June 2023 Minutes
Croft Parish Council
Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held at Croft Village Hall on Monday 5th June 2023 commencing at 7pm. These are notes of the meeting until approved by the Council as a true record.
Present:
Cllrs A Coxall (Chair), C Drury (Vice-Chair), S Blackburn, and S Dennis.
Public Session
Mr Childs informed the Council that he had not been notified of the application for change of use for the swimming pool although other residents nearby had been. He advised the problems of parking, lights being on all night, security, noise as well as health and safety issues continue. It’s reported there is no lifeguard yet disabled children used the pool which is 8 feet deep without a shallow end. Cllr Dennis agreed to follow up the complaint with ELDC as there are no complaints from residents on the planning portal although they had been submitted.
18. Welcome from the Chair of the Council.
The Chair welcomed the members of the Council as well as Mr Cooper and Mr Gould who were interested in being co-opted to the Council.
19. Apologies for Absence.
It was resolved unanimously to accept the apologies from Cllr G Bowser.
20. Declarations of Interest.
None received.
21. To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday 3rd April 2023.
It was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting, with the following amendments:
• On item 4 Cllr Drury signed the Vice-Chair’s declaration of acceptance.
• On item 1 Cllr Vokes was nominated but withdrew his candidacy after Cllr Coxall was proposed and seconded
• On item 9 to include Church Lane and Croft Lane past the Old Chequers Inn.
22. To approve the list of accounts submitted for consideration for:
a. May Income and Expenditure
It was resolved unanimously to accept the list of accounts.
23. To receive updated bank reconciliation for:
a. May Bank Reconciliation
The Clerk provided the bank reconciliation for information purposes only.
24. To discuss community matters which need referring to the District and County representatives for a response.
Cllr Blackburn will be doing the walk round Church Lane and Croft Lane with Highways next week.
25. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
None received.
26. To appoint three new bank signatories.
It was resolved unanimously to appoint Cllrs Coxall, Dennis, and Drury.
27. To appoint Councillors to carry out duties in relation to:
a. The Village Hall
Cllr Coxall will be taking on the administration, bookings and liaising with caretaker. Now has key and booking diary. Money from bookings will be given to Treasurer by Chair. Treasurer will continue to send out invoices where required.
Cllr Drury will help with sorting out the files in the office and putting all the relevant inspections into the diary.
Jim Child indicated that he would stay on as Treasurer and was thanked for his work.
b. Play Area
The caretaker makes weekly checks on the equipment as part of his job. Cllr Dennis advised it was not sufficient to train one councillor to make further checks and offered to speak to his health and safety consultant to see if he could make checks and report officially to the Council.
c. CCTV
Cllrs Coxall and Drury to check the details of the contract. Cllr Coxall will use app for notifications.
d. Defibrillator
Cllrs Coxall and Drury to check the details of the contract.
e. Charity
Cllr Coxall to do charity returns. The Employer’s liability is up in the hall but not public liability - which needs to be checked.
COSHH signs needed for the kitchen and supplies cupboard as well as a risk assessment to be undertaken.
28. To receive a report on the Village Hall.
Lights have been changed and it was agreed that the Council could pay the invoice and claim the VAT. The ELDC grant should go into Council’s bank which is for the lights. Clerk to inform Chair if he knows anything about the Screwfix grant application. Jim asked if Council could contribute to lights if we do not get the grant.
Cllr Coxall suggested marketing the village hall more and will look into a Facebook page and website with booking forms to a specific email croftvillagehall@gmail.com.
It was also discussed that the Council should try to hold an event near Christmas.
29. To consider applications for co-option on to the Council.
Mr Cooper and Mr Gould submitted applications for co-option on to the Council. It was resolved unanimously to accept both candidates onto the Council.
The Clerk to arrange the paperwork and inform ELDC.
30. To consider events such as:
a. Book Swap
Cllr Coxall advised her son had offered to loan some bookshelves to the Council and books to set up a book swap or buy in the Village Hall and is willing, where possible, to be at the village hall to cover this. Cllr Dennis offered books.
b. Toy Swap
If the book swap is successful a toy swap will be added.
31. To consider holding Councillor surgeries.
It was resolved unanimously to host coffee, cake, and moan sessions.
32. To consider commemorating long serving past Councillors.
It was resolved unanimously to send a letter of thanks and long service award to past Councillors.
The Chair of the Council closed the meeting at 7:30pm.