Minutes 2018 - 2019

Minutes of the meeting of Amber Hill Parish Council held on 21st January 2019

Present:    Cllr Chris Stephenson, Cllr Elizabeth Gadd, Cllr Jane Webb, Cllr Nigel Hardy

Also Present: Sheryl Fraser

Public Forum

Meeting started 7.33 pm

18/079 Chairman’s remarks.

The chairman requested that item 15 be dealt with first.

18/080 Co-option of a New Parish Councillor

Cllr CS proposed co-opting Sheryl Fraser as a Councillor, Cllr EG seconded the proposal and all other councillors voted in favour.

Action: Clerk to notify Boston Borough Council.

18/081 Apologies for absence and reasons given.

Cllr RB gave apologies. Cllr RH had sent apologies, but these were not seen until after the meeting. It was resolved to accept the apologies

18/082 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

None received

18/083 Police report.

No police present or report received. It was proposed that future dates be emailed to the Police to give more notice.

Action: Clerk to email future meeting dates to the police.

18/084 Draft minutes of the meeting held on 26-11-18 to be confirmed and signed as minutes.

It was resolved to accept the above notes as minutes. They were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

18/085 Financial matters: Accounts for payment and budget figures, including report, up to 13.01.19.

It was resolved to accept the accounts for payment.

Action: Clerk to make outstanding payments.

18/086 Planning:

B/18/0421 – Demolition of existing detached two storey dwelling and erection of detached 2.5 Storey dwelling at May Cottage, Chapel Lane.

Application withdrawn - applicant advised that there would be no fee if another application  is  received within 12 months of the initial application for a development of the same charactor or description on the same site.

Action: None

18/087 Correspondence

Clerks & Council Direct                Mail – Newsletter November

Boston Borough Council             Email – Nov/Dec Newsletter, Emailed to Cllrs, posted on Website 3/12/18

Boston Borough Council        Mail – Precept letter received – Added to January Agenda

Boston Alternative Energy          Mail – Statement of Consultation – Emailed to Cllrs, posted on Website 17/12/18

Matt Warman             Mail – Xmas card received

Matt Warman              Mail – Surgery dates for 2109 – Emailed to Cllrs, posted on website & noticeboard 9/1/18

Action: None.

18/088 Clerks report.

Letter sent to Anglia Water, no reply yet received

Letter sent to Highways regarding footpath 1, no reply received as yet

No reply yet received from Planning or M Sacks regarding non receipt of planning details. It was resolved that the Clerk would chase this up.

Cllr CS commented that the footpath close to him is closed but with no indication on how long. It was resolved that the clerk would contact highways to find out how long for.

Action: Clerk to arrange visit with the School, Clerk to chase reply from Planning/M Sacks ref planning issue raised. Clerk to contact Highways regarding closed footpath

Cllr CS moved that item 11 be moved to the end of the meeting.

18/089 Churchyard Maintenance

Two quotes were received for the Churchyard maintenance. Following discussion it was agreed that JS Barton would be awarded the contract for the fee of £200 per year to be paid in September

Action: Clerk to diary payment for September meeting.

18/090 Adoption of Equal Opportunities Policy

The Clerk presented a draft Equal Opportunities policy based on advice given by Michelle Sacks at Boston Borough Council. Cllr EG Proposed that the policy be adopted, seconded by Cllr CS and all other Councillors voted in favour.

Action: Clerk to upload Policy to the website.

18/091 Street light repairs

Cllr CS reported that he had not been able to look at the street lights. It was agreed that Cllr CS & Cllr SF would look at the lights

Action: Cllr CS & Cllr SF to look at lights requiring repair.

18/092 Precept 2019/20

The Clerk presented a proposed budget for the year 2019-20 based on 2018-19 figures.

It was agreed that the footway lighting would include an additional £500 for future replacements which would be ringfenced if not used. It was agreed that a donation amount of £200 be budgeted for in case needed, again ringfenced if not used.

The Clerk was then asked to leave the room so that the Clerk’s salary could be reviewed. It was resolved that an increase of £100 would be made due to the savings being made by the Clerk providing the equipment needed. This resulted in a final precept figure of £3369 being arrived at.