Minutes 13th May 2020
Minutes of the
Irnham Parish Council Meeting
Held as a Zoom Meeting on Wednesday 13 May 2020 at 7pm
Present: Cllrs Amanda Ayre, Jon Crook, Jenny Crow, Lynda Hall, Trevor Vanson.
Also in attendance: Cllr Nick Robins
Parish Council Clerk: Jenny Crow
1. Apologies for absence
a. PCSO Stuart Bowden
No members of the public had requested to join the meeting.
2. Members declaration of interest or request for dispensation
a. None declared.
3. Minutes of meeting 26/02/20
a. Read and accepted as correct record.
4. Matters arising
a. This meeting replaces the scheduled Annual Parish Council Meeting which has been postponed until May 2021 in line with Government emergency legislation during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Annual Parish Meeting has also been postponed.
5. Accounts
a. The accounts for 2019/20 have been closed and checked by the internal auditor. Papers had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting.
b. Councillors approved the Certificate of Exemption, proposed by Cllr Ayre, seconded by Cllr Crook and carried unanimously.
c. Councillors approved the Annual Governance Statement 2019/20. Proposed by Cllr Hall, seconded by Cllr Ayre and carried unanimously.
d. Councillors approved the Annual Accounting Statement 2019/20. Proposed by Cllr Hall, seconded by Cllr Crook and carried unanimously.
e. Councillors agreed the period for the exercise of Public Rights to view the accounts should be during the period Monday 15th June to Friday 24th July.
f. Income into the accounts for 19/20, since the previous meeting, has been notification of interest on the Defibrillator Account amounting to £0.22.
g. Councillors agreed a payment from 19/20 defibrillator accounts of £291.60 to Stryker UK for replacement Defibrillator Child pads.
h. Income into the 2020/21 accounts has been the precept of £1600 and interest on the Defibrillator Account of £0.24. Councillors approved two cheques for payment: £72.58 LALC Subscription and £261.51 Insurance Premium. The balance of the Current Account is £2883.31, Defibrillator Account £5494.43.
i. Councillors approved the purchase of new Adult Defibrillator pads in June when the current ones expire.
6. County council /district council matters
a. Cllr Robins gave an update on the Coronavirus situation in Lincolnshire as of Tuesday 12th May. 916 people have had Covid 19 confirmed and sadly 121 of those have died. In Care Homes in Lincolnshire 88 people have been confirmed with the virus with a loss of 54 lives. Cllrs were saddened to learn of these details and reminded that we must continue to observe Government guidance as the virus is in the county. The Community Hub has been busy signposting to relevant support during the pandemic. The contact number is 01476 406177 or skcommunityhub@southkesteven.gov.uk. There is a mobile testing facility at the Meres, Grantham open Thursday to Sunday.
b. Bin collections have continued throughout the pandemic with approximately 80,000 bins emptied per week and the target to increase the number of green bins collected in 2020 has almost been met.
c. SKDC, through InvestSK, has helped 686 businesses secure Government Grants totalling £27 million.
d. Cllr Robins confirmed the CiCLE event will not go ahead.
e. Cllr Robins to check whether Best Kept Village Competition will take place this year.
f. Cllrs expressed thanks to LCC and SKDC for their support during the Coronavirus pandemic.
g. Cllrs also expressed thanks to LALC for their updates and Zoom training.
7. Planning applications
a. Planning Application S20/0181 for new dwelling at Southwood Farm, Irnham (variation to S18/0069) still awaiting decision by SKDC. Cllr Robins to follow up.
b. Planning Application S20/0343 for modifications of an existing consent, already commenced, and minor alterations to Newton House, Irnham supported by Councillors and approved by SKDC.
c. Planning Application S20/0413 for alterations at The Old Post Office, Irnham supported by Councillors and approved by SKDC.
8. Update on highways issues within the parish
a. Cllr Ayre was very concerned to read that cases relating to potholes she had reported at Elsthorpe had been closed when the work had not been completed. She has now been informed that the work has been reallocated new job numbers and is scheduled for completion by 29th May.
b. Cllr Ayre has also reported that the edge of the road, up the hill, from Bulby towards Marwood Farm has also sunk making very deep trenches with sharp edges along the tarmac.
c. Cllr Ayre has also reported numerous potholes from Cornbecks Farm to the Irnham turn.
d. It was also noted that there is a very large hole in a gateway between Bulby Hall and the Stainfield turn. This could cause considerable damage if a vehicle had to pull off into it.
e. Cllrs were concerned at the state of the roads for cyclists, particularly at this time as there is increased use of the roads in our Parish by cyclists. Clerk to inform Cllr Hill of the concerns.
f. Speed Indicator Device remains in position until it is safe for Cllrs to work on removing it and relocating.
g. Cllr Ayre reported concern about a ditch close to the west verge of Swinstead Road to LCC Highways. Highways have confirmed the work on the ditch can be carried out by the Estate.
h. Blocked Culvert on Corby Road reported to LCC Highways but the response says it is not their responsibility.
i. Cllr Ayre to follow up the reported open drain on the verge of the Hawthorpe Road near the bridge.
j. Cllr Crow to follow up with BT concern about the possibility of further damage to overhead broadband cables along Corby Road.
9. Parish council plans for 2020/21
a. Cllrs agreed the Draft Budget and also approved £300 for additional grass mowing in Irnham.
b. Main priority this year is to try to improve the entrances to the villages with gateways. Cllrs Hall and Crook to research this for Irnham, in the first instance.
c. Cllrs agreed they would like to go ahead with a Christmas event if possible.
10. Support during coronavirus pandemic
a. Thanks to Tom Bagge and Cllr Crook for setting up the WhatsApp group and all the volunteers.
b. Cllr Ayre would like to see the Church opened as soon as possible.
11. Correspondence
a. Update from PCSO Bowden circulated to Cllrs.
b. Horse and Rider awareness meeting at Kirkby Underwood postponed.
c. Parish Council Summit with Gareth Davies MP on Friday 20th March in Grantham postponed.
12. Irnham parochial church council matters for the parish
a. Cllr Ayre had nothing to report as meetings have been postponed.
13. Any other business
a. None.
14. Date of next meeting
a. Next Parish Council Meeting, Wednesday 5 August 2020, 7pm. Venue/virtual meeting to be agreed nearer the time.
Meeting ended at 7.40pm.