November 2024

Minutes of Bracebridge Heath Parish Council held at The Heath: Village Hall and Library on 5th November 2024 at 7pm  

Present: Councillors C Broad, C Callan, B Emes, V Marden, S Neilson, C Barr, S Manders, R Stone and K Trought

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

The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

Report from Lincolnshire County Councillor, Cllr Cawrey – Apologies were received from Cllr Cawrey.

Reports from North Kesteven District Councillors, Cllrs Burley and Cawrey - Cllr Burley was not in attendance. Apologies were received from Cllr Cawrey.

Questions or points raised by residents and members of the public – Nil  

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.

24147.      TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT VALID REASONS FOR ABSENCE – Nil

24148.         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).

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

24149.         TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – 1st October 2024 - It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 1st October 2024 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman, subject to a minor amendment to correct a planning application reference number.

24150.        FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE

a. TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON PAYMENTS BETWEEN MEETINGS –. Direct debit payments for September, Direct debit payments for October and payments made by delegated authority on 21.10.2024 including three deposit returns. All reports can be downloaded from https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/download/59/meeting-reports---november-2024

b. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS - It was RESOLVED: That payment of accounts as presented at report 24150b be accepted and signed. All reports can be downloaded from https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/download/59/meeting-reports---november-2024

c. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS – It was RESOLVED: That bank reconciliations 413 - 416 and savings account to 30th September 2024 be accepted and signed by Cllr Barr. Bank balances noted: Current Account £256866.68 and Savings £145,130.61.

d. TO REVIEW BUDGET, INCOME AND EXPENDITURE - Report noted. No concerns raised.

e. TO NOTE AND ACCEPT THE NJC PAY AWARD FOR 2024-2025 – The NJC Pay Award was noted and accepted.

24151.         TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS –

Items noted: Archer speed survey – Grantham Road, Kennedy Road footpath, WIFI charge at The Heath, water leak at The Heath and vandalism at the Recreation Ground.

It was RESOLVED: That permission be granted to Evyve Limited to complete energisation works on Red Hall Lane on 12th November 24. The road surface must be made good and returned to the same condition as prior to the works.

a. REQUEST FOR TRAFFIC RESTRICTION ORDER ON DALEWOOD – Following a complaint from a resident it was agreed that the Parish Council would relocate an existing dog waste bin to Dalewood. Countryside Access would be contacted to ascertain the possibility of installing a gate between Dalewood and the adjoining field. The Parish Council would support a TRO but will await the outcome of Cllr Cawrey’s discussion with residents. Further consideration of the TRO to be on the next agenda.

b. MHCLG CONSULTATION ON ENABLING REMOTE ATTENDANCE AND PROXY VOTING AT LOCAL AUTHORITY MEETINGS – It was RESOLVED: That council will submit a corporate response supporting remote attendance and proxy voting at local authority meetings; clerk to complete the survey.

24152.         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 statements
• Acceptance of repair work at bus shelters- free of charge
• Car park re-lining and change to layout
• Expenditure incurred to install outdoor socket at The Heath
• Expenditure incurred to fix electric sockets in men’s changing room at the Pavilion

24153.         TO RECEIVE DRAFT NOTES FROM THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEETING ON 7TH OCTOBER 2024 AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS - It was RESOLVED: That the recommendation from the Personnel committee is accepted and a £4,000 virement is made from the Staffing budget to the pavilion and The Heath expenditure budget to cover the cost of the contracted cleaning.

24154.         PLANNING

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

b. TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLANNING DECISIONS – Nil.

24155.         TO REVIEW THE ONLINE INTERACTION POLICY - It was RESOLVED: That the Policy for online interaction v1.3 be adopted.

24156.         TO CONSIDER PUBLICATION OF A PRESS RELEASE REGARDING THE BRACEBRIDGE HEATH COMMUNITY HUB & LIBRARY – It was RESOLVED: That subject to minor amendments, that the press release regarding the library be published.  

24157.        TO CONSIDER AND ACCEPT QUOTATIONS AND CONTRACTS FOR THE FOLLOWING SUPPLIES -

a. Pavilion gas

b. Pavilion electricity

c. The Heath electricity

d. The Heath gas  

It was RESOLVED:  That the quotations from Yorkshire Gas and Power be accepted for all four contacts.  The term of the contracts would be to 30/09/2028. New contracts would commence on the expiration date of the existing contracts and there will be no exit fees due.

24158.         TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE CONDITION OF BUS SHELTERS AND CONSIDER ANY ACTION REQUIRED – A written report has been prepared by the Caretaker Maintenance. Council noted the contents and agreed that the clerk would seek support for carrying out the most urgent repairs from Lincolnshire County Council.  

24159.         TO CONSIDER PURCHASE OF FENCING FOR AROUND THE RGB CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING - It was RESOLVED: That low-level edging would be purchased and placed around the RGB Christmas Tree, the cost being up to £60.

24160.         TO CONSIDER PURCHASE OF A SAFETY MAT FOR THE HEATH: VILLAGE HALL & LIBRARY FOYER - It was RESOLVED: To purchase a long safety mat for the Heath: Village Hall & Library foyer.

It was RESOLVED: That the purchase of the mat be funded using earmarked reserves held for the Village Hall.

24161.         TO CONSIDER AND SIGN A CONTRACT FOR CLEANING WITH LINCS CLEANING SERVICES - It was RESOLVED: That Lincs Cleaning Services General Service Agreement dated 30/10/2024 be signed.

24162.         TO NOTE THAT NO REQUESTS FOR AN ELECTION WERE RECEIVED AND TO CONSIDER CO-OPTION ADVERTISING – It was noted that no requests for an election were received. It was agreed to continue advertising for co-option.

24163.         TO CONSIDER CO-OPTION TO COUNCIL VACANCIES - No applications received.

24164.         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 20:03.   

Signed___________________________Chairman                                                                                                                                3rd December 2024