May 2024 Minutes

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting on 9 May 2024

held at Westborough Village Hall at 7.30 pm

Present           Cllrs V Birnage, (Chair), J Ford, J Forman, T Arnold, District Cllr P Wood, the clerk W McCallin and 2 members of the public. 

30/24   Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Cllr V Birnage was unanimously elected as Chair and Cllr B Lett as Vice-Chair.

31/24   Public Forum   Comments were received on dog fouling in Dry Doddington, a path between the villages and the parish newsletter producing 10 editions a year.

32/24   Apologies were received from Cllrs A Durham, B Lett and County Cllr A Maughan

33/24   Minutes of the meeting on 7 March were confirmed by council and signed by the Chair.

34/24   Flooding in Westborough in October
Council confirmed the four attendees to meet with the Environment Agency, Friday 17 May at Westborough Church to walk the river to discuss what the Parish Council and residents can do.

35/24   Dry Doddington Village Poors’ Charity Trust
a)  Council appointed Julie Beddows and Dawn Broomham as the charity trustees for a 5 year term
b)  Council received the trustees annual report

36/24   Insurance
Council reviewed existing insurance and resolved to continue insuring both tree seats.

37/24   Finance

a)  Council received the internal auditors report and reviewed internal audit controls with no changes.

b)  Council approved the 2023-24 accounts
c) Annual Audit for 2023-24. Council resolved to approve the Annual Governance Statement.
d) Council resolved to approve and sign the Accounting Statements.
e) Council resolved to re-appoint Mr N Poulson as internal auditor
f) Council approved payments to Zurich insurance, volunteer mowing expenses of £60 for Westborough mowing and £134.78 for Dry Doddington Green, clerk expenses of £18.57, Community Heartbeat Trust for battery £279.00,
Receipt of Precept of £2700, VAT reclaim £139.73.
g) Council will consider projects for the £302.89 earmarked for Dry Dodd bus shelter. The church floor project was suggested and other suggestions to be invited via the newsletter.

38/24   Council reviewed and approved Standing Orders, Financial regulations, Asset register and Risk assessment.

39/24   District Councillors report -  District Cllr Wood reported on Grantham Town Council elections, the SKDC committees and viewing these on the webcast.

40/24   Clerk’s report   
a) the land registry of Poor’s Land will be chased, b) extra litter bins in Westborough will be followed up, c) the external audit will be completed, d) there remains a vacancy for one Parish Councillor.

41/24   Matters for urgent discussion without resolution
Cllrs have concerns that part of the Wheatsheaf pub (bar areas, kitchen, cellar and car park only)  is being listed for sale as a ‘Studio Semi-Detached House’ at £450,000 with only one photo.  In view of residents wish to have a viable village pub, cllrs will monitor.

42/24   Date of next meeting confirmed as – Thursday 4 July 2024, 7.30pm, Dry Doddington Village Hall.             The meeting closed at 8.25 pm

 

SIGNED                                                         DATE