July 2023 Minutes

Minutes of the Dunston Parish Council Meeting - Monday 10th July 2023

Present: Cllrs McLuckie, Pellew, Duncan, Lamyman, Armstrong, Phillipson. Clerk to Council, NKDC Cllr Parry and one member of the public. 

NKDC Cllr Parry addressed those present to explain his proposals for drop-in sessions in Metheringham, Nocton and Dunston. He further stated that NKDC is currently rated as one of the top 5 council areas in England and that he is seeking to publicise that fact more widely to the local population.

Council Session 

23067     To receive apologies and accept valid reasons of absence:

Received from Cllr Treece and Moore.  

23068     To receive members’ declarations of disposable pecuniary, non-disclosable pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in relation to any agenda item.

No Changes

23069  The minutes of the previous meeting on 12th June 2023 were agreed as a true record.

23070     Mr Steve Rankin was co-opted to fill the vacant position on the Parish Council and was welcomed to the meeting. 

23071     The Village Hall Management Committee were requested to obtain quotes for the proposed improvements to the VH lighting.

Action: SR

23072    The broadband supplier to the VH has given notice of termination of contract in September and it was resolved to change to an alternate supplier to maintain this service for the next 2 years. A potential cost of £25 per month was agreed as acceptable.

Action: RM

23073     It was agreed to hold a village wide, open competition to design a decorative sign suitable for erection near the bridge on Front Street. A budget for the sign of £600 - £1000 was approved as acceptable.

Action: RP LP

23074     The bench beside the bus stop was discussed and it was resolved to replace the current seat with one which provides back support and a potential cost of £500 was approved.

Action: TB

23075     The idea of volunteer residents adopting a verge at entry points to the village to plant and maintain flowers and/or the possibility of siting a planter containing flowers at a suitable point in the village is to be publicized on the Dunston Facebook page.

Action: SR PD

23076     Quotes for the installation of a solar speed camera sensing system are to be sought.

Action: LP

23077    It was resolved to fit concrete bases for the 3 picnic tables at the playing field providing the cost was acceptable (£600 - £800)

Action: TB

23078 The repair to the penalty spot on the playing field had been carried out and it will be re-seeded in the autumn. The grass cutting and strimming at the playing field will be discussed with the contractor now that the hedge is in place.

Action: PD

23079 It was noted that a section of the wall near the bridge on Chapel Lane is in poor repair and the owner should be notified accordingly.

Action: TB   

23080 The sticking pedestrian gate at the Dunston Fen Stepping Out site will be reported via fix-my-street.

Action: TB

23081 The Village Keeper hours are to be increased by 1 hour to 17 per month.

23082 It was resolved to increase the salary paid to Parish employees by 5% backdated to 1 April 2023. It was further agreed that the charge for preparing an ashes interment site in the burial ground would be increased from £40 to £50 with immediate effect.

Action: TB

23083 The two employee salaries were agreed for payment.

Action: TB

Next Meeting:  Mon 11th September at 1900. Dunston Village Hall.