March 2024 Minutes
Croft Parish Council
Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held at Croft Village Hall on Monday 4th March 2024 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 and G Bowser.
Clerk - J Sargent.
There were two members of the public in attendance.
Public Session
Resident 1 attended to ask for an update on the proposals at Kartworld, thought to be now applying for Temporary Event Notices. The resident suggested that they were in breach of planning conditions, such as not erected screening. The resident advised the noise from the karting and motorbikes already ruin their peace and affects their business.
The resident questioned whether if the issues with Kartworld escalates, who do they contact. Cllr Drury recommended keeping a diary of times and dates of a noise nuisance and to take pictures of issues to be able to provide evidence directly to planning enforcement at ELDC.
The Clerk advised that he would keep the residents updated on any information received from ELDC. With no further matters, it was resolved unanimously to move into formal session.
Lincolnshire County Council
County Councillor S Blackburn suggested the County Council would be voting in favour of devolution and that the pylons proposals are going to be objected to. The MP Matt Warman held a meeting in Croft and neighbouring parishes had written a letter of objection. County Councillor Blackburn suggested Croft write to the MP with an objection. Other options are available to National Grid such as subsea cables although this is more expensive than pylons.
With no further matters, it was resolved to move into formal session.
108. Welcome from the Chair of the Council.
The Chair welcomed all present.
109. Apologies for Absence.
It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies from Cllrs N Cooper, S Dennis, and S Gould.
110. Declarations of Interest.
None received.
111. To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday 5th February 2024.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
112. To approve the list of accounts submitted for consideration for:
a. February Income and Expenditure
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the list of accounts.
Cllr Coxall suggested that the costs of the Caretaker should be paid for by the Village Hall rather than the Parish Council, which would decrease the expenditure for the Parish Council.
Cllr Bowser queried whether the Village Hall could afford to pay for the caretaker. Cllr Coxall advised the current income would not cover the salary and suggested the possibility of increasing the price of the hire of the hall. Prices of halls in neighbouring parishes were also discussed. To be considered at the next meeting.
113. To receive updated bank reconciliation for:
a. February
The Clerk provided the bank reconciliation for information purposes only, to keep Councillors up to date on the financial status of the Council.
114. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
A planning application for Poplar Cottage, Croft Road, was emailed out prior to the meeting. No comments were made.
115. To receive reports from the Chairman and Clerk to the Council.
Cllr Coxall reported on receiving information from a resident on Kartworld, suggesting they have not adhered to planning regulations. The Clerk to email ELDC’s planning department to ask them to investigate.
The Clerk mentioned starting CiLCA training, with further training days scheduled over the next couple of months and the internal audit is booked in for April.
116. To receive a report on the Village Hall.
Cllr Coxall reported on taking a few more bookings. Coffee mornings are returning, and the MP held a meeting recently.
117. To receive a report on the community library project.
Cllr Coxall reported that the library will be closed until the weather improves and improve the advertising for the library.
118. To consider applying for the Local Council Award Scheme Foundation Level.
The Clerk explained that the Parish Council already meet most of the criteria for the Foundation level. The award demonstrates that the Council meets best practice standards and there are only 8 other Councils in Lincolnshire that have this recognition. The fees would be £100.00. It was resolved unanimously to apply once all the criteria have been met.
119. To consider policies for review:
a. Accessibility Statement
b. Privacy Notice
c. Training and Development Policy
The Clerk emailed policies to Councillors for review prior to the meeting, to include some updates to dates and contact details. With no further amendments, it was resolved unanimously to adopt the policies.
120. To consider the final accounts for the Village Hall.
Cllr Coxall provided a copy of the final accounts for the Village Hall for Information purposes which included some one-off payments. Cllr Coxall suggested that at the current finances, the Village Hall would need to bring in another £2,000.00 a year to balance the accounts, and that doesn’t include the possibility of taking on the caretaker’s salary. It was resolved unanimously to accept the final accounts.
121. To consider an 80th anniversary D-Day commemoration event.
Cllr Drury to research a beacon for the event and Councillors considered potential locations. Cllr Drury also offered to research an event such as a BBQ with a band to build up to the lighting of the beacon.
122. To consider on-street electric vehicle charging point in Croft.
The Clerk received an email from the County Council, requesting information on suitable locations for on-street electric vehicle charging points. Councillors discussed the Village Hall car park and locations on Croft Lane and Church Lane but suggested that owners of electric vehicles were more likely to charge vehicles on their own properties.
The Chair closed the meeting at 8:20pm.