Minutes
GLENTHAM PARISH
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, GLENTHAM, ON 15TH MAY 2019
Present: A Shaw (Chair), G. Crosby, J Summers, R Summers, S. Shaw.
The meeting opened at 7.05pm with a welcome from the Chairman.
1 Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting held 9th May 2018
The minutes of the meeting were approved as an accurate record of proceedings.
2 Chairman’s report
This is the fifth year that I have the opportunity to feedback as parish council chairman on the previous year and forward plan for Glentham Parish Council.
In terms of our parish council team, we have ahd a year of stability with Tracey Firth leaving in March, whom I thank and wish well.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team of councillors and clerk for their contribution and hard work to the village and local community. In addition to the support from Parish Council Members, as in previous years, we have been supported greatly by Councillor Lewis Strange, whom we thank for his ongoing support and always fitting us into his extremely busy schedule. Councillor Jeff Summers continues to provide us with WLDC information in his role as our District Councillor, and also further contributes more directly to the village with his Parish Councillor role, which we greatly appreciate.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the full Parish Council team for their hard work, professionalism, dedication and commitment in supporting the Village of Glentham over the last 12 months. We are so fortunate as a village to have individuals that are prepared to volunteer their time to such a good and valuable cause, with a positive benefit to all. Also to Gary Fox who has recently stepped down from his role as website administrator and would like to thank him for his help and support.
I would like to thank the regular attendees of the Parish Council meeting for their ongoing support, healthy debate and interest in the upkeep of our fantastic village. I should add that everyone is welcome.
With ongoing cuts to funding to Parish Councils, a key to both our previous successes and future achievements is reliant upon the active help and support from residents. I should add at this point that we always need more Village help and support to make our Village look even better. If anybody would like to offer their assistance for a couple of hours per month, then please get in touch.
2019/20will see the continuation, improvement and development o0f new ideas for the benefit of residents, with the major focus on our play park. As many of you will already be aware our village play park has been subject to a lot of age related fatigue over the last year which seemed to occur all at once and was not really predicted via annual independent inspection. We have consulted villagers as to the requirements for the new equipment and are currently looking at options of funding and replacement and have applied to a number of funding streams. We are keen to secure funding and progress with this improvement to our village playground to make it more fun for our younger residents.
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We continue to keep the Church Clock running, obviously we will have to consider further restoration works in the future after the successful movement restoration a couple of years ago.
Speeding in the village remains an issue. The parish council, in liaison with Lincs Road Safety Partnershiphas obtained six new 30mph speed limit signs which have been placed in strategic positions to help remind those who drive at excessive speeds to slow down. You may also have noticed that the police mobile speed camera has been in use within the village much more often than in the past. Hopefully, these initiatives will help make Glentham a safer place.
We would also like to review our emergency planning arrangements and are currently looking for a volunteer flood warden to support the village. If you would like to volunteer or offer your support then please get in touch.
Obviously if anyone has any suggestions that would benefit the village further then they are always welcome. As a reminder every parish council meeting starts with a 15 minute public forum giving villagers the opportunity to raise concerns, discuss opportunities etc. It is a meeting for your benefit and you are always welcome.
I would like to clear up a common misperception and remind the villagers that parish councillors receive no payment and volunteer their time for the benefit of the village. We do not have unlimited time so would appreciate the assistance of those who could give a couple of hours a month to help across our lovely village.
On behalf of my fellow Parish Councillors we look forward to serving, representing and supporting the Village of Glentham over the following year.
Finally, I would like to draw your attention to the beautiful Glentham village sign located next to the beck. It has been a long time coming and a fitting tribute to our friend and previous parish councillor Neil Simpson who spent so much time working on it, to a design by Gary and Suzanne Fox. Neil hand carved the sign from solid oak. A beautiful sign for a beautiful village that we are so grateful for.
Wishing you a happy and healthy year.
Adam Shaw - Chairman
3 Finance Report
The Responsible Financial Officer gave a breakdown of the accounts: income £9467.83; expenditure £6121.88 which includes £382.97 VAT which will be reclaimed. A healthy reserve of £13,004.76 is carried forward to this financial year with funding earmarked for the new play equipment.
The Internal Audit for 2018-19 has been completed satisfactorily and council will submit a Certificate of Exemption to the External Auditor.
4 Open meeting
Mr Crosby stated that Highfield Farm is running tankers through the village and exceeding the speed limit. He believes this is against the conditions of their planning permission. He also said that the smell produced from the lagoon and slurry sprayed onto the fields is awful and so bad that windows cannot be left open. He has reported this to the Environment Agency but nothing has been done.
The clerk was asked to contact WLDC Planning department to check whether conditions are being breached and also refer the smell to West Lindsey Environment department.
Mr Crosby also stated that, in his opinion, the national guidelines regarding use of red diesel limited to a radius not exceeding twelve miles is being breached and he was advised to contact DEFRA and the NFU.
With regard to his complaint regarding the state and noise of the road on A631, the chairman confirmed that Mike Reid, senior highways officer, is aware and, in fact, Mr Gill has been out to discuss the problem with Mr Crosby.
Mr Summers asked whether council should apply for match funding from WLDC towards the play equipment.
Mrs Shaw suggested using this for a second phase.
Mr Shaw said he is keen to see the council make a donation towards children's activities in the village.
Mrs Summers asked whether the village sign is now all paid for. It was confirmed that it is.
The meeting closed at 7.22pm