Minutes 9.2.22
NOTES of the Hougham Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 9th November 2022 at 7.30 pm in Hougham and Marston Village Hall.
Present: Cllr John Wright (in the Chair), Cllrs Chalklin, Forbes, McAllister and Jo Wright; also Cty Cllr A Maughan and Dist Cllr P Wood. There were no members of the public present.
38/21. There were no apologies.
39/21. There were no declarations of interest.
40/21. The Minutes of the meeting held on 17th November 2021 had been read and approved and it was unanimously agreed that the Chair should sign them.
41/21. Planning matters:
S21/2177 – extension/swimming pool at Chapel Farm Barn – approved.
S22/0075 – Cornfield Cottage – dormers, extensions and rendering – pending consideration.
42/21. Highways – the drain covers on The Green and on Main Street still need attention – new pins are required – Cllr Maughan is meeting with Rowan Smith on 21st February and will raise this issue again. Cllr Maughan will get an update regarding a speed reduction to 40 mph from railway bridge to Marston village entry, same as the C001 at Brandon, with any other measures they think fit. Re-surfacing Church Lane/Coach Road will not happen for a long time. However, Cllr Maughan will chase getting some potholes filled. Street lights A5 and 11 have been repaired.
43/21. Western Power - works on The Green – works are taking place currently. During the course of the works the noticeboard has been hit from underneath (probably the digger bucket as the trench they have dug is very close to the noticeboard). Clerk is in touch with Western Power’s office concerning recompense. If they do not offer to pay for a new noticeboard, then it was agreed we will not go through Insurers but will pay for a new noticeboard ourselves. Clerk will keep chasing WP.
44/21 – Defibrillator - VETS scheme through CHT depends on ambulance service activation. We need training for CPR through LIVES for a certificated course. Agreed this could be done, with Marston’s involvement as well, and Cllr Chalklin will investigate. Costs to be advised.
45/21 – Cllr Maughan reported that the coffee shop at A1/Toll Bar Road is not going ahead and so the closure of the crossover on the A1 is not likely to happen. National Highways may do some signage on the southbound carriageway at Toll Bar Road. Our MP and Cllr Maughan are still pushing this forward. Levelling up involves a bidding regime and proposals are being developed – we need money locally. The Government has cut £12,000,000 of Highways money and to recoup this LCC are using part funds from reserves and part from a 5% Council Tax increase (about £6 per month for a Band D property).
Cllr Wood – SKDC Council Tax will increase by about £5 for a Band D property. They have saved money by reducing staff, but they are taking some money out of reserves to retain standards. Two Chief Planning Officers are leaving but they will be replaced.
46/21 Financial matters -
Resolved to pay LALC subscription of £73.08. Resolved to sign bank reconciliations at 30.11.21, 31.12.21 and 31.1.22. Mid-year internal audit had been carried out at a cost of £50 – balance of £30 will be due after the external audit AGAR has been completed.
47/21 Correspondence – there was none. Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations will take place on 5th June and a number of events are taking place to raise money.
The litter pick will take place on 20th March.
48/21. Next meeting will be on 11th May at 7 pm and this will be the Annual Parish Meeting, the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council, and a regular meeting.
Meeting closed at 8.15 pm.