2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

September 2023 Minutes

Croft Parish Council

Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held at Croft Village Hall on Monday 4th September 2023 commencing at 7pm. These are notes of the meeting until approved by the Council as a true and accurate record.

Present:

Cllrs A Coxall (Chair), C Drury (Vice-Chair), S Blackburn, G Bowser, N Cooper, S Dennis, and S Gould.

Public Session

There was one member of the public in attendance, however, no questions or comments were put to the Council.

  1. Welcome from the Chair of the Council.

The Chair welcomed all present.

  1. Apologies for Absence.

None received.

  1. Declarations of Interest.

Cllr N Cooper and S Dennis declared an interest in agenda item 10 c.

  1. To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday 3rd July 2023.

With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

  1. To approve the list of accounts submitted for consideration for:
    1. July Income and Expenditure
    2. August Income and Expenditure

It was resolved unanimously to accept the list of accounts.

  1. To receive updated bank reconciliation for:
    1. July Bank Reconciliation
    2. August Bank Reconciliation

The Clerk provided the bank reconciliation for information purposes only.

  1. To approve payments for:
    1. HMRC VAT Overpayment

It was resolved unanimously to approve the payment to HMRC.

  1. To consider banking petty cash.

The Clerk explained that the petty cash float had been untouched for over a year and the internal auditor recommended banking the cash. It was resolved unanimously to bank the petty cash float of £20.00.

  1. To consider policies for review:
    1. Standing Orders

The Clerk advised including a section on training to maintain good standards.

  1. Financial Regulations

The Clerk advised removing the criteria for keeping a cash float.

  1. Code of Conduct

No Comments were made.

  1. Dignity at Work Policy

No Comments were made.

  1. Risk Management

Councillors discussed the need to have a risk schedule in place and how risk is mitigated. The Clerk to investigate further.

  1. Reserves Policy

No Comments were made.

  1. Complaints Procedure

No Comments were made.

  1. Publication Scheme

Cllr Coxall recommended removing information that we don’t hold, information that is not relevant to the Parish Council such as environmental information. The Clerk to amend.

It was resolved unanimously to adopt all policies put to the Council.

Two members of the public arrived at 7:45pm to share comments about issues with the swimming pool on Croft Lane. It resolved unanimously to suspend the meeting to hear from the members of the public.

Resident 1 mentioned issues with:

  • The road surface.
  • Car parking issues.
  • Light and noise pollution.
  • Late night and early morning issues.
  • Health and Safety

Cllr Dennis advised it will be discussed in October at ELDC’s planning committee and will be speaking on behalf of residents to try and give a balanced view. Cllr Dennis suggested the residents come to the committee meeting to share their experience. Cllr Dennis also expressed concerns of no complaints from highways and limited complaints submitted to residents, however, there appear to be some health and safety issues.

Cllr Coxall advised keeping a diary of when the nuisance occurs if possible and take the evidence to the planning committee meeting.

Cllr Cooper advised demonstrating how this issue spoils the enjoyment of their home, as it’s not necessarily about the swimming pool but how it affects residents. Cllr Cooper also gave some advice on how to speak and what to say in front of the committee.

With no further comments, it was resolved unanimously to return to formal session.

  1. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
    1. S/039/01164/23 - Donkey Pastures, Middlemarsh Road - request for information

This request was sent to Councillors via email. The District Council requested evidence or information of a caravan used for permanent residence.

  1. S/039/00900/23 - retention of a firefighting facility at Hollytree Farm - Decision Notice

The decision notice was sent to Councillors prior to the meeting - permission granted.

  1. S/039/00184/23 - Belvedere Lakes - amendment

This amendment was sent to Councillors prior to the meeting - no comments were received as the Council previously supported the application.

  1. To receive a report on the Village Hall.

Cllr Coxall advised the Village Hall now has a Facebook page with one review and will ask regular users to leave reviews which will hopefully lead to more bookings.

 

A small library has been set up with books, films, music, and a few items for children. Leaflets adverting the library will be distributed in the community, and an opening event on 17th October for members of the community to see if they would like to get more involved.  

  1. To receive reports from the Chair and Clerk to the Council

The Clerk submitted a written report prior to the meeting.

  1. To receive a copy of the end of year internal audit.

The Clerk provided a copy of the end of year internal audit and an update on the progress on the recommendations set out in the report.

  1. To receive a copy of previous resolutions and action points.

The Clerk provided a copy of previous resolutions and action points for information purposes to keep Councillors up to date with works in progress.

 

The Chair of the Council closed the meeting at 8:30pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed…………………………………………………………………………………

Chair of the Council - Cllr Coxall

 

Signed………………………………………………………………………………..

Clerk to the Council and RFO - Jack Sargent

2nd October 2023