November 2020 Minutes
Minutes of Witham St Hughs Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 18th November 2020 at 7.30pm via Zoom
Present Cllr Harrison – Chair, Cllr Snape – Vice Chair Cllr Fenney & Cllr Eckert
Rachel Popplewell – Clerk
District Councillor Peter Overton & County Councillor Marianne Overton.
County Councillor Overton made comment that additional funding had been made available from the District Council to help the Homeless during the current pandemic. With most of the homeless in the district being found accommodation.
A consultation regarding the Council Tax Support grant and the proposed number of changes to the current scheme was now open for comments until 4th December 2020
Cllr Overton made further comment that the number of COVID cases had increase by 50% in a week – should we come out of lockdown now we would go into a high tier.
District Councillor Overton made comment that the Tree Strategy Consultation was still available to be commented on, this is part of the Council’s commitments to tackling climate change and improving the health & wellbeing of our communities.
Agenda Items
1. Welcome & Apologies
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. The meeting was being held via Zoom to comply with Social Distancing Regulations due to COVID 19.
Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor Linnell & Councillor Young.
Cllr Rothwell – absent.
2. To received Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and outlined in the councils Code of Conduct – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members Register of Interest and any written requests for dispensations.
None Received
3. Health & Safety.
The Clerk made comment that during the Health & Safety review the bridge at the back of the MUGA needed to be made safe with the addition of side rails. The VHEC have been asked to carry out the repairs, yet it has not been done.
The Fencing on the field still needs to be removed by the VHEC, the Clerk was asked to contact.
Action Clerk
4. Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 21st October 2020 to be approved as minutes.
It was Resolved to approve the notes as minutes – All agreed.
Signed by the Chair.
5. Clerks Update & Correspondence & Resolve to agree any actions/costs.
The Clerk made comment that ‘Dog Poo Stations’ had been set up by a resident around the village, the idea had been well received.
Cllr Eckert had passed on the contact details of a new handy man; the Clerk was asked to contact him as there were a couple of jobs still outstanding at the village hall.
Action Clerk.
Cllr Harrison had received a quote an additional quote for the Broadband & Telephone, this did not compare favourably with the existing supplier, Clerk to renew the existing contract.
Action Clerk.
The Clerk made comment that she had ordered 3 new bollards they are to be delivered this week. (20.11.2020).
6. Finance
a. It was Resolved to approve the list of payments (list previously circulated). All Agreed.
Signed by The Chairman
b. The Bank Reconciliation was presented as at 31.10.2020 – showing the accounts balanced – signed by the Chairman
c. External Auditors Report – deferred to the next meeting.
7. Defibrillator (Airman’s Quarters) Update
The Clerk made comment that the cabinet had been paid for, Cllr Linnell was just waiting on an installation date – potentially in the next two weeks.
8. To Approve printing costs for the COVID 19 group.
After discussions it was Resolved to approve 5p per sheet for any printing carried out for the group, costs to be paid with a valid receipt.
9. To approve the nomination for a representative to the Association County Committee.
Cllr Eckert asked to be considered as the representative from Witham st Hughs Parish Council for the County Committee.
It was Resolved to accept his nomination.
Action Clerk.
10. To Approve the quote to repair the pathways in the village.
The Clerk made comment that she had received a quote from Thomas Bow a contractor working in the village on Phase 3, for £2625 to lay new lime stone/gravel on to the hoggin paths, they offered to donate £2000 to the project. They also advised that the repairs to Thyme Walk path needed further investigation as a separate job.
After discussions it was Resolved to accept the offer from Thomas Bow for the hoggin paths at a cost to the Parish Council of £625 and to await the outcome of the further investigations for Thyme Walk path.
Action Clerk
11. To consider the suggested possible locations of new litter bins.
The clerk made comment that the two new bins in the Village Hall were earmarked to replace the broken bins on Elder Close and Warren Lane Park.
Suggestions from parishioners regarding locations of new bins had been received being.
Meadow Sweet/Campion Way Corner, Cuckoo Walk, Bluebell Walk & Ivy Bank and along Camp Road. The Clerk was asked to contact NKDC regarding the possible new locations and if the bin lorries would be able to access them for emptying.
Action Clerk.
12. Plans for Remembrance Day Update.
The Clerk made comment that the service had been successfully streamed live on Facebook.
Thanks, were passed onto Cllr Snape & Cllr Fenney for organising the event.
The Clerk was asked to write to thank all involved.
Action Clerk.
13. V E Day Celebrations
Cllr Snape made comment that the date for the V E Day Celebrations for 2021 was Saturday May 8th. All prizes and funding that had been received for this year’s event would be carried over to next year. The Clerk was asked to put the date in the diary
Action Clerk
14. Open Spaces Update.
The Chair made comment that the clearing of the bushes & shrubs had started on the parish council-maintained areas. The contractor had started on Privet Walk, they would be working one additional day in the village until Christmas.
The Parish Council will go out to tender in the new year for
a. Grass Cutting contract.
b. Hedge & Tree contract.
15. Projects/commitments to be considered for the Precept for the Financial Year 2021/2022.
The Chair made comment that the Precept would need to be discussed in a working group to consider all the options for the next financial year. To be approved Dec/Jan meeting.
16. Date & Time of the Next Meeting.
Wednesday 16th December 2020, 7.30pm.
The Parish Council then moved into Closed Session – 8.40pm