2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Doddington and Whisby Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at The Cabin, Blackmoor Farm, Doddington at 7pm on Monday 6th March 2023

Present: Cllrs. M Cox, E Mathers, S Whiles and M Cunniffe

Clerk: S Aikman

Also in attendance:  Cllr P Overton (NKDC)

Public Forum

Cllr Thompson had sent his apologies and sent in the following report:

County Council Meeting 17th February 2023 

Council agreed a tax rise of 4.99% in total (this includes a 2% rise for adult care). Lincolnshire will still have one of the lowest council tax rates in the country. Despite the rise in council tax, and additional government funding,the council will still need to use a further £7.5m from its reserves to balance the books, based on current projections.The final budget included the addition of £8.7m to the development fund. The money for this will be drawn from the council’s reserves, and it will be used for projects that benefit local communities. There was also an additional £7m for road maintenance, meaning the highways budget for 2023/24 has now risen to around £93m. 

The budget also includes:

•   £275m for adult care and community wellbeing
•   £84m for children’s social care
•   £22m for Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue

Cllr Overton reported that:

- a proposal to reconsider the reduction of PCSO’s had been submitted.
- NKDC were not suggesting any budget cuts.  They had accumulated funds through the New Homes bonus.

1.   To receive any apologies for absence

Cllr. G Patrick (Chair) and Cllr. G Beale (Vice Chair) had sent their apologies.  Apologies accepted.

Cllr E Mathers chaired the meeting.

2.   To receive any declarations of interest

None

3.   To receive the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting 6th February 2023 previously circulated to members.

Following a vote it was resolved unanimously that the minutes from 6th February 2023 were an accurate record of the meeting.

4.   Finance

a.   To formally note Items of Income

b.   To formally approve items of Expenditure:

Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to approve the following payments 

c.   Bank reconciliation for the year to date was approved unanimously

d.   To review spend against budget

Reviewed.

e.   To consider continuing with Payroll services from April 2023

Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to continue with Payroll Services with the proposed provider at a cost of £7 per month.

5.   Planning

a.   Applications Received

b.   Applications Decided

6.   To receive any updates on the unilateral undertaking to secure the £40K against traffic calming measures in the parish of Doddington.

Cllr Patrick had sent the proposed agreement to James Birch and was awaiting a response.

7.   To consider plans for the Coronation.

This item was to be deferred until the next meeting to allow time to check availability at Doddington Hall.

8.   To consider the best approach for advertising the upcoming Parish election.

The Clerk would prepare a draft advert for the noticeboard and website for Councillors approval.

ACTION: Clerk and Councillors

A discussion was held about necessary forms and procedures for the upcoming elections.  The Clerk would resend the link to guidance received from NKDC.

ACTION: Clerk

9.   To update regarding the additional Speed Indicator Devices.

The last speed indicator device had been installed near Thorpe Farm Machinery but required updating.

ACTION: Cllr Patrick

10.   To request revised Register of Interest forms, where applicable, as requested by NKDC.

No additional forms received.

11.   Clerk and Councillors Reports (for information only), including a review of actions from minutes and matters that Councillors wish to be brought to the next or subsequent meetings.

No decisions may be made under this section, but councillors may wish to use this to flag up issues.

The recent litter pick had been successful, however there was a need to organise an additional litter pick in the near future.

A discussion was held about the lack of socialising opportunities in the parish and the possibility of using the Coach House at Doddington Hall for events such as coffee mornings.

It was noted that the original planning application for the Coach House included the use of the space for the village.  It was suggested that the Coach House could be a suitable venue for Parish Council meetings and may encourage more people to attend. Possible uses were to be looked into.

ACTION: Cllr Patrick and the Clerk

12.   Correspondence

To note correspondence received

13.   Date of next meeting 

Parish Council meeting 7pm Monday 3rd April 2023.

Meeting closed at 8.05pm