May 2022

Draft notes of a meeting of Bracebridge Heath Parish Council held at the Pavilion on 17th May 2022 at 7pm

Present:     Cllrs J Blackmore, C Barr, C Callan, S Manders, V Marden, J Moran, A Smith, K Trought and A Walker.

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

                                 No members of the public were present.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

REPORT FROM LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLOR CAWREY – Apologies were received from Cllr Cawrey.

REPORTS FROM NORTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCILLORS BURLEY, CAWREY AND MORAN – Apologies received from Cllr Cawrey. Cllr Burley was not in attendance. Cllr Moran reported on assistance available from NKDC for those in financial hardship during the cost of living rises.

QUESTIONS OR POINTS RAISED BY RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC - Nil

PUBLIC 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.

22046. TO ELECT A CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL – It was RESOLVED: That Cllr Callan be elected as chairman for civic year 2022/23.

22047. TO DECIDE WHEN THE CHAIRMAN’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE SHALL BE RECEIVED – It was RESOLVED: That the declaration of office shall be received prior to the next meeting of the full council or by 30th June whichever is first.

22048. TO ELECT A VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL – It was RESOLVED: That Cllr Barr be elected as vice-chairman of the council for the civic year 2022/23.

22049. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT VALID REASONS FOR ABSENCE – It was RESOLVED: That apologies be accepted from Cllr Broad.

22050. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

a. TO RECEIVE MEMBERS’ DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADOPTED CODE OF CONDUCT – Cllr Manders declared non-pecuniary interest in matters relating to the Bracebridge Heath Village Hall.

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

22051. TO REVIEW DELEGATION ARRANGEMENTS TO COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, STAFF AND OTHER LOCAL AUTHORITIES INCLUDING DISSOLUTION OF COMMITTEES AS REQUIRED

It was RESOLVED: That the scheduled review arrangements for the Scheme of Delegation (Ordinary) be accepted, next review date April 2023.

It was RESOLVED: That the council recognises that it is no longer in a period of emergency and the Scheme of Delegation (emergency) is deactivated until required.

The Council reviewed its committee structure and delegation arrangements to committees and sub-committees.

It was RESOLVED: That the Council would adopt option 3 resulting in the continuation of a Finance and Policy committee and the appointment of a Personnel committee to complement its regular meetings of Full Council.

It was RESOLVED: That the Amenities Committee, the Environment committee and the Executive sub-committee be dissolved.

22052. TO APPOINT NEW COMMITTEES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDING ORDER 4 – It was RESOLVED: That a Personnel committee be appointed.

22053. TO REVIEW AND ADOPT TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR COMMITTEES – It was RESOLVED: That the Personnel committee Terms of Reference v1.0 be adopted.

22054. TO REVIEW MEMBERSHIP OF COUNCIL STANDING AND SUB-COMMITTEES –

It was RESOLVED: That the following members be appointed to the Finance and Policy committee: Cllrs Barr, Blackmore, Callan, Manders, Moran and Smith.

It was RESOLVED: That the following members be appointed to the Personnel committee : Cllrs Barr, Broad, Callan, Manders, Marden, Smith and Trought.  

22055. TO APPOINT A CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF STANDING COMMITTEES –

It was RESOLVED: That Cllr Manders be appointed the Chairman of the Personnel committee.

It was RESOLVED: That Cllr Smith be appointed the Vice-Chairman of the Personnel committee.

It was RESOLVED: That Cllr Manders be appointed the Chairman of the Finance and Policy committee

It was RESOLVED: That Cllr Moran be appointed the Vice-Chairman of the Finance and Policy committee.

22056. TO PERMIT ANY SUB-COMMITTEES TO APPOINT A CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN AT THEIR FIRST MEETING OF THE CIVIC YEAR – No business transacted. The council has no appointed sub-committees.

22057. TO REVIEW ADMINISTRATORS FOR THE BRACEBRIDGE HEATH PARISH COUNCIL FACEBOOK GROUPS AND PAGE –

It was RESOLVED: That Cllrs Callan, Trought and Walker are appointed administrators of the Bracebridge Heath Parish Council Facebook Group.

It was RESOLVED: That Cllrs Barr, Trought and Walker are appointed administrators of the Bracebridge Heath Neighbourhood Plan Facebook Group.

It was RESOLVED: That the Clerk and Deputy Clerk are appointed administrators of the Bracebridge Heath Parish Council Facebook Page and the Community Library Facebook Page.

22058. TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR REVIEW OF:

STANDING ORDERS AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS;

ARRANGEMENTS FOR WORKING WITH OTHER LOCAL AUTHORITIES, NOT-FOR-PROFIT BODIES AND BUSINESSES;

INVENTORY OF LAND AND OTHER ASSETS;

INSURANCE;

SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OTHER BODIES;

COMPLAINTS POLICY;

POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES RELATING TO FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION;

POLICY FOR DEALING WITH THE PRESS AND MEDIA;

EMPLOYMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES; AND

EXPENDITURE INCURRED UNDER S137 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972.

It was RESOLVED: To note and accept the review arrangements for policies listed above as detailed in the written report.

22059. TO REVIEW COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS – It was RESOLVED: That the following appointments be made:

Allotment Holders’ Association – Cllr S Manders

Bracebridge Heath Cricket Club – Cllr K Trought

St John the Evangelist Church – unfilled

Heath U3A – Cllr J Blackmore

Neighbourhood Watch – Cllr V Marden

Cliff Cluster of Parish Councils – Leadenham to Bracebridge Heath – Cllr K Trought

Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils – Cllr C Callan

22060. TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING – 5th April 2022 - It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 5th April 2022 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman.

22061. FINANCES

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

Payments made by Direct Debit in March and April

Payments made using delegated authority since 4th April 2022

Authorised by Cllrs Manders and Trought

b. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

c. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS – It was RESOLVED: That bank reconciliation 340 and 341 be accepted and signed by Cllr Marden.

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

22063. TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS – Items noted:

Lincolnshire County Council Highway Volunteering Scheme, LALC – networking day and Annual Conference, Community Infrastructure Levy payment, Red Hall Farm Lane, NKDC confirmation that the Neighbourhood Plan is made, correspondence about bins.

It was RESOLVED: That the invoice from Knights solicitors be accepted for payment.

22064. TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT A REPORT ON DECISIONS MADE USING DELEGATED AUTHORITY – The following items were accepted:

• Submission of a response to the consultation on the review of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan
• Submission of a response to NKDC regarding application 22/0597/TPO – Trees in Woodland Walk and Cemetery.

Response: No comment or objections.

• Payments between meetings as listed at minute 22061a

22065. PLANNING

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

22 0413 HOUS - 1 Parkview Court

It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council objects to the application on the grounds that the proposed rendering is out of keeping with the surrounding buildings and in particular with nearby heritage assets - Conway House (non-designated heritage asset) and the Pump House (Grade II listed). The dwelling has a dominant position on Grantham Road within clear view of the Pump House opposite. The block grey colour chosen for rendering will be overwhelming in an area which has largely limestone or yellow coloured brickwork.

The Neighbourhood Plan Policy 6 and the CLLP Policy LP25 requires that development proposals likely to affect heritage assets (including those non-designated heritage assets listed in Appendix B of the Neighbourhood Plan), must be accompanied by a heritage statement. No such statement has been submitted with this application. In accordance with the aforementioned policies, Bracebridge Heath Parish Council considers that the proposed rendering is likely to negatively affect the setting of the historical assets.

Should NKDC be minded to approve the application, Parish Council requests that a more appropriate colour choice for the rendering is made a condition of the permission, one which complements the limestone colours in the nearby heritage assets. In addition, Parish Council also requests that the building is rendered on its upper or lower half only to limit the harmful visual effect on heritage assets.

22 0434 HOUS – 3 Goddard Way

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.

22066. TO CONSIDER THE REPORT OF THE INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022 – It was RESOLVED: That the report of the internal auditor is accepted and note that no recommendations have been made.

22067. TO CONSIDER PARISH COUNCIL ACCOUNTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022 – It was RESOLVED:  That the accounts for the financial year ended 31st March 2022 be accepted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

22068. TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE 2021/2022 ANNUAL RETURN – ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT – It was RESOLVED: That the Annual Governance Statement of the Annual Return for the financial year ended 31st March 2022 be accepted, approved and signed by the chairman.

22069. TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE 2021/2022 ANNUAL RETURN – ACCOUNTING STATEMENTS – It was RESOLVED: That the Annual Accounting Statements of the Annual Return for the financial year ended 31st March 2022 be accepted, approved and signed by the chairman.

It was RESOLVED: That the dates for public rights inspection -1 June to 14 July inclusive are accepted.

Thanks were given to the Clerk for her work on completion of the accounts.

22070. TO CONSIDER ARRANGEMENTS AND SET A TIMETABLE FOR CO-OPTION TO VACANCIES – It was RESOLVED: That

• officers advertise the vacancy (J Kilcoyne) and plan for co-option of candidates at the Full Council meeting in July 2022;
• should there be insufficient requests for an election as notified by NKDC, that the second vacancy (D Warren) be advertised as above.

22071. TO CONFIRM A CALENDAR FOR COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THE CIVIC YEAR 2022/23 – It was RESOLVED: That a calendar scheduled meetings of Full Council, Finance and Policy and the Personnel committee be adopted and published.

22072. TO CONSIDER UPGRADING A FAULTY STREET ON JOHNSON DRIVE WITH AN LED LANTERN – It was RESOLVED: That a streetlight on Johnson Drive is upgraded to an LED lantern.

22073. TO AGREE A NEW CONTRACT FOR STREET LIGHTING ELECTRICITY – It was RESOLVED: That the Council accepts a 48-month contract for a new streetlighting MPAN with SSE Electricity.

22074. TO CONSIDER AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE LAND AT ROCHESTER CLOSE – No decisions made. Further correspondence awaited.

22075. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE BRACEBRIDGE HEATH VILLAGE HALL AND CONSIDER ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED – An update was given on the village hall.

22076. TO CONSIDER ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING – request for additional bins

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.

22077. TO CONSIDER A QUOTE FOR CLEANING PLAY PARK EQUIPMENT –

Cllr Moran declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to Grants Cleaning Services Ltd.

It was RESOLVED: That the quote for cleaning the play parks from Grants Cleaning Services Ltd be accepted.

22078. TO CONSIDER LEGAL MATTERS RELATING TO RED HALL FARM LANE –

It was RESOLVED: That the matter regarding the boundary on Red Hall Farm Lane be closed.

It was RESOLVED: That Standing Order 3V be suspended, that meetings last no longer than 2 hours to enable completion of business, the meeting to be extended by a maximum of 15 minutes.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21:01

Signed___________________________Chairman                                                                                                        7th June 2022