Minutes 2021/22

Draft Minutes of Lt Bytham PC Meeting 6th January 2022 7.30pm

Held at Lt Bytham Village Hall

1. Elect a Chairman for 2022/23: Cllr Lohmann-Bond offered his services as Chairman for 2022/23 which was accepted unanimously.

2. Open Forum: One resident attended the Open Forum who felt the PC should be more proactive, offering suggestions to the residents of the village rather than reacting to situations. The resident who sat on the Parish Council many years ago felt little had changed and felt there was a lack of enthusiasm among the Councillors. Cllr Smith did explain that the Parish Councils role is to support the residents’ concerns and wellbeing, at the same time welcoming suggestions and ideas from them.
3. Apologies for absence: None

4.0 Declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Local Government Act. None.

5.0 To approve the draft minutes of the November meeting: These were adopted unanimously.

5.1 Matter Arising: The Clerk advised the cost of Flower Planters for the entrance to the Village had been obtained at a cost of £125 each and suggested this be an agenda item for the next meeting. He is also consulting with SKDC re the siting of a Speed Indicator in Station Road.

6.0 Councillors' Reports: Representatives from County and District Council were not in attendance.

Cllr Hodgson provided an update regards the clearing of items in the Parish Room. She is speaking with Girl Guides officials to agree a date for items to be removed.

7.0 Financial Matters:   

7.1 Position at the bank. The accounts were presented discussed and accepted. A copy of the accounts can be viewed at the end of these minutes.

       7.2 Cheques to be signed. Clerks Wages £138.36, Heidi Kieran £156.75 (Lt Bytham Children’s Christmas Party).

       7.3 Invest SK 10K Grant. The Clerk confirmed the (Covid 19) grant had been received on the 21/9/2020 and paid into

       the current account. He noted comments in the minutes at the time that different views were held among the Councillors

       as to how the grant should be used. “Only for Covid related issues or for the good of the community”. The Clerk confirmed

      he had spoken with SKDC who in turn spoke directly with Invest SK. They have advised via email, there are no restrictions

      as to how the grant is used, provided it is for projects that will benefit the community.

      The Clerk asked that the 10K grant be transferred from the current account and into the Business account to clearly

     demonstrate it is set aside for special projects. This was agreed unanimously.

  8.0 Precept 2022/23: The Clerk advised the PC, the maximum amount of money that can be carried over to the following tax year should not exceed one years Precept. As the current tax year spend has been unusually low, probably due to Covid restriction, the Clerk recommended a NIL return for the 2022/23 Precept which is being adopted by many Parish Councils in the SKDC region. This was discussed by the Councillors and agreed unanimously.  

9.0 Parish Council Vacancy Notice: The Clerk provided details for the process of advertising the vacancy of a Parish Councillor. This will be posted on the Parish Notice Board and Web Site.

10.0 Planning Applications: None

11.0 Highways: No issues were reported.

12 Correspondence: None.

13 AOB: Cllr Smith spoke in general terms about his personal opposition to the Mallard Pass Solar Farm proposal.

14 Date of next Meeting – Thursday 3rd March 2022 @ 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.

Website: https://little-bytham.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/