July 2024
MINUTES OF THE HOGSTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 3rd JULY 2024
Present: Cllrs Chris Rolph, Mary Banks, Ellen Smith, Bernadette Hornby, Raymond Murray and Dianne Hanson, Clerk: Kath Hayes
Also present: 4 members of the public (two having arrived later).
As there was no appointed Chairman, Cllr Rolph volunteered to take the meeting.
One prospective councillor, the appropriate documents having been completed, was invited to join the council. It was accepted by a show of hands from the current councillors to co-opt this person to the council. Pauline Perry was duly welcomed and took her seat on the Council.
The new councillors then introduced themselves to one another and the members of the public.
PUBLIC FORUM
A member of the public again drew attention to the replacement of the village sign, the wall in the churchyard by the kissing gate, the untidy churchyard and the front wall of the churchyard. He was informed that the village sign had been re-carved, was being painted with the same design as previously and would be installed quite soon. The wall by the kissing gate was privately owned and this was a matter for the owner. None of the bricks and rubble were on churchyard property. The tidying of the churchyard was an item on the agenda and the front wall was a matter which was in hand by the church.
Another member of the public said she was pleased to see police in the village with a speed gun. The result of this would be announced under item 10 of the agenda.
1. APOLOGIES None
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Cllr Ellen Smith declared an interest in Item 8ii.
3. APPROVAL OF NOTES OF MEETING
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 6th June 2024 were unanimously approved and signed by the Acting Chairman.
4. CLERK S REPORT
The clerk read out her report. Of note were councillor vacancies, village seating, churchyard maintenance, Highways/Village Maintenance. Playpark and HSBC funds.
5. REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES
Cllr Banks reported that at a meeting of the Village Hall committee it had been agreed that there would be an open day with stalls being given free of charge. All would be welcome.
6. CORRESPONDENCE
* The clerk had received a letter from ELDC concerning Dog Control Areas and Public Space Protection Orders. It was agreed that the onus on the Parish Council was too great to take this any further.
* The YMCA feedback form had been completed and replies were very positive.
* Letter from South East Lincolnshire Council s Partnership asking if the village would be interested in having a pick-up area for parcels. It was agreed not to pursue this.
* An S19 Report status from LCC regarding flood investigations which were taking place from 4th March 2024 for a number of months. One property had been investigated and was awaiting the report.
7. FINANCIAL MATTERS
i) The financial statement for the period 1st April 2024 to 30th June 2024, showing a balance of £23277 was unanimously approved.
ii) The clerk reported that she had put in a VAT reclaim for £1401.95.
iii) Cheque payments were agreed for £468 to K Hayes for salary and £117 To HMRC, £41.70 for homeworking allowance and postage, £192 to J Thraves for playpark grasscutting, £30.71 to Sid Dennis for Church Bin emptying, £15 for hire of village hall and £18 repayment to Cllr Murray for paint for village bench.
8. CHURCHYARD/CEMETERY MAINTENANCE
i) The benches are now painted up and are still awaiting installation.
ii) General tidy up quotes. Cllr Smith left the meeting for this item. After discussion, it was agreed that the contract should be awarded to R.A.D. Groundworks and it was proposed by Cllr Banks, seconded by Cllr Hanson and unanimously agreed to accept the quote of 1000 from R.A.D. for completion of phase 1 and 2 of the schedule. The clerk would duly inform them and obtain firm commitment of when the work could be started and completed so that councillors could visit to ensure that a proper job was being done. Cllr Smith returned to the room. The grasscutting was now being done fortnightly and the clerk asked the councillors to make note that this was being carried out.
iii) Grave Memorials the Clerk reported that one owner so far had been contacted and they had agreed to remove the gravel and plastic surround. Others would be followed up when the owners are found and as clerk s time allowed. It was agreed that if the owners could not be found, a notice giving them two months notice to remove everything outside of the headstone and plinth would be posted up and fastened to the gravestone. This ruling does not apply to the old graves where a stone surround has been put down.
9. VILLAGE MAINTENANCE (Highways and grasscutting)
The seat on the corner of Threeways had been painted by Cllr Murray and was now looking much better. Cllr Murray was thanked for his work.
The clerk reported that, despite contacting Highways again with regard to what verges they were responsible for, there had been no reply. She would keep trying. Cllr Hornby agreed to take an interest in Highway concerns on behalf of the council.
10. SPEEDING ANALYSIS AND REPORTING
Cllr Rolph reported that he had met with the Police Sergeant to report the findings of the speeding device data. They have now done speed gun checks and there were very positive comments from the community. The report showed that out of the ones checked, there was only one person who would be going to court and one got a warning. It is believed that if the public know that police presence will be in the village, this will deter drivers from speeding through the village.
11. PLAYPARK
i) The playpark chairman reported that a further meeting of the playpark committee had been held. Minutes of the meetings are posted on the web site and the notice board.
ii) The inspection had been done and the various issues were being attended to.
iii) The Monkey Wall is now installed (paid for by a grant) and is proving very popular.
iv) The school have now had a health & safety inspection done and have agreed that the field is suitable for the children to use for sports.
v) It had been arranged to paint the playpark equipment but it had rained on the day appointed. A further date is arranged.
vi) There is still quite a bit to do, particularly clearing behind the changing rooms. There is to be another tidying up day organised after the painting is completed.
vii) The car boots are now doing extremely well and food is being organised.
12. VILLAGE BENCH MEMORIAL PLAQUES
The benches have both been installed at the entrance to the allotments and the corner of Thames Crescent. The clerk will get the plaques ordered in plastic with wording of In memory of Les Wildman, Parish Councillor and Chairman between 2016 and 2024 . A further plaque In memory of Paul Smith, Parish Councillor from 2015 to 2022 would be ordered.
13. PLANNING
i. N/084/00912/24 Variation for change of use to planning permission already given. There has been no objection from neighbours so far and it was agreed that there would be no objection from the Parish Council.
ii. Proposed communication installation for smart metering works at Mill Lane. It was agreed that no comments should be made at this stage until a planning application is put in.
14. COUNCILLOR TRAINING
The clerk informed the new members that they would be expected to undertake Councillor training with LALC. A Zoom meeting was to be held on 13th August but it was agreed that they would wait until a face-to-face meeting could be held in Mablethorpe at a future date.
15 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
As there was no meeting in August, the date of the next meeting was set for WEDNESDAY 4th September 2024.
16 ANY OTHER BUSINESS FOR NEXT AGENDA
Nothing of note.
CLOSED SESSION
A closed session was held at the end of the meeting to update the new councillors on the details of the upcoming court case.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.20 pm
2024/07
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