February 2023

Minutes of a meeting of Bracebridge Heath Parish Council held at the Pavilion on 7th February 2023 at 7pm

Present:   F Adeyemi, C Barr, C Broad, C Callan, S Manders, V Marden, J Moran, R Stone, K Trought and A Walker

In attendance: Clerk to Council, Mrs S Knowles and Deputy Clerk to Council, Mrs R Fraser

Two members of the public were present

The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. As Cllr Burley was in attendance, a short public participation session was held.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

Report from North Kesteven District Councillor Burley – A verbal report was given including information on election costs, photo ID to vote, and NKDC winning an award for their newly constructed Passivhauses (sustainable project of the year award at the Greater Lincs Construction and Property Awards)

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.

23016. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT VALID REASONS FOR ABSENCE – Nil

23017. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

a. TO RECEIVE MEMBERS’ DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADOPTED CODE OF CONDUCT –Nil

b. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER MEMBERS’ REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADOPTED CODE OF CONDUCT AND STANDING ORDERS – Nil

23018. TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING – 17th JANUARY 2023 - It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 17th January 2023 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman.

23019. FINANCES

a. TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON PAYMENTS BETWEEN MEETINGS

Payments made by Direct Debit

Presented at report 23019a.

Reports can be downloaded from – https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/council-business/february-2023/2

b. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS - It was RESOLVED: That payment of accounts as presented at report 23019b- payment of accounts.

Reports can be downloaded https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/council-business/february-2023/2

c. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS – It was RESOLVED: That bank reconciliations 360, 361 and 362 be accepted and signed by Cllr Moran, bank balance reported as £323,005.83.

d. TO REVIEW BUDGET, INCOME AND EXPENDITURE – The budget, income and expenditure was reviewed. No concerns were raised.

23020. TO RECEIVE THE CLERKS REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS – Items noted:     Correspondence related to hedge cutting at the Recreation Ground, grant opportunities and correspondence following a complaint about grass verges.  

23021. TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT A REPORT ON DECISIONS MADE USING DELEGATED AUTHORITY –

• Barclaycard statement outlining payments made using the corporate credit card.
• The clerk authorised a contractor to complete legionella risk assessments for the village hall and pavilion.

23022. PLANNING

a. TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL –  

23/0081/FUL – Bracebridge Heath Village Hall – As the council is the applicant, it will abstain from commenting as a consultee.

b. TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLANNING DECISIONS – a written report was received.

23023. TO REVIEW COUNCIL POLICIES AND DOCUMENTS

a. Risk Register - It was RESOLVED:  That the Risk Register v1.4 be adopted.

b. Financial Reserves policy – It was RESOLVED: That the Financial Reserves policy v1.1 be adopted.

23024. TO CONSIDER THE BRACEBRIDGE HEATH VILLAGE HALL

a. TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON VAT IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROJECT FROM PARKINSON PARTNERSHIP LTD – The report had not been received before the meeting. Item deferred until he next meeting.

b. TO CONSIDER DISPOSAL OR RETENTION OF ITEMS LEFT IN THE VILLAGE HALL – It was RESOLVED: That the recommendations in the written report be accepted, the clerk was authorised to arrange for disposal of the relevant items in the most economical way possible.

c. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT – A written and verbal update was provided on progress.

Cllr Adeyemi arrived at the meeting at 19:18

23025. TO CONSIDER CO-OPTION TO COUNCIL VACANCIES – No applications received.

23026. TO CONSIDER ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING

Following the arrival of a member of the public, the council session was suspended to enable the individual to speak.

• An update on the village hall was requested. The chairman provided a verbal update.
• The individual asked about setting up a sports group and whether the council would carry this out. The chairman and members said that the council could support this initiative with information about the facilities available and advertising but would not be in a position to set up a sports club. The sports initiative would need to be set up externally by individuals or a charity specialising in this work.

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.

23027. TO CONSIDER QUOTATIONS FOR AN ASBESTOS SURVEY AT THE VILLAGE HALL – It was RESOLVED: That a quote from BESA for a refurbishment survey be accepted.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19:42

Signed___________________________Chairman                                                                                                        14 March 2023