July 2022 Minutes
Kexby Parish Council
Minutes of a meeting held on 13th July 2022
Present; Cllrs. R. Gore (Chair), C. Hunt, S. Farrow, C. Cuckson, D. Forrest
Apologies; were received from Cllrs. L. Hoggarth, D. Edwardson
24/22 Potential co-option of additional member – a resident had expressed an interest in becoming a member of the Parish Council. The Clerk had clarified the position with WLDC; the size of a parish council was governed by statute, for Kexby this was 7 (the current membership). All meetings were open to the public but they were only entitled to speak at the start of the meeting for which a fifteen-minute slot should be allocated. The parish council had the power to co-opt additional members who could then take part in discussion throughout the meeting but they had no voting rights.
It was decided that an article should be prepared for the next village newsletter (due out in August) to remind residents of this and to invite them to participate should they so wish. Details would also but put on the website and facebook.
Action GP/CH
25/22 Minutes of a meeting held on 19th May 2022 – these had been circulated, they were approved and signed off by the Chairman.
26/22 Clerk’s Report on progress since last meeting
a) Broadband – discussion at the last Broadband Forum had been more positive, once again suggesting that installation would take place within 2022. Quickline operatives had been seen surveying the village that day which, it was felt, was an encouraging sign.
b) Post Office – the Chairman had received an email from the Post Office identifying “technology issues” as the main reason for unsatisfactory service with a promise to try and improve. Now that a named contact was available it would be easier to keep up the pressure and the parish council would continue to monitor.
c) Potholes Glentworth Road – the worst of these had finally been filled in.
d) Defibrillator – the batteries for the unit on the village hall had still not arrived, recent communication had suggested a 19 week waiting list, (since the order had been placed on 12th April it was likely to be late August before they arrived). The batteries for the Glentworth Road unit were due to expire in late July so replacements would need to be ordered.
e) Waste bins – Jack Bowles had been successful in persuading WLDC to install a general waste bin by the seat in front of the village hall and a dog waste bin at the northern end of High Street.
f) Zurich insurance – there had been a communication failure regarding renewal but this had been resolved.
g) Phone box – enquiries about the renovation had been received from Scotton PC having noticed the quality of Kexby’s renovation. The Clerk had put them in touch with Chris Petty for guidance.
27/22 Matters arising from the minutes
a) Parish Cottage tenancy agreement – the annual update had been signed.
b) Email addresses – the use of personal emails for parish council business was bad practice and specific ones should be set up for parish councillors and the Clerk. Cllr. Cuckson agreed to discuss the logistics with her brother and the Chairman also agreed to look into it and report back to the next meeting.
Action CC/RG
c) Jubilee – a copy of the balance sheet had not yet been received but it was understood that the event came in just £10 under budget. Kexby had spent £90 more than their allocation and Upton £100 less so the Clerk would liaise with Upton Clerk to rectify the balance.
Action GP
It was agreed that the weekend had been very well organised and was most enjoyable despite the cold weather. The Chairman was asked to write to Sue Roberts to express thanks.
Action RG
d) Kexby Lane footpath – a letter to LCC expressing concern that the repairs had not brought this up to an acceptable standard was still required, the Clerk was asked to action this.
Action GP
28/22 Play equipment – VAT recovery – following discussion at the Annual Parish Meeting the playing field committee had supplied the Clerk with a copy of their constitution and lease agreement. The southern half of the playing field was leased from Kexby Parish Council but not the land on which the play area was located. It would not, therefore, be possible for Kexby PC to purchase new play equipment to add to the lease and reclaim the VAT. It was unclear whether there were alternative ways in which the VAT could be recovered, the Chairman agreed to look into this.
Action RG
29/22 Planning applications
a) Britannia Mill – outline planning for three bungalows on the site of the existing warehouse. The Chairman had declared an interest and had been excluded from discussion, the remainder of the parish council had no objections and this had been reported to WLDC
b) Land to the east of Willingham Road – the erection of a barn for straw storage on a site on which cattle were housed in the winter. There were no objections raised and the Clerk would report back to WLDC.
Action GP
30/22 Correspondence
a) Gate Burton Energy Park – the second stage of consultation was open until 5th August, residents should have received cards detailing options for involvement and posters had been displayed around the village.
b) Zurich Insurance – the council were made aware of changes in legal status required as a result of Brexit, these would in no way affect the insurance cover.
c) LIVES supporter’s Day – an invitation had been extended to a drop-in session at the Epic Centre on the Showground between 12:30 and 3:00pm on Tuesday 19th July, the Chairman would attend.
d) Minerals and Waste Local Plan – details had been circulated of an “Issues and Options” document which was open for consultation until 12th August. Councillors were invited to study the document and notify the Clerk if they wished the parish council to make any comment at this stage.
e) Burial Ground bench – a resident had raised concerns about the state of one of the seats, Cllr. Forrest advised that the Burial Authority had this in hand.
31/22 Financial Report – the Clerk presented the budget for the current financial year which was approved and would be filed on the website
32/22 Any Other Business
a) Tillbridge Solar Power – a further development was being proposed and an invitation had been received for the parish council to be represented at a workshop on 21st July in Willingham village hall. It was agreed that the Chairman would attend and report back.
Action RG
b) Kexby Lane Speed – notification had been received that notice of the introduction of a speed restriction would be published in a local newspaper on 21st July. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Lincolnshire Highways to request a pole for the Speed Indicator Device be installed when the speed restriction signs were erected. This would enable the device to be used to remind motorists of the new limit and to monitor compliance.
Action GP
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 7:45pm
Date of next meeting 6:30pm Wednesday 21st September