January 2024 Minutes (9th)
Minutes from a meeting of North Thoresby, Grainsby & Waithe Parish Council held on 9th January 2024
Attended by: Cllr Buckenham (Chair), Cllr Gale, Cllr Marshall, Cllr Howard, Cllr Jones and Cllr Snell
Clerk: Simon Baxter (via Zoom)
Also attended by: 70 members of the public
Minutes by: Jo O’Donoghue (FSLCC)
1. Welcome
NOTED: The Chair welcomed councillors and members of the public to the meeting and it was noted that the meeting was being recorded.
2. Public participation and questions
NOTED: 70 members of the public attended the meeting and raised issues relating to the following matters: failure of the council to provide defibrillators, refusal of the Chair to allow public participation.
3. Motion to exclude members of public from participating in the meeting.
RESOLVED: It was resolved to exclude members of public from participating in the meeting.
4. Apologies for absence
RESOLVED: Apologies were approved and accepted from Cllr Spence, no reason was given.
5. Declarations of interest
NOTED: There were no declarations of interest.
6. Approval of minutes
NOTED: It was noted that the November minutes have been amended and are inaccurate following changes and redactions made by the Clerk which were not approved and have since been published. The minutes from the meeting held 4th December 2023 were not approved and were not signed.
7. General expenditure
RESOLVED: It was agreed to make contractual payments to the Clerk, including PAYE, NI and pension contributions however the payment amounts were not disclosed at the meeting due to confidentiality as requested by the Clerk. No other payments were approved.
The Chair changed the order of the following agenda items and brought forward item 11
8. Update and recommendation from the Finance Committee Meeting held 8th January 2024
NOTED: Cllr Marshall (Chair of Finance Committee) provided a brief overview of the recommendations from the meeting held on 8th January 2024 which was attended by 3 Councillors. Cllr Marshall stated that the VH bookings have increased by 43% and also stated that the VH makes an annual loss of around £4,000. No detailed report was provided to the meeting. The Clerk stated that information would be provided on the website.
9. Budget & Precept
NOTED: No detailed discussion took place on individual budget items. The Clerk referred to a report which was not available at the meeting. Cllr Marshall reported that funds had been transferred into a high rate interest rate. It was noted that the council had not paid for the Clerk to be a member of the Society of Local Council Clerks.
RESOLVED: It was agreed to request a precept of £38,000 which, assuming there has been no change to the tax base, represents a 0% increase on the previous year. It was noted that the Chair and Clerk had signed the precept request prior to the meeting.
10. Planning Applications
NOTED: No planning applications were circulated to Councillors by the Clerk.
11. Village Hall defibrillator
NOTED: The Chair and Cllr Marshall provided a report and it was noted that they were unable to answer questions from residents present at the meeting. Cllr Marshall recommended that the council lease a defibrillator.
RESOLVED: It was agreed: to lease a defibrillator from Defib UK at a cost of £1.00 per day for a period of 5-years with an initial £150 deposit: costs to be paid annually in advance; cost includes full training to be offered to all residents; free workshop; signage; cost includes full maintenance and service of the defibrillator; cost to include regular on site checks and replacement pads/batteries as necessary. Clerk agreed to circulate the contract (with Defib UK) to councillors.
12. Councillor resignations and co-option
NOTED : 2 x councillor resignations were noted and have been notified to ELDC. 1 application for co-option to a previously confirmed vacancy has been received. The Clerk and Cllr Marshall refused to accept the application for co-option. The Clerk was unable to offer clear advice and the process was deferred. No vote took place.
13. Date of next meeting
NOTED: No date was agreed.