July 2023 Minutes
OWMBY-BY-SPITAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
11 July 2023
St Peters and St Pauls Church, Owmby by Spital
commencing at 7.15pm
Present Cllrs Crompton Howe, Davis, Leah, Swift and Welch
Public – None
Meeting commenced at 7.15pm
NOTES
40/2023 - To receive reports from County & District Councillors, if present
Cllr Bunney – talked on community facilities fund has been given to WLDC to distribute to the communities. Main fund is for community facilities and for encouraging cohesion. It needs to be spent by March 2025. Suggests to look at a project that we could submit. There may be some match funding depending on how much is requested.
41/2023 - Apologies for Absence - To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting. – None received
42/2023 - To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests and any written requests for dispensation – None received
43/2023 - To approve as a correct record the notes of following meetings of the Parish Council and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2023 - RESOLVED
44/2023 - Planning Applications –
21 Fen Road – Homeowner wishes to add a drop kerb. This council would suggest a permeable solution to the driveway as the planned approach could cause issues on a road that is already susceptible to flooding.
45/2023 - CPC Update
Grant Update
Footpath – A grant has been received for the footpath on the park and will be ringfenced until such a time as the work can be carried out. Decisions are still to be made as to the format of the path.
Sport For All- It has been proposed to apply for a grant for a trim trail. The application window is open until March 2024.
Project Update
The Swings were installed and thanks were given to those who carried out this work particularly Cllr Widdison who gave up his own time to install the swings. Thanks go to Fox Owmby for donating the top soil used to level around the swings.
An electricity supply is due to be installed on 4 September on the Community Park.
Health and Safety Update
The previously donated picnic bench has been removed from the field due to damage and being beyond economical repair. The donor has been notified and thanked.
The climbing frame has some damage to the ropes but it is still safe due to the metal ropework in side.
Rospa have been instructed to carry out their checks and this will be done in the next couple of months. A request has also been made for them to provide a tailor made risk assessment at an additional cost of £30.
Concerns have been raised about the electric fence on the south side of the field and the parishioner has been approached about turning it off and close the gap.
In time the benches currently situated in the park will need replacing due to their condition and the safety concerns that raises. It is proposed that when the benches reach the end of serviceable life they are removed and where possible the donor is notified so they can be given the option to replace with a new bench in a style approved by both councils. – All were in favour of this approach.
46/2023 - Community Park Hedge at South edge. – Discuss and resolve response re Proposal from Parishioner.
There is a live electric fence on an adjoining property at the south edge of the park. The landowner has offered to put a fence across the gap and has requested pedestrian access to be granted.
It was RESOLVED unanimously to reject the proposal to put access into the field.
47/2023 - Community Park Electricity Installation – To resolve who takes responsibility for the Standing Charges
Cllr Crompton Howe proposed that the CPC take responsibility for paying the standing charge initially with a view to reviewing in advance of budgeting for 2025/2026
48/2023 - Cemetery update
£25 Compensation for damage to the building has been received and this will go towards repairs.
49/2023 - Policies –
Standing Orders - Resolve to accept (no changes) – RESOLVED
Finance Regulations - Resolve to accept (no changes) – RESOLVED
Health and Safety policy – Resolve to accept (no changes) – RESOLVED
Dignity at Work Policy – Resolve to accept (no changes) – RESOLVED
Discipline and Grievance Policy – Resolve to accept (no changes) – RESOLVED
Equality Policy – Resolve to accept (no changes) – RESOLVED
Personnel Committee ToR – Resolve to accept (no changes) – RESOLVED
Proposed that Cllrs Davis, Leah and Swift form the Personnel Committee. - RESOLVED
50/2023 - Finance Matters
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation and payments as shown here.
Next scheduled meetings
Tuesday 19 September – apologies from Cllr Leah
Tuesday 14 November - changed from previously advertised
Meeting closed 20:32