November 2023 Minutes
KEXBY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 15th November 2023
Present; Cllrs. R.Gore (Chair), S.Farrow, C.Cuckson, L. Hoggarth, D. Forrest
In attendance; Paul Mann and Sue Roberts of the playing field committee to address item 1, Jane Scott who was interested in being seconded onto the council.
Apologies; were accepted from Cllr. D Strollo and Cllr. Bailey (WLDC).
48/23 Input from the Playing Field Committee – parishioners from the two villages had been consulted and plans submitted by four companies an example of which was shared with the meeting. The total cost was likely to be in the region of £90,000 but this would be covered by grants from FCC (landfill tax) and WLDC, the playing field committee would have to show that they had financial resources to maintain it. The Parish Council was asked if they would provide a letter of support this was proposed by CC, seconded by LH and agreed unanimously. The Clerk was asked to email such a letter to the representatives of the playing field committee.
Action GP
49/23 Co-option of new member – There had been a vacancy on the Parish Council since the elections in May which had been advertised via notices throughout the village, in the parish newsletter and on the website. CC proposed that Jane Scott be co-opted, seconded by LH and agreed unanimously. The Clerk would notify WLDC and JS would complete the register of interest form and return it to the Clerk.
Action JS/GP
50/23 Approval of minutes of the meeting held on 13th September – these had been circulated and were approved as a true record and signed off by the Chairman
51/23 Matters arising
a) Email addresses – DS was dealing with this matter, as he was unable to attend the meeting it was deferred to the next meeting.
Action GP
b) Post Office – there was still £570 owed by the business that had the outreach franchise, they were not disputing the fact that the money was owed but it had been outstanding for several months and the village hall asked if the Parish Council could help apply pressure to get the matter resolved. The Chairman agreed to write to his contact at the Post Office.
Action RG
c) Christmas Fayre – a table had originally been booked but had been cancelled due to staffing issues, however there had been a good uptake of tables from other people so the loss of one table would not be an issue.
d) Dogs on playing field – DS had been monitoring this, it was noted that there were still no signs in place to remind people that dogs were prohibited. The Clerk had raised the issue with the playing field committee but was asked to do so once again.
Action GP
e) Book on the history of Kexby & Upton – Cllr. Forrest had arranged for a re-run and an additional 20 copies had been printed. He was reimbursed for the cost of these, it was agreed that the Clerk would retain the copies and make them available to village residents at £10 per copy.
Action DF/GP
52/21 Village Hall update – the Clerk had attended their October meeting, recent fundraising had included a fashion show (£181) and jumble sale (£462). The Christmas Fayre to be held on the 19th November was the only future activity planned although the hall was still occupied most evenings for village activities. Estimates were being sought for upgrading the kitchen and toilets for which grant aid was available JS was able to show the meeting a plan of the proposed kitchen layout. Grant applications were due to be submitted the following week for consideration in December.
53/23 Financial Report
a) Current position - there was still a very healthy balance, there had been no expenses on the cottage to date in the current financial year but, given its age, it was necessary to maintain significant cash reserves as repairs could be costly.
b) New mandate – CC agreed to organise a mandate to include herself as a signatory and to look into on-line management of the accounts.
Action CC
c) Precept Estimate – it was felt that it was appropriate to maintain the precept at the same level as in recent years (£2,000), the Clerk would complete the paperwork and return to WLDC before the end of the month.
Action GP
54/23 Parish Archives – the Clerk had inherited numerous parish records and Mr John Thurlby was accommodating a safe containing records dating back to at least 1842. It was felt that the safe should be moved to the village hall where the records would be in the public domain. The Clerk was asked to raise this with the village hall committee at their next meeting.
Action GP
55/23 Parish Cottage – the annual landlord inspection and tenancy renewal was due, the Chairman agreed to speak to DS who had offered to do this and agree the arrangements between them.
Action RG
The Clerk was asked to contact WLDC to see if they could advise what would be a fair rent for such a property.
Action GP
56/23 Correspondence
a) Police community engagement – the Chairs of Parish Councils had been invited to attend remote meetings with senior officers starting in December. The Clerk was asked to forward the invitation to the Chairman.
Action GP
b) Quickline – there had been an offer of funding to support community Christmas events, no such events were planned so this would not be followed up.
c) LIVES (Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service) had sent a request for funding to support their work in the county. This item was overlooked and will be deferred to the next meeting.
Action GP
d) Neighbourhood Plan – communication had been received from Mr Nev Barnes (WLDC) to ask whether Kexby were intending to continue with the process. It was agreed that there was insufficient interest within the community to do so and the Clerk was asked to respond accordingly.
Action GP
e) 7000 acre group (opposition to the proposed solar farm developments) – a recent open meeting had been very well attended which was encouraging. The Chairman emphasised the need to maintain momentum in opposition to the proposals and to continue supporting the 7000 acre group wherever possible. The group had a wide range of expertise a making them a formidable opposition group.
f) Glentworth Road drains – despite LCC having sent out teams to clear the drains water was still continually running along the surface of the road. The Clerk had repeatedly reported this, Cllr. Butroid (LCC) had promised to keep chasing on behalf of the parish and Sir Edward Leigh MP had offered to get involved once again if required.
57/23 Planning Application 4 Glentworth Road – this was a renewal of an application that had previously been approved but permission had elapsed. The only concerns expressed were that it could lead to additional roadside parking close to a dangerous corner. The Clerk was asked to include such a comment but to state that the Parish Council were generally supportive.
Action GP
58/23 Any Other Business - none
59/23 Meeting dates for 2024 – it was agreed to continue with the second Wednesday in alternate months starting at 6:30 and using the committee room. The May meeting would be held on the second Thursday of the month followed by the Annual Parish Meeting which would require the main hall (the hall being free on Thursday evening once bowling finished in April).
Provisional meeting dates; 10th January, 13th March, 9th May (Thursday), 10th July, 11th September, 13th November
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 7:45pm