Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LITTLE CAWTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL
The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council was held the Pool Room at The Royal Oak on Wednesday 16 May 2024 at 7.21 pm.
PRESENT:- Chairman Cllr M Graves
Vice-Chairman Cllr A Grist
Cllr Mrs H Poppleton
-
Apologies
Cllr Ms Parkin (LCC).
2. Election of Chairman
Nominations were invited for the position of Chairman and Cllr Graves indicated he would be happy to continue as Chairman:
Cllr Mrs Poppleton PROPOSED that Cllr Graves be elected Chairman
Cllr Grist SECONDED and Cllr Graves was elected Chairman.
Cllr Graves in the chair.
3. Election of Vice Chairman
Nominations were invited for the position of Vice-Chairman and Cllr Grist confirmed he would also be happy to continue as Vice-Chairman.:
Cllr Mrs Poppleton PROPOSED that Cllr Grist be elected Vice-Chairman
Cllr Graves SECONDED and Cllr Grist was elected Vice-Chairman.
4. Minutes of Last Meeting
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 3 April 2024 were agreed and signed.
5. Reports
Cemetery Working Group
The Chairman advised that there was nothing to report on this occasion.
Legbourne Community Group
Cllr Mrs Poppleton reported that the this group had held their Meeting the previous evening. They had held a car boot event recently, but advised that more people were required to take the collection buckets round. The were looking at the the possibility of having junior football pitches. The Scarecrow event is planned to run from 11-26 August.
Speeding/Traffic & Highways Issues/Police Matters
The Committee noted that, speeding at the corner on Planting Side was a serious issue. The Chairman had spoken with Mr Strawson to request if signage could be erected clearly defining the location of the footpath to stop walkers going through his garden and Mr Strawson had suggested making a more obvious path to stop this issue. The moss on Pinfold needs rollering before the grass can be cut.
The Vice-Chairman queried if a “two-way” traffic sign could be erected at the pub junction, to ensure that road users did not automatically assume that all vehicles were turning into the pub. Vice-Chairman to contact Cllr Ms Parkin (LCC) for assistance.
6. Clerk’s Report – Nothing to report.
7. Planning
The Chairman declared a Pecuniary Interest” because the property belonged to an adjoining estate. The Committee considered Planning The Committee noted Planning Application N/174/00687/24 The Nursery Bungalow, Haugham Pastures -Erection of a replacement house with detached garage & change of use of lane to form an extension to the existing garden on the site of an existing dwelling which is to be demolished. It was
RESOLVED that the Parish Council had “no observations” in respect of Planning Application N/174/00687/24.
8. Correspondence
ELDC –LALC News, Clerks & Councils Mag & Open Spaces Mag-Noted.
9. Accounts
Annual Audit & Accounts, Yearly Reports. Reviews & Insurance Renewal, etc.
The Clerk presented the year end accounting statements prepared according to proper accounting practices. The Council noted all receipts/payments for the year ending 31st March 2023 and verified the bank reconciliation. The Council considered the Annual Governance Statement and the Accounting Statements for audit for the financial period
1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024 and dates for the period of public rights. The Council expressed their appreciation to the Internal Auditor, who had completed the audit.
It was
RESOLVED a) to approve the Annual Governance Statement (Minute 9a);
b) to approve the Accounting Statements for the period (Minute 9b);
c) dates for the Notice of Period of Exercise of Public Rights were agreed and to meet the Notice of Period of Exercise of Public Rights which commence 03/06/24 until 12/07/24, the appropriate documents were to be held by the Chairman for inspection;
d) Insurance and Risks Reviews were made; due to increases made by BHIB, alternative insurance companies had been contacted and a quote from Zurich, which was considerably lower was agreed; the Publications and GDPR documents were reviewed and no amendments were required;
e) Expenditure & Invoices for Payment
Clerk’s Salary £ 406.32 R Taylor-Accountant £ 100.00
Zurich-Insurance £ 277.00 HMRC-PAYE £ 10.20
Income Precept £4750.00 VAT Refund £ 212.30
All accounts were received and agreed for payment.
10. Business
Beck Update
Members had been made aware of the work carried out in this area, which was unsatisfactory and the County Council were contacted and this matter is being resolved. It was noted that the area is now more clearly defined between path and highway. Members agreed to carry out some soft planting when work was fully completed.
Financial Assistance
The Committee had previously discussed and agreed in principal to increase the donation to “Yellow Pages” and it was
RESOLVED to increase the donation made to Yellow Pages to £120.
Pond Update
The Chairman thanked GBM for their assistance in helping clear out the pond. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman had done as much work as they could before the water became too muddy to continue. They will need to go back in to finish off shortly and agreed that next year flyers should be sent out in advance to ask for assistance from Parishioners, there being too much work for just 2/3 people.
Projects
The Chairman would continue to seek more competitive quotes for the installation of gates at the entrances of the village. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman both had some plants that could be used around the village.
11. Matters for Discussion
The Committee noted the tree preservation order in respect of Abbey Lodge, Planting Side.
12. Date of Next Meeting
The next meetings would take place on:
WEDNESDAY 24 July & 18 September 2024 at 7.30 pm.
Meeting closed 8.00 pm.
Chairman/Vice-Chairman ....................................
Date ........................................