Minutes 9th January 2023

Minutes of the Bi-Monthly Meeting of Knaith Parish Council held in the
Village Hall on Monday 9th January 2023

 

Present:                  Councillor D. Belton (Chairman)

                                Councillor A. Morphet
                                Councillor S. Breeze
                                Councillor D. Randall

                                Councillor E. Bailey

                                Councillor W. Stanser

                                 Councillor S. Bowdler
                                Mrs E. Coulson (Clerk)   

 

 

15 Minute Public Forum

Mr. E Overson

  1. Raised the issue of Agenda’s and Minutes not being issued consistently in the Notice Board in Knaith Park. Councillor Randall – Important as residents rely on these for information. Councillor Morphet – Minutes need to be issued within 7 days. Councillor Bailey suggested that the proposed dates for the year’s Council Meetings be displayed so Parishioners know of the dates going forward. The Clerk apologised and took this on board and will ensure that they are displayed correctly going forward. Action; EC
  2. Website – The website has not been updated. The Clerk will look into this and rectify before the next meeting. Action; EC   

Mr A. Coulson

  1. Raised the issue that the St Mary’s Carol Service communication. In previous years he has received a leaflet with the details of the service on but this year it is apparent that only certain residencies received these leaflets. He has attended this service for the past 9 years and was disappointed to not have been included in the leaflet drop. He would like to know what the selection process was for receiving a leaflet.

It was noted that the service was advertised in the notice board and in the Parish Magazine.

The Parish Council will contact St Mary’s and raise this issue and he was also advised to contact them himself. Action; EC

 

The issue of car nuisance was raised, with one car in particular causing a nuisance (speed and noise) in the village. The Parish Council to contact WLDC to obtain advice on what can be done about this Anti-social behaviour. Action; EC

 

Parking on the bends in between Knaith and Knaith Park was also raised as a cause for concern. This is mainly dog walkers visiting the woods.

 

1/01/23. Apologies for absence

District Councillor Jessie Milne.

2/01/23. To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to receive any applications for Dispensation. Members may make declarations at this point but also make them at any point during the meeting

There were no declarations at this time.

 

3/01/23. To approve the Minutes of the last meeting on 14th November 2022

Minutes have been circulated and it was proposed by Councillor Randall, and seconded by Councillor Bailey and resolved to sign as a true record.  

 

4/01/23. Clerk’s report on Outstanding Matters

  • Highways & Ditches

Report 432339 – Requested an update and had the following response:

                ‘We are sorry but we are not taking immediate action with this report however we will revisit in the New Year as there are other possible drainage improvements. Thank you for reporting this matter.’

I will request another update as we are in the New Year. Action; EC

  • Defibrillator

Councillor Stanser now has the Defibrillator and has spoken to the residents of the pub to gain access to retrieve the housing.

It was discussed if it could stay at the pub but was decided with the pub’s future uncertain, the best option was to get it re-homed at the Village Hall. It was also clarified that the Defibrillator needs to be In situ for it to be serviced, as it requires a power source.

Councillor Stanser will contact the electrician to get this moving forward and The Clerk will contact WLDC to arrange the service and repairs. Action; EC and WS

   

5/01/23. Correspondence

  • Crime Reports for November and December – Circulated. It was noted that the Gin trap that was reported did not show up on the report.
  • General Correspondence – List circulated. Councillor Morphet highlighted the number of funding projects available at present not only for the Village Hall but for the community/groups. Examples could be solar panels on the village hall and improvements to outside spaces. All the details on the LALC E-news that was issued.
    • Community Facilities Funding - The funding is being made available through the FCC Community Action Fund and is available to projects located within 10 miles of an eligible FCC Environment site. This is relevant because of the Land Fill Site in Lea. Grants can be from £2,000 to £100,000. Applications can be made from now until 5pm 8th March 2023
    • Acre – Improvements to Village Halls grants between £7,500 and £75,000. Initial applications can be made until midnight 20.01.23.

 

6/01/23. Financial Matters

  • Financial Statement to 8th January 2023 – With payments totalling £338.25. It was resolved that the Chairman would sign the statement for the record.
  • Precept and Budget – The Budget and Actual Tax Base Model has been circulated.

The budget and proposed increase in the precept was discussed. The Precept has been budgeted and the estimate submitted at £3,934.

The budget includes the £450 estimated election costs as per WLDC recommendation.

It was highlighted that whilst the % increase appears high the actual monetary value is small as the value of our Precept is low.

It was proposed by Councillor Morphet that the Precept be submitted at £3,934.00 as final to WLDC, this was seconded by Councillor Randall with ALL in favour. The Final Precept was then signed by The Chairman, Councillor Morphet and Councillor Breeze. The Clerk will submit the form to WLDC. Action; EC

 

7/01/23. Gate Burton Energy Park

It was discussed about the way forward with regards objecting to the proposed plans.

  • Engaging with Sir Edward Leigh is vital in the objection against these plans. We need to understand what Sir Edward Leigh requires for this to be fought. Councillor Bowdler is attending a meeting with him Friday; he will try and get a minute with him with regards this matter. Action; SB
  •  Ensuring that those affected air their views is vital. Councillor Morphet proposed a leaflet drop. This would include points and guidance. It was also highlighted by Councillor Stanser that responses should not be uniform as they could potentially be disregarded. Councillor Breeze is attending the next 7,000 Acre Group meeting on Wednesday 11th January, he will co-ordinate with them on this matter and get letters/leaflets drafted. Action; SBr
  • It was noted that Low Carbon has not been in contact since the last Parish Council Meeting in November.
  • Views are constantly changing especially with regards food and energy security.
  • The infrastructure and spread of the proposed plans make it difficult to organise a co-ordinated action plans.
  • The Minister responsible for the application must view it as a significant high impact plan as opposed to several smaller plans.
  • The vastness of not only the panels but also the planned gravel and sands pits are going to consume the countryside.
  • Councillor Breeze will update 7,000 Acre group on the Parish Councils proposals/ideas etc. Action; SBr

 

8/01/23. Village Hall

Councillor Bailey and Stanser declared an interest as they both members of the Village Hall Management Committee.

Councillor Belton will contact the original solicitor to obtain advice and a quote on the re-writing of the original documents into a modern document.

It was raised about whose responsibility it was with regards payment of a new document. Councillor Stanser will discuss at the next Village Hall Committee Meeting and get back to us with their views. Action; DB & WS

 

9/01/23. Broadband

Councillor Bowdler is attending a meeting on Friday will Sir Edward Leigh. He will raise issues/complain about the process and the way that this project has been handled.

Councillor Stanser raised that the pricing that Quickline first offered has not be retracted and that they cannot commit to pricing at present. A date of January 23 was given by Quickline as to when the fibre would be available. They also confirmed that it would to property not to post. Councillor Bowdler will get clarification on these points.

Councillor Breeze did have an offer from Quickline to sign up early for a reduced price but the fibre has not even been installed as yet.

It was noted that OpenReach were completing works up to Fox’s at the end of Knaith Park.

Councillor Bowdler will update the Parish Council after his meeting Friday. Action; SB

 

10/01/23. Items of information to be noted and if necessary, dealt with at the next meeting.

  • Alongside the footpaths being cleared it was noted that repairs works have been completed to stiles, steps and fencing along Public footpaths within the Parish.

 

11/01/23. Date for next meeting

A date was set for the next Bi-Monthly Parish Council Meeting - Monday 13 March 2023 at 6.30 pm.

With all business concluded the meeting closed at 8.09pm.

 

               

 

Signed ………………………………………. Dated ………………………………