October 2023 Minutes
FREISTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE DANNY FLEAR COMMUNITY CENTRE ON Thursday 19th October at 7:30pm
Minutes taken by The Clerk: Val Austin
(These minutes will be checked at the next meeting before the council amends/approves them as a correct record)
PRESENT
Councillors: Cllr Nigel Marshall (Chair), Cllr Bridgett Posey, Cllr Peter Bedford, Cllr Shaun Pearson, Cllr Roy Pearson, Cllr Amy Marshall, Cllr Tony Wheeler, Cllr Judith Godwin and The Clerk Val Austin.
Also Present:
Lincolnshire County Councillor: Paul Skinner (arrived towards the end of the meeting)
The meeting was called to order at 19:29pm
1. Chairman to open the meeting: Hello & Welcome.
2. Apologises: To receive and accept apologises where a valid reason for the absence has been given to the clerk prior to the meeting.
• Cllr Simon Pearson – No apologises received.
3. Public Forum: No members of the public were present
4. Police Matters: Stats and incidents are available to view on the police website. Local Crime information website www.streetcheck.co.uk.
• August 23 - Violence & Sexual Offences – On or near Park Lane – Unable to prosecute.
5. Minutes: To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 21st September 2023. To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
• All councillors resolved for the chairman Cllr Nigel Marshall to sign the minutes.
6. Declarations of interest (if any): To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests
• No declarations received
7. Planning update: Town and Country Planning Act 1990 - To consider and make observations on all planning applications received and to note planning approvals, refusals, enforcement complaints and appeal decisions advised by Boston Borough Council.
No planning applications received.
To Note: - B/23/0219 – Former Village Hall withdrawal of plans
Cllr Peter Bedford enquired to the reasons why and was advised due to the flood risk and standard floor level, and the cost of work, the plans have been withdrawn. No further application has been submitted
For Information only
St James Church Clock has been repaired and repainted, details are in the December newsletter.
The Harvest Sale, at the Kings Head, raised £927.30, details in December newsletter and a thank you was posted on Freiston Facebook page.
Please note: The numbering of the items on the agenda were incorrect, (item 7 used twice) this has been corrected on the minutes.
8. Parish Matters / Matters Arising / Updates
8.1 Street Lights – Ongoing.
• Received a list of outstanding lights that have not been completed, have replied to BBC with confirmation to go ahead with the completion of the works.
8.2 Highway & Roads – Update
• Cllr Shaun Pearson, has installed the new defibrillator signs to the lamppost. Thank you.
8.3 Change of Email – Update – Completed:
• The clerk gave each councillor their new email address, and instructions on how to set up, either on their phones or via the web. (This item has now been resolved)
8.4 Levelling up fund - Update: Ongoing. Should hear by end of October.
8.5 Newsletter: To discuss and resolve
• To revisit the cost of advertising in the newsletter, should the newsletter have advertising? - To add to the next agenda for discussion.
• Received a quote from a new printing company, £105.00 for an 8-page newsletter, with a free advert in the newsletter. – All councillors agreed to the new printers and costs.
• Are there any changes to the newsletter – Cllr B Posey suggested a change, the clerk to action and re-submit to the councillors for approval.
• Date for newsletter to be distributed. – Councillors advised distribution by the 1st December 2023.
8.6 Christmas in Freiston – To discuss and resolve
• The clerk has contacted T A Blackamore for a quote on a Christmas Tree. – Cllr Nigel Marshall to speak to T A Blackamore regarding the tree. Update at next meeting.
• Could a local business donate a Christmas Tree? – Not discussed.
• Would local businesses donate, in exchange for advertising in the newsletter? – Not discussed.
• Battery powered Christmas tree lights; B&Q 1000 LED 100m Multifunction battery operated with Timer warm white £23.99
Or Amazon 300 LED, 40m warm white £20.69 – Councillors agreed to the battery powered outdoor lights, the clerk to purchase from B&Q.
• Prizes for the winners of Let’s light up Freiston, ask local companies for donations. – Not discussed.
• Parish council to purchase medal / trophy (see below pictures) with a high street voucher or bottle of wine, bunch of flowers, or a free drink in the local pub. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes – Councillors decided against medals and trophies, and Cllr Bridgett Posey to purchase on behalf of the parish council, Biscuits / treats.
9. Finance:
9.1 Bank Account: Statement of accounts as at 19th October 2023
• Treasurers Account Balance - £6,267.91
• Business Bank Instant Balance - £82,740.07
9.2 To approve the accounts for payments
• Payments due October - £685.00
• Payments made Sept / Oct - £2,562.00
• Receipts received Oct - £16,361.53
9.3 Information sent to councillors on the Lloyds Bank savings account.
• All councillors agreed for £30k to be transferred into a fixed (6 mth) term, high interest account. The clerk to action.
9.4 - Draft budget
• All councillors have had a copy of the draft budget, Councillors agreed to carry this item to the next meeting.
10.Date of next parish council meeting: Thursday 16th November 2023 at 7:30pm
11.Any other business by leave of the chairman: For November 16th 2023 Agenda.
• Cllr Judith Godwin, spoke about the Big Borough Clean up, with information for the 29th October 2023, meeting at Danny Flear Community Centre, and details of covering what areas.
With no other business the meeting closed at 20:20pm