2024 Minutes

Utterby Parish Council
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 5 November 2024 at 7.00pm
Utterby Village Hall, Main Road, Utterby, LN11 0TQ

Present:

1.    Apologies
Apologies received from Councillor Buckley.
RESOLVED: The reason for absence was accepted.

2.    Declarations of Interest
a)    To record declarations of interest in any of the agenda items listed below
b)    To note dispensations given to any member in respect of the agenda items listed below
None.

3.    Adoption of previous minutes from Tuesday 8 October 2024
RESOLVED: The minutes were adopted and signed by the Chair.

4.    Open Forum (15 minutes)
A member of the public raised concerns about a dog which has been free roaming on the village green, without supervision. Council was asked to put a reminder in the next edition of Utterby Voice, reminding residents to keep their dogs under control.

5.    District Councillor Report
Councillor Mossop reported there have been incidents of fly tipping in the wider vicinity of Utterby and that enforcement against responsible individuals appears unsatisfactory. The situation is being monitored.

6.    County Councillor Reports
Councillor Hall recently attended a local coffee morning and received positive feedback from residents, following the introduction of a 30mph speed limit on the main road.

7.    Clerk’s Report
a)    To note installation of the new Kissing Gate is planned for Nov 5th
Councillor Newton commented that the work appears to have been completed.

b)    To note a call has been logged on FixMyStreet for the overgrown hedge on Church Lane
The Clerk has logged a call on FixMyStreet, to see whether permission needs granting by Lincolnshire County Council for the hedge’s removal.

8.    Finance
a)    To ratify any payments made since the last meeting
RESOLVED: The following payments were ratified.

b)    To approve a schedule of payments
RESOLVED: The following payments were approved.

c)    To approve a bank reconciliation
A bank reconciliation was presented to the end of October 2024, which demonstrated the accounts matched the end of month bank statements.
RESOLVED: The bank reconciliation was approved

d)    To receive a draft budget for 2025-26
The clerk presented a full summary of the council’s income and expenditure against budget to the end of October 2024. This showed the current balance of the council’s accounts to be £21,508 with a projected end of year outturn of £19,820. This is against an opening balance on 1 April 2024 of £20,301.
A draft budget for 2025-26 showed a minimum precept of £7,668 would be required to cover operational costs. This does not include any provision for projects in 2025-26 or increasing of the council’s reserves. Further discussion and a final decision on the precept for 2025-25 will take place at the next meeting in December.

9.    Planning
a)    To consider planning application N/056/01538/24

RESOLVED: Council has no objection.

b)    To note Enforcement decision notice EC/192/00230/24 from ELDC

The decision was noted but council were disappointed that enforcement was deemed inappropriate because the development is not complete.
RESOLVED: Clerk to send a response to query when the development would be considered complete.

10.    Defibrillator
To consider the purchase of a defibrillator, for installation at the Village Hall.
It was noted that the Village Hall Committee have approved the installation of a defibrillator on an external wall and offered to cover the ongoing cost of electricity to the cabinet. The Parish Council will purchase the defibrillator and pay for its installation.
RESOLVED: Council delegated authority to the Clerk to purchase an automatic defibrillator and arrange installation, up to a maximum budget of £2,000 plus VAT.

11.    Government Consultation on Remote Meetings
To agree a council response to the current consultation.
RESOLVED: It was agreed that Councilllors will consider the consultation paper and respond as individuals, if they so wish.

12.    Neighbourhood Watch
To discuss a proposal for a village-wide Neighbourhood Watch group.
Various aspects of operating a Neighbourhood Watch scheme were discussed and it was noted that its success will rely upon participation from residents and volunteers.
RESOLVED: It was agreed that Councillor Traves will draft an article for the next Utterby Voice (in January 2025) to invite responses from the village.

13.    Events on the Village Green
To receive correspondence from Utterby Church regarding the holding of events on the village green.
Utterby Church have confirmed that their own liability insurance covers them for events held away from the Church.
RESOLVED: Council agreed that the Church can ask for permission to use the Village Green on a case-by-case basis. Clerk to inform the Utterby PCC.

14.    Trees on the Village Green
To receive an update from Councillor Newton as a follow-up to resident feedback at the October meeting.
Councillor Newton has inspected various trees on the Village Green, some of which appear to have died. The small saplings that have died will be removed by Councillor Newton but judgement on other trees will be deferred until the Spring.

15.    Utterby Village Hall
To receive correspondence from the Chair of Utterby Village Hall, which sets out a plan for its development.
Council acknowledges the impressive plan that has been set out by the Village Hall Committee and wished to register their thanks and ongoing support.

16.    Victoria Atkins Summit
To consider whether any councillor would like to represent the council at this event on Friday 6 December.
This was discussed but no councillor was able to commit to attending.

17.    Next Meeting:
a)    To note any items for the agenda
Councillor Traves requested an item to provide an update on speeding near Utterby School.

b)    To note the date of the next meeting is Tuesday 3 December 2024
Noted.