2017 Parish Council Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Edenham Parish Council Meeting Held in Edenham Village Hall on 12th September 2017 @ 7:30 pm

Present - Councillors: Mrs Cranfield , Mrs Whadcock, Mr Biggs, Mr Martin, Councillor Robins(SKDC), Councillor Hill (LCC), Mr L Clayton(secretary)

Apologies - Councillors: Mrs Edwards, Mrs Schwarz. Mr Wilson

1. Open Forum.

Chairman welcomed Councillor Robins (SKDC) who gave the meeting a brief on progress on various projects underway at SKDC, these included; the Big Clean (teams in Edenham/Grimsthorpe next week), Business Rate support scheme(£200k allocated - £130k to be processed), Community Fund (funds still available) Improvements to SKDC helpdesk call centre, Forthcoming 'Georgian Festival' in Stamford, progress on reviving town street markets and reviewing car parking (control of long term parking in South Street, Bourne).

Councillor Hill (LCC) briefed the meeting on Lincolnshire Hospital service's plans to re-open A&E at Grantham Hospital on a 24/7 basis but due to difficulties in recruiting staff in the area it may have to adopt a limited evening service. Staff recruiting issues are also proving challenging across all the areas hospitals. The issue of central government funding to rural councils like Lincolnshire, who are disadvantaged under the formula used for setting funding) is to be the topic of a campaign to have the system made fairer. Parish Councils will be consulted for their views and are encouraged to support County fully. Chairman thanked Councillor Robins and Hill for their attendance and input, closed the Open Forum and opened the Parish Council Meeting.

2. Parish Council Meeting

3. Minutes of last meeting: Read. Councillor Whadcock proposed, seconded Councillor Martin, that the minutes be signed as a true record. Agreed.

4. Requests for Dispensations: None requested

5. Declarations of Interest: None requested

6. Update from Previous Meeting:

i. Play Area - Councillor Whadcock reported that some post concrete supports are now exposed. See item 9.

ii. Street Cleaning - Ongoing

7. Financial Matters

i. Annual External Audit Report received - fully satisfactory - Copy on Parish website.

ii. Cheques signed for Clerk's wage - 2nd Qtr 2017/18 a. Post Office Ltd - HMRC PAYE , £71.00p b. Mr LA Clayton - Wage Admin/Street Cleaning, £283.71p.

iii. Annual Maintenance Grants. Secretary presented bank balances and budgeted expenditure. After discussion on these and especially the play area maintenance planned, it was proposed by Councillor Cranfield, seconded Cuncillor Biggs, that the maintenance grants for the EPCC (Churchyard) and Edenham Village Hall/Playing Field should be set the same as last year at £300 and £450 respectively. Agreed. Cheques signed.

8. Speed Warning Signs:

Secretary reported that LRSP could offer no financial help towards the purchase of the interactive signs due to budget constraints. However, they did pass on information on a similar project undertaken by Sutton St James Parish Council who had gained funding via the 'Awards for All' Scheme. It was agreed that the secretary should progress an application after obtaining an updated quote from LRSP for 1 sign, 3 mounting brackets and site surveys for 3 locations.

9. Children's Play Area:

Councillor Biggs reported; Initial contact made with SKDC Community Fund staff - funds available but deadline for applications is 29th September. Councillor Biggs to acquire a 3rd quotation for the work, and along with secretary progress an application to meet above deadline.

10. Xmas Tree/Lights:

Following the success of the Parish Xmas Tree and Carol singing last Xmas it was agreed that the project be repeated this Xmas. The event to take place on Tuesday the 12th December at 7:00pm in the field between the church and Ford Cottage. Councillor Biggs agreed to contact Grimsthorpe Estate about the provision of a tree and Councillor Cranfield will liaise about its installation.

11. Correspondence:

Various correspondences were studied. Secretary to reply as required.

12. Other Business:

Councillor Martin reported; local farmer Mr Desmond Bradley had offered to pay to have the Village Signs updated. The council welcomed this generous offer. Councillor Biggs agreed to acquire a digital copy of the Ancaster Coat of Arms to pass on to Mr Bradley.

13. Next Meeting:

The next meeting of the Edenham Parish Council will take place on Tuesday, 14th November 2017 in Edenham Village Hall commencing at 7:30pm. Charity Trustees meeting to follow.

With there being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9:10pm.