2024 Parish Council Minutes

Minutes of the Annual Meeting for Scotter Parish Council held on 20 May 2024, held at Scotter Village Hall.

Parish Councillors Present: Cllr Kevin Watson (Chair), Cllr Paul Boulton, Cllr David Green, Cllr Dave Ward, Cllr Rachel Hunter, Cllr Colin Wotherspoon

Parish Councillors Absent: 2

Vacant Seats: 2

In attendance:  K Mathieson – Clerk,  10 Members of Public, 

Public Participation

Members of the public and representatives of The Eau Centre expressed concerns about Lincolnshire County Council’s proposed traffic regulation order to add double yellow lines at the junction of Church Lane.

Speedwatch advised that the struggle with volunteers continues.  The new police constable has been out with them a few times recently. Concerns raised that the crossing patrol has not been replaced and it’s been months since the children had support crossing the road.  Requested that the PC find out if this is being dealt with.

Village hall chair advised they have had quotes for all the lighting to be changed to LED.  They are awaiting quotes for re-decorating.  The committee is considering a project to have the toilets updated.  They have been in discussions with KCom and are moving to their free broadband.  They are having a community ‘tidy up’ day on 16 August 24, all volunteers welcome.

Cllr Watson (Chair) opened the meeting at 7.15pm

2405/1 Election of the Chairperson for the year commencing May 2024 and declaration to be signed.

RESOLVED to elect Cllr Kevin Watson as the Chair for the coming year.  Declaration signed and witnessed.

2405/2 Election of the Vice Chair for the year commencing May 2024.

RESOLVED to elect Cllr Paul Boulton as the vice chair for the coming year.

2405/3 Apologies for Absence.

Apologies received from Cllr Kaila 

Apologies noted.

2405/4  To receive dispensations or declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011.

None.  Councillors remined by the Clerk that any changes to their declared interest form needs to be updated within 28 days of the change.

2405/5 Appointments to Parish Council and review any appropriate Terms of Reference

a) Flooding Working Group – RESOLVED to appoint Cllr Boulton and Mr Paul Wood

b) Personnel Committee - RESOLVED to appoint Cllr Boulton, Cllr Green and Cllr Hunter

c) Speed Watch Working Group – RESOLVED to appoint Cllr Ward and Mr Brian Gilchrist

2405/6 Annual Procedure and Financial Review

a) Standing Orders 

RESOLVED  to accept with no changes

b) Financial Regulations

RESOLVED  to accept with no changes

c) Agree pre-approved payments list and review of subscriptions to outside bodies

RESOLVED  to approve

d) Confirm approved cheque signatories and 2 person online authorisation 

RESOLVED to appoint Cllr Boulton and Cllr Green

e) Review Internal Control Statement and Risk Assessments

RESOLVED to accept with no changes

f) Review of S137 spending

Clerk advised the limit per elector for the financial year is £10.81 and last year the Christmas tree and poppy wreath were purchased under this power.

g) Review Councillor training requirements

Clerk reminded councillors that training is available through the training scheme.  All courses are listed in the Lalc newsletter and training bulletin.  Courses can be booked via the Clerk.

2405//7 To approve meeting dates for the forthcoming year.

Reviewed schedule and RESOLVED to approve.

2405/8 To approve as a true record the Full Parish Council Meeting minutes held on 15 April 2024 and sign accordingly.

RESOLVED to accept the minutes as a true record and duly signed by the Chair of the meeting.

2405/9 To consider any application for co-option.

RESOLVED to defer

2405/10 Clerks Report and update on matters from the last meeting.

New accounts spreadsheet is up and running.  No dogs sign purchased for Rookery Park.  No dog waste sign purchased for the bin at Elizabeth Close Park. Planters should be sited and planted in the next couple of weeks.  Investigation in a wooden plinth for the war memorial to protect the edge of the base and give somewhere to attach wreaths to, clerk will bring costings to next meeting.  All allotment holders advised that snares and traps are not permitted at the allotments.

Risk Assessments checks carried out – no issues to report.

2405/11 Correspondence Items for noting.

Lalc News – Circulated by email 22/04/2024 and 08/05/24

LCC Lets Talk – Lincolnshire Moves: Your voice, your roads Engagement Survey – Circulated by email 29/04/24

LCC Town and Parish Newsletter April – Circulated by email 30/04/2024

Village Hall Agenda ad minutes – Circulated by email 08/04/24

Speed Watch SID April results – Circulated by email 08/05/24

Lincolnshire Police – 12 month crime figures – Circulated by email 13/05/24

RESOLVED to note the items.

2405/12 Correspondence Items for action / discussion

a) TRO extend 30mph limit on Messingham road – Circulated by email 22/04/2024

RESOLVED to support the extended 30mph limit but request they consider extending it further to just past Manor Farm on Brigg Road.  Also request consideration be given to changing A159 Messingham Road to 50mph after the 30mph limit to fall inline with the North Lincolnshire limit that the road changes to.   

b) TRO install double yellow lines at junction of Church Lane - Circulated by email 13/05/24

RESOLVED to re-submit the Parish Council’s original comments due to the significant concerns raised by the public.

c) Police Town and Parish Engagement, nominate a member to attend the meeting. – Circulated by email 23/04/24

RESOLVED for Cllr Ward to attend.

d) Commonwealth War Graves Request – Circulated by email 07/05/2024

RESOLVED to approve the request.

e) Member of Public email regarding request for defibrillator in Scotterthorpe.

RESOLVED to investigate the logistics involved with installation and costing and bring back to council for further consideration.

2405/13 To receive tree survey report and consider any action required.

RESOLVED to obtain quotes as per the recommendation of the report.

2405/14 To received the Internal Audit report and consider any recommendations.

Clerk advised the internal auditor has issued the report stating that all objectives had been met.  Some recommendations had been raised which were discussed and will be addressed.  

RESOLVED to accept the report and clerk to action the recommendations.

2405/15 To review and approve the financial accounts for 2023/24 and complete all external audit paperwork.  

RESOLVED to approve, 

- end of year accounts, 

- completed and signed Section 1 of Annual Governance and Accountability Return, 

- agree and signed Section 2 of Annual Governance and Accountability Return, 

- agree and confirm the dates for the Exercise of Public Rights as 03/06/24 to 12/07/24

2405/16 Finance update and payments

a.) Approve Parish Council Current Account payment schedule/bank reconciliation for the period of 01/04/2024 – 30/04/2024

Payments

Start Balance £ 33,843.08

Receipts £ 74,994.57

Payments £   4,102.32

End Balance £104,735.33

b.) Confirm Bank Balance and Statements as at 30/04/2024

Co-operative Bank Account  - Current – balance £104,735.33

Co-operative Bank Account  - Ear Marked Reserve – balance £167,626.93 

Co-operative Bank Account  - General Reserve – balance £15,102.35

c.) Payments for approval

LALC, Website support - £54.00

Compost for Planters - £63.40 retrospective approval

RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation above, agreed bank balances and statements as seen by council and approved payments.

2405/17 Urgent Highways or Maintenance Matters.

Clerk asked to chase County Councillor regarding the improvements for visibility at Gainsborough Road zebra crossing.

2405/18 Agenda next meeting – to take any items for members.

Parson’s Update

Parish Plan

2405/19 To Confirm Date of Next Meeting – 17 June 2024.

Confirmed.

Chair closed meeting at 7.47pm.