06 May 2021
Anpproved minutes of the Annual Uffington Parish Council meeting held remotely on Thursday 6th May 2021 at 7:30pm
Present by zoom: Cllr Brown – Chairman, Cllr Hutchins, Cllr Barratt, Cllr Woolf, Cllr Sheehan, Cllr Hartley, and two members of the public.
Clerk – Mrs. K Turner (Minutes)
- Apologies: Cllr Kelham Cooke
- Election of Chairman
The current chairman called for nominations. No other nominations were presented and Mr. B Brown was duly elected
Pro: Cllr Hutchins Sec: Cllr Woolf
- Election of Vice Chairman
Chairman Mr. Brown called any nominations for vice Chairman. No other nominations presented and Mr. N Sheehan was duly elected
Pro: Cllr Barratt Sec: Cllr Hutchins
- Approval of minutes from 15th April 2021
Comments to note -
The PC offered hire of skip not the allotment holders
S21/501 Planning application should read 2 x silo barns to be converted into 1 Holiday let not 2 as previously stated
Pro: Cllr Woolf Sec: Cllr Hartley
- Matters Arising
Chairman advised that the saplings had been received from the woodland trust and these were kindly being cared for by several Cllr’s until they can be planted in the Autumn. Cllr Brown and Cllr Sheehan volunteered and dug in the kindly donated manure from Cllr Genever in preparation for the saplings. A new wildflower stretch has also been suggested possibly in the Autumn
No update on hedge cutting grievance raised in the meeting of 15th April. The PC will await any further movement.
No update received from SKDC regarding the code of conduct complaint made against the council
Await response from LCC regarding the Greatford road footpath extension
LCC have responded to say there are no current flooding issues regarding Newstead corner. It was noted that this is due to the lack of rainfall in recent weeks
Casewick lane has had only a few repairs made since the last PC meeting. Cllr Trollope Bellew advised that the whole lane should be being repaired.
Three quotes received from local skip hire businesses. The council agreed to hire and order for it to arrive at the allotments for the bank holiday weekend.
Pro: Cllr Woolf Sec: Cllr Hartley
Voted all in favour
Action – Clerk to arrange delivery
Two allotment agreement signatures are still outstanding
Action – Clerk to send second reminder and deadline date end of May
- Internet Banking
The PC discussed a proposal for the clerk and associated bank mandate signatories to investigate business internet banking with Lloyds to enable clearer visibility of finances and possibly to move away from cheque payments and to online payments in the future. The council was all in favour of the move
Pro : Cllr Hutchins Sec : Cllr Sheehan
- Reports from outside Bodies
Report from PCSO R. Everitt
Cllr Rosemary Trollope-Bellew advised this would be her last meeting as county Cllr and would be returning as district councilor. Cllr Trollope- Bellew kindly thanked the Chairman for his dedication over the past year. The Parish Council formally thanked Cllr Trollope- Bellew for all her contribution and help given to the PC
- Declarations
None
- Planning
No comments or objections made
- Correspondence
Note – Member of public joined meeting.
The response to the UVH request for a donation from the PC to purchase further equipment for the play park, in principle, had full support from all Cllr’s. It was discussed at length and several points were raised regarding the amount that had been requested being too high for the PC to contribute. The PC has a duty to maintain and insure all of the green spaces in the village not just the playpark. Any new pieces of equipment at the park would be the PC’s responsibility going forward. The new pieces would have to be carefully considered and it was concluded due to size and any noise disruption to neighboring properties in Lindsey road that a zip wire would not be suitable.
Cllr Brown noted that our funds are public and as the council has been questioned previously regarding spend on charity donations any public spending would have to be very carefully considered. Quotes have been received from one contractor and forwarded onto the council to estimate costs of individual pieces. Further quotes for similar pieces will need to be obtained. The PC were in agreement that three pieces of equipment could be added and a contribution could be made by the council once sufficient quotes have been received and discussed with suppliers. Comprising of a larger slide with possibly a climbing frame attached, an accessible roundabout and a tumble tub
Action – Clerk to obtain further equipment quotes and to seek guidance on VAT re-claim from any purchases made.
Note – Member of public left meeting.
Speed watch correspondence was discussed. Chairman B. Brown re-iterated that the data from the speed watch sign belongs to the PC and that it must be shared, in full raw detail format to other members of the group so that the data can be analysed and used in a more productive way to progress the projects of the group. A separate meeting was not necessary. Deadline set for the data to be sent to group members by Tuesday 11/05/2021
- Annual Audit and Accounts
Chairman asked all Cllr’s if they had seen and read through the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2020/21 and if in agreement. No further comments made. All agreed
Pro: Cllr Barratt Sec: Cllr Hartley
Exemption Certificate - All agreed
Pro: Cllr Hutchins Sec: Cllr Woolf
Annual Governance Statement – Clerk read through all items and all agreed individually
Pro: Cllr Sheehan Sec: Cllr Barratt
Monthly Accounts – Comment regarding final Zoom invoice not yet paid. Clerk to receive invoice and finalise payment in May. All agreed
Pro: Cllr Hutchins Sec: Cllr Hartley
All AGAR documents and relevant reports will be published onto the website and also the annual accounts can be reviewed by appointment with the clerk for the statutory 30 days beginning June 7th 2021
- Any other business
Cllr Woolf explained that despite numerous requests to SKDC regarding a streetlamp on the main road the repairs have still not been carried out. To be reported on Fix my street (again!)
Cllr Hutchins noted that the VAT number for Zoom had changed and now also has a GB VAT number in order for any claims to HMRC to be made
Clerk advised that training has been booked in June to help with the role (cost to clerk not to council)
Legislation has not been extended for virtual meetings and all council meetings must now be held face to face. It was discussed that the next meeting will be held on 24th June and the village hall has been provisionally booked. Communication will continue by email from the clerk to Cllr’s and vice versa
A leaving gift to L Thurston (previous clerk) will be delivered to her home. Possible formal presentation/celebration to be held when government restrictions lifted.
Chairman’s Annual Report – Can be found in full on the Uffington Parish Council website
Meeting closed at 8.45pm
Next meeting to be held on 24th June at 7.30pm in Uffington Village Hall