Minutes

NOTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON TUESDAY 14 JANUARY 2025.

THE MEETING WAS OPENED AT 8.00PM.

Present: , Cllr K White, Cllr F Beaney, Cllr Kevin Main.

In Attendance: Mrs V Davies, Clerk, ELDC Cllr D Simpson.

Cllr Simpson advised there was a small amount of grant money available. The district council local plan was not progressing at the moment. The process of devolution was continuing. The Parish council requested a grant from ELDC towards the cost of a village sign.

1.2025 APOLOGIES WITH REASONS FOR ABSENCE AND ACCEPT APOLOGIES WHERE VALID REASONS, GIVEN TO THE PARISH CLERK PRIOR TO THE MEETING.

Apologies were received from, Cllr Karl Kay, The parish council accepted the apologies.

2.2025 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST UNDER THE LOCALISM ACT 2011 – BEING ANY PECUNIARY INTEREST IN AGENDA ITEMS NOT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON MEMBERS’ REGISTER OF INTERESTS AND ANY WRITTEN REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION.

There were no declarations of interest.

3.2025 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING ON 3 DECEMBER 2024

Proposed Cllr Beaney seconded Cllr Main approval of the minutes of 3 December 2024. Cllr White signed the minutes.

4.2024 CLERKS REPORT.

All items were included in the agenda.

5.2025 FINANCE. TO APPROVE THE CHEQUES FOR NOVEMBER AND NOTE THE FINANCIAL REPORTS.

Proposed Cllr White seconded Cllr Beaney and agreed by all Cllrs to authorise the cheques for payment.

Chq no Payee Description £

1284 V Davies Clerk Salary £304.16

1285 V Davies Clerk Expenses £141.53

1286 Parish of Asterby Group Newsletter £15.00

Bus Bank Instant £1,010.50 (9.12.24)

Treasurers A/c £15,242.42 (31.12.24)

Income.

5.11.24 Lloyds Bank Interest £0.91

9.12.24 Lloyds Bank Interest £0.77

5.11.24 Steingot Herbage £60.00

Cllrs noted that the bank reconciliation had been verified by Cllr White.

Cllrs noted the income v expenditure report.

BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS

Councillors considered the budget. Proposed Cllr White, seconded Cllr Beaney and agreed by all Councillors to agree the budget Expenditure £17,785, income £11,770 precept £10,000.

6.2025 VILLAGE SIGNS

This item was deferred to the next meeting.

7.2025 VOLUNTEER TO PUT NOTICES ON THE NOTICEBOARDS.

This would be arranged at the next meeting. Cllr White would put up the notices at the next meeting.

8.2025 FLOOD PREVENTION

This would be deferred to the next meeting.

Actions agreed at meeting on 3 May 2024 to resolve flooding issues

1. Clear the ditch of silt and vegetation between Station Road and the boundary of the property on Enfield Road. This had been completed.

2. Encourage parishioners to assist parishioners in completing the work they’ve started to clear silt and veg alongside their property on Enfield Road.

3. Request highways to jet clean the second, smaller culvert under Station Road. The clerk had raised the fault on Fixmystreet Reference 2805442 and received the response that the issue is not the responsibility of highways. The clerk had raised the issue with highways. Highways had re-iterated that the culvert was not the responsibility of highways. Cllr Simpson had requested evidence in the form of an ELDC asset register.

4. Depending on the outcome of item 3, put a camera along the culvert to assess state of the culvert. This will not be necessary if the culvert is fully cleared by jetting.
5. Jet out the culvert under Enfield Road, aiming to smooth the level difference observed there, by pushing silt further along the ditch.

A quotation had been received from Ajet via MXR. £465 + VAT = £558.

Enfield Road. To carry out HP jetting with jetvac / tanker jetter to culvert as directed on site (Maximum 3.5 hours on site).

The quote had been accepted at the June 2024 meeting. However the Parish council wanted MXR to deal with AJET. However this work would be carried out after the highways works as detailed in Item 3.

6. Raise issues of blocked drains via “Fix my Street” (The roadside gulleys and drains are County Council responsibility and should be cleared annually). The clerk had raised the report on “Fix my Street”. Reference 2805508. Highways were looking into the issue.
7. Review the results of the above work. If problems persist, it might be necessary to liaise with landowners towards the Bain.
8. Put in place a 5 yearly ditch clearing programme for the ditches the PC are responsible for.

A further fault had been raised on fix my Street blocked drain from Meadowcroft to School lane. Status awaited.

9. Discussion took place requesting landowners adjacent to Enfield Road if they could clear the ditch.

9.2025 PLAYGROUND/MUGA

The rope bridge at the playground. (£618.20 plus VAT) had been ordered.

ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION

The following issues had been raised.

PLAYGROUND

Gate – Main Road

Timber is decayed. Replace affected parts. 8 There is a crushing or shearing point on the side of the gate. Where the gaps reduce to less than 12 mm these have been known to cause serious, permanent injury to children, especially on the hinge side where the leverage forces are significant. Adjust gate / posts / fit new rubber buffer to ensure a spacing of at least 12 mm throughout the range of the gate to remove the entrapment. The 12 mm gap also should apply on the hinge side of the gate.

Fencing

There is decay to timber components which may affect structural integrity. We do not recommend replacing rotten supports with timber posts which are directly set in the ground due to the increased problem of timber rot, especially in posts in contact Replace decayed components where possible and plan replacement of item. Check on a routine basis, especially at ground or foundation level

Swing Toddler. I Bay 2 Seat

Projecting bolt thread. Cut off and file down to remove sharp edges or use the correct length of bolt. 8 Hard or sharp projections. Remove hard, pointed and sharp projections. 8 Wicksteed recommend that during routine inspections the area on the swing where the side frames meet the vertical support be checked for any cracks. In the event of cracks being found then remove the seats and contact Wicksteed for further advice. Conduct the checks and take action as necessary. 6 Chain connection openings between 8.6 and 12 mm are not permitted. Replace with compliant connectors.

Swing Junior – 1 Bay 2 Seat

Some chain wear. Monitor for further deterioration and replace before 40% wear. 7 Loose swing seat eye-bolts. Tighten connecting nuts. 6 Wicksteed recommend that during routine inspections the area on the swing where the side frames meet the vertical support be checked for any cracks. In the event of cracks being found then remove the seats and contact Wicksteed for further advice. Conduct the checks and take action as necessary. Resolved Cllr Wright.

Agility Balance Trail

This equipment relies on one post for its stability. Special attention should be paid to maintenance (e.g. by monitoring degradation) and if necessary decommissioning the item before the end of its operating life. Consult with the manufacturer's guidance to determine suitable maintenance. 6 Bolt(s) loose. Tighten. 6 There are natural splits / shakes in the timbers. DO NOT fill shakes. Monitor and sand back any splintered edges as required., DO NOT fill shakes. There are shakes running through fixing points. Ensure the fixings are fully secure on regular basis.

MultiPlay Junior

Exposed metal rope core(s). Replace the worn ropes.,

Fixtures loose or missing. Tighten.

Fixtures loose or missing. Tighten. 5 Item is cut. Repair.

MultiPlay Toddler

The equipment is dirty or algae covered. Clean off. 4 Bolt(s) missing. Replace missing bolt(s).

Gate

There is a crushing or shearing point on the side of the gate. Where the gaps reduce to less than 12 mm these have been known to cause serious, permanent injury to children, especially on the hinge side where the leverage forces are significant. Adjust gate / posts / fit new rubber buffer to ensure a spacing of at least 12 mm throughout the range of the gate to remove the entrapment. The 12 mm gap also should apply on the hinge side of the gate.

Fencing

There is decay to timber components which may affect structural integrity. We do not recommend replacing rotten supports with timber posts which are directly set in the ground due to the increased problem of timber rot, especially in posts in contact with the ground

Replace decayed components where possible and plan replacement of item. Check on a routine basis, especially at ground or foundation level

Seating

Item is not secure. Secure.

MUGA

Gate is sticking on the ground. Adjust. 8 Minor repairs are needed. Repair.

Boards warping in areas.

10.2025 PROPOSAL TO ERECT NEW VILLAGE SIGNS

This was deferred to the next meeting.

11.2025 SPEEDING

There was no update.

12.2025 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Biscathorpe Oil Appeal. This would be discussed at the next meeting.

13.2025 ALLOTMENTS

There was one vacant allotment.

14.2025 CEMETERY

There would be a further burial in the cemetery.

15.2025 NEWSLETTER

The Parish Council would include an entry in the next newsletter. Cllr Main would draft the newsletter entry.

16.2025 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

17.2025 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 4 February 2025 at 8pm.

The meeting finished at 9.20 pm. THESE NOTES ARE DRAFT UNTIL ADOPTED AT THE FEBRUARY MEETING.