Minutes - Full Council - 05 December 2023
Minutes of a meeting of Bracebridge Heath Parish Council held at the Pavilion on 5th December 2023 at 7pm
Present: Councillors C Barr, C Broad, C Callan, S Manders, G Scott, R Stone, V Marden, B Emes, J Moran and K Trought
In attendance: Clerk to Council, Mrs S Knowles and Deputy Clerk to Council, Mrs R Fraser
Lincolnshire County Council Councillor Cawrey was present.
The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION
Reports from Lincolnshire County Council Councillor Cawrey - A verbal report was given including information regarding the installation of a replacement bus stop sign on, the North Hykeham Relief Road planning application and the Greater Lincolnshire devolution consultation.
COUNCIL SESSION
Code of conduct reminders
Nolan Principles
Members were reminded of the Nolan Principles which underpin the Council’s Code of Conduct - Selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty & leadership.
Register of interests
The Chairman reminded members that they should submit to the Monitoring Officer at North Kesteven District Council any changes to the content of their Register of Member Interest forms. Interests should be declared in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
23167. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT VALID REASONS FOR ABSENCE – Nil
23168. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
a. TO RECEIVE MEMBERS’ DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADOPTED CODE OF CONDUCT – Cllr Callan declared an interest in matters relating to the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils (LALC). Cllr Manders declared an interest in matters relating to St John’s the Evangelist Church.
b. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER MEMBERS’ REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADOPTED CODE OF CONDUCT AND STANDING ORDERS – Nil
23169. TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – 7th November 2023 - It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 7th November 2023 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman.
23170. FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE
a. TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON PAYMENTS BETWEEN MEETINGS – Payments made between meetings, direct debits - Presented at report 23170a. All reports can be downloaded from https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/download/48/meeting-reports-december-23
b. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS - It was RESOLVED: That payment of accounts as presented at report 23170b be accepted and signed. All reports can be downloaded from https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/download/48/meeting-reports-december-23
c. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS - It was RESOLVED: That bank reconciliation 382-384 be accepted and signed by Cllr Emes.
d. TO REVIEW BUDGET, INCOME AND EXPENDITURE AND CONSIDER ANY BUDGET VIREMENTS – It was RESOLVED: That a budget virement of £15,000 is made from the loan repayment budget header to the Community Building redevelopment budget header.
It was RESOLVED: That a donation of £50 be gratefully accepted by the council. The Parish Council expressed thanks to the allotment holder.
e. TO NOTE AND ACCEPT THE NJC PAY AWARD FOR 2023/2024 – It was RESOLVED: That the NJC pay award for 2023/2024 be accepted.
f. TO AMEND THE LIST OF COUNCILLORS REGISTERED WITH THE COUNCIL’S BANK ACCOUNT - It was RESOLVED: That Cllr Emes would be added to the Council’s bank account as a registered trustee (non-signatory and no access to the account).
g. TO RECEIVE A DRAFT BUDGET FOR 2024/2025 – a written report was received.
h. TO ACCEPT AN AMENDMENT TO THE COUNCIL’S INSURANCE POLICY – ADDITION OF THE VILLAGE HALL - It was RESOLVED: That the quote to add the village hall to the current insurance policy be accepted.
23171. TO RECEIVE THE CLERKS REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS – Items noted: Street lighting thank you, allotment hedge, Greater Lincolnshire devolution consultation, RAF Exercise COBRA WARRIOR and petrol station information request.
23172. TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT A REPORT ON DECISIONS MADE USING DELEGATED AUTHORITY - the following report was accepted:
- Payments made as reported at item 4a.
- Credit card statement.
23173. PLANNING
a. TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL –
23 1288 FUL 26 Gloucester Close - It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council supports application but requests that NKDC officers determine suitable conditions for working hours in a domestic environment.
23 1414 PMA LNAACT House 1 Bentley Drive – application noted.
PL 0087 23 North Hykeham Relief Road – It was agreed any comments would be submitted using delegated authority.
b. TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLANNING DECISIONS – a written report was received
23174. COMMITTEES
a. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 20TH NOVEMBER 2023 – a written report was received.
b. TO CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE - It was RESOLVED: That the salary budget recommendation for 2024-2025 be accepted and approved.
23175. TO REVIEW THE REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 2023 EVENT AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS – a written report was received.
23176. TO CONSIDER STREETLIGHTING ELECTRICITY CONTRACTS FOR RENEWAL - It was RESOLVED: That the quote from SSE for an electricity contract for streetlighting be accepted, commencement date 1st July 24.
23177. BRACEBRIDGE HEATH VILLAGE HALL
a. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT - a written report was received. The Parish Council expressed its gratitude to the a former village hall trustee for helping with the transfer of the premises licence.
b. TO NOTE AND ACCEPT DECISIONS MADE USING DELEGATED AUTHORITY - It was RESOLVED: That Council accepts the decisions made by delegated authority.
c. TO EXPAND THE SCHEME OF DELEGATION FOR EXPENDITURE RELATING TO THE VILLAGE HALL – It was RESOLVED: - That the scheme of delegation (Village Hall Refurbishment) is expanded to enable the clerk to make decisions using delegated authority in excess of the £500,000 budget set by the council. Expenditure incurred using delegated authority shall be in accordance with the adopted scheme and shall total no more than the budget virement made of £15,000.
d. TO CONSIDER BRANDING AND SIGNAGE FOR THE BUILDING – Officers will approach a sign writing company to obtain a quote for preparing three distinctive signage options.
e. TO CONSIDER REQUIREMENTS FOR FURNITURE AND FITTINGS AND AUTHORISE PURCHASES - It was RESOLVED: That officers are permitted to purchase furniture and fittings for the village hall as per the report received, up to £6000 using earmarked reserves.
f. TO CONSIDER OPENING EVENT PLANS - It was RESOLVED: That the Parish Council accept The Heath: Village Hall & Library Opening Event plan v1.0.
23178. TO CONSIDER CO-OPTION TO COUNCIL VACANCIES – Nil.
23179. TO CONSIDER ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING – The Heath: Village Hall and Library signage, budget 2024/2025 and additional items to be emailed to the Clerk.
Items of a confidential nature to be debated in the absence of the press and public. Under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 (due to the confidential nature of business).
It was RESOLVED: That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of the following items on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information.
23180. TO ACCEPT A QUOTE FOR DISPLAY ENERGY CERTIFICATION (DEC) AT THE VILLAGE HALL - It was RESOLVED: That the Parish Council accept the quote from Andrew Fraser to complete an EPC, Asset Rated DEC and 10-year DEC.
23181. TO ACCEPT A QUOTE FOR SERVICING AND SUPPLY OF NEW FIRE EQUIPMENT FOR THE VILLAGE HALL - It was RESOLVED: That the Parish Council accept the quote from Lindum Fire to service and supply fire equipment.
23182. TO ACCEPT A QUOTE FOR A PRS LICENCE FOR THE VILLAGE HALL – It was agreed hirers of the Heath: Village Hall and Library would obtain their own PRS licence if required for their events or activities.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20:44
Signed___________________________Chairman 9th January 2024