November 2023 Minutes
MINUTES OF WHAPLODE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT
WHAPLODE DROVE CHURCH ROOM
ON WEDNESDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 2023
Present;
Cllrs Morris Stancer, Richard Barlow, Allan Beal, Sue Coleman, Bob Merchant, County Cllr Pepper and the Clerk.
Apologies:
Cllr Langstaff.
Public Forum:
No public members present.
Co-option:
On the proposition of Cllr Stancer and agreed by all Stephen Mackman was co-opted onto the parish council.
Minutes and Matters arising:
On the proposition of Cllr Merchant seconded by Cllr Coleman, the minutes of the full council meeting in September and Finance meeting in October having been previously circulated were signed by the Chairman, as a true record. The Clerk confirmed that the insurance claim for the damaged Whaplode village sign had been settled.
Police matters:
No report.
Finance Report;
The Clerk reported the following cheques for payment which members agreed,
G Hawkes salary £ 499.90
HMRC £ 120.20
PKF Audit £ 252.00 vat £42.00
RBL Poppy appeal £ 27.50
Holbeach Parish Council £ 50.00
Millgate Garden Maintenance £ 708.00vat £118.00
Balances: Business Prem £ 52,735
Current a/c £ 21,959
Less cheques £ 1,758
Balance £ 72,336
Precept 2024-2025:
The Clerk had circulated the estimated budget figures before the meeting, on the proposition of Cllr Barlow, seconded by Cllr Beal, it was agreed by members to increase the precept to £15,250.
Date of next meeting:
There will be a Finance meeting on 6th December, meeting dates for 2024 were agreed and will be circulated by the Clerk
Planning applications,
The Clerk reported that applications had been dealt with as per annexed and circulated to members.
Allotments;
Hix & Son had been instructed regarding letting the late Cllr Stimson land.
Cllr Mackman requested a list of the current garden allotment tenants at Whaplode Drove.
Members agreed to add the SV Wright tenanted land to the tenancy agreement for M Grummitt, the Clerk will action with Hix & Co.
Whaplode cemetery:
Cllr Beal has arranged for tree reports from Goose and Sterma and will organize a third report, a number of the ageing conifer trees will need to be removed and ivy cleared from those that remain.
Cllr Merchant will arrange for the pest controller to treat the mole problem.
The Clerk will circulate the proposed tender for grass cutting before sending out for quotations.
St Marys cemetery budget:
Following emails and receipt of figures the Clerk will seek a meeting.
Highway matters:
Whaplode St Catherines – no report
Saracens Head – no report.
Whaplode – Cllr Beal reported that the drains were being flushed through more regularly to reduce the risk of flooding.
Whaplode Drove – no new issues Cllr Mackman reported no progress on a number of old issues.
Whaplode Playing Field:
Cllr Merchant reported that it was being well managed, some tree work will need to be undertaken.
Whaplode Drove Community centre lease agreement:
The Clerk is liaising with Mossop & Bowser.
Whaplode bridleway:
The Clerk will write to Mossop & Bowser for guidance.
Parish estate and land responsibility:
The Clerk will prepare a spreadsheet and liaise with Cllr Merchant.
The Clerk will contact the insurance company about Mr Hooper offering to cut the grass in Whaplode village.
Correpondence/AOB:
The Clerk reported that with the help of Cllr Merchant he will set up a spreadsheet detailing all the parish grass cutting areas noting who is the responsible body for cutting. This can then be updated as necessary.
The meeting closed at 20.50pm