January 2024 Minutes
GEDNEY HILL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING held in the Memorial Hall on Monday 15th January 2024
PRESENT
Councillors N Watson (Chair), M Shepherd (Vice-Chair), K James, P Redgate, A Watson.
Also present: Cllr N Pepper, Lincolnshire County Council; Cllr L Eldridge, South Holland District Council and six members of the public.
PUBLIC FORUM
The following matters were raised:
Use of the Parish Pavilion, litter picking sessions, defibrillators, broadband in the parish (Cllr Eldridge noted that Project Gigabit may result in enhanced service in the future), fly-tipping and the condition of a footpath in the neighbouring Parish.
Cllr Eldridge noted that twelve more 30mph speed awareness signs are needed to complete the project, and that she was happy to fund 50% of the cost via her Ward budget. Cllr Shepherd and Cllr Eldridge with the help of Cllr Eldridge’s husband had erected the bulk of the signs on Sunday last – the Chair offered thanks to them all on behalf of the Parish Council and the Parish for their efforts.
Cllr Eldridge reminded everyone of the Devolution Roadshow being held in Spalding on Saturday 20th January.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no apologies.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
3. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING on 20th NOVEMBER 2023
The minutes were approved by acclaim.
4. TO DISCUSS ANY ISSUES RELATING TO THE PARISH PAVILION
a) CCTV
A quotation has been received from our usual contractor for works to the CCTV, two more quotations will be sought, and the matter deferred until those are to hand.
5. TO DISCUSS ANY ISSUES RELATING TO THE PARISH CEMETERY
No issues were raised.
6. PLANNING
a. Current planning applications
There is one current planning application outstanding:
H07-0024-24 5 Hillgate TPO works
Six planning decisions have made since the last meeting:
H07-0977-23 120 North Road Approved
H07-0947-23 Plot 4, Highstock Lane Approved
H07-0924-23 Adj. to 74 North Road Approved
H07-0676-23 6 Station Road Approved
H07-0594-23 32 Hillgate Application refused
H07-0477-22 North View Fishing Lake Application refused
.
7. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE BUDGET FOR 2024/25 AND APPROVE THE PRECEPT FOR THE YEAR
The budget submission was discussed and the required Precept of £17,750 proposed by Cllr Shepherd, Seconded by Cllr A Watson and agreed unanimously.
b) TO NOTE THE YEAR-TO-DATE ACCOUNTS FOR 2023/24
The year -to-date accounts were discussed and agreed by acclaim.
c) TO APPROVE A DIRECT DEBIT TO THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONERS’ OFFICE
It was agreed by acclaim that this document should be signed and submitted.
Transactions since last meeting:
INCOME
Bank Interest £19.65
EXPENDITURE
Electricity £40.00
Speed Awareness Signs £250.00
Handyman £192.77
Domain Name & email £47.52
Bank Service Charge £18.00
8. TO NOTE THE RESIGNATION OF THE CLERK AND DISCUSS THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
It was noted with regret that Tanya White has resigned her position, it was agreed by acclaim to start the recruitment process, advertising locally and via Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils
9. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
Bus Shelters
CCTV
10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
18th March 2024, 6.30pm, Memorial Hall
Meeting closed at 7.10pm
Budget Process 2024 to 2025
Acting RFO report and recommendation
Our Parish is in a period of growth and investment.
For 2024/25 the Council has identified the following items over and above routine expenditure:
• Replace the bench outside the Memorial Hall with a good quality bench to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day – Cllr Eldridge has generously agreed to match-fund this item (cost £2000) meaning a Parish Council budget of £1000.
• The Parish Clock requires quoted repairs in the sum of £800 & £150 – Parish Council budget of £1000.
• Replace the gutters at the pavilion (budget £1000), replace CCTV (budget £1500) total £2500.
• Modest increase of reserves – Parish Council budget of £1110 – to move towards one year’s reserves.
• Staff costs (inflation and possible need to offer higher pay to attract applicants) – additional £1063 budgeted.
The country is in a cost-of-living crisis. However, contractor and salary costs continue to rise, and the Parish Council have a responsibility to provide good quality services. This will inevitably mean an increase in the Council budget and hence the precept.
I have analysed the 2023/24 budget (the current year) and adjusted each budget category to reflect the actual spend during the year, before adding any expected increases for next year. (By their nature a number of these increases must be estimates).
The 2023/24 precept was set at £11,877 – with the Parish share for each Band D property of £44.48 (£0.86 weekly).
This proposal requires a precept of £17,750. The tax base for this year is 280, which produces a Band D figure of £63.39 (£1.22 weekly). The increase in cash terms is £18.91 for the year (36p per week more).
At the year-end 2023/24 the Council will hold £10,000 in reserves.
I believe this budget proposal is ambitious, but prudent and achievable, the budget schedule is attached.
The budget was agreed in principle by Cllrs James, Shepherd, Watson and Watson on 7th December 2023, the only change since that meeting is an additional £1500 budget for the CCTV replacement. This should mean the budget can be agreed as written at Monday’s meeting.
Neil Watson
Acting Clerk & RFO
Gedney Hill Parish Council
January 2024