MINUTES OF THE LOWER WINTERBORNE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 15th NOVEMBER 2022, COMMENCING 7PM, AT WINTERBORNE KINGSTON VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs D Knapp, H Andrews, L Luxford, M Meaden, B Newman, R Allcock, R Sorrell
Chair: Cllr R Jessopp
Clerk: Mrs Amanda Crocker
Also present: 3 members of public and Dorset Cllr Emma Parker
Public Participation
Thank you to the Parish Council for closing the road for the Remembrance Service on Sunday, it made all the difference. There were 83 people in attendance.
1 Declaration of Interest and requests for dispensations
23.112 No interests were declared, and no dispensations had been requested.
2 Apologies
23.113 Apologies had been received from Cllr Richard Brock and Keith Langdown.
3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 18th October 2022
23.114 A copy of the minutes had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting. Cllr Knapp proposed them to be a true and accurate representation of the meeting. This was seconded by Cllr Meaden and agreed unanimously. The Chair signed the minutes in the presence of the meeting.
4 Matters arising from those minutes for report only
23.115 Noah Henville Corner – this will be moved to the next meeting. However, Cllr Parker has raised this with Highways and will be getting an officer out to look at the site.
5 Dorset Councillors’ Reports
23.116 Cllr Parker reported that it is now possible to apply for the 20mph zones. There will be Q&A sessions held by Dorset Councillors on Facebook. The next one will be about budgets.
Cllr Newman asked if it would be possible for some of the Dorset Council information to be put out via means other than Facebook in order for those not on social media to be made aware of it. Unfortunately, social media now seems to be the main form for disseminating information.
6. Finance
23.117 To note the National Pay Award for Clerks giving a £1 an hour increase, back dated to 1st April 2022
23.118 To confirm payment of accounts
The following payments had been requested:
H Andrews – Cable ties for lamppost poppies – BACS078 – 5.95
Rejuvenate – Email hosting November 2022 – BACS079 – 13.56
R Jessopp – Batteries for defibrillator – BACS080 – 280.74
BT – Hub alarm November 2022 – BACS081 – 40.67
DWP – Waste collection October 2022 – BACS082 – 13.68
HMRC – PAYE contributions November 2022 – BACS083 – 65.04
DC Pension Fund- Pension contributions November 2022 – BACS084 – 214.50
A Crocker- November 2022 wages – BACS085 – 743.25
Can I Cut It- Grounds maintenance November 2022 – BACS086 – 1190.00
Can I Cut It – Repairs to Hub steps – BACS087 – 125.50
The total amount requested from the Precept for the month of November is £2,692.89.
Cllr Sorrell proposed the payments are made. This was seconded by Cllr Meadon and agreed unanimously.
23.119 To confirm the reconciliation of accounts and position against budget
A copy of both reports had been issued to members prior to the start of the meeting. No comments were made, or queries raised. The £96 from the St John’s Ambulance was repaid and should be offset against income received. The position against budget report has been amended accordingly.
23.120 To arrange a meeting date for the Finance Working Party to produce the draft budget for 2023/24
Cllrs Allcock and Sorrell are on the working party, together with the Clerk. Cllr Meaden will also join the Working Party.
7. To receive the following reports
23.121 Speed Watch – Cllr Andrews’ report had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting.
23.122 Hub – Cllr Luxford thanked Colin Pitman for fixing the steps.
23.123 Flood Watch – Nothing to report.
23.124 Play Area and Recreation Ground – The see saw has now been installed.
8. Planning Applications
23.125 To consider planning applications received
9. Items for action and resolution
23.126 To consider the insurance renewal for either 1 or 3 years
Whilst a 5% discount has traditionally been offered to clients taking a long-term agreement option, this is no longer the case as insurers are no longer willing to offer this discount. Instead, fixed rate agreements are utilised, providing no discount but a fixed rate throughout the duration of the agreements.
Cllr Knapp proposed we stay with the three-year long-term agreement. This was seconded by Cllr Meaden and agreed unanimously.
23.127 To accept the Standing Orders
Cllr Sorrell proposed the Standing Orders are accepted. This was seconded by Cllr Luxford and agreed unanimously.
23.128 To consider the next step for the Neighbourhood Plan
As Cllr Brock was unable to attend the meeting, this item will be held over to the next meeting in January.
10. Parish Councillors’ reports not covered by item 7
23.129 Cllr Andrews asked if the tree in Bag Wood Lane has been removed. Cllr Jessopp will check.
Cllr Jessopp reported he has obtained one quote for repairs to the bus shelter.
Clerk’s position – Cllr Jessopp informed the meeting that this will be Amanda’s last parish council meeting. The post has been advertised and interviews were conducted on the 14th November. There is a preferred candidate who will be contacted and, assuming they accept, members will be emailed with full details. It is proposed that for December we will employ two clerks, this is in order to offer a full handover and undertake the budget review.
Thanks are extended to Amanda for staying for the extra two years following her move out of the area and for her help over the last seven years.
11. To consider possible events for the Coronation of King Charles III on 6th May 2023
23.130 Cllr Jessopp reported that there has yet to be a public meeting.
12, Correspondence receive since the agenda was set
23.131 Nothing received.
13. Items for the January agenda
– Budgets
– Neighbourhood Plan
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19.24pm