May 2021 Minutes Annual Parish Meeting
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – HOGSTHORE – 5 MAY 2021
The meeting was held via zoom due to Covid-19 restrictions and 10 days earlier than first published due to the provision of remote meetings being ended by the Government legislation on 7 May. There was a turnout of 6 members of the public, 4 parish councillors, the clerk and 1 district councillor.
1. Welcome
The meeting was chaired by the Parish Council Chairman, Cllr Mick Culley, who welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the members of the Parish Council.
2. Adoption of the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of 10 May 2019.
There was no Annual Parish Meeting in 2020 due to Covid. The minutes of the 2019 Annual Parish Meeting were adopted.
3. Report from Parish Council Chairman on Parish Council matters
Cllr Culley outlined the work of the Parish Council during the last year:
April – there was no meeting due to the lockdown imposed by the government in response to Covid-19
May – There was no meeting and any decisions and the audit were agreed by email.
June – The Council donated a laptop and printer to the voluntary group which formed in the village in response to Covid-19. There were no reports from outside bodies due to the lockdown.
July – Council met outdoors for the first time to comply with Covid restrictions. Lots of complaints received about the condition of Thames Meadow Drive due to it not being adopted. Agreement has since been reached to adopt it. The Council went into closed session to discuss the Clerk, Kath Hayes, leaving.
August – There was no meeting
September – It was agreed there would be no Christmas events this year due to Covid
October -The new Clerk, Kerry Stafford, started. A new Councillor, Tim Smith, was co-opted onto the Council. The car park for the parish church and a hardstanding for the bins was discussed. November - The Chair and Vice Chair carried out a drains inspection for the whole village. £3,000 was put aside for the footpath in the churchyard. The Council set up a new website. The website address is https://hogsthorpe.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ The Chair thanked the Councillors who had left that year. The first results from the speed indicator were obtained and sent to the police.
December – The Council held a Christmas lights competition. This was judged by the Parish Chairman and the County Councillor and the winners were announced by zoom. Christmas banners were purchased and put up at each end of the village. The Council donated £40 for the childrens’ selection boxes as part of supporting the Good Neighbours Scheme with the Santa run. This took place on Christmas Eve. The speed indicator was moved to South End.
January – There was no meeting
February – There was a lot of complaints about the dog mess in the village so the Council purchased and put up signs and have since ordered more. A new larger dog bin has also been ordered for Langham Road and a new one to be placed at the entrance to the village hall car park. The Council agreed to put a Council facebook page into force this year.
March – The Council were asked for extra bins on High Street and the volunteer litter pickers started collecting again. We were asked for a bench at Threeways which we will install. Extra funding was made available by Highways for repairing minor roads. Any issues should be reported to https://www.fixmystreet.com/
4. Playing field / playpark update
Cllr Culley gave a playing field/playpark update:
• It is planned to get the pitch area done this year.
• The Council is still awaiting the remainder of S106 funding for the Heritage project.
• It is hoped to have first carboot sale of the year on the first Sunday in June.
• A 3 day festival for the village in August is being considered if there is enough interest in supporting it.
• It is planned to get the football field flattened as a volunteer is keen to start playing football with the youngsters in the village
5. Kerry Stafford & Tom Hedges of The Hogsthorpe Good Neighbours Scheme (GNS) gave a presentation on how the voluntary group set up at the start of the Covid 19 crisis and how it plans to move forward under the leadership of Tom Hedges as the new Chair. It is hoped that the phone buddy system can be expanded to include physical visits for tea and a chat once restrictions lifted. The community café will be reopened soon with the easing of restrictions. However, the doorstep deliveries will still continue for those requiring home delivery. The café will hopefully create a social hub for the whole village each Tuesday. Different organisations will be invited in such as TED, digital classes, pensions advice and exercise classes. The GNS also wish to support the youth groups to help them set up before they become their own self supporting group. New volunteers were requested and should contact Tom Hedges in the first instance in person or email: DTandMCHedges@hotmail.co.uk
6. Open Forum - ideas and suggestions from the community for the way forward for Hogsthorpe
• A member of the public asked whether the Council was aware of the broken bridge that had been vandalised. The Chairman confirmed that he was aware and the matter had been reported to the relevant farmer who was responsible for it
• A question was raised whether there was a dog bin for the churchyard as this is getting used more frequently by dog users. The Chairman informed the public that a larger bin was going to be provided for the Churchyard and cemetery and this could be used for dog waste. The Council would also provide signage for it.
• A member of the public asked whether the Council could put a dog mess sign on the corner of Mill Lane and Tavern Lane. The Chairman confirmed that more signs had been ordered and one could be placed there.
• A member of the public asked whether the Council could remove the rubbish in the green bin which was rubble from the Christmas tree stand. The Chairman confirmed that this would be done.
The Chairman thanked the Councillors and ex Councillors for all their hard work and the Clerk for her work, including whilst she was in France to keep the Council work continuing.
The meeting was closed at 1925 hours