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Wragby Parish Council
MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 4th FEBRUARY 2013
IN THE ANNEXE OF WRAGBY TOWN HALL AT 7.15pm
MINUTES
There were 15 members of the public attending the meeting.
Present:
Councillors N Bailey, T Buxton-Rockley, M Coleman (Chairman), J Knowles, V Nash, D
Reeves, J Sadler, J Thacker and Clerk to the Parish Council – S Wallace
Public Forum
Comments regarding the recent tree work in Dove Park appreciative of the work that has
been done but some tree debris left on site (see also Agenda Item 10); Comments
regarding the general condition of footpaths; Question asked regarding the sign in Market
Rasen Road which had been removed for repair; Comments regarding the Cemetery
particularly the condition of two recently dug graves, the presence of moles, the siting of
the water tank and the availability of water to the public; Comments regarding the notice
boards; Question was asked about the need for a litter bin between the Sports Hall and
Newton Close and it was suggested that the litter bin by the Dove Park Shelter is now
spare and could be moved.
Action –
(a)
(b)
The Clerk to organise the necessary repair to one of the notice boards
The Clerk to arrange for the litter bin from the Dove Park Shelter to be moved
to a location between the Sports Hall and Newton Close
1. Chairman’s Welcome and Opening Remarks
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Meeting and thanked representatives of the
Wragby Football Club for their hard work during the recent cold weather.
2. Apologies for absence
Cllr P Phillipson.
3. Councillors’ Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011
There were no declarations.
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4. Minutes of the Meeting held on 3rd December 2012
The Minutes were agreed, approved and signed by the Chairman.
Proposed – Chairman, Seconded – Cllr Knowles, Resolved - Unanimous
5. Minutes of the Special Meeting held on 22nd January 2013
The Minutes were agreed, approved and signed by the Chairman.
Proposed – Chairman, Seconded – Cllr Knowles, Resolved – Unanimous
6. Receive Clerk’s report on matters outstanding
The Clerk reported that all but one of the actions agreed at the Meeting held on 3rd
December 2012 had been implemented - Cllr Bailey explained that he had had
difficulties in obtaining feedback from the Road Safety Partnership on their survey.
7. Correspondence
The Clerk reported that he had several parishioners contact him about various matters
around the area – damaged street lighting columns, empty Grit Bins, flooded/blocked
ditches and damage to the Cemetery fence. With the exception of the damage to the
Cemetery fence (an insurance claim form has been requested), all the matters had
been reported to the Highways Call Centre.
The Clerk reported that he had contacted PCSO Briggs regarding the lorries parking in
Millbrook Lane – he had advised that it was currently an unadopted (therefore private)
road and as long as they were not causing an obstruction (for the fire engines), they
could be perceived as adding some security to the buildings in the vicinity.
In addition, the Clerk reported that the following ‘key correspondence’ had been
received since the last meeting of the Parish Council:AON – letter requiring information relating to Employers’ Liability Insurance
ELDC – three letters, one relating to the proposed Dove Park Bowls Club Car Park work
to trees in Dove Park (see also Agenda Item 10), one relating to a forthcoming Planning
Appeal (see also Agenda Item 22) and one relating to the Precept for 2013/14
Lloyds – Change of Address and Mandate forms
Parishioner – letter relating to the Village Signs
Sign Cleaning Business looking for work
Community
8. Working Party Updates
Cllrs reported that (a) the tree debris in Dove Park needs to be removed and (b) the
Cemetery needs some attention.
9. Horncastle Area Committee
The Clerk provided a brief update on the matters that were discussed at the
Committee’s Meeting on 7th January 2013.
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10. Update re: Dove Park Bowls Club Parking
The letter received from East Lindsey DC Planning was discussed, it was felt that to
widen the access road to 4.5 metres was excessive, the cost of the matting was likely
to be in excess of £700 and there may be some additional tree work required.
The Council agreed unanimously to proceed with the necessary Planning Application.
Action –
(a) The Clerk, in conjunction with Graham Osborn of the Bowls Club, would provide
the Planning Team with the additional information required,
(b) Cllr Nash would discuss the Council’s proposal with Mrs Watson who lives in the
bungalow adjoining the site and, following his visit, the Clerk would write a
formal letter to her,
(c) The Clerk would arrange to submit a Planning Application to East Lindsey DC as
soon as is practicable.
11. Dove Park Bowls Club Drive Way
Councillors discussed its responsibilities relating to the Drive Way, its present condition
and how repairs could be made once the works referred to in the previous Agenda Item
had been completed.
The Council agreed unanimously to keep the situation under review and consult with
the Bowls Club and residents at the appropriate time.
12. LCC Highways Proposed Works 2013/14
The Chairman outlined the recent discussions that he had had with LCC Highways. LCC
Highways are proposing:-
Remove the existing crossing on the A158
Introduce crossings on each of the four roads
Reduce the 2 lanes to 1 lane on the Bardney Road approach to the junction and
retain the existing parking bay
Remove the blockwork in certain locations
Remove the railings around the Market Place
A range of views were expressed concerning each of the proposals and it was
unanimously agreed that LCC Highways should be invited to the next meeting of the
Council and the Annual Meeting (see Agenda Item 15).
Action –
(a) The Clerk to invite LCC Highways to the Council Meeting on the 4th March.
13. ELDC ‘SO Festival 2013’
The Chairman explained that East Lindsey DC are planning an evening event on the 6th
July as part of their plans to bring the ‘SO Festival’ to various Market Towns around
the District.
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It has been suggested that the Parish Council (or another body or other bodies) could
organise an afternoon event on the same day which would promote the evening event.
The Festival Director is planning a walk around Wragby and the Chairman invited
all Councillors to join in.
14. Newsletter March 2013
Further to the discussions relating to the Newsletter at the meeting in December, it
was agreed that a Draft Newsletter would be prepared for the next meeting.
Action –
(a) The Clerk to draft a Newsletter for the Council Meeting on the 4th March.
15. Parish Council Annual Meeting 2013
The following were raised as possible items for the Annual Meeting – the ‘SO Festival’,
LCC Highways Proposed Works, Road Safety, Parish Plan, presentations from Groups
who had received grants from the Council.
Bearing in mind the availability of the Town Hall, it was agreed that the Annual
Meeting would be held on Monday 22nd April.
Action –
(a) Any further ideas should be passed to the Clerk
Finance
16. Receive Clerk’s Report
The Clerk reported that a Budgetary Control Statement had been prepared for the nine
months to the 31st December, reconciliations of the Bank Accounts and HMRC (Income
Tax & VAT) had been successfully performed to the 31st December and a Cash Flow
Statement had been prepared to the 31st March.
He was aware that the Council needed to make three payments, as follows:Tree Works in Dove Park
Clerk’s January Salary
HMRC – January Statutory Deductions
£3,480.00
£333.60
£83.40
The Council unanimously approved the three payments.
Action –
The Clerk to approach B&B Tree Specialists to arrange for the removal of the tree
debris in Dove Park prior to releasing the payment.
The Clerk also reported that he had received a request from a contractor regarding a
Play Area Project commissioned by the Wragby Town Hall Management Committee and
whether the Council would be prepared to assist relating to VAT – he had circulated a
paper to Councillors prior to the meeting.
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Councillors discussed the advice that had been received as well as the various risks
involved and agreed that the Council should not proceed with this request.
Proposed – Cllr Nash, Seconded – Chairman, Resolved – Unanimous
Action –
(a) The Clerk to write to the contractor and inform them of the Council’s decision
(b) Cllr Roxton-Buckley, as a representative of the Wragby Town Hall Management
Committee, to report the outcome of the Council’s discussions back to the
Committee
17. Discuss and resolve the Parish Council Budget 2013/14
The Council unanimously agreed to note the 2013/14 Budget that has been suggested
by Cllr Sadler and which has been previously circulated. It was recommended that
some of the Budget Headings required some additional detail.
18. Discuss and resolve Community Grant Fund Applications 2013/14
Councillors discussed the two letters that had been received from Wragby & District
Swimming Club and Wragby Surgery Equipment Fund following the meeting held in
December.
The Council agreed to make a payment of £700 to the Wragby & District Swimming
Club and that the funds should be applied to a specific aspect (or aspects) of the work
being undertaken.
Proposed – Cllr Sadler, Seconded – Cllr Knowles, Resolved - Unanimous
The Council agreed to make a payment of £262 to the Wragby Surgery Equipment Fund
and that the funds should be applied to the purchase of the two auroscopes.
Proposed – Cllr Knowles, Seconded – Cllr Buxton-Rockley, Resolved – Cllr Nash voted
against the proposal
Governance
19. Risk Assessment for December 2012 and January 2013
The Council unanimously agreed to adopt the text of the Draft Policy Statement
relating to disability, racial equality, safeguarding children, etc.,
Action –
(a) The Clerk to add the Policy Statement to the Council’s website together with any
relevant links.
20. Risk Assessment for February 2013
The Council noted that a comprehensive review of its Asset Register had been
undertaken in 2012 and that work is required on a number of the assets.
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Housing and Planning
21. Discuss and resolve the Council’s comments on the East Lindsey District Council’s
Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment
The Chairman reported that, as per the discussion at the meeting in December, he was
working on a suitable response which would be submitted before the deadline of the
end of February.
22. Receive any updates on Planning Matters since the last meeting
As indicated in Agenda Item 6, one letter had been received from East Lindsey District
Council relating to Halo Hair and Beauty Salon, whose application to erect a log cabin
had been refused by ELDC.
The appellant has appealed to the Secretary of State and the appeal will be
determined on the basis of written representations, which must be received by the 21st
February 2013.
23. Items for next meeting
Councillors raised the following – LCC Highways, the Annual Meeting, the Newsletter
and the ‘SO Festival’.
24. Resolve on whether to move into Closed Session. Should this resolution be passed
members of the press and public will be asked to leave the meeting.
It was agreed that the Council should move into Closed Session.
Proposed – Chairman, Seconded – Cllr Knowles, Resolved – Unanimous
25. Discuss and resolve Tenders/Quotations for the Grass Cutting and Mole Control
Contracts
Mole Control
The Clerk reported that he had been able to obtain two quotations from Lincspest Ltd
(the current provider) and Pest Force.
It was agreed that the Council should accept the quotation from Pest Force for a
period of one year.
Proposed – Chairman, Seconded – Cllr Knowles, Resolved – Unanimous
Grass Cutting
The Clerk reported that he had only been able to obtain one quotation from Tudor
Grounds Maintenance (the current provider).
It was agreed that the Council should accept this quotation
Proposed – Cllr Thacker, Seconded – Cllr Nash, Resolved – Unanimous
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26. Staffing Matters
The Chairman reported that there had been one expression of interest for the post of
Handyperson – his letter had been previously circulated. The issue of whether he
should be taken on as an employee or a contractor (and the related issues, eg., would
the Council buy tools and PPE, who would do the risk assessment of each job, etc.,)
was discussed.
It was agreed that further information was required and that the matter should also be
discussed with Ian Handley.
27. Date of next meeting – 4th March 2013
28. Close of meeting
The meeting closed at 9.10pm
Signature of the Chairman: ……………………………………………………
Date: ………………………………
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