December 2019 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE WHAPLODE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
WEDNESDAY 11th DECEMBER 2019
AT ST MARYS CHURCH WHAPLODE AT 7.30PM
Present as per register.
Present; County Cllr Pepper, District Cllr Coupland, and the Clerk.
Apologies:
Cllr Clay.
Public Forum:
No comment.
Minutes and Matters arising:
The minutes of the October and November meetings having been previously circulated were agreed by members and signed by the Chairman.
Police matters;
The Clerk advised that there was no report.
Finance Report;
The Clerk reported the following cheques for payment which members agreed,
101954 G Hawkes salary/expenses £ 394.59
101955 HMRC £ 91.60
101956 Marcus Goose £ 360.00 vat £60.00
Balances:
Business Prem £ 85,294
Current a/c £ 15,097
Less cheques £ 845
Balance £ 99,546
The 2020-2021 precept was discussed, members agreed to increase the annual payment to Whaplode Playing field from £1,300 to £1,500 proposed by Cllr barlow and seconded by Cllr Allan Beale. Increase in precept to £14,000 proposed by Cllr Stancer and seconded by Cllr Stimson. Finally grass cutting contract with SHDC was agreed at £3,360.83 proposed by Cllr
Merchant and seconded by Cllr Langstaffe.
Date of next meeting:
The date for the next parish meeting is the 19th February 2020 at Saracens head, finance meeting 15th January.
Planning applications,
The Clerk reported that applications had been dealt with as per annexed.
The Blue Raye application will not be heard at SHDC until the first planning meeting in 2020.
Allotments;
Cllr Barlow reported that he would like to visit Hix & Co for their input on what was an average fair rent for the parish land from October 2020 which members agreed. The Clerk gave an update on those tenants that has indicated their intentions from October 2020.
Cllr Mackman will contact K Grummitt about road planings for the Whaplode Drove allotment roadway.
Star of India footpath:
The Clerk reported that he had written to Mr Sampson advising that the council had received a quote of £600 to restore the fence to within the appropriate boundary – Mr Sampson agreed to pay 50% which members discussed and agreed by proposal from Cllr Merchant and seconded by Cllr Stancer.
Highway matters:
Whaplode village – Cllr Merchant to report that the road bollards need cleaning.
Saracens Head – all issues reported online.
Whaplode St Catherines – no report.
Whaplode Drove – Cllr Mackman reported that some confusing lights had been installed on two gate posts in Broadgate which Cllr Merchant will report to Highways.
Saltney gate – lights at the A17 have not been resolved and members asked the Clerk to contact the MP John Hayes.
Interactive signs: Cllr Barlow will move to Whaplode Drove next week and Drove Cllrs will take on responsibility. A new post is needed at the east end of Whaplode St Catherines on the opposite side of the road.
Whaplode St Catherines playing field:
No report.
Whaplode playing field;
Cllr Merchant reported field is in good order and they now have younger representation on the playing field committee funding is being sought of £10,000 for outdoor gym equipment.
The Elizabethan Centre:
The Clerk now has the information to do an application to the Wind farm and Cllr Mackman will get two further quotes for the work. Members agreed £400 can be spent on gravelling work on the car park.
Whaplode cemetery report by Clerk:
The Clerk reported that he will forward the existing reports to Greenlight Ecology in Lincoln for an opinion on the way forward.
Mr Spenceley is still keen to help and Cllrs Merchant and Stafford will liaise with him.
There is more tree work needed and Cllr Stafford will contact M Goose.
Whaplode St Catherines village hall:
Members agreed to hold over the funding request for roof work until the next meeting.
General correspondence & general business;
None.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20.55