Full Council Minutes 2024

CHAPEL ST LEONARDS COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

18:50 on 9 December 2024 at the Village Hall

Present:  Cllr P Robinson (Chair), Cllr C Jude, Cllr D Wilson, Cllr G Ward, Cllr P Hamilton, Cllr B Holmes, and Cllr S Whitmore 

Parish Clerk: A Maynard

11 Residents

Apologies: Cllr C Briggs, Cllr R Dawson (ELDC) and Cllr C Davie (LCC)

Absent: None

Public Participation

A resident enquired about the container with graffiti on at the top of The Pullover, and what was being done about it. The Chair informed them that this would be covered at item 9 on the agenda. (Minute 24/101 refers).

A resident enquired about the rubbish bin that had been reported last month. Cllr Wilson reported that he had taken photos and reported this on Fix-my-Street.

Two residents commented on the presentation that had been given by the Environment Agency at the last meeting and volunteered to join the Local Resilience Forum that the EA would like to be created. This will be discussed further, at item 5 on the agenda (Minute 24/97 refers).

A resident enquired if the Council had been liaised with regarding the recent spate of local burglaries. The Chair will contact our local Police Constable and raise this matter with the officer.

A resident mentioned the Planning Application for Regina Walk, the Chair said that this will be covered at item 12 on the Agenda (Minute 24/104 refers).

Cllr Davie has liaised with our Chair, and he has agreed to visit and assess the overgrowth onto the pavement at Church Lane. This had been commented on by a resident.

In the absence of Cllr Davie, the Chair read out his report, which he had sent to her.

He stated that the NI contributions increase will affect everyone, including the Parish Council, therefore the next rise to go on the LCC budget would have to cover a £40m shortfall. This includes £6m extra to fund the staff, £14m to cover care contracts, plus the loss of the Government Rural Fund Support Grant which has lost over £9m. The Clerk is to invite Cllr C Davie to the meeting on 13 January 2025 to give a brief presentation outlining this.

24/93   Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Briggs, Cllr Davie (LCC) and Cllr Dawson (ELDC)

            The apologies were proposed, seconded and accepted.

24/94   Declarations of Pecuniary Interests not already registered

None

24/95   To receive and approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 11 November 2024

Proposed, seconded, and unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the draft minutes, as the minutes of the 11 November 2024 meeting, which the Chair signed.

24/96   Chair’s Report

Following on from the presentation at the last meeting, the Council would like to move forward and create a Local Resilience Forum (LRF) consisting of councillors and local residents.

Two local residents have already declared an interest in joining the Forum.

137996906168. that Councillors Wilson, Jude and Ward be the Council’s representatives on the Local Resilience Forum.

24/98   Personnel Committee - to co-opt a new member to the Personnel Committee

137996906168. to defer to the next meeting of the Council, the co-option of a new member to the Personnel Committee, due to the proposed member being absent from this meeting.

24/99   Cemetery Committee – update.

Awaiting confirmation from the contractor of the date for the annual tree inspection.

24/100 Events Committee – update.

Friday 6 December – Lights Switch-on was well attended and we had good weather. Blue Anchor donated 100 presents that were given to children by Santa.

VE Day is planned for May 2025; more will follow on this item at the next meeting.

24/101 E & A Committee – update.

The memorabilia removal of flowers, plaques and padlocks had been completed by the Chair and operative and since this clearing, two more plaques have appeared. This will be an ongoing task. The Policy was adopted by Council and is clearly displayed in the Parish Council Notice Boards.

The steel storage unit is still in question as to who owns it. Cllr Wilson has made some progress, and he will request the removal of the unit when he receives written confirmation of ownership.

Cllr Wilson will report back at the next meeting.

Grass cutting – The last cutting has now finished and due to adverse weather conditions at the beginning of the year we have not had as many cuts as planned. The Council only pay for actual work done; therefore, it has cost approximately £800 less than planned this year. This item will move to the Finance Committee as of 2025.

24/102 Finance

1. Proposed, seconded, and unanimously RESOLVED to pay the amounts shown in the circulated payments schedule.
2. Account ending 002                £12,179.24

Account ending 118                £159,361.54

(as of 9 December 2024)

The first budget meeting was attended on Thursday 5 December and we need to receive more cost centre reports, we have a meeting on 13 January 2025 to progress with the budget and by which time we will also know the Band D figures for the precept.

The Chair of the Committee thanked Cllr Whitmore for her input and support since being co-opted onto the Committee.

24/103 Councillor Surgeries – update from surgery dated 26 November 2024.

One resident attended and was helped with their query.

The next surgery will take place on Tuesday 28 January 2025, 10:30 – 11:30 at the Village Hall, with Cllrs Robinson, Ward, Whitmore and Holmes in attendance.

24/104 Planning – To consider new planning applications as a statutory consultee and to note Planning Authority decisions and receive updates on previous applications consulted on.

N/031/01444/24 - LAND TO THE SOUTH OF REGINA WALK, REGINA WALK, CHAPEL ST LEONARDS - Planning Permission - Erection of 1no. holiday let 1no. machine/tractor store with an extension to existing access road. ON-GOING.

24/105 Date of Next Meeting – Monday 13 January 2025, 19:00, Village Hall.

Agenda concluded at 19:50