March 2021 Draft Notes
A meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of Heighington Parish Council was held on Monday 1st March 2021 by video conferencing and commenced at 19.30. There were three members of the public in attendance.
Present Cllr A. Buckley-Jones
Cllr S. Sockell
Cllr I. Nicklin
Cllr I. George
Cllr J. Rushby
Co-Clerk Finance J. James
Co-Clerk Operations E. Salter
Administration Assistant B. Inman
Public Participation.
There were three members of the public present.
Mr Ashley Camm from Starboard Systems Ltd gave a presentation regarding the booking/invoicing system in the Scribe accounts. The Chair thanked him for his time and confirmed that further discussions regarding the system would take place.
34/R/20 Apologies for absence, Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations.
There were no Declarations of Interest. There were no requests for Dispensations.
35/R/20 To approve the Clerk’s notes as minutes from the last meeting of the committee.
It was resolved that the Clerks notes from the Policy and Resources Committee Meeting of the 7th December 2020 be approved.
Planning Matters and Tree Works.
Tree work applications for Members consultative comments (taking into account of any correspondence received from local residents).
36/R/20 21/0252/tCA 39 High Street, Heighington, Lincoln LN4 1JS. T1 Beech – Fell. It was resolved to leave the matter to the Tree Protection Officers discretion.
Tree work Decision Notices received from North Kesteven District Council.
37/R/20 21/0078/TCA Hall Barn, 33 Back Lane, Heighington, Lincoln LN4 1RH. T1 Sycamore-fell. Notification received from North Kesteven District Council that a Tree Protection Order is not required.
21/0086/TCA Walnut Cottage, Potterhanworth Road, Heighington, Lincoln LN4 1RJ. T1 Walnut-reduce height 2.5m crown thin 25%, remove 1 x lateral back to main union to north-east and 1 x lateral at the union 2.5m from main stem broadly in line with photographic evidence provided. Reduce lateral spread to south-west by 1.5m leaving finished length of 6m. Notification received from North Kesteven District Council that a Tree Protection Order is not required.
Planning applications for Members consultative comments (taking account of any correspondence received from local residents)
There were no Planning applications for consideration.
Decision notices for Members consultative comments (taking account of any correspondence received from local residents).
There were no Decision Notices for consideration.
38/R/20 Financial Matters
To consider the allocation of some reserves to Designated Reserves.
To consider moving money between different budget codes to cover under/over expenditure.
To review the budget figures for 2021/2022.
Members discussed the budget figures provided by the Clerk and noted that the General Reserves has increased in the current financial year. Members noted that a percentage of the General Reserves could be transferred into Designated Reserves for future projects in the village. A final budget figure will be available after the year end accounts have been finalised at the 31st March 2021. Ideas were put forward for expenditure of funds i.e:
- Play equipment
- Treatment of the Chafer grubs at both Station Road and Potterhanworth Road.
It was agreed to recommend the revised budget to the Full Council meeting on the 8th March 2021.
39/R/20 To recommend to Full Council a re-organised structure to ensure that the Parish Council office resources can cope during the next financial year.
Members discussed the reorganisation of the three sub committees of the Parish Council and agreed to amalgamate the Policy and Resources Committee and the Property Services Committee and rename as the Finance and Property Committee. The Finance and Property Committee will have a core membership of seven Councillors and meet five times a year. The Recreation Advisory Forum Committee will be reorganised to have a core membership of four Councillors and meet three times a year.
40/R/20 To consider email received from Talk Talk regarding charges.
Members noted the three options available and requested the Clerk to make further inquiries regarding option two. Providing this option was suitable, Members agreed to proceed and renew the contract with Talk Talk.
41/R/20 To review the following policies:
- Environmental Policy
- Standing Orders – amendment.
It was agreed to recommend the policies for approval at the Full Council meeting on the 8th March 2021.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.10
Signed Dated