Minutes - Full Council - 09 January 2024
Minutes of a meeting of Bracebridge Heath Parish Council held at the Pavilion on 9th January 2024 at 7pm
Present: Councillors C Barr, C Broad, C Callan, B Emes, S Manders, G Scott , 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 commencement of the Greater Lincolnshire devolution consultation and Lincolnshire County Council Executives precept decision.
Reports from District Councillors Burley and Cawrey – Cllr Burley was not present. Cllr Cawrey reported on highways agreement to assess whether waiting restrictions would be suitable for St John’s Road.
Questions from the public – None present.
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.
24000. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT VALID REASONS FOR ABSENCE – It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr
Marden. It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Stone.
24001. 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 correspondence 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
24002. TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – 5th DECEMBER 2023 - It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 5th December 2023 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman.
24003. FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE
a. TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON PAYMENTS BETWEEN MEETINGS –
Payments made between meetings, direct debits - Presented at report 24003a.
All reports can be downloaded from https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/council-business/january-2024/2
b. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS - It was RESOLVED: That payment of accounts as presented at report 24003b be accepted and signed.
All reports can be downloaded from https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/council-business/january-2024/2
c. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS – It was RESOLVED: That bank reconciliations for the councils savings account July to November be accepted and signed by Cllr Barr.
It was RESOLVED: That bank reconciliation 385 -386 be accepted and signed by Cllr Moran
d. TO REVIEW BUDGET, INCOME AND EXPENDITURE AND CONSIDER ANY BUDGET VIREMENTS – It was noted that following adjustment to the council’s insurance for The Heath, a net refund would be received of £1177.82.
e. TO CONSIDER THE INTERIM INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT 2023 – 2024 - It was RESOLVED: That the Interim Internal Audit report be accepted noting that no actions are recommended. Thanks were given to the Clerk.
24004. TO RECEIVE THE CLERKS REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS – Items noted: Thank you from St John’s the Evangelist Church for the grant towards a remembrance bench.
24005. 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.
24006. PLANNING
a. TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL –
23 1380 HOUS - 49 Ridge View Road – It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has no comments or objections.
.
b. TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLANNING DECISIONS – a written report was received.
24007. TO CONSIDER THE COUNCIL’S BUDGET AND PRECEPT REQUIREMENTS FOR 2024-2025 - It was RESOLVED: That the council’s budget for 2024-2025 be set at £224,255.00, the precept requirement to be sent to NKDC being £197,386.10. The budget and precept was set and based on the draft tax base of £1885.38, which amounts to £104.69 per year for a Band D property; an increase of £5.80 per year or 5.89%.
24008. TO CONSIDER THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING IN 2024 – It was RESOLVED: That the Annual Parish Meeting be held on Thursday 7th March 2024 at The Heath. The meeting was to be combined with an open evening for The Heath which would allow residents and members of the public to view the completed building.
24009. THE HEATH: VILLAGE HALL AND LIBRARY
a. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT - a written report was received.
b. TO CONSIDER CLOSING OUT TASKS AND CONFIRM COMPLETION DATE – An update was given on outstanding tasks prior to opening.
It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council would seek to impose the liquidated damages penalties as specified in the JCT Minor Works Contract.
c. TO CONSIDER RISK ASSESSMENTS FOR THE BUILDING - It was RESOLVED: That The Heath Fire Risk Assessment v1.0 be accepted and adopted for use, relevant appendices to be added to the document.
It was RESOLVED: That subject to minor alterations about the use of stepladders, The Heath Risk Assessments v1.0 be accepted and adopted for use.
d. TO NOTE AND ACCEPT DECISIONS MADE USING DELEGATED AUTHORITY - It was RESOLVED: That Council accepts the decisions made by delegated authority.
e. TO CONSIDER BRANDING AND SIGNAGE FOR THE BUILDING – Following discussion it was agreed that more information was required before a decision could be made and the matter will be included on the next agenda for further consideration.
f. TO CONSIDER AND ACCEPT A QUOTE FOR WASTE SERVICES - It was RESOLVED: That the quote for feminine hygiene waste services at £14.04 per month inc VAT from Mayflower Washroom Solutions be accepted.
g. TO CONSIDER OPENING EVENT PLANS – The opening event was agreed at item 24008 and was to be combined with the Annual Parish Meeting.
24010. TO CONSIDER PURCHASE OF CARETAKER AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT - It was RESOLVED: That a new drill set (up to the value of £250.00) and step ladders (up to £100) be purchased for the village caretaker.
24011. TO CONSIDER CO-OPTION TO COUNCIL VACANCIES – Nil.
24012. TO CONSIDER ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING - Items to be emailed to the Clerk.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20:25.
Signed___________________________Chairman 18th January 2024