Minutes Annual Parish Meeting May 2021
May 18th 2021
PRESENT:
Chairman Cllr D Spittlehouse. Vice Chair. Cllr. P Rushton. Cllrs P Fotheringham. S Barrow. M McDaniel.
A Fotheringham
Cllr J Milne
6 Members of Public
APOLOGIES OF ABSENCE:
C Wells. S Rose.
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON THE 14th MAY 2019 FOR APPROVAL:
It was proposed by Cllr Rushton and seconded by Cllr Barrow to accept the notes as a true record. Signed and dated by the Chairman Cllr. D Spittlehouse.
MATTERS ARISING:
There were no matters arising.
CHAIRMANS REPORT:
All the usual activities cancelled for 2020, the pub closed, no summer gala or Christmas market, it really has been an unprecedented year.
Many took part in growing sunflowers during the summer to cheer us all up, and I thought there was a special effort at made at Christmas with more people taking the time to light up Upton. The village looked amazing. Thank you to everyone.
With the Rose and Crown closed and no Bingo or Quiz nights, the organisations will probably be short of funds. Hopefully this will sort itself out when we get back to normal activities.
Jenny and Lol did a great job providing take away meals for many that needed to self-isolate and the elderly. Great job to them and Neville Barnes Village shop which has really taken off in leaps and bounds. It’s great that the village supports them.
I would also like to thank all the volunteers that came forward into forming a help group during lockdown. Fortunately, we only had a few requests for shopping, prescription taking and dog walking. This shows what a community spirited village we live in, with neighbours rallying around to help those that were in need. The volunteer group is still registered with the local authority should the need for them to be called upon in the future.
Whilst the Parish Council have been unable to hold most of the meetings during 2020, we were still carrying on behind the scenes as usual.
We have three new members who were co-opted onto the Council at the beginning of 2020.
Marian McDaniel, Anne Fotheringham and Emyr Morris. Unfortunately, Emyr Morris has now moved away from the area so we have a vacancy for a Councillor, should anyone be interested please contact the Clerk.
There has been issues with the traveller site on Padmoor Lane.
You have probably noticed the huge amount of rubbish that has been fly tipped there. It’s been set fire to and left, twice when the fire brigade had to be called.
It’s taken months for the environment agency to actually take responsibility of sorting out this problem. Hopefully this should soon be resolved and the waste removed.
We are still no nearer regarding Fibre broadband to Upton, however Quickline and LCC are coming to the village hall tomorrow evening to answer questions. Please text or email Geoff Payne if you wish to attend. I appreciate this is short notice but as usual we were left in the dark on this one.
Neighbourhood Plan. Latest information from Bernie Shaw.
Nothing has progressed unfortunately. 2 selections of consultants had been made, then lockdown.
To continue depends if people in the community are still willing to contribute to the work. Anyone interested contact Liz.
I would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Jack Bowles who has worked so hard in all weathers for over 6 months every weekend to collect litter in and around Upton.
He has made a huge difference to our lovely countryside and has inspired others to take action with this litter problem. He truly deserves his Silver Duke of Edinburgh award.
His family must be so proud of him. Behind every good son is a good mum, and Jack's mum Rachael has supported him the whole time. Collecting his litter bags, ferrying him to different areas and making sure he was safe. So, a big thanks to you too Rachael.
And to show the Parish Councils appreciation I would like to present you with this certificate of achievement. Well done mate!
Jack Bowles address to the meeting:
I would like to say thank you to Upton and Kexby Parish Council, along with the Playing Field Committee, Anna and Caroline for supporting me in my litter picking, which was part of my voluntary section of the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. Also, to everyone who has waved and encouraged me.
I was supposed to do 24 weeks but, in the end, I completed 31 weeks.
During these weeks 294 bags of waste has been removed from the ditches, verges in and around our villages and the Playing Field areas.
Long Lane had almost 100 bags where we have had two team picks producing almost 70 of these bags. Caroline and Anna have also helped whilst out walking, picking as they have been out exercising and then texting me for collection.
So, I picked almost 200 of these bags. I found numerous empty beer tins, energy drinks, wine bottles, surprisingly MacDonald's and KFC packaging was less than expected.
Cannabis plants, syringes, tyres, pregnancy tests, masks, condoms and much more.
So, I have had to deal with the police and liaise with West Lindsey District Council to arrange collection.
Special thanks go to Lee Doxey who has collected the waste weekly.
I am really proud of how our village looks. I am no longer weekly collecting having achieved my Silver D of E but I will still be popping out once a month to pick and monitor problem areas.
I have lots of school work to do before the end of the year.
In October I begin my Gold D of E when I plan on picking again for 9 months and use the evidence that I have collected to try to secure some funding for some new bins in the areas which I have found to be bad.
Thank you once again to everyone who has supported me.
PARISH COUNCIL ACCOUNTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2020/2021
Expenditure 1st April – 31st March: £7,109.61
Receipts: £7.536.16
Balance B/F: £6,289.95
REPORTS FROM ORGANISATIONS:
Upton/Kexby Playing Field: Paul Mann. Treasurer.
A copy of the unaudited accounts for the year to the end of March 2019 was presented.
We are hoping to build a new play park so any grant that the Parish Council can give is appreciated.
We have 2 football teams now using the field.
It was suggested that they could try the West Lindsey Lottery for funding.
Horticultural: Jane Spencer, Secretary.
Not confirmed whether there will be a show or not this year due to Covid restrictions.
Jane to let the clerk know as soon as it is confirmed.
Bloomers: Report from S Rose.
The bloomers have had a quiet year, with no new projects. We did manage one outdoor meeting during the summer months, when we were very happy to welcome two new members from Kexby to our group. We have been maintaining the planters around Kexby and Upton and the horse and plough sculpture has been waxed to enhance and preserve the metal. We are looking forward to being able to have a meeting again soon.
Village Hall: C Wells, Secretary.
We had to close our doors because of the Covid but just for a little while we were able to have the line dancing group and the Clubercise group as the Hall was made Covid safe for their use. The Outreach Post Office has now started back with their sessions - Monday and Thursday 10 - 11.30am.
Obviously, we have not been able to do any fundraising for the past year but were grateful to West Lindsey District Council for their help with a grant that they gave us at the beginning of the pandemic. This has enabled us to pay any utility bills that kept on coming in.
We do not envisage that we will be asking for any grant from yourselves this year but we may need help in the future.
Burial Ground: G Payne, Secretary.
An additional 4 allotments have been let for the 20/21 season, increasing the number occupied from 3 to 7.
There are still some available should anyone enquire.
The gates have now been painted, along with the new notice board, this has improved the appearance considerably.
Don Spittlehouse has refurbished the WI seat, the other seat appears to be beyond repair.
10 remaining Burial Plots and 13 cremated remains.
Bowls: S Barrow, Secretary.
To resume shortly.
Report from Ward Councillor: J Milne:
Planning back to normal face to face meetings, the officers have been excellent at holding virtual meetings.
Many have been working from home and sickness levels are down. I can't praise the staff enough.
One or two officers have moved on to further their careers.
Two Covid testing stations in West Lindse. The Avenue and Market Rasen.
Ian Knowles is the Chief Executive and is doing an excellent job, as well as the refuse workers.
The crematorium now has a wild flower scattering area.