June 2023 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE HOGSTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 1st JUNE 2023
Present: Cllrs Les Wildman (Chairman) Chris Rolph, Mary Banks, Ellen Smith, Clerk: K Hayes
6 members of the Public
The Chairman welcomed all those present.
PUBLIC FORUM
• One member of the public was present at 6pm. He wished to pass comments on what he had found regarding the church wall. Firstly, he wished to know what the council knew about the ownership of the wall. The clerk informed him that the wall was not covered by the church insurance and it would appear that the Parish Council were responsible for all the churchyard as agreed with the church authorities many years ago. However, that does not mean that the council can go ahead with any repairs without the church authorities giving permission. The parishioner believed that this was a matter or urgency and the wall must be re-instated/repaired immediately. He made suggestions on what could be done – he appreciated that the cost would be substantial but suggested that the bricks could be sold or a loan could be taken out with a bank. The clerk explained that they cannot sell the bricks without the church say-so and they were waiting for an architect to say what can be done with it. It is not possible to go ahead without permission from the church authorities and they will insist on how it is to be replaced. Whatever the church authorities say, this must be in writing so as to be clear what permissions they have given. It was resolved that the clerk would contact the Diocese again and ask them to set out in writing what is required. When that letter is received she will then contact the architect recommended by the church warden and get his opinion. The parishioner was asked that he request that any communication he had with the Diocese be put in writing and handed to the council.
• Five other members of the public joined at 6.30pm which they believed was the usual time for the start of the meeting. The council agreed that the public forum would be extended to accommodate them.
• They had heard that a planning application was to go to appeal. The council had not heard of anything and there was nothing as yet on the Planning Portal. It was noted that the application for Ivy Lodge would be put before committee on the 8th June.
• A member of the public enquired what had happened to the village sign. It was explained that its whereabouts were not known and further investigation would be required.
• A villager complained that there was no opportunity given to the public to put forward their views at the Annual Parish Community Meeting as the whole meeting had been devoted to the state of the church wall. The Chairman apologised for this.
• Another villager asked if anything could ne done by the Parish Council with regard to the water being cut off and the volume being very slow at her property. The council advised that she should make a complaint to Anglian Water every time this happened but the council had no authority to help in this matter.
• Despite being reported to Fix My Street on the21st February and a statement that it would be looked into within 14 days, the lamp post at South End had still not been repaired.
1. APOLOGIES – All Councillors present
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None
3. APPROVAL OF NOTES OF MEETING
The Minutes of the meeting of the 11th May 2023 were unanimously approved and signed by the Chairman.
4. CLERK’S REPORT
All items are covered by the agenda.
5. REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES
1. Cllr Banks reported that the roof had been repaired at the Village Hall
2. Cllr Banks reported that the next meeting for Charity Farm would be in June – nothing to report at this stage.
6. CORRESPONDENCE
Councillors were given sight of a communication from Boston Police Station inviting the Chairs of each Parish Council to meet on-line beginning in December 2023 with senior officers of Lincolnshire Police with a view to renewing the Neighbourhood policing policy.
7. FINANCIAL MATTERS
1. It was agreed to renew the annual insurance policy with Gallagher.
2. Payment of accounts were agreed of £433.26 to K Hayes for salary, £108.40 to HMRC for PAYE, £28.25 to K Hayes for expenses, £45 for hire of Village Hall, £15 to E Carter for APM refreshments, 817.50 to Robert Aldrich for grasscutting, £250 to Hogsthorpe Allotments for annual maintenance, £10.42 to Sid Dennis for waste removal and £890.77 to Gallagher for annual insurance premium.
3. The clerk reported that the Barclays Parish Council Account had now been approved for change of mandate.
4. The Playpark account with Lloyds was still not completed as yet.
5. VAT – The clerk had not been able to open a VAT account with Gov.uk Gateway but had submitted a paper claim – total repayment expected of £2300.
6. An account on Gateway (Gov.uk) had now been set up and the appropriate submissions made.
7. Web site – authorisation was granted for the clerk to spend 4 hours x £17 with LALC web site assistant to help get the web site in proper order.
8. CHURCHYARD REPORT
1. Churchyard wall – discussion had taken place in the public forum brought up by a parishioner. It is believed that the wall is the responsibility of the Parish Council but the process of getting it repaired must be agreed by the Lincoln Diocese. At present railings have been erected around the site at no charge by a local builder. There was now entry into the cemetery for members of the public to visit the graves. More investigation with the Diocese and the appointment of a church qualified architect needs to be done before any removal of bricks or repairs are made. The clerk will take this up.
2. A quote to repair the broken fence of £350 had been received which was thought to be very reasonable. However, in order that the correct process be put in place, it was agreed that a further two quotes be must be obtained. The Chair and Cllr Day to obtain these.
3. Cllr Day asked when the bins at the churchyard were emptied as he would combine this with the day the cemetery bin was emptied. Clerk to let him have this information.
9. ALLOTMENTS
No communication had as yet been received from Charity Farm regarding a review of the 15 year lease due in September.
10. SPEED CAMERA REPORT
Cllr Rolph reported on the number of speeding offences which would have occurred if police had been present. Words of Advice could have been given to over 25,000, fine or speed awareness courses were over 6,000 and referrals to court 1751. This information is yet to be passed to the police. The speeding cameras would appear to be working well to remind all drivers of the speed limit in the village.
11. PLAYPARK REPORT
Cllr Smith reported that car boots were going well and takings from the cake stall were helping to increase the income. More signs will be put up. It was suggested that a sign ‘Car Boots Today’ be put out on the day of the event. Some leaflets were still to be delivered. She still had not as yet managed to have a meeting with the football team. The CCTV is now working – Cllr Rolph and Cllr Day to look at how this is recorded.
12. RESOLUTION TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION
It was resolved that the council would move into closed session in order to discuss a sensitive issue regarding a prior employee.
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting was fixed for 6pm on the 6th July 2023.
18 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
It was noted that the Planning application for Inglenook had been withdrawn.It was also noted that the planning application for Ivy Lodge would be discussed by Committee at the ELDC meeting on 8 June.It was agreed that previous objections had been sent in and nothing further could be added.
The meeting closed at 7.30pm