March 2025 Minutes
Notes from Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 20th March 2025 held at Belchford Village Hall
(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 in person: Councillors: I Goodall (IG), K Skalka (KS), J Newby (JN), P Barnes (PB), M Brown (MB), J Smith (JS), P Morris (PM) and 1 member of the public, D Cllr Simpson, and the clerk Mrs K M Elliott.
The public forum began at 7.34 pm
Public Forum: The meeting was advised that some trees are being taken down which are the responsibility of the village hall, the work is taking place over the next few days, public notices have been displayed. A volunteer is required to represent the parish council on the village hall committee and Mr Paul Barnes agreed to carry out this role. The village hall AGM is on 30th April 2025. Other committee members are required for the village hall. It is noted that the potholes towards Oxcombe are getting worse.
Parish Council meeting commenced at 7.37 pm
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence and reasons given – PT has sent his apologies, JN will arrive late and there has been no response from N Sorenti.
2. 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.
3. Chairman’s remarks – IG is chairing this meeting as PT is absent. PT has advised of his intention to resign at the May meeting. There will be two vacancies on the parish council. IG asked members to think about who could be co-opted, please also think about attending LALC training courses. The clerk will circulate current training course information.
4. To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8th & 16th January 2025 – it was proposed, seconded, voted and RESOLVED unanimously that the official minutes of the last meetings having been previously circulated were accepted, following one amendment, as a true and accurate record of the minutes, Chairman signed and dated. Two minor amendments were made, the increase in precept is to principally pay for the maintenance of the defibrillators in each village. This is a 21% increase. Signs for the defibrillators are required. [JN arrived 7.46pm] The amended minutes will be added to the website.
5. To co-opt one person on to the parish council – no-one presented themselves for this vacancy at this evenings meeting.
6. To receive reports from the Clerk and Councillors on matters outstanding:
a. Annual Parish Meeting – Members discussed what the annual meeting is, what is the expectation of the public and what do councillors want? IG proposes to hold it just before the May meeting on May 22nd.
b. New Bin – Members discussed the location, the fact there is a lot of litter there and that it is not within our jurisdiction. There has been a bin there previously. JS will find out if the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service can assist. This will be reported to ELDC.
c. Defib signs – JN to purchase signs, PB will also enquire.
7. To receive reports from District and County Councillors (if available) –District Councillor Daniel Simpson confirmed that he will be able to speak at the Exec meeting on 2nd April to represent B & F PC. Members discussed items 10 & 11 with Cllr Simpson and the delay of our NDP. How to nominate the land as public green open space. What are the implications of what is being proposed? That is applying for public green space on a piece of privately owned land. It is noted that there is litter on large sections of A153 between Horncastle and Scamblesby. Cllr Simpson explained why is has not been collected recently and that there are significant Health & safety matters to be taken into consideration on 60mph roads, including traffic management. This is soon to be actioned between Belchford Cross Roads and West Ashby. Also 2 new road sweepers are to be on the job from April. Devolution, County Council initial decision by 23rd March and elections on 1st May.
8. To receive an update from the Village Green Committee: A report has been provided from Simon Miller. Unfortunately last year turned out to be a quiet year for Village Green events, our main event was going to be a Village Fete/ Rounder’s day early in September. We had to cancel it as the forecast was for bad weather and it did indeed turn out to be very grim as the weather was very stormy with strong winds and rain on the Sunday. We plan to organise it again this year. We would also welcome other suggestions for events this year.
We continue to look for ways to fund a play area on the village green and ideas for play equipment.
Our finances remain very good as our only expenses were grass cutting by Robert Ward and bank charges from HSBC.
We will soon be holding our AGM to discuss the ideas going forward and will present the Chairman’s and Treasurer’s reports copies of which we will forward to the Parish Council.
9. Maintenance of Village Grass Triangles – The small triangle at School Lane/Chapel Lane in Fulletby is mud. A photograph is to be put in the next newsletter. Vehicles including the District Council refuse vehicle are driving straight over it. Members discussed options. More soil and new grass seed is needed to build it up.
10. Proposal to contest the decision of the external examiner and EL Planning Department to remove the grass area behind the Blue Bell Inn as a proposed Local Green Space from our NDP. IG provided background to the NDP. Some minor modifications are to be made. Removal of the private land from the local green space protected in the NDP. The NDP will then be in made status. Executive Board meeting at ELDC is on 2nd April and a referendum will be next. JN sent a letter to the planning expectorate regarding the land at the rear of the Blue Bell. The inspectorate refused because of the planning applications on the land.
11. NDP The referendum – After 2/4/25 NS and IG will finalise the NDP and this will go to Kay Turton at ELDC and then onto the website. A request for a referendum of all Belchford & Fulletby residents will be carried out and a date will be confirmed. The ballot station will probably be the village hall. A flier will be produced explaining why you should vote yes, to preserve the character of Belchford village and its figure of 8 medieval layout. [D Cllr Simpson arrived 8.22pm]
12. Highways Matters – Oxcombe Road, some potholes have been tarmacked and some stoned. Please report again and query why limestone used on one side and chalk on the other. Grass seed suitable for verges was requested by JS and a budget of £100 was agreed.
13. To consider correspondence received since the last meeting: The clerk requires a bank mandate form to be signed this evening to update bank signatories.
14. Financial matters: to authorise the signing of cheques and to note the income for this period. The RFO, has provided a financial report, which has been circulated to all.
a) To receive an updated bank reconciliation form, a spreadsheet was provided, as circulated. £3,510.87 income and £1,968.94 expenditure for the financial year to date. The clerk will visit the HSBC branch in Louth to resolve the postal address for bank statements and the changes to the bank mandate. Council members expressed a desire to use digital banking.
b) To consider and resolve payments since the last meeting, which include village hall hire, LALC ATs & Subscription plus clerks salary and HMRC. Totalling £677
15. Planning Matters: There are no new planning applications. The Blue Bell application has been withdrawn.
16. To agree agenda items for the May 2025 meeting. A date for the lane letting will be agreed with Chairman P Thompson. The next newsletter will be done in May.
There being no further business the Meeting closed at 8.53 pm.
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FINANCE UPDATE |
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Prepared by Mrs K M Elliott, Clerk & RFO Dated 20th March 2025 |
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Note: Payments in the year to 31 March 2024 are cheques written up to then but not cleared |
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Balance per bank statement as at 1 December 2024 |
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HSBC Current account |
£ 7,193.20 |
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Less: any un-presented cheques at 20th March 2025 |
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Net bank balance as at 20th March 2025 |
£ 7,193.20 |
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The net balance reconciles to the Cash Book (receipts and payments account) for the year to date, as follows |
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CASH BOOK |
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Opening Balance 01 Apr 24 |
£ 7,303.65 |
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Add: Receipts in the year to 20032025 |
£ 3,510.87 |
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Less: Payments in the year to 20th March 2025 |
£ 1,962.74 |
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Less: Payments in the year to 31 March 2024 (from 2023/24) |
£1,900.92 |
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Closing balance per cash book [receipts and payments book] as at 20th March 2025 |
£6,827.98 |
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PAYMENTS IN |
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Precept 2024- 2025 19th April 2024 |
£3,100 |
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HMRC VAT reclaim |
£267.79 |
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LALC refund of overpayment |
£20.20 |
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ELDC Cllrs Grant |
£122.88 |
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TOTAL |
£3,511 |
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PAYMENTS OUT |
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Bank Charges (22 April 2024) |
£8.20 |
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430 Clear Insurance Management Ltd |
£516.97 |
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431 LALC Subscription |
£154.14 |
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432 LALC Training |
£120.00 |
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433 LALC Web Time |
£64.80 |
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434 Belchford Village Hall |
£18 |
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Bank Charges (30042024) |
£6.20 |
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Bank Charges (31052024) |
£7.40 |
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Bank Charges (30062024) |
£5.00 |
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435 LALC Website time |
£193.00 |
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436 Mrs K M Elliott Clerks Salary |
£290.62 |
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437 Mrs J Newby Newsletter printing and paint for signs |
£112.79 |
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438 HMRC |
£72.60 |
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439 Village Hall Hire |
£12.00 |
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440 Village Hall Hire |
£12.00 |
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441 Mrs K M Elliott Clerks Salary |
£290.42 |
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442 HMRC |
£72.80 |
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Bank Charges |
£5.80 |
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Bank Charges (31102024) |
£6.20 |
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Total |
£1,968.94 |