2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Denton Parish Council

All Parish Councillors were summoned to attend a Parish Council Meeting

Monday 15 November 2021 at 19:30 (7:30pm)

Denton Village Hall

COVID - 19

In accordance with the Government road map for easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the Parish Council Meeting was held in accordance with those confirmed on the 19 July 2021.

While there were no restrictions on numbers attending, the Parish Council asked those present continue to abide with the recommended safeguards and social distancing.

Minutes

Serial                           Discussion/Resolution

1          Welcome Address – Council Chair.

Cllr Sue Bellamy welcomed those present and opened the meeting.

2          In Attendance.

For Parish Council: Cllr S. Bellamy (Chair), Cllr R. Leadenham, Cllr P.Gibbins, Mr J. McCloskey (Clerk), Ms J. Newman (Community Cleaner).

Public: Four Members of the public were present.

3          Resolution to Accept Parish Councillor Apologies.

Apologies received from Cllr V. Aldred were accepted and noted.

4          Resolution to approve minutes of Parish Council meeting Monday 18 October 2021.

Resolution Passed, minutes accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

5          Resolution to Note Parish Council Declarations Of Pecuniary Interest.

None declared.

6          Public Forum.

a. Clare Fretwell of Café Alez based at Belvoir Castle (car park) outlined plans to advertise their services by visiting the local communities with their mobile café “Henri”.

They would provide free samples of their range, with any money taken being donated to the village and would like, with the agreement of the Parish Council to arrange a day/date to visit Denton with Henri.

Resolution:

The Parish Council voted in favour of this and thought it would be useful to combine the visit with a presentation of the options for the playground renovation.

A possible date in January was proposed and the playground off Hungate Road the venue to allow the village to see the options for the playground and to sample the products available from Café Alez.

It was agreed to remain in touch with Café Alez and agree a provisional date.

Parish Clerk to include item in the next edition of the newsletter and to look at potential dates.

b. Jeremy Turner of the Denton Village Hall committee briefed the Parish Council on the current situation regarding the village hall finances and support.

COVID 19 has stopped the Annual Street Market which was the Village Hall’s main financial contributor each year. Restrictions also forced the hall to close which has meant it has been surviving on its reserves alone ever since.

Realistically, approx. only 6 months of funds remain. 

They urgently need: Public Donations, Regular usage of the space and New ideas to help generate revenue.

In addition new committee members are urgently required to fill the vacancies of:            Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Bookings Secretary

The Parish Council agreed that urgent action was required and suggested an Extraordinary General Meeting of the three remaining members of the committee be held as soon as practical to bring the matter to the attention of the community.

The council agreed to assist where possible, with suggestions for use being put forward, but any decisions regarding the future could only be determined by a Village Hall Committee.

Resolution: Due to the immediate shortage of village hall funds, The Parish Council agreed to support the cost of producing a flyer for distribution to the village to highlight the issue and advertise an EGM.

Draft copy to be forwarded to the Parish Clerk who would arrange for printing of 130 copies at a cost of £30.

7          Parish Clerk.

a. Village Hall Grass.

Further complaints and comments had been received regarding the grassed area to the rear of the village hall.

The Village Hall representative present advised that the grass was being left to allow it to become a meadow sown with wild flowers.

The Parish Council doubted that merely now cutting the grass was sufficient and that proper cultivation and sowing of wild grass and flower seed was required.

Resolution: In the absence of a full Village Hall committee and lack of funds any decision on grass cutting and the provision of a wild meadow would remain open, however in the interest of the village and complaints regarding grass encroaching on adjoining properties, the Parish Council may consider taking the necessary action to reduce the length of grass.

b. Parish Council Vacancies.

The Parish Clerk advised the council that no requests had been received by SKDC Electoral Services for an election to fill the vacancy resulting from the resignation of Cllr Martin Crush and that the co-option process may begin.

We currently have three vacancies on the council and have one interested party. This will be followed up for co-option at the next Parish Council Meeting on the 13 December 2021.

8         Parish Council: Update and Discussion.

a. Lone Worker Policy.

Ongoing. Review of policy for adoption at the PCM of the 13 December 2021.

b. First Aid Kits.

Ongoing. Review options at the PCM of the 13 December 2021.

c. Village Christmas Tree: Denton School decorating. Power for lights.

Ongoing. Clerk to contact school regarding decoration. Western Power and owner of Denton Lodge regarding availability of power supply to tree lights.

f. Village Hall.

Ongoing: See public forum item b.

g. Tile Project.

Ongoing. Cllr Bellamy to follow up with school and tile company to finalise design and production.

h. Play Area.

Ongoing. Cllr Gibbins advised of five quotes obtained. Playdale want to revisit and revise quote.

Clerk to follow up SKDC Mel Cummings regarding transfer of asset.

i. Council representative - Denton Charities Committee.

Due to vacancies on the Parish Council, work and other commitments of council members, there were no volunteers to take up the charities committee vacancy at this time.

Resolution: Clerk to inform secretary of the charities committee accordingly.

9         Finance.

a. Accounts Reconciliation. Resolutions to approve accounts for period:

RFO Report FY 2021 – 2022 . AP07

Accounts Reconciliation for: FY 2021/22 Period: AP07- 1 to 31 Oct 2021

Period Transaction Record

Resolution: Accounts correct and all transactions properly approved and authorised.

b. Review Precept for FY 2022-23

Options for setting of precept for the Financial Year 2022-23 reviewed and agreed in line with proposed budget for income and expenditure.

Options were:

1. No increase, precept to remain at £5600 representative 1.4% increase in Band D

(A fourth year of no increase to precept)

2. £5700 representative £100 or 3.2% increase in Band D.

3. £5800 representative £200 or 5.0% increase in Band D.

4. £5900 representative £300 or 6.9% increase in Band D.

Discussion: With regards to increase in costs generally and proposed projects for the forthcoming year, and that there had been no increase for the previous three years it was felt that a small increase was advisable.

Resolution: Option 3 agreed. Clerk to submit request to SKDC for precept of £5800.

Note: The discussion on setting the precept was interrupted by a member of the public querying the raise and if this would allow payment of a churchyard maintenance grant to the church.

The individual was informed that this matter had been dealt with at a previous council meeting and the matter was now considered closed with no change to the decision made at the time. (PCM Minutes 10 May 2021 item 10.b refers).

c. Transfer of Bank account.

Following the decision by Virgin Money to close many of its branches, including Grantham, the Clerk/RFO was requested to look at alternative banking arrangements and Nat West was seen to provide the required services with a Grantham branch.

Resolution: It was agreed to transfer account to Nat West and Clerk/RFO to take the appropriate action.

10        Planning Applications.

a. Review Applications Received for Parish Council Representation.

Prior to the meeting a Planning Application in respect of a listed property owned by Sir Bruno Welby had been received but due to timing was not available for the meeting.

Resolution: Clerk to confirm application for review by the Council.

b. Review of Decision Notices Received.

S21/1997. Mr Jen Mace

Proposal: G1 - Lavreis: Reduction in height by 50%. T1 - sycamore: fell to

ground level. T3 - ash: Remove no 1 lower limb on north side. T4 -

silver birch: Poor specimen, leaning. Remove to ground level. T2 -

sycamore: Remove no 2 lower limbs on north side.

Location: Church Trees 109 Church Street

Decision/Date: Work Allowed 9th November 2021

S21/1882. Mr David Roscoe

Proposal: T1. Willow. Remove, T2. Rowan. Remove

Location: Long Meadow House 148 Main Street.

Decision/Date: Work Allowed 10th November 2021.

Resolution: All noted, no further action required.

11        New Business for Next Meeting:

a. Defibrilator training.

b. Review outcome of Village Hall EGM

c. Establishment of Village Community Group (as separate from the Parish Council)

12          Meeting Close and Next Meeting.

a. Cllr Bellamy thanked all those present and closed the meeting at 21:15.

b. Next meeting: Monday 13 December 2021 @ 19:30, Denton Village Hall.

             J.McCloskey

Parish Clerk

E-mail: dentonparishclerk@gmail.com

Members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting subject to compliance with any COVID 19 requirements.