in April 2021.

7.   To receive reports from District and County Councillors, and Police (if available) - Mr Andrews outlined the loss in revenue (£1.5 million per month) at District level due to Covid19. £10 ,000 small business grants are being paid out by ELDC and plans have been submitted to planning department for the new Head Quarters of ELDC in Horncastle. There is to be a merger of officers with Boston BC which will save £1.5 million. District Councillor Community funds are available for specific Covid19 projects and for other projects DA confirmed that funds are still available. Councillors suggested that Community Woodland Sign could be a suitable project when a name has been chosen. Apologies have been received from PCSO Wass who confirmed that he has nothing to report. Unfortunately the internet link for C Cllr H Marlfeet has failed.

8.   To receive an update/condition report on the Village sign posts (legs) - Costs were provided by JS at £30 per leg plus galvanising and fixings.  The clerk was requested to check if Highways permission is required. It was RESOLVED to order these items, get them pre drilled and galvanised , four are required in total. The RFO confirmed that there are funds available to cover this cost.

9.   To receive an update from the Village Green Committee on the proposal for a children's play area - ZH advised that there is not a lot to report given the current situation, there is to be an online committee meeting and funding is being investigated. The grass is being cut and the area is being used. Thanks were offered to JS for his help with siting of the container and it will be painted in due course.

10.   To review any potholes:  Are to be reported near splash cottage, Lowfield Lane, Belchford and the junction near the garage in Fulletby, High Street and Low Toynton Road. In Fulletby the drains have been jetted out and a brick found which needs to be dug out, roots have also broken through and this also needs to be fixed. The clerk was asked to contact PM before reporting this matter again.

11.   To provide an update on the Community Woodland - The gate has been installed but needs levelling and if anyone has any rubble please let him know. The hedging plants are in but not all have made it through this dry period. JN is registering with Defra for an SBI which will enable grant funding to be applied for through the forestry commission.  The pond has been started. Ideas and suggestions for a name for this area are to be discussed at the next meeting.

12.   To consider correspondence received since the last meeting:

a.   All Covid-19 and urgent correspondence has been circulated electronically

b.  There has been no other correspondence .

13.   Financial matters: to authorise the signing of cheques and to note the income for this period.

a)   Anglian Water Donation of £1,000 has now been received.

b)   To receive an updated bank reconciliation form RFO - received and attached - Appendix 1 below. The current balance is £8 ,641.87

c)   Payment of accounts - members were advised of the list of payments and it was then proposed, seconded, voted and RESOLVED that payments were made for insurance and potatoes. The RFO confirmed that he has submitted the VAT reclaim for £206. Two grant applications are to be made to D Cllr D Andrews towards the Covid19 Potatoes for Parishes scheme and the Woodland Sign/Name project

14.   Planning Matters: There are currently none.

15.   To consider items for the Parish Newsletter, members discussed the practicality of delivering this during the current lockdown. There are no events to be publicised and so we need content. All councillors commented and concluded if it is worthwhile we should do it.

•   Entrance signs being refurbished and repaired
•   Community woodland news and ideas for a name
•   Post office visits times etc.
•   Fish & Chip van visits , fresh fish deliveries
•   Covid19 sewing activities

Parish Council using Zoom to continue working for the community

•   Grass cutting volunteers required for Churchyard.

16.   To agree agenda items for the 9th July 2020 meeting, this will also be held by Zoom.

•   JN will need paint for the Village Signs £ unknown. There being no further business the Meeting closed at 8.41 pm Appendix 1: see below