February 2023 DRAFT Minutes
These are draft minutes and subject to change or amendment until approved at the next meeting on 2nd March 2023
HOGSTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, 2ND FEBRUARY 2023 AT THE VILLAGE HALL, HOGSTHORPE AT 6.00PM
PRESENT: Les Wildman (Chair) Chris Rolf (Vice Chair)
COUNCILLORS: Mary Banks, Ellen Smith, and Brian Worley
CLERK & RFO: Valerie Anne Worley
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: 10
ABSENT: District Councillor Graham Williams
PUBLIC FORUM
A member of the public spoke about the amount of caravan parks in Hogsthorpe. He stated that there were over 500 objections to the recent planning application. People moved to Hogsthorpe in the past due to the lack of caravans. A suggestion would be for all the Parish Councils to contact other Parish Councils in the area to object. He stated that ‘we don’t want more caravans in our village’.
Another member of the public spoke about the 89 houses being developed in Hogsthorpe and the digging out of the entrance and encroaching on land. She asked if she should refer this to District Councillor Graham Williams. The Chair agreed. There were no other queries
- Chair’s Welcome
The Chair welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming to the meeting.
- It was resolved by the Members of Council to move to hear the Hogsthorpe Parish Council account discrepancies for year ending 2022 and 2023 in public. A member of the public stated that accountability for the accounts was members of Council including the Chair, the Clerk and previous clerks. The Chair’s Partner stood up and went through her discrepancies. The Clerk stated that she could not respond as she had not seen the discrepancies and had given the Chair 7 days’ notice to produce them to the Members of the Council and herself. The Clerk asked the Chair if she would be paid for the extra hours to look through these and reach a conclusion. The Chair refused. The Clerk also stated that the Notice of Public Rights had passed and the accounts had been verified by a LALC appointed Internal Verifier with an improved Report.
- Co-option of New Councillor
At the last meeting on 19 January 2023, John Midgley an ex-Chair of Hogsthorpe Parish Council, in his absence, was voted with a ‘yes’ vote by the Members of Council. The Chair asked the Clerk to contact John Midgley and give the relevant papers to him (Recorded). The Vice Chair pointed out that according to the Standing Orders there must be a show of hands.The Council voted again 2-2.The Chair had the deciding vote and voted against therefore John Midgley was not Co-opted as Councillor.
George Green was co-opted as Councillor after being interviewed by the Members of the Council.The Chair asked the members of the public if they thought he would be suitable. George Green signed the Acceptance of Office of Councillor.
- Apologies for absence and acceptance of reasons given
None received.
- To receive any declaration of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensation.
None received.
- Notes of the last Parish meeting of 19th January 2023 to be approved as minutes.
The Chair refused to sign the Minutes.The minutes were recorded. The Clerk stated that she had amended the minutes. The Chair and a member of the Council stated that they wanted the minutes longer and word for word.The Clerk stated that minutes should just be brief notes of the meeting.The Clerk stated that these were draft minutes. The Internal Verifier had informed the Clerk that the minutes were too long and must not contain hearsay.
- To receive reports from outside bodies and other meetings.
The Vice Chair stated that the Staffing Committee had received a number of complaints.The Clerk had no knowledge of these.
Nothing to report from the charities.
- Financial Matters. The following cheques were resolved, signed, and approved:
- Clerk’s Salary - £717.70
- HMRC Tax – £94.80
- Printer Ink - £12.40
- Homeworking Allowance - £26.00
- Village Hall Hire - £15.00
- Clerk’s Report
The Clerk stated that this will follow.She stated that she had been placing the resolved and approved policies on Hogsthorpe Parish Council website which was taking quite some time.
- Policies: 1) Financial Regulations Policy and 2) Standing Orders – The Chair handed out Financial Policies and Standing Orders that he said more suited Hogsthorpe Parish Council not the ones that had been recommended by the Internal Verifier. These he gave to Members of the Council to read. To be resolved and adopted at a later date.
- Date of next meeting to be agreed:
Thursday, 2 March 2023 agreed.
The meeting closed at 7.55pm