November 2021 Minutes (8th)
Minutes of the Dunston Parish Council Meeting
Held on Monday 8 November 2021
PRESENT: P. Cllrs R. McLuckie (PM) (Chair), P. Moore (PM)(Vice Chair), G. Armstrong (GA), Bryan Lamyman (BA), P. Duncan (PD), R. Churchward (RC), C. Cllr R. Kendrick & Clerk R. Boden (RB).
1. Apologies. P. Cllr L. Phillipson
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None.
3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: The minutes were held to be a true and accurate record for the previous meeting held on the 11 October 2021. 306/21
4. REPORTS:
COUNTY COUNCILLOR R. Kendrick
The newsletter is out.
An event was held recently at the Showroom on Tritton Road for the young people in foster care and it was well received. They sent time talking about issues of being in foster care and the outcome is to let ALL collegues aware, even down to the Highways team.
Gritting has already started depending on the temperatures. The gritting routes can be found on the LCC website.
Speeding issues were again raised and RK is going to look into access only and ask for speed checks. Any speed reductions must be due to meeting the criteria rather than the community wanting them. 307/21
Cllr Kendrick left the building
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
Elections are to be held on the 11 November for two District Councillors
5.DUNSTON PC REQUIREMENT
a. Chairman's Report
The statue of the soilder ‘Tommy’ can not be placed in the churchyard due to it being closed but is already sited just outside. It will remain in place for the week of Rememberance and then be stored in the church.308/21
b. Clerk’s Report
RB reported that the grant for the broadband was closing and as the broadband had only recently been installed the PC were not at the complete amount for grant funding. She had emailed LCC but the lady in charge was away until Tuesday. 309/21
c. Meeting dates for next year
RB asked for the dates to be set for the next year. The council agreed to aim for 11 meetings within the year, none in August, being held on the second Monday in the month. Action: RB to meet the dates on the website.310/21
6.HIGHWAYS:
a. Sizes/Costing of Speed Gates
RC has not had the time due to work commitments. Bring to next meeting.311/21
7.PLANNING:
a. 21/1507/HOUS – The Laurels, Middle Street. Creation of new driveway, boundary wall, gate and porch. No objections.312/21
8.ENVIRONMENT ISSUES:
a. Grass Cutting – Re-tender.
The retender letters need to be sent out for the grass cutting contract, for the next three years. Action: RB to make this a priority.
b. Hazards Obstructing Footpath
The wall around the churchard is covered with flowering ivy, stemming from the wall of Church House. This has caused the footpath to become very narrow and people are having to step into the road. BL explained that the flowers are one of the last food sources for nectar loving bees/ insects and the ivy will be trimmed after flowering. Action: RB to put a reminder in the Limespring regarding keeping hedges trimmed.
c. Christmas Tree and Lights
LP has contacted several Christmas Tree suppliers for prices this year but as she is unable to attend the meeting the council were unsure if this had gone any further. Action: RB to contact LP and get the Christmas Tree ordered.
It was also decided that RB should purchase a number of coloured lights this year for the tree. She will let the council know as soon as the tree and lights arrive.
It was then suggested that there maybe could be a light switch on and some carols around the tree.
Action: PM to talk to churches together. RB to write a piece for the Limespring.313/21
9.PLAYING FIELD:
a. Community Orchard
Work is ongoing to secure the grant to purchase a selection of fruit trees for the community orchard.
b. Hedging – planting, fencing, reorganising
It was discussed that the small wooden hut should be emptied and removed. Further trees and some hedging could be purchased to be grown around the fenced area of Dolly’s Paddock. If it was carried out in stages then it could be built on as funds allowed.
RC left the meeting, due to commitments.
A proposal was made for hedging of around 150m on the East side of the field to be planted first. All councillors thought this was a good idea.
c.Work to be carried out from ROSPA report.
A group of councillors will carry out some of the work next week and RB to speak to a company that she is already in contact with for a price for 15x2m matting to go infront of the MUGA.314/21
10. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee update.
It was discussed and felt that there should be an event held within the village and it would be a good time for all the different clubs in the village to come together to help run this. BL will tke the idea to the PCC meeting on the 23rd November and PM to the Churches Together meeting on the 24th November.
It was decided that the Parish Council should concentrate it’s efforts on the Saturday and provide a games afternoon/ entertainment for the childern on the playing field.315/21
11. VILLAGE HALL:
a. Management Committee update.
Sue Glaister and PM are waiting on references for the gentleman that has been offered the position of Village Hall Manager.
They are to interview two people for the caretakers role on Friday 12 November. There is also a meeting tommorrow with new committee members. The last meeting, with Roger as Chairman is next Monday 15 November. At present there is no secretary.
They have been approached by Mr Bannister who would like the sewerage pipes, for the new housing development, to come through his right of way and connect to the mains. He has offered the hall to be connected to this as well.316/21
11. FINANCE:
a. AGAR 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.
This has been finalised and the invoice issued for 2020-2021. The invoice for 2019-2020 is still to be received.
b.Bannk Reconciliation
Current statements:
Treasurers Account £29254.14
Outstanding expenses:
Glendale £164.34
WAVE £139.99
Stamps £20.40
RBL (Tommy)| £200.00
PKF Littlejohn £240.00
Staff wages £ 421.36
Plusnet DD £26.40
Total £1,212.49
Total after expenses:
Treasurers Account £28,041.65
Bus Bank Account £15,371.45
Prop PM/ Sec GA to pay outstanding cheques. The bank reconciliation for the end of October had been previously sent to the councillors.
c) Trout Fund
The invoice has been presented to close the account and RB had the correct paperwork for the signatories to allow this to happen.317/21
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Monday 10th January 2022 at 7.30pm in the Lamyman Room of the Village Hall.
CLOSED SESSION:
RB left the meeting as the councillors needed to go into Closed session.318/21