2023 Parish Council Meeting Minutes

Held on the14th November 2023

Present:  Cllrs. D Spittlehouse.  K Smith.  P Fotheringham.  P Rushton. G Waring.   J Elvidge.

Clerk. E Holman.   Cllr Emma Bailey.

Also Present 2 Members of the public. 

Absent: Cllr McDaniel.

Matters Raised in the Public Forum

Cars still being parked on a regular basis on the village green.

A comment was made about the public footpath leading from Church Rd to the allotments and how it has been greatly improved since the work was carried out.

Also, the footpath leading from the phone box and behind the church is becoming overgrown onto the path. Cllr. Spittlehouse to investigate.

The meeting commenced at 7.05 pm

87/23     Co-Option of Councillor:

Cllr Spittlehouse welcomed Gary Waring to the Council.

Gary had previously signed his Acceptance of office and Register of Members interest prior to the meeting.

88/23     To receive and resolve any apologies of absence:

An apology of absence had been received from Cllr McDaniel.  Apology accepted and resolved.

89/23     To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011:

Cllr Emma Bailey declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 7 on the agenda.

90/23     Minutes of the meeting 5th September 2023:

It was proposed by Cllr Smith and seconded by Cllr Elvidge, that the official minutes of meeting held 5th September 2023 are approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman. Resolved.

91/23     Community Speed Watch update:

The group had held a session on Padmoor Lane. A total of 5 exceeding 30mph were recorded and logged.

The Parish Council to source another sign to place on the opposite side of the road.

Another session is planned for the 23rd of November on High St.

92/23     Post Office Closure update:

The clerk had finally managed to speak to the Postmaster that does Stow’s outreach post office.

He advised that we need to prove to Outreach that there is support for a Post Office in Upton.

After doing an initial poll on Facebook, it wasn’t very well supported in favour of one.

It was decided that at this time to keep in abeyance.

93/23     Bus shelter update:

Both the bus shelters have now been cleaned. Resolved.

94/23     Defib update:

The annual subscription to LIVES was renewed at a cost of £240 plus £140 for new pads and a battery pack since it was deployed. Cllr Bailey informed the council that West Lindsey do a guardianship for £100.  Clerk to pursue this when the next renewal is due.

95/23     Bus routes:

Cllr Smith had brought it to the attention of the council that he thought it would be worth pursuing trying to get a decent bus service back into Upton since this service was cut in 2019.

Cllr Smith along with Cllr Spittlehouse did a door to door asking residents their opinion as to whether they would like a better bus service.  The response was overwhelming.  Over 180 households signed a petition to present to LCC.

Cllr Bailey offered to support the Parish Council and will speak to the County Councillors.

96/23     Rembrance Poppy Wreath:

A poppy wreath was purchased for remembrance Sunday. It was suggested that maybe for next year the Parish Council could buy the large poppies that fix on lampposts.  All agreed.

97/23     Xmas Tree:

It was agreed to purchase an 8Ft tree from Neville Barnes for the village green. Cllr Spittlehouse and Cllr Smith agreed to erect the tree.

98/23     Email addresses:

To comply with the external auditors each member of the council must have a separate email address just for council business. It was initially thought that all councils had to have  a.gov.uk address at quite an expense.

After confirming this with PFK Littlejohn, the auditors, this is not necessary if the email is specifically for council use. All members of the council are complying, so no further action is required.

99/23     To approve the Clerks salary and expenses for period Sept/Oct 2023:

The Clerks salary for period Sept/Oct was proposed for approval by Cllr Fotheringham and seconded by Cllr Rushton. Resolved.

Clerk informed the Council that a pay increase had been awarded from April 2023.

100/23  Payments made since 5th September:

Proposed by Cllr Smith and seconded by Cllr Elvidge to accept. Resolved.

101/23 To discuss and agree and precept estimate for 2024/2025:

A predicted expenditure for 2024/2025 was presented to the Council.

All agreed to set the precept estimate at £7,500.

102/23  Planning application breach 144095 update:

Enforcement had visited the site, and the occupant was advised that planning permission was required for the dwelling being built and that a retrospective planning application should be submitted as soon as possible.

103/23  Village Hall report:

Cllr Rushton attended the meeting held on the 25th of October.

No payment has been forthcoming from the post office.

Still having quotes for the new kitchen.

£12,760 in the current account.

£15,120 in deposit account.

Stuart Sleight is the new booking officer.  

The next meeting to be held is on the 11th of December.   Cllr McDaniel to attend.

104/23  Crime report:

There will be no more crime reports received from the PCSO.

The meeting closed at 8.45 pm.

The date of the next meeting is the 9th of January 2024.

Signed..........................................................................Date..................................................................