Minutes from 27th May 2020
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THORNTON LE FEN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the remote meeting held on Thursday 28th May 2020 at 7pm via Zoom.
Present: With Councillor Fordham in the Chair there were also present councillor(s) Mrs A. Hunt, Mr Hunt, Daff and Richardson. County Councillor Tom Ashton was also present.
Apologies: Councillor Burt and Smith.
Public: There were no members of public present.
1. Election of Chairman, signing of declaration of acceptance of office
It was:-
Proposed by Councillor Daff that councillor Fordham be the chairman for 2020-2021 and seconded by Councillor Richardson and RESOLVED. Councillor Fordham accepted and will sign a declaration at his earliest convenience.
There were no other nominations.
2. Election of Vice Chairman, signing of declaration of acceptance of office.
It was:-
Proposed by Councillor Richardson that Councillor Mr. A Hunt be Vice- Chairman for 2020-2021 which was seconded by Councillor Daff and RESOLVED. Councillor Mr. A Hunt accepted and will sign a declaration at his earliest convenience.
There were no other nominations.
3. To defer signing of documents to a later date, when convenient.
It was:-
Proposed by Councillor Fordham and Seconded by Councillor Mrs. A Hunt and RESOLVED by all that the documents be signed when convenient.
4. Apologies for absence and reasons given – Apologies received and accepted from councillor Burt and Smith.
5. To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests and any written requests for dispensation – There were none.
6. Resolutions to be approved now a meeting has been called.
RESOLTION 1 . SAFETY STATEMENT - MEETINGS
That the Parish Council recognises and agrees that no business, meeting, service provision or service delivery of the Authority is of any importance above that of public and personal safety. As such all scheduled public meetings will be cancelled for an initial 4 month period (or as circumstances dictate).
It was:-
Proposed by Councillor Fordham and Seconded by Councillor Daff and RESOLVED by all that Resolution 1 be approved.
RESOLUTION 2. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS / FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
That the Parish Council gives delegated authority to the Clerk to: suspend any relevant Standing Order or Financial Regulation as necessary to ensure the smooth running and
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operation (wherever possible) of the parish Council for a period of no longer than 4 months (or as circumstances dictate), with the Clerk to compile and maintain a list of such suspensions and reasons which will be to be presented to a future meeting of the Administration Committee
It was:-
Proposed by Councillor Mrs A. Hunt and Seconded by Councillor Richardson and RESOLVED by all that Resolution 2 be approved.
RESOLUTION 3. ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING / ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
That as the cancellation of meetings has a direct impact on the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council (scheduled for 21st May 2020), the roles of Chairman and Vice
Chairman will remain the same until a suitable and safe public meeting is called and held.
Where any cancellation of meetings has a direct impact on the holding of the Annual Parish Meeting, the parish Council will hold such meeting at a future date.
It is noted that whilst the above decisions are contrary to existing legislation (as of 22nd March 2020) the Parish Council has made these decision in order to place public safety at the forefront.
It was:-
Proposed by Councillor Daff and Seconded by Councillor Mr, A Hunt and RESOLVED by all that Resolution 3 be approved.
RESOLUTION 4. ORDERS FOR PAYMENT
That the Clerk emails information regarding all orders for payment to Councillors. Councillors are to confirm by email that they agree to the payments. The cheques will be signed by those elected Members with delegated responsibility for the authorising and signing of payments.
These measures are put in place with robust transparency processes to ensure effective business continuation and to minimise impact on local service delivery and local business with ratification by the Parish Council to be made at the earliest and safest opportunity.
It was:-
Proposed by Councillor Fordham and Seconded by Councillor Daff and RESOLVED by all that Resolution 4 be approved.
7. The notes from the meeting of the Council held on Thursday 09th January 2020 (attached) to be approved as Minutes and signed by the Chairman
It was:-
Proposed by Councillor Fordham and Seconded by Councillor Richardson and RESOLVED by all that the notes be approved as minutes and signed by the chairman.
8. To consider and approve the accounts for the year ending 31st March 2020
It was:-
Proposed by Councillor Daff and Seconded by Councillor Mrs. A Hunt and RESOLVED by all that the accounts for the year ending 31st March 2020 be approved and signed by the chairman.
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9. To confirm and approve the Accounting statements contained in the Annual Return
The figures from the financial records have been transcribed into section 1 of the annual return.
It was:-
Proposed by Councillor Mr. A Hunt and Seconded by Councillor Richardson and RESOLVED that the accounting statements for the year ending 31st March 2020 be approved.
10. To approve the annual governance statement in the annual return
Members considered the detail within the governance statement and understood what they are, as a corporate body, approving.
It was:-
Proposed by Councillor Daff and Seconded by Councillor Fordham and RESOLVED by all that the council answer ‘yes’ to all boxes contained in the annual return.
11. To consider and approve the Following payments
a) Protect Signs for speed gun - £185.28 (PAID)
b) S. Kulwicki – Speed Gun - £119.00
c) ICO Data Protection - £40.00
d) LALC Annual Subs – £139.33
e) Clerks Salary inc tax - £200.00
f) CJ Book- Keeping Service Internal Audit - £20.00
It was:-
Proposed by Councillor Daff and Seconded by Councillor Mrs. A Hunt and RESOLVED by all that the above payments are approved and be duly paid.
g) Lives Donation Request
It was:-
Proposed by Councillor Richardson and Seconded by Councillor Fordham and RESOLVED by all that no donation be given at this time.
12. The co-option of any candidates present – Removed from agenda as all council seats are filled.
13. Reports from outside bodies
a) County councillor Tom Ashton reported that the county council has yet to fully resume business due to the covoid- 19 outbreak. There is some response funding available. The county council is currently discussing becoming a unitary council for north and north east Lincolnshire but this may not be for a very long time.
b) On a district level Tom Ashton reported that ELDC and Boston Borough may be merging together to save money. The coast has been suffering a major impact with loss of revenue due to the current pandemic. The district council is not getting as much revenue from car parks and they are looking at current projects to save money. It will be a challenge to get through the year. There is going to be more planning approval for businesses to help expand the economy for example caravan sites/ holiday lets as they want people to spent money here and take advantage of local trade.
The council thanked Councillor Ashton for his comments.
14. Highways Issues
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a) Someone reported that the reactive sign had potentially been damaged but it was not the case someone was erecting CCTV to protect their home which had recently been broken into.
b) The speeding through the village has become more of an issue. The clerk was asked to chase the CSW programme to see if training can be arranged.
c) Councillor Smith asked the clerk via phone to report the verge opposite Kirk yard as the road is collapsing and could be very dangerous.
15. Planning Application/s
a) Ref: S/183/00363/20 – Gipsey Bridge Academy – Planning permission to extend the existing school to provide toilets entrance hall and kitchen. Full planning has been given.
b) Ref: S183/00829/20 – 2. Thornton Close, Gipsey Bridge – Planning permission for extension and alternations to the existing dwelling to provide a kitchen/ dining room/ sauna, wet room, relaxations room and a garage and excavation of land to create an outdoor pool. The council object to this application as the outdoor pool would be too close to the dyke on the back of the property.
16. Correspondence for the Council – All correspondence is circulated via email which is mainly the ELDC newsletter updates. Councillor Richardson suggested a few idea to the council for new village signs, bulb plating and possible Christmas tree lighting. The council asked the clerk to put a poster in the notice boards to see what suggestions the local community have.
The next meeting is scheduled for 16th July either via zoom or in person depending on the restrictions at the time.
The meeting closed at 8:05pm
Signed by chairman: …………………………0016.07.20