Bulwick Parish Council
492
Minutes of Annual Bulwick Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 23rd May 2024 at 7.00 pm in the Bulwick Local Centre.
Present:
Councillors: Cllr I Martin (Chair), Cllrs J Sanderson, M Beaton, A Lashmar, Clerk A Disney
In Attendance: 5 members of the public.
24/05/001. The Election of
(i) Chair Cllr Ian Martin
Proposed Cllr Beaton Seconded Cllr Sanderson
Unanimously supported by all council members at the meeting
(ii) Vice Chair Cllr Lashmar
Proposed Cllr Beaton Seconded Cllr Sanderson
Unanimously supported by all council members at the meeting
Declaration of Office Signed
24/05/002. Apologies received and approved:
Cllr Vaughan, Mr S Hedderly (PLR)
24/05/003. Declarations of Interest and Changes to the Register of Interests:
There were no Declarations of Interest or changes to the Members Register of Interests.
24/05/004. Approve and sign the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of 25th April 2024
It was RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Cllr Beaton Seconded: Cllr Sanderson Approved by all Cllrs at the meeting
24/05/005. Matters arising from the minutes, not listed on Agenda
005.1. Bulwick Village Emergency & Flood Plan: Cllr Lashmar informed the meeting that progress had been made on the plan. The Parish Council agreed that it would be a good idea to have in place a Village Emergency & Flood Plan, but that is was not the remit of the Parish Council to manage the development of the plan but for the village residents to be part of the activity.
Mr S Hedderly (PLR) has agreed to act as the co-ordinator with other local villages and work on a plan with Cllr Lashmar and other local volunteers.
The proposal for Bulwick is to develop a simplified version of the plan shared by Kingscliffe, after undertaking a risk assessment.
Cllr Lashmar shared the draft Risk assessment and Village skills/resources. She asked if the Parish Council would allow the draft then final plan to be shared via the Parish Council website, please see website for documentation.
The request to residents please:
- Confirm if the risk assessment has recognised all risks (Please feedback any comments or additions)
- To inform Cllr Lashmar/ Mr Hedderly of community skills & resources for a shared register
- To update information on Flood Risk areas
- To put name forward if willing to volunteer to be a Community Emergency Planning Team Member
- To put name forward if willing to volunteer to be a Flood Warden
All Responses to be sent to Cllr Lashmar anne.village@outlook.com and / or Mr S Hedderly stephen.hedderly@bedgrow.co.uk
The Parish Council agreed that the information could be share via the Parish Council media platforms.
Proposed: Cllr Beaton Seconded: Cllr Sanderson Approved by all Cllrs at the meeting
Progress will be shared at the next Parish Meeting 13th June 2024
24/05/006 Meeting Open to the Public
No items raised
24/05/007. Highway & Village Matters
007.1 Solar Panel Speed Sign: Cllr Martin (Chair) advised the meeting that the Solar Speed Sign was under order and expected to be delivered Mid July. Timing is due to lead times for manufacture and delivery.
007.2 New posts for Speed Signs and update to S50 licence: Cllr Martin (Chair) advised the meeting that a quote for the 3 new posts for speed signs is in hand and awaiting highways response. The S50 Licence update had also been applied for. Timing for the posts to be confirmed as soon as known
After discussion by the Councillors it was resolved that the Solar Pannel Speed sign should be placed on Blatherwycke Road.
Proposed: Cllr Sanderson Seconded: Cllr Lashmar Approved by all Cllrs at the meeting
Action Cllr Martin (Chair)
007.3. Mobile Speed Sign Batteries: Cllr Martin (Chair) confirmed that the second set of batteries for the mobile speed sign have been received. This should now mean that there is no ‘down time’ for the sign. - Closed
007.4. Doug Fouling Signs: The Clerk confirmed that the matter had been raised to North Northants Highways Environmental team. Some of the signs fixed to lamp posts had been resecured & that new ‘stickers’ are awaited to refresh those on bins etc. – Closed
007.5. Defibrillator Pad refresh: Carried over to next meeting
007.6. Grit Bin Millies Lane: The Clerk advised the meeting that the matter had been raised to North Northants Highway. Initial response being that if the bin was placed on a residents lawn (away from highway boundary) then no licence or agreement needed.
Further information on ‘slim’ grit bins and the distance allowable from highway boundary still awaited.
The Parish Councillors agreed that all avenues had been explored and there was no resolution at this time. It was resolved that this item be closed.
Proposed: Cllr Sanderson Seconded: Cllr Beaton Approved by all Cllrs at the meeting
24/05/008. Bulwick Parish Council D-Day Celebrations 2024. Cllr Beaton informed the meeting that after consulting other local villages that there appears to be no plans for most Parish Councils to undertake a Celebration. Therefore it was agreed no further action by the Parish Council on this item. NB On the day 6 June, our church is hosting a reflection starting at 8pm, with lighting of our new lamp at 9.15pm.
24/05/009. Planning – Update For information
None
24/05/010. To Approve Accounts and Accountability 2023/24
010.1 (a) Approval of Certificate of Exemption 2023/24
The Council noted that its gross income or expenditure did not exceed £25,000 in the year ending 31st March 2024 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 Seconded Cllr Martin (Chair)
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 2023/ 24
The Council considered and approved the Annual Governance Statement 2023/24
Proposed Cllr Martin (Chair) Seconded Cllr Lashmar
This was duly signed by the Chair and Responsible Financial Officer
010.3. ( c) Approval of the Annual Accounting Statement 2023/ 24
The Clerk had prepared the 2023/24 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 2023/24
Proposed Cllr Beaton Seconded Cllr Sanderson
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 2023/24.
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
24/05/011. Finance 2024 / 25 :
011.1. Accounts for payment: It was RESOLVED that the following accounts be paid
Cheque No What for Who To Total VAT Legal Authority
BACS Clerks Pay March / April A Disney 324.00 0.00 LGA 1972 s101, 111 & 112
BACS HMRC reimburse clerk A Disney 81.00 0.00 LGA 1972 s101, 111 & 112
BACS Speed Sign Batteries Cell Pack Solutions 852.00 142.00 LG & Rating Act 1997, S31
Sub Total 1257.00 142.00
BACS Audit (not yet come out of bank) 75.00
Total 1332.00
011.2. Receipts:
Amount Received From Reason for Payment
£15,000.00 North Northants Council Precept
Summary of Balances
National Savings £0
Current Account £22,678.07
Total Reserves £21,346.07
Bank Statement & Accounts 2024/ 25:
The Bank Reconciliation was unanimously approved and duly signed by the Chair.
24/05/011. Procedures
11.1. Bulwick Parish Council Policy for Dealing with Planning;
The Council considered and approved the Chair to sign the Policy for Dealing with Planning
Proposed Cllr Martin (Chair) Seconded Cllr Sanderson Agreed by all at the meeting
11.2. Bulwick Parish Council Code of Conduct:
The Council considered and approved by signing the Bulwick Parish Council Code of Conduct
Proposed Cllr Lashmar Seconded Cllr Sanderson Agreed by all at the meeting
The Clerk is requested to update both policies on the Bulwick Parish Website
Action Clerk / Cllr Vaughan
24/05/012 Annual News Letter: Cllr Beaton on behalf of Cllr Vaughan shared the draft of the Bulwick Parish Council Annual News Letter. All agreed that it captured the main activities undertaken in 2023 / 24 & is very engaging. It was resolved to proceed with printing and issue the news letter.
Proposed Cllr Lashmar Seconded Cllr Sanderson Agreed by all at the meeting
Action Cllr Vaughan
24/05/013. Community Governance Review: It was resolved that there would be no requested to change for Bulwick Parish Council at this time
Proposed Cllr Sanderson Seconded Cllr Beaton Agreed by all at the meeting
24/05/014 Correspondence:
None
24/05/015. Any Later Business for the Next Meeting
It was requested to add Free Dog Poo Bags to the next meeting for discussion
Agenda item : Appointment of New Clerk
24/5/016. Date of Next Meeting : Extra Ordinary Meeting of the Bulwick Parish Council to be held Thursday 13th June at 7pm Bulwick Village Centre.
Meeting closed at 7.32 pm