October 2023

Minutes of a meeting of Bracebridge Heath Parish Council held at the pavilion on 3rd October 2023 at 7pm  

Present: Councillors C Broad, C Callan, J Moran, V Marden, G Scott and K Trought

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

Two members of the public were in attendance.

The Chairman allowed a member of the public to address the Parish Council regarding the future of the bowls club. The Chairman explained the decisions made previously and the need for public consultation regarding the future of the facility.   The Parish Council gave its thanks to the resident for providing information in relation to the bowls committee.

19:10 - The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

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.

23135. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT VALID REASONS FOR ABSENCE – It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Barr.

                         It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Manders.

23136. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

a. TO RECEIVE MEMBERS’ DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADOPTED CODE OF CONDUCT – Cllr Callan declared a non-pecuniary interest in matters relating to the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils.

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

c. TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – 5th September 2023 - It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 5th September 2023 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman.

23137. FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE

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

Payments made between meetings, direct debits and payments made using delegated authority - Presented at report 23138a

All reports can be downloaded from https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/download/46/meeting-reports-october-2023

The reports on payments between meetings was accepted.

b. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS - It was RESOLVED: That payment of accounts as presented at report 23138b be accepted and signed.  

All reports can be downloaded from – https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/download/46/meeting-reports-october-2023

It was RESOLVED: That council approves that £43,505.05 be repaid to North Kesteven District Council, the funds being incorrectly paid to Bracebridge Heath Parish Council in CIL receipts.

c. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS – This item was deferred as the nominated councillor was not in attendance.

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

e. TO  AMEND THE LIST OF COUNCILLORS REGISTERED WITH THE COUNCIL’S BANK ACCOUNT – It was RESOLVED: That Cllr G Scott be added to the Council’s bank account.

f. TO NOMINATE THREE COUNCILLORS TO WORK WITH THE RFO TO PREPARE A DRAFT BUDGET FOR REVIEW IN DECEMBER 2023 – It was RESOLVED: That Cllrs Scott, Moran and Callan would work with the RFO to prepare a draft budget for review in December 2023.

23139. TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS – Items noted: The signage at Lancia Crescent had been removed, Atlantic Trident, bus shelters, NKDC engagement event and NKDC conservation funding.

a. TO CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THE INTRODUCTION OF PARKING RESTRICTIONS ON ST JOHN’S ROAD-

It was RESOLVED: That via County Councillor Cawrey, the Parish Council asks that highway officers investigate the area and consider all suitable measures to reduce traffic issues on the road.

23140. TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT A REPORT ON DECISIONS MADE USING DELEGATED AUTHORITY – The following report was accepted:

- Payments made as reported at item 4a.

23141. PLANNING

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

23 1056 LDPRO – 31 LONDON ROAD – It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has no comments or objections.  

23 1096 HOUS - 29 VAUXHALL ROAD – It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has no comments or objections.  

23 1145 HOUS – 42 GRANTHAM ROAD – It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has no comments or objections.  

b. TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLANNING DECISIONS – No planning decisions received since the last meeting of the council.

23142. TO CONSIDER A RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY PARADE AND RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON ARRANGEMENTS-  A verbal report was given. The Clerk and Cllr Stone have attended and passed the traffic management training. Volunteers have been recruited and training and procedure notes are in place. Further communication with Revd Bell is required regarding the outside sound system and music at the war memorial.

It was RESOLVED: That the Risk Assessment v1.0 be accepted.

23143. TO CONSIDER HIRE CHARGES AND TERMS FOR COUNCIL FACILITIES – A verbal report was given.

It was RESOLVED: To accept the Village Hall Hire Rates 2024.

It was RESOLVED: To accept the Facility Hire Agreement v1.0 for Pavilion hire and Village Hall.

It was RESOLVED: To accept the Sports Hirer Agreement v1.0.

23144. TO CONFIRM ACCEPTANCE OF RENTAL INCREASE FOR THE ALLOTMENT SITE LEASED FROM THE CHURCH COMMISSIONERS FOR ENGLAND: It was RESOLVED: To accept the rental increase for the allotment site leased from the Church Commissioners for England.

23145. BRACEBRIDGE HEATH VILLAGE HALL

a. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT – a verbal and written report was given. It was reported that the project was slightly behind schedule but the principle contractor was increasing labour to remedy this. A number of decisions were still required regarding the floor in the main hall and the decisions could have a substantial effect on the budget. An updated costing and estimated total on completion was provided.

b. TO NOTE AND ACCEPT DECISIONS MADE USING DELEGATED AUTHORITY - It was RESOLVED: That Council accepts the decisions made by delegated authority.

c. TO CONSIDER A COST VARIATION IN RELATION TO PLASTERING OR ACOUSTIC PANELS IN THE MAIN HALL - It was RESOLVED: That Council proceeds with the recommended use of plasterboard in then main hall, costing an additional £1837.50.

d. TO CONSIDER OPTIONS FOR FLOORING IN THE MAIN HALL AND FOYER – Further information is required before Council can make a formal decision on this item.

e. TO ACCEPT A QUOTE FROM FG LIBRARIES AND LEARNING FOR ADDITIONAL FURNITURE REQUIRED FOR THE LIBRARY SPACE It was RESOLVED: That the Council temporarily suspends Financial Regulation 11.1h, that 3 quotations will be obtained, due to the specialist nature of the quote.

It was RESOLVED: That the clerk is authorised to incur expenditure of up to £7500 in consultation with the chairman and vice-chairman for furniture in the library; the order to be in line with the accepted layout for the library.

f. TO CONSIDER OPENING EVENT PLANS – Councillors were provided with a copy of proposals produced by Cllr Moran. Events were suggested to take place in January 2024.

23146. TO CONSIDER CO-OPTION TO COUNCIL VACANCIES – Nil

23147. 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 20:16

Signed___________________________Chairman                                                                                                                                6th November 2023