BULWICK PARISH COUNCIL 486
MINUTES OF MEETING 15/05/2023, 7pm at Bulwick Village Centre
Present:
Councillors: Cllr M Beaton (Chair), Cllrs L Vaughan, J Sanderson, H Fisher, Clerk A Disney
In Attendance: 3 members of the public.
23/5/001. The Election of
(i) Chair Cllr M Beaton
Proposed Cllr Sanderson Seconded Cllr Vaughan
Unanimously supported by all council members
(ii) Vice Chair Cllr H Fisher
Proposed Cllr Sanderson Seconded Cllr Vaughan
Unanimously supported by all council members
Declaration of Office Signed
23/5/002. Apologies received and approved:
Cllr Doel
Cllr Beaton (Chair) informed Parish Councillors that Cllr Doel had resigned from the Council
The Parish Councillors thanked Cllr Doel for her contribution to the Parish Council and wished her all the best for the future.
Cllr Beaton (Chair) requested the Clerk to inform the Electoral office and start the process for replacing Councillor Doel
Action Clerk
23/5/003. Declarations of Interest and Changes to the Register of Interests:
There were no Declarations of Interest or changes to the Members Register of Interests.
23/5/004. Approve and sign the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of 6th March 2023
It was RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Cllr Vaughan Seconded: Cllr Fisher Approved by all Cllrs at the meeting
23/5/005. Matters arising from the minutes, not listed on Agenda
005.1. Village Street Lighting: The Clerk advised the Councillors on the quote from EON for a light deflector to be added to lamp 12 on Millies lane. The Clerk to reconfirm cost including fitting
Additionally, the Councillors requested the Clerk to obtain quotes for fitting shades to Pole Lamps including fitting and an updated quote for refurbishment of the 4 Heritage Lamps
The Parish Councillors recognised that Street lamp no 5 on Main Street provides minimal light as there is tree branches covering it. Cllr Beaton (Chair) agreed to write to the owner to request the tree to be trimmed back
All Actions Clerk
005.2. SSE Unmetered electrical supply for Street lighting: The Clerk explained that the current contract needed to be updated to reflect the recent upgrades to 10 / 14 of the village streetlights. The council resolved to sign the new contract. Contract was duly signed by Cllr Beaton (Chair). Clerk requested to return the contact to SSE
Proposed: Cllr Fisher Seconded: Cllr Vaughan Approved by all Cllrs at the meeting
All Actions Clerk
23/5/006 Meeting Open to the Public
No items Raised
23/5/007. Highway & Village Matters
Parking on the Village Green:
007.1 Cllr Sanderson had requested the Clerk to confirm with North Northampton Highways if the triangle is in reality a traffic island and not a village green. The Clerk and Cllr Vaughan held a meeting with S Barnwell Village liaison North Northants on site on 31st March 2023. It was confirmed that the Village Green could not be classed as a traffic island and there would be no benefit to changing the status this with regards to the parking issue.
There is an agreement by Northants Highways to provide an additional Give way sign and to look at the road markings.
It was agreed by all Councillors that this item is closed.
007/2 Mobile Speed Sign: Cllr Vaughan advised that after consultation with SWARCO that action was taken, and the battery life should now exceed 10 days between charges.
Actions Closed
007/3. Damaged Fence by Village Brook: The Clerk advised the meeting that the repair has been completed by North Northants Highways.
The Clerk was requested to investigate if the other fence by the Brook is also North Northants Highways as this is also in bad repair.
Action Clerk
007/4. Queens Jubilee / Remembrance in Bulwick.
Held until next meeting.
Action Cllr Beaton (Chair)
007/5. Plaque:
Cllr Vaughan presented an image to the Parish Councillors of the proposed plaque and wording. It was agreed to proceed to place an order with Brunel Engraving
Proposed: Cllr Beaton (Chair) Seconded: Cllr Sanderson Approved by all Cllrs at the
Action Cllr Vaughan
007/6. Commemorative Bench – the Parish Council Resolved to purchase a commemorative bench to replace the one that was beyond repair on Red Lodge Road corner with Main Street. It was agreed that the bench should be dedicated to Roger Glithero. Cllr Vaughan agreed to lead the project and confirm with Mr Glithero’s family the wording proposed.
Action Cllr Vaughan
The Clerk was requested to approach Northants Highways to confirm if a new licence is needed.
Action Clerk
Proposed: Cllr Beaton (Chair) Seconded: Cllr Sanderson Approved by all Cllrs at the
007/7 Village Centre Ownership: It was resolved at the meeting to close this item from the agenda.
Action Closed
007/8. Meeting with Highways on Village issues: Cllr Vaughan and the Clerk advised the Parish Council that a meeting was held with S Barnwell Village liaison North Northants on site on 31st March 2023.
Matter discussed:
Telephone Box Defibrillator: The location is on an adopted Highways verge. Access to the door is limited due to a bank encroaching on the door opening. Highways have confirmed permission that the Parish Council are able to arrange for the bank to be scrapped back to allow the door to function properly.
Clearing of Footpaths including grass area on Blatherwycke Road junction to Main Street as requested by residence. Requests have been made to undertake this work, however the Highways Team need to confirm if and when this work can be undertaken
Damage to Road / Road Fixtures: These have been noted on Fix my street and should be scheduled in due course
23/5/008. Telephone Box Restoration and Defibrillator Installation:
Telephone Box: Cllr Beaton (Chair) advised the Parish Council that regarding the Telephone Box restoration a number of suppliers had been approached and quotes provided. A few suppliers declined to quote as they were reluctant to work on a Grade 2 listed building.
There were a range of quots for the work and after studying the details of the services offered the Parish Council resolved that an order to be raised awarding the work to British Bits / Restores and supplier of British Red Telephone Boxes. The Councillors felt this was the right level of restoration for the Telephone Box and value for village residence.
Cllr Beaton (Chair) agreed to raise the order and manage this project.
Action Cllr Beaton (Chair)
Proposed: Cllr Fisher Seconded: Cllr Sanderson Approved by all Cllrs at the
Defibrillator: Cllr Sanderson advised the Parish Council that regarding the Defibrillator installation would be aligned to the restoration of the Telephone Box. Cllr Sanderson agreed to write to North Northants Grant provider and inform them of a delay in completing the project and ask for an extension beyond the 1-year deadline
Action Cllr Sanderson
23/5/009. Planning – Update For information
NE/23/00059/FUL Erect small ground mounted solar array on land to the north of Hicklings Business Units, Deene. at Hicklings Lodge Deene Corby NN17 3EH (PP-11796301) – Parish Council Supports response sent.
NE/23/00005/LBC: Works to refurbish the K6 Telephone box in same colour as current (Red), install a Defibrillator in the Telephone Box, and replace Signage to display Defibrillator. – Parish Council Supports response sent
NE/23/00153/FUL: Approved
NE/22/01558/TCA/ : Approved
23/5/010. To Approve Accounts and Accountability 2022/23
010/1 (a) Approval of Certificate of Exemption 2022/23
The Council noted that its gross income or expenditure did not exceed £25,000 in the year ending 31st March 2023 and therefore agreed to certify itself as exempt from a limited assurance review under section 9 of the Local Audit (Smaller Authorities) Regulations 2015.
Proposed Cllr. Beaton (Chair) Seconded Cllr Sanderson
The Certificate of Exemption was then duly signed by the Chair and Responsible Financial Officer and will be returned to the External Auditor.
010/2. (b) Approval of Approval of Annual Governance Statement 2022/ 23
The Council considered and approved the Annual Governance Statement 2022/23
Proposed Cllr Beaton (Chair) Seconded Cllr Fisher
This was duly signed by the Chair and Responsible Financial Officer
010/3. ( c) Approval of the Annual Accounting Statement 2022/ 23
The Clerk had prepared the 2022/23 Financial Accounts in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 and circulated prior to the meeting.
The Council considered and approved the Annual Accounting Statement 2022/23
Proposed Cllr Beaton (Chair) Seconded Cllr Vaughan
This was duly signed by the Chair and Responsible Financial Officer.
010/4. The Council thanked the Clerk for her all her work in preparing the accounts which have been presented to the Internal Auditor. The Auditor report approved the documentation and noted that the internal control objectives have been achieved to a high standard during 2022/23.
Action Clerk
All documents can be accessed on info@bulwickpc.org.uk
Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance and Accountability Return Notice is also published on info@bulwickpc.org.uk as required by the Local audit and Accountability Act 2014 Sections 26 and 27. The Accounts and Audit regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)
Action Clerk
23/5/011. Finance 2023 / 24 :
011/1. Accounts for payment: It was RESOLVED that the following accounts be paid
Cheque no. 300009 for £706.52 + VAT £0.00. Clerk’s pay March, April & May. Paid to A Disney. LGA1972 S 101, 111 and 112
Cheque no. 300010 for £176.20 + VAT: £0.00. HMRC payment reimbursement to Clerk. Paid to A Disney. LGA1972 S 101, 111 & 112
Cheque no.300011 for £143.25 + VAT: £0.00. NCALC Membership. Paid to Northants CALC.
Cheque no. 300012 for £540.00+ VAT: £28.80. Move website to new platform. Paid to The Good Mood Media Co. LGA 1957 1982 S142
Cheque no. 300013 for £9.20 + VAT £0.00. Postage for EON payment and Community Heartbeat payments & VAT claim. Paid to A Disney. LGA Post Office Act 1954 S51
Cheque no. 300014 for £48.58 + VAT £5.06. Unmetered power supply account for March, April & May. Paid to SSE. LGA 1957, LG1972 S14 para 27, Highways Act 1980 S301
Cheque no. 300015 for £60.89 + VAT £10.15. Street Lighting Maintenance. Paid to EON. LGA 1957 S3, 1972 S14 para 27, Highways Act 1980 S301
Cheque no. 300016 for £45.60 + VAT £7.60. Agenda & Mins training (Clerk). Paid to Northants CALC. LGA 1972 S175
Cheque no. 300017 for £75.00 + VAT £0.00. Audit fee. Paid to J Medwell.
Cheque no. 300018 for £175.00+ VAT: £0.00. Annusl domain, website and email hosting fees. Paid to The Good Mood Media Co. LGA 1957 1982 S142
Total: £1980.24 + VAT £51.61.
011/2. Receipts:
Precept payment received from North Northants Council: £15,000
Summary of Balances
National Savings £0
Current Account £20,556.26
Total Reserves £18,576.02
Bank Statement & Accounts:
The Bank Reconciliation was unanimously approved and duly signed by the Chair.
Defibrillator Finical Statement
The Accounts for the Defibrillator project were presented and unanimously approved and duly signed by the Chair.
The Clerk Confirmed that submission for VAT reclaim has been made and awaiting receipt of funds
23/5/012. Correspondence:
1. Northamptonshire Age UK – Magazines & Opportunity for a talk – Shared with Councillors
2. Hosting Renewal – Shared with Cllr Vaughan
3. M Williams Dentist link to website request – Councillor rejected
4. North Northants East Northants Local Plan Part 2 – Shared with Councillors
23/5/013. Any Later Business for the Next Meeting
None
23/5/014. Date of Next Meeting : Monday 31st July 2023 7pm
Meeting closed at 8.40pm
Signed …………………………………………………………………………… Dated …………