February 2025
MINUTES OF THE HOGSTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 5th FEBRUARY 2025
Present: Cllrs Fran Wilson (Chairman) Chris Rolph, Bernadette Hornby, Ray Murray, Pauline Perry. Clerk: Kath Hayes
Also present: County Cllr Colin Davie, District Cllr Roger Dawson + 2 members of the public
PUBLIC FORUM
Member of the public asked who owned the dykes along Mill Lane as they needed clearing. Council did not know but it was usually the farmer who owned the field. Cllr Davie reported that he would be carrying out a tour of Hogsthorpe roads in a few weeks and look at this as part of his inspection. He asked that the public inform him of any particular issues.
Complaints were also received about the condition of the roads and in particular subsidence which is making the roads dangerously uneven, and parking/driving on grass verges. Discussion took place on whether some of the roads should be restricted to a weight limit. Cllr Davie again said that an email would be sent to the Clerk notifying her of when his tour of the village was to be and asking for all problems to be reported to him for him to deal with.
Repairs to potholes and fly tipping were also mentioned.
1. APOLOGIES - Cllr Mary Banks + Cllr Ellen Smith (no notification)
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None
3. APPROVAL OF NOTES OF MEETING
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 4th December 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 the oak tree in the churchyard had not yet been replanted, the war memorial lettering needs checking and booking with a mason to renew the lettering, removal of gate and iron posts had not yet been done, there is still work to be done to clear the graves of gravel and memorabilia, the land at end of Wilkinson Way - grass has been cut but the tree remains in place to be taken up again when the grass grows, the Heritage garden sign which had come very loose had been repaired, there had still not been any communication from Highways regarding the grasscutting agreement for 2025; all other items are agenda items.
5. REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES
i. Cllr Colin Davie reported that the Mayoral elections are still taking place in May this may cause disruption throughout councils in the area; it had been agreed that the council tax would be raised by 3% despite government saying this must be raised by 5%, the consequences of not raising it by 5% would impact on the government funding for next year leaving a 15M 'black hole' in the county budget; in 2027 all county and district councillors will be dismissed and new councillors will be elected on to the two regional councils to be set up for the whole of Lincolnshire. This may mean more work for the Parish Councils as some issues will be dealt with more locally but options are being considered and it may be that Parish Councils are set up as clusters. Erection of pylons throughout the county and the installation of huge solar farms was of great concern and everything is being done to stop these.
Cllr Davie left at this point.
ii. No report from the Village Hall as Cllr Banks was not present
iii. No report from Charity Farm as Cllr Banks was not present
iv. Cllr Wilson reported for the Allotments - one resignation received, there are two vacant allotments for which there are two requests, the stone path to the side of the allotments has been completed
v. Playpark. The clerk reported that a meeting had been held with only one committee member and the Clerk in attendance. Even though not quorate, it was decided that repairs to the playpark were well overdue and a decision was taken to get these done by professional playpark maintenance people at a cost of £2400. A request for a District Councillor grant had been put in for £1000. When this is confirmed, the repairs will be carried out. There was other maintenance work which needed to be done. There is an urgent need for playpark committee members and an appeal is being put out for others to join.
Cllr Dawson left at this point
6. CORRESPONDENCE - None to report
7. FINANCIAL MATTERS
i) The clerk noted that the Financial Statement had been circulated showing a balance at the bank of 20598. She noted that there would be very little income coming in before the year end and there would be substantial expenditure.
ii) The clerk confirmed that the Precept of £12,463 had been submitted.
iii) The changes to the bank mandate to include Cllrs Wilson and Hornby had now finally been completed.
iv) The clerk was trying to get BACS payments set up. This would require authorisation by a Councillor but this was proving to be more difficult than anticipated. Chairman and Clerk will have a meeting and try and get this resolved with the bank.
v) It was agreed to appoint Jen Cooper would again be asked to undertake the Internal Auditor work at the year end.
vi) Payment of Accounts. One cheque had previously been signed for £223 to RDR for repair to the Heritage Garden board. Cheques were signed at the meeting for £28 for clerk expenses, £23.58 for Syd Dennis for bin emptying, £795.40 for Clerk s January salary, £198.80 for January HMRC, £15 for Village Hall hire, £736.38 repaid to K Hayes for notice board, £287.60 to LALC for annual subscription, £162.00 to LALC for annual training subscription £104.99 to Strawsons for Christmas tree, and £280 to Rob Aldrich for cutting of hedge and pollarding of trees and £160 to Rob Cooke for church wall repair.
8. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Clerk and Cllr Hanson had perused all the documents. Only one change was recommended in the Standing Orders, namely that item 3F should be changed to read 30 minutes allowed for public forum instead of the 15 minutes as stated. Also Item 3G to read 5 minutes per speaker not the 2 minutes stated. All other policies and procedures remain the same. The clerk did note that the policies, particularly the standing orders and the financial regulations were very wieldy and should be written in accordance with the Hogsthorpe Parish Council conditions and not the generic ones published. She would try and amend these throughout the coming months.
9. CHURCHYARD/CEMETERY MAINTENANCE
i) Discussion took place on what to do with the Christmas tree stand and whether there would be a Christmas tree next year. It was decided that instead of purchasing a Christmas tree, the Millenium yew tree would be decorated. This required the purchase of solar lights, which it was agreed were the best option instead of running a cable from the church. The tree stand would be disposed of.
ii) The tree clippings from the pollarding of the trees was unsightly. It was agreed that the Clerk would get in touch with the contractor to ask that they be removed and taken to the allotments. Alternatively they could be scooped into a pile for people to collect.
iii) The notice board had been ordered but not yet delivered. It would need installing in the ground when received.
iv) Discussion on what should be done with the ground between the old churchyard and the new cemetery. It was agreed to leave it open without any barrier but would need tidying in the spring.
v) No reply had been received from request to BRAMM for help with a gravestone audit. Clerk to chase up.
vi) The moles holes around the war memorial were causing a problem. The chairman to try and get rid of them by trying a deterrent in the holes, otherwise the clerk would call in the mole man.
vii) Badgers were still causing havoc in the cemetery and undermining the gravestones. As badgers were a protected species, it was difficult to know how to stop this occurring.
10. GRANTS
i) The District grant from Cllr Dawson had been received and the notice board purchased.
ii) A further grant request had been made for 1000 from Cllr Evans for playpark repairs (see item 5v) had been put in.
iii) There was a further £4293 available from S106 money. Various suggestions were put forward including a structure or planters for the ground coming into the village, a garden in the churchyard by the kissing gate, a village help-yourself book library in the heritage garden, signage for old properties where businesses and places of interest used to be, signage for footpaths, a booklet on the village, gates coming into the village. The clerk asked the councillors to ask around the villagers and put forward suggestions via email as to what project this should be used for.
11. PLANNING
A planning application for extension and renovation of the house at 14 Mill Lane had been approved.
12. AGM AND PARISH COMMUNITY MEETING IN MAY
The clerk suggested that the same format as previously be used with refreshments provided. It was agreed to ask Tom Hedges to speak regarding the Post Office scandal clerk to invite.
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting was arranged for 6pm Wednesday 5th March 2025.
14 ANY OTHER BUSINESS FOR NEXT AGENDA
Although not an agenda item, discussion took place on whether the council was to do anything to celebrate VE Day. It was agreed that it was too late to organise any event but clerk would make enquiries as to the cost of a metal silhouette soldiers and VE Day posters for lamp posts - decision at next meeting.
For discussion at next meeting - community engagement
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.05 p.m.
2025/02
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