December 2024
MINUTES OF THE HOGSTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 4th DECEMBER 2024
Present: Cllrs Fran Wilson (Chairman) Chris Rolph, Mary Banks, Ellen Smith, Bernadette Hornby, Ray Murray, Pauline Perry
Clerk: Kath Hayes
Also present: 3 members of the public
PUBLIC FORUM
A member of the public asked what was happening with the Christmas tree in the church. Chairman explained that arrangements were in hand to put the lights on this week.
A member of the public asked what was happening with the caravans at 14 Mill Lane. Clerk explained that there was a planning application in for extensive alterations to the house and it was assumed that the caravans would be used whilst work on the house was being carried out. (Further explanation at Agenda Item 9(a).
1. APOLOGIES Cllr Diane Hanson
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None
3. APPROVAL OF NOTES OF MEETING
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 6th November 2024 were unanimously approved and signed by the Vice Chairman.
4. CLERK'S REPORT
The clerk noted details from Clerk s report which had been sent out with the Agenda.
Of note were land at end of Wilkinson Way had not been cleared to be taken up again with owner; thankyou to whoever had cleaned the bus shelter; no further quote had been received for village grasscutting, HSBC funds had been received into the bank; still waiting confirmation of bank mandate changes; other items noted in the minutes.
5. REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES
i. Cllr Banks reported that the Blood doners session at the Village Hall had taken place. It was not known whether this would be continued.
ii. Re Charity Farm the hedge which a resident complained about last month has been cut back. The top has not been cut as they did not have the equipment to do that. It was uncertain who the hedge belonged to and this had been passed to solicitors to check. All the applications (12 or 13) for the charity donations had been successful and have now been paid.
iii. Cllr Wilson reported that all the materials for the new fencing for the Allotments had been purchased and would be installed soon. There is a plan to put stones down in the lane to the allotments as this was becoming very boggy. The amended regulations had been checked and it was agreed to accept the amended regulations. Clerk to send a copy to all councillors.
v. Cllr Wilson also reported that the heritage garden sign was dangerously unstable - Clerk to contact RDR.
vi. Cllr Smith reported that a meeting had been held with only the Chairman and Secretary in attendance. There was nothing new to report.
6. CORRESPONDENCE
The clerk reported that a letter had been received from the court case claimant s solicitor and this had been passed straight to the Council s solicitor to deal with.
7. FINANCIAL MATTERS
i) It was unanimously confirmed by a show of hands that the Precept to be applied for would be 12,463 as noted in the budget.
ii) Cheques were signed at the meeting for £56.75 for clerk expenses, £729.60 for Clerk s November salary, £182.40 for November HMRC, further pre-dated cheques were signed for 708.00 for Clerk's December salary and ££177.00 for December HMRC, £23.58 to Sid Dennis for bin emptying, £15 for Village Hall hire, £192 for playpark grass cutting and £650 to Hogsthorpe Allotments repayment for grant received by the Parish Council.
iii) Confirmation was still awaited on the inclusion of Cllrs Hornby and Wilson on the bank mandate.
8. CHURCHYARD/CEMETERY MAINTENANCE
Of note from the report were:-
i) The Burial Regulations have not yet been sent to all undertakers and memorial installers. However, all new enquirers for burials or memorials are being sent a copy.
ii) The oak tree had not yet been replanted probably due to frosty ground.
iii) The end of the fallen wall is being sorted in the next couple of weeks at a cost of 160 as agreed by councillors via email.
iv) Gate and gateposts have not yet been removed clerk to take this up.
v) Clerk reported that the replacement of the lettering on the war grave memorial will be taken up with a stone mason when the names have been checked with the list inside the church.
vi) Other outstanding maintenance items would be dealt with in the new year including contacting BRAMM for a survey of the gravestones to check any unstable ones. It could be that badgers are causing ground subsidence and this may also be a problem in making the gravestones stable to be discussed at the February meeting.
8A Cemetery Notice Board
It was noted that a District Councillor grant for 645 had been received for purchase of a notice board. It was agreed that the Clerk would go ahead and order the notice board. When received, it would need concreting into the ground.
8B Fencing to replace fallen wall
A quote of £1850 had been received to install a picket fence along the edge where the wall had collapsed. It was agreed to apply for a District Councillor grant of 650 towards the cost of this. The exact materials and type to be agreed at the February meeting.
9. GRASSCUTTING CONTRACT
i. A further contractor had been asked to give a quote for village grass cutting but as this had not been received even after reminders, it was agreed that the contract should be awarded to Robert Aldrich as per his quote of £2,200 per annum for the next three years, 2025, 2026 and 2027
9A PLANNING
A planning application for extension and renovation of the house at 14 Mill Lane was examined by the councillors and it was agreed that there should be no objection.
10 DATES OF MEETINGS FOR 2025
Dates for 2025 meetings were set for the first Wednesday of each month no meeting in January or August.
11 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting was arranged for 6pm Wednesday 5th February 2025.
12 ANY OTHER BUSINESS FOR NEXT AGENDA
Nothing of note.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 7.00 p.m.
2024/12
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