Minutes 11.5.22
MINUTES of the Hougham Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 11th May 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 Dist Cllr P Wood. There were no members of the public present.
01/22. There were no apologies.
02/22. There were no declarations of interest.
03/22. The Minutes of the meeting held on 9th February 2022 had been read and approved and it was unanimously agreed that the Chair should sign them.
04/22. Planning matters:
S22/0042 – 5 holiday pods at former station yard – pending consideration.
S22/0075 – Cornfield Cottage – dormers, extensions and rendering – withdrawn.
S22/0576 – Varying conditions 2 and 3 at Grant Farm Barns – pending consideration.
S22/0602 – extensions and conversion at Millpool Cottage – pending consideration.
05/22. Highways – the drain covers on The Green and on Main Street still need attention – new pins are required. Church Lane and Coach Road have had potholes filled and the roads have been blasted – a big improvement. Main Street has had top dressing carried out. Update required on speed reduction to 40 mph on C001 between railway bridge and Hougham turn.
06/22. Western Power – had sent us a cheque for a new noticeboard – Clerk to order.
07/22 – Defibrillator – It was felt the cost of £54 per person was very expensive. Cllr Jo Wright suggested a parishioner of Hougham may provide the course as they have the relevant expertise. She will enquire and report back.
08/22 – Cllr Wood – Karen Bradford is the new Chief Executive of SKDC and has identified a few problems. Housing wasn’t being maintained and a new program has been set up. There is a new corporate plan. There has been a restructure of senior management which has saved money. They are looking at moving the offices to over the new cinema complex but retaining the Guildhall and other offices that front St Peters Hill – they will then sell existing offices. Two planning officers have left and two have been promoted from within. All Local Authorities are struggling financially.
09/22 Financial matters -
[a] Resolved to sign bank reconciliations at 28.2.22, 31.3.22 and 30.4.22 .
[b] It was resolved to accept an increase of 10% for grass-cutting.
[c] Resolved to pay insurance £201.27.
[d] Resolved to sign AGAR Certificate of Exemption.
[e] Resolved to sign AGAR Annual Governance Statement.
[f] Resolved to sign AGAR Accounting Statement.
10/22 - Correspondence – The Queens Platinum Jubilee preparations are well underway and it has all been self-funded. There will be a hog roast (170 tickets sold), band and childrens’ games, amongst other things.
11/22 . Next meeting will be 27th July 2022 at 7.30 pm.
Meeting closed at 8.10 pm.