Minutes from 09.05.2024
THORNTON LE FEN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the remote meeting held on Thursday 9th May 2024 at 7:00pm in the chapel of the Methodist church.
Present: Cllrs: Liz Quiney, Pat Hawkes and B. Czornookyj. County Cllr Tom Ashton and District Cllr Neil Jones were also present.
Apologies: None received.
Public: There was six members of public present.
Public Forum:
A member of public informed the council that he has been in touch with the RAF and has arranged a fly over for D-DAY on the 6th June at 1:01pm. The head teacher told all that she would try and get the children in the shape of 80 so some photos could be taken.
- Election of Chairman, signing of declaration of acceptance of office
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr P. Hawkes for Cllr L. Quiney to be Chairman which was seconded by Cllr B. Czornookyj and RESOLVED. They signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
The council thanked the previous Chairman P. Hawkes for her hard work over the last year.
- Election of Vice Chairman, signing of declaration of acceptance of office.
It was:-
Proposed by L. Quiney for Cllr B. Czornookyj to be Vice- Chairman which was seconded by Cllr P. Hawkes and RESOLVED. They signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
- Apologies for absence and reasons given – None. Cllr P. Corke was not present but the reason is unknown.
- The notes from the meeting of the Council held on Thursday 11th January 2024 (attached) to be approved as Minutes and signed by the Chairman
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr B. Czornookyj Seconded by P Hawkes and RESOLVED.
- The co-option of any potential candidates present – The council has 2 registers of interest but one does not meet the eligibility criteria.
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr P. Corke Seconded by P Hawkes and RESOLVED for Lucy Holland to be co-opted on to the council.
- Reports from Police and District Councillor if present.
- District Cllr Neil Jones told the council of a local handyman/labourer who is available for local works. He also told the council about the Pride team and the works that they do, but the chairman informed him that the council use their services regularly. He also told the council of funding that is becoming available for villages and market communities.
- County Cllr Tom Ashton told the council that he would promote this parish holding more meetings as there is a large gap between meetings so if they are now able to attend one they miss a lot of what is going on locally. He told the council that budget setting has gone though and LCC highways have filled over 7,000 pot holes and promoted the use of fix my street. He told the council he has started discussions with highways about getting white lines on Leagate road to clearly outline the road edges, he is going to try and arrange a meeting with the highways officer to discuss local issues and do a walk round.
Cllr Ashton also noted that the National grid pylons will be decided by the security of state, LCC and ELDC have very little say in the matter. ELDC are very concerned about local landscaping at the Wolds is an area of outstanding natural beauty and he will try and get the Fens recognised as one but it is not likely to be in the timeline to stop this current proposal from Nation Grid. Cllr Quiney was asked to chase the progress of a new or larger litter bin next to the bus stop on Leagate road.
Cllr L. Quiney asked if Neil Jones and Tom Ashton would be able to attend the D-DAY event at Gipsey Bridge Academy to plant an English rowan tree between 2pm and 3pm. It will be the last thing on the days schedule. They will be able to assist the more vulnerable resident there doing the planting as well. Cllr Ashton will try to attend but does have an engagement and Cllr Jones will be able to attend.
- Audit of accounts – presentation of accounts – Internal auditor has done checks all cleared for approval of this Council
- To approve the councils certificate of exemption
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr L. Quiney Seconded by P Hawkes and RESOLVED.
- To approve the annual governance statement in the annual return
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr B. Czornookyj Seconded by L. Holland and RESOLVED.
- To confirm and approve the accounting statements contained in the annual return
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr P. Hawkes Seconded by L. Holland and RESOLVED.
- To consider and approve the Following payments
- LALC Annual Subs - £152.88
- LALC Annual training scheme- £132.00
- ICO Data protection - £40.00
- S. Kulwicki – Flag for D-DAY - £34.80
- Zurich insurance - £224.13
- S. Kulwicki – Lamp of peace - £55.00
- Clerks Salary Feb, March and April - £601.80
- HMRC - £129.60
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr B. Czornookyj Seconded by L. Quiney and RESOLVED by all that the above payments be approved and duly paid.
- Approve bank mandate and signatories
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr B. Czornookyj Seconded by P Hawkes and RESOLVED for Cllrs Hawkes, Holland, Quiney and Czornookyi to be added to the bank account and previous signatories removed.
- Planning Application/s – None.
- To discuss and approve the councils social media policy
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr B. Czornookyj Seconded by P Hawkes and RESOLVED to adopt the councils social media policy.
The clerk was asked up a Facebook page for Thornton Le Fen parish council.
- National Grid – No pylons
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr B. Czornookyj Seconded by P Hawkes and RESOLVED for the clerk to write to the MP and state the councils objections to the current Nation Grid proposal.
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr L. Quiney Seconded by P Hawkes and RESOLVED for the council to purchase a no pylons sign to be placed outside the school, if permission cannot be given it can be situated outside Cllr Hawkes property.
- Village planters – Cllr Quiney told all that the Pride team have installed the village planters and the school children are looking after the one near the school. The council had a discussion on placing remembrance plaques on the sides of the planters in exchange for a donation to help with the upkeep of them.
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr B. Czornookyj Seconded by P Hawkes and RESOLVED for the clerk to come up with a plaque planter agreement for any future users.
Cllr Quiney asked for 2 more planters to be purchased, the clerk was asked to look into funding for this.
- D- Day commemorations - There will be a school event on the 6th June. The school, pre-school and village will be invited to the event. The remaining grant funding will be used to buy cakes and refreshments for the event.
- Correspondence for the Council – All dealt with via email, nothing new to report.
- Highways Matters
Cllr Quiney will meet with highways to discuss local issues in the parish including yellow lines outside of the school.
- To change the date of the annual parish meeting
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr B. Czornookyj Seconded by P Hawkes and RESOLVED for the meeting to be held on the 23 May in Gipsey Bridge Academy as 6pm. Cllr Holland offered to make some cakes.
- The date of the next meeting is scheduled for 23rd May 2024 which will be the annual parish meeting at 6pm in Gipsey Bridge Academy the next normal council meeting will be held on the 11th July 2024 to commence at 7.00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Methodist Church.
- Any other matters for discussion only or on the next agenda
Cllr Quiney asked that regular responses to emails would be good to show that all Cllrs are receiving them.
The clerk was asked to make a contact list for distribution.
Discussions were had about installing new benches and the possibility of a Christmas tree. The clerk was asked to look at possible funding sources for these.
The clerk was asked to add village signs to the next meeting agenda.
- To resolve to move into closed session- (if required) Under the Public Bodies (admissions to meetings) Act 1960 and the Local Government Act 1972, ss 100 and 102
The clerks salary and hours
It was:-
Proposed by Cllr B. Czornookyj Seconded by P Hawkes and RESOLVED to pay the clerk for 3 hours each week at £15 per hour.