2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Morton and Hanthorpe Parish Council
5, The Paddock, Morton, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 0NY
Telephone: 01778 571249      Email: mhpc.clerk@btinternet.com

16th May 2023

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MORTON & HANTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: TUESDAY 16th MAY 2023

In Attendance:

Cllrs.: R. Wells (Chairman), B. Hyde, W. Lawrance, A. Morris, S. Reynolds, M. Tuohy, C. Holden, M. Harris

Also in attendance:

C. Cllr. M. Hill, N. Walker (Clerk & R.F.O.)

No Members of the Public were present.

7.15pm PUBLIC FORUM

7.30pm ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING (or at the conclusion of Public Forum)

1.   ELECTION OF CHAIR PERSON.

Cllr. R. Wells was proposed as Chair Person by Cllr. B. Hyde, Seconded by Cllr. A. Morris, and approved by the members of the Council.

2.   CHAIR PERSON’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE.

The nominated Councillor, Cllr. R. Wells, accepted the nomination and duly signed the Acceptance of Office form.

3.   ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR PERSON & ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE.

Cllr. B. Hyde was proposed as Vice Chair Person by Cllr. A. Morris, Seconded by Cllr. W. Lawrance, and approved by the members of the Council.   The nominated Councillor, Cllr. B. Hyde, accepted the nomination and duly signed the Acceptance of Office form.

4.   TO CONSIDER APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Cllr. Ken Morris. Cllr. A. Tilley, C. & D. Cllr. S. Woolley

5.   TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

None submitted.

6.   TO CONSIDER CLERK’S NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON 28TH MARCH 2023 FOR APPROVAL AS MINUTES. 

Following a proposal by Cllr. B. Hyde, seconded by Cllr. W. Lawrance, the Clerk’s Notes of the meeting held on 28th March 2023 were approved as Minutes and duly signed by the Chair Person, Cllr. R. Wells.

7.   ANNUAL CHAIR PERSON’S REPORT (2022/23)

Copy attached at end of Clerk’s Notes.

8.   CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.

Report:

Accounts finalised and submitted to the Independent Auditor. Approved and returned.
VAT Refund claim submitted and refunded.
HMRC P60’s created and issued.
2 fly tipping incidents – addressed.
2 posted cheques did not arrive. Formally cancelled: – cost incurred of £12.50 per cheque.
Note: 1 Council vacancy. Can be filled by Co-Option.

Correspondence:

Election information – re: uncontested elections.
Various queries regarding grass cutting.
Notification of continuation of litter picking grant.
Notification & invoice for 2023/4 Parish Insurance (current LTA with Zurich).
Springwell’s Medical – Ambassadors -Volunteer request. Clerk requesting more information.

9.   TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH BUDGET:

Payments:

Total payments in period=         £      3,470.83

Following a proposal by Cllr. A. Morris, seconded by Cllr. B. Hyde, the Council approved the payments.

Receipts:

Total receipts in period =           £  17,503.70  

10.    TO CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF ACCOUNTS & AGAR FOR FINACIAL YEAR 2022/3

Following a proposal by Cllr. S. Reynolds, seconded by Cllr. W. Lawrance, the Accounts for Financial Year 2022/3 and the respective AGAR, having been audited and reviewed by independent accountants, DE Accounting, were approved by the Council and duly signed by the Chair Person, Cllr. R. Wells. 

11.   TO CONSIDER PLANNING MATTERS:

Applications:

23/0312   24 Paddington Way,  PE10 0PS.    Flat roof extension to rear of property. 
        
Due to required response date the above application was submitted to the Councillors for consultation. No objections or comments were raised.

S23/0814   29A Edenham Rd. PE10 0RB Erection of single storey ext’n. & alts. to rear & west side, inst. of  PV panels & south facing dormer window.

Decision: No objections.

Proposed by: Cllr. S. Reynolds     Seconded by: Cllr. A. Morris     1 abstention.       Approved.

12.   TO CARRY OUT ANNUAL REVIEWS AS FOLLOWS:

a) Cemetery Charges.

The fees were reviewed. Currently significantly lowest in the area. Last increased in 2016. With a view to future required works (additional ashes plots) the decision was to increase Exclusive Right & interment and std. headstone memorial fees. Clerk to inform local Funeral Directors and post on parish website & cemetery noticeboard.

b) Minimum Amounts for Tenders. (Currently £750.oo) Amended last year. No change.

c) Parish Land Rents. (Commencing 1st April 2023)  

- Hanthorpe Allotment – increased to currently £100.oo this year, paid ½ yearly.
- 15 Field – 2023/4 £272.oo annually – increases 3% each year.  

No change.

d) Risk Register

Updated last August. Clerk updates in accordance with arisings. No specific update required.

Following a proposal by Cllr. A. Morris, seconded by Cllr. M. Harris, the Council approved the amendments.

13.   TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF COUNCILS DISPENSATION -PERMITTING DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF THE AUTHORITY FOR 2023/27 (THE NEW ELECTORAL TERM)

All Councillors have completed the required forms and returned to the Clerk. Respective forms to be passed to SKDC Democratic Services & Elections Team.

Following a proposal by Cllr. M. Harris, seconded by Cllr. S. Reynolds, the Council approved the proposal.

14.   TO CONFIRM THE DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING: (Annual Parish Meeting + Parish Council Meeting) – TUESDAY 13TH JUNE 2023.

15.   TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES.

County Cllr. Martin Hill advised that agreement had now been reached between LCC and the developer for the 71-dwellings north-east of the A15 cross roads and activity is likely to commence shortly.

The Pastures estate off the A15 adjacent to Hill View gardens is nearing completion and well laid out. There are concerns regarding the tree/hedge line and dyke to the A15. Clerk to clarify with the developers.

The Government has released additional monies to LCC Highways, further enhanced from LCC, to improve the current highways conditions.

The condition of the footpaths at The Crescent & The Broadway will be subject to specific review.

OTHER MATTERS:

Concern over localised flooding/leak on the grassed area to the east of the school, entrance to car park. It has been continuous for over a year and therefore does not appear to be surface water related.

Clerk to communicate with the school & Anglian Water.

A15 Crossroads surface markings degrading. Clerk to investigate.

Request from MHE for funding for event specific rubbish bin for the 8th July MHE fair. To be an agenda item for the next meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting ended at 8.27 p.m.

Dated:  13th June 2023

Chairman’s Annual Report

16th May 2023

This has been another busy year for the Parish Council, which continues to maintain the Cemetery, Playing Field and Bus Shelters as well as the grass cutting.

We have seen a change in grass cutting contractor to one who operates from the village and will monitor his proficiency as he takes up the role. All Parish contracts have been re-assigned for the next three-year period.

The Council made a significant contribution to the Scout Field in Haconby Lane and this project is progressing well.

There have been a number of problems with the clock on the church tower, which is a Parish responsibility, these have now been resolved.

A further development of 22 properties off Hill View Gardens was approved by SKDC, although the PC expressed reservations as to its desirability.

Councillor Mark Mumby retired after 8 years’ service and we wish him well in the future. His place has been taken by Cllr Cath Holden.

This past year saw the first fair organised by the MHE committee on the playing field and we are looking forward to this year’s event on 8th July.

With the retirement of Keith Noakes new independent parish auditors have been appointed to oversee the accounts.

I would like to thank all the Councillors and District and County Councillors Sue Woolley and Martin Hill for their support throughout the year. And a special thanks to clerk Nick Walker for his help and devotion to the Council which is often over and above his basic brief.

Richard Wells
Chairman
16.05.23.