Minutes - 27 May 2021 - Annual Parish Meeting
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 27 MAY 2021 AT 7.00PM
IN THE LARGE HALL, THE OLD SCHOOL, NETTLEHAM
In attendance: - Councillor John Evans (Chairman), 17 residents and Mrs D Locker (Parish Clerk)
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Annual Parish meeting and proceeded to run through some housekeeping matters: e.g. -
- There is no fire practice planned so if the alarm sounded all should leave via the exits and assemble in the car park;
- Covid-19 safety measures are in place including: track and trace with the need to sign in, to wear a face mask as appropriate, a separate entrance and an exit, all to remain seated and ensure social distancing is maintained, only 1 person in each WC, doors will remain open to allow for ventilation.
The Chairman set out some background about the Annual Parish meeting which is held annually, separately to the meeting of the Parish Council. Its purpose is to provide feedback to residents about parish matters, about what the Council has been working on during the year, any issues that have occurred since the previous meeting and also an opportunity for residents to raise any matters relating to the parish.
01/21. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON 17 APRIL 2019
It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the Minutes of the 17 April 2019 Annual Parish Council meeting and be signed as a true record of the meeting.
02/21. MATTERS ARISING FROM THESE MINUTES
None.
03/21. TO RECEIVE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON PARISH COUNCIL ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN IN THE LAST YEAR (1 APRIL 2020 TO 31 MARCH 2021)
Cllr Evans’ Chairman’s Report was circulated. The Chairman advised that it is two years since the last Annual Parish meeting (APM), as the meeting planned for 2020 was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. Since our previous APM we lost a total of 9 Councillors, six of which did not seek re-election in May 2019, deciding to retire having given decades of service to the parish. All 9 vacancies were filled and we have a full complement of 12 Parish Councillors – all of whom are working hard to learn and meet the challenges.
He recalled that 2020 has been particularly challenging for everyone, across the world, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We have seen 3 lock-downs over the last 12 months and as a result many activities have had to be cancelled including: the annual Carnival, Remembrance Day parade and the Festive Market at Christmas, so let us hope this year is going to be different.
He expressed, that we are all very grateful for the many volunteers in the village who have helped provide comfort and support to the vulnerable resident, throughout this pandemic – with food, medicine collection, social support and in so many other ways – which is part of Nettleham’s sense of community. Also, we must not forget the younger members of our community, either, who like the rest of us have been bored and frustrated at being restricted and having to stay at home and we should recognise this. We now have around 200 properties built at Minster Fields and around 20 properties at Roman Gate within our parish of Nettleham, both areas located just over the A46. A further 170 approx. properties are due to be built so this area will form a significant portion of the parish and we would therefore like to take this opportunity to welcome them as members of the parish. We have a representative of Minster Fields present at the meeting and hope to have residents from that area of the parish stand for election as Councillors in 2023.
During the last 12 months Council meeting have not been held face to face meetings in the usual way but held via Zoom, which has been challenging. We have had some staff changes with Claire Ward appointed as Assistant Clerk in November 2020 and Michelle moved to a new role in March 2021. The Council took this opportunity to review the staffing structure, making some changes which will reduce duplication and result in financial savings.
The Council has still been working hard during the last 12 months, despite working at distance for the majority of the time, carrying on with meetings:
- To review the Neighbourhood Plan - with consultation with residents planned to commence in the next few months;
- To progress the burial ground being extended into the Swathe – with Council currently at the stage of submitting a planning application to West Lindsey District Council;
- To finalise completion of the Bill Bailey’s project which has seen new equipment installed, particularly for the use by older children – which has been well used since relaxation of some of the Covid-19 measures;
- To work on developing Climate Change issues;
- We also continue to work on finding savings – including having gone paperless with use of electronic meeting papers;
- Have developed a new and more modern, up to date Council website;
- Improved the broadband service available at the Old School – now with high speed broadband available in both halls and the meeting room;
- Purchased a Speed Indicator Device that can be moved around the village that captures speed data which will be shared with the Lincs Road Safety Partnership to evidence any speeding issues identified in the parish;
- Re-decorated throughout Mulsanne Pavilion whilst it was out of use;
- Introduced fun trails for children – via the phone app GoJauntly.
However, the LCC former care home site, Linelands, has still not been developed and remains empty as the original plans for a new three storey scheme for the elderly was considered unsuitable near the conservation area, by WLDC Heritage team.
The Chairman concluded by conveying his thanks to the team of Councillors for their efforts during the year. Also thanks to Debbie Locker the Parish Clerk and to the other members of the staff team for the exceptional work they have done over the last year, in such difficult circumstances – particularly with the Covid-19 related rules and restrictions constantly changing.
04/21. TO RECEIVE THE RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT FOR FINANCIAL YEAR – 2020/21
The Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer outlined the details as set out in their Financial Report for 2020/21.
In January 2020, the Council approved the final budget with a requirement of £237,396 with the precept contribution £170,660, plus £100 from WLDC. We anticipated an income of £66,636 during 2020-21 – generally from the hire of the Council buildings and burial ground fees.
However, unforeseen circumstances occurred and Covid-19 restrictions came into force on 23 March 2020. Consequently, the Government requirement was for lock down, introduction of social distancing and our premises for hire were largely closed for the year.
This had a significant impact on the level of anticipated income received by the Council. The loss of budgeted income from hirers of the buildings was £39,412. However, we managed to reduce some of the anticipated day to day costs associated with the buildings e.g. cleaning, utilities. We were also fortunate to receive Government business interruption grants to the sum of £21,003 which helped cancel out the loss in income. Overall, taking account of the savings made and grants received resulted in a budget underspend of £20,563 for 2020-21.
During 2020-21 the Council also allocated £30,781 of the budget to capital earmarked reserves. Capital expenditure was £12,544 and capital income £7,292. Capital earmarked reserves at 31.03.21 were £140,390, general reserves at £60,940 – in total leaving Council’s reserves at £210,330. Outstanding loans with the Public Works Loan Board were £103,575 at 31.3.22.
Councillor Jenkinson, seconded by Cllr Mrs White, conveyed on behalf of the Council, their thanks to the Clerk and the office team; also to Councillor Evans for his hard work in his role of Chairman of the Parish Council.
A representative from Minster Fields Community Group also expressed appreciation to the Council for involving their members in work undertaken by the Council – including in the review of the Neighbourhood plan, in helping to arrange provision of the Nettleham Matters magazine for Minster Fields residents and also involvement in the Sustainable Travel to Lincoln Working Group set up at the request of the residents due to problems they encountered in getting across the bypass by foot and cycle, to gain access to the village centre.
05/21. TO CONSIDER ANY POINTS WHICH ANY PARISHIONER MAY WISH TO RAISE
None received
The Chairman closed the meeting by thanking everyone for attending
Meeting closed at 7.28pm
Debbie Locker – Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer