June 2020 Minutes
MINUTES of the Meeting of DEEPING ST NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL held on
Monday 1st June 2020 at 7:00pm, held via Zoom Video Conferencing
(Recorded by the Clerk)
Present: David Branton (Vice Chairman), Andy Croyle, Deborah Croyle, Charles Sly, Louise McGuiness, Paul Barrett, Richard Ivatt, Barry Hopkins and Nicholas Watts (via telephone)
County & District Cllr Nigel Pepper
Local Press Officer Winston Brown
1. Apologies
At the time of the meeting, apologies had been received from:
William Rodwell (Chairman)
County Cllr Elizabeth Sneath
2. Declarations of Interest (in accordance with the LGA 2000)
P Barret declared an interest in Item 9.iii Churchyard grass cutting
3. Public Speakers (Max 3 mins each)
None
4. Minutes of the Parish Meeting held on Monday 20th January 2020
It was resolved to formerly adopt the Minutes and for the Chairman to sign them as a true record.
5. Matters Arising from the Minutes
· D Croyle stated that due to the current pandemic, there had been no ‘In Bloom’ meetings.
o There is a meeting scheduled for October in order to source funding, then hope to be ready to start planting in the Spring of 2021
· L McGuinness spoke regarding the Parish Plan questionnaire.
o She had met with A and D Croyle and shortened the questions.
o Should be ready to take it further early next year
6. Reports from the Playing Fields & Bus Shelters Committee
· New play equipment has been purchased and installed on the Hop Pole playing field. A twin tower unit with a net bridge, aluminum posts and a steel slide. The cost of the project was £7,858.60 excl VAT
· 2 new swings have been installed in the frame at Campain’s Lane playing field, as well as a picnic bench. The cost of this project was £1,523.60 excl VAT
o Funding for both projects, was secured from the Windfarm along with £1,000 from each of the 3 District Councillors, (from their Ward Budgets), for which the council is grateful
· B Hopkins stated that he had noticed some sticky, black substance on some of the leaves on the trees around St Nicholas Park. Although he didn’t know what it was, he was concerned that it may need treatment to stop it from spreading to the other trees around the park.
o He also stated that the Willow tree on the corner of Littleworth Drove and New Road needed trimming, as the leaves were trailing so low that pedestrians needed to duck, or walk in the road to avoid them
o D Croyle suggested that he ask Albany Garden Services to take a look at it
This was agreed by all present
7. Report from the Finance Committee
i. To receive the Annual Internal Audit Report
In the absence of the Committee Chairman, the Clerk presented the Annual Internal Audit Report, which had been circulated via email, prior to the meeting.
The report was well received, with no issues arising.
ii. To approve the Annual Governance Statement (Section 1 of the AGAR) – The Chairman & Clerk to sign
· The Clerk read out each of the statements, 1-9, and with the Council’s approval, ticked the appropriate boxes.
o The Clerk signed and dated the document and agreed to take it to the Chairman’s residence, (abiding by social distancing measures), for his signature the following day.
iii. To approve the Accounting Statements (Section 2 of the AGAR) – The Chairman to sign
· Having completed, signed and dated the Accounting Statements on the 26th May, the Clerk presented the figures to the Parish Council.
o The Accounting Statements were approved by all and the Clerk agreed to have them signed by the Chairman, along with the Annual Governance Statement.
iv. To approve the Exercise of Public Rights period; between Monday 15th June and Friday 24th July 2020
· It was agreed by all Councillors present, that the Exercise of Public Rights would be set between Monday 15th June and Friday 24th July 2020
8. Report from the Planning Committee
· There have been no new planning applications since the last Parish Council meeting
· There are no updates on either the Coulton’s Field or the Home Farm developments
· A resident had approached the Parish Council to ask if it would be possible to purchase a piece of the triangle-shaped land, off New Road. His property was up for sale, as he needed more garage space, but if he were able to purchase the piece adjacent to the gas tanks, it would save him from having to move.
o It was agreed that the Parish Council were not in a position to sell this land, as there is a covenant on it for the building of a Community Hall. It is also not permitted to build so close to the gas tanks.
9. Correspondence
i. British Red Cross – Request for funding of £500
· A discussion was had and it was agreed that the Parish Council was not in a position to be able to assist on this occasion
ii. LIVES (Community First Responders & Medics) – Request for funding
· The Councillors resolved that having raised funds locally for the defibrillators in the village, therefore the Parish Council was not in a position to provide any further funding at this time
iii. Churchyard Grass Cutting – Request for funding
· Following the last Parish meeting, a quote had been requested and supplied by a local gentleman, which was said to have been considerably lower than what the Church is currently paying.
o This was disputed by P Barret, who stated that the quote was exactly the same, so there was no incentive for the Church to change their provider
· R Ivatt stated that the Parish Council did not feel welcome at the Church, following their meetings being removed from the diary and replaced by another group.
o P Barrett stated that this was not the case and that he had acted on behalf of the PC in removing the dates. He wished for his apology to be recorded.
· L McGuinness reiterated that there was still an option to use the ex-offender’s scheme, which would be a lot cheaper and that she would be happy to speak with them to get a quote
It was resolved that the Chairman, (D Branton), would get a copy of the quote from the local resident, then have a video call with P Barrett, David Steel of the PCC and L McGuinness in order to resolve the issue
10. To discuss any information which the Chairman my legally bring to the Council’s attention
· The Chairman invited Cllr Pepper to speak
o There was nothing new to report from the District or County Council. All quiet at the moment due to the Corona Virus pandemic.
o Only thing that he felt was report worthy, was the rise in hare coursing. He asked that we continue to report any incidences to the Police
The date and venue for the next meeting will be agreed and published in due course.
Meeting ended at 8:40pm